- Summary
Blumenfeld, having been gay himself, takes a look at homophobia from a critical perspective in as much he runs into the risk of holding and expressing biased opinion on the matter that has since become a common feature in debates especially in his home country, the United States. The writer expresses his reservation in the manner in which homophobia is being propagated by those who feel threatened by it. He also speaks to the fact that many are probably missing out on the ignored opportunities that present themselves during this time. Blumenfeld talks of the nature of the social construct of homophobia by assimilating it to other phobias that also tend to be based on not only an individual’s understanding of the world, but equally as a result of the influence that an individual gets based on the surrounding social factors and other human understanding. This is because, in as much as a an individual may want to belong to an independent social setting that may be unique in both physical and other aspects, we may want to always fit into the larger group that in many cases often targets smaller groups by oppressing them. It is in the same manner homosexuals are targeted and oppressed and therefore remain disadvantaged.
- Ways in Which Homophobia Manifests Itself
As the author has explains (268), homophobia has come to present itself in four separate ways. The first of this ways is through cultural manifestation. Through culture, society has a marked code of rules, or what may popularly be regarded to as ethics, that each and every single individual that cohabits within is expected to abide to. These rules and regulations are not expressly legitimate but are what in legal terms referred to as de facto. Through these rules, society for example aims to curtail visibility of homosexuals and other minorities. Additionally, members of society not in agreement with a particular habit will always want to deny the minority popular strength or even self-identity.
Secondly, the writer highlights that when a personal bias on an issue arises, there tends to be prejudice against members of a particular minority like homosexual. Discrimination is the product of the active component of such feelings.
The third one is personal homophobia. In this case, a system of beliefs is slowly tolerated amongst individuals and groups of the minority that entail nurturing and entertaining the belief that homosexuals are powerless and deserve to be pitied members of the society.
Finally, there is a systematic way in which governments, non-governmental, non-profit, businesses and other professional institutions propagate homophobia. Even in educational institutions you can find administrators discouraging homosexuality as norm. Institutions such as the army in many countries have had to deal with challenge of accepting gays into their set ups. This is what the author refers to as institutional homophobia (277).
- How Homophobia Limits the Lives and Experiences of Heterosexuals
Blumenfeld (261) explains that homophobia, just like many other forms of oppression only serves to discriminate against the minority who are the homosexuals in this case. The result, as the writer adds, is the dominant group mastering power and control over the weaker group. The most significant implications of this are as follows.
When our ability to express ourselves and creativity alike is inhibited due to homophobic tendencies in society the larger nation or community suffers a great deal. To begin with, society is enhanced only through inventions and solving of problems through innovative ways (261). These are the hallmarks of great solution for potentially big problems. Heterosexuals therefore miss a great deal of chances that may prove to be useful to them and society in general.
The second most significant way in which heterosexuals are missing out on a better life experience is the fact that many are coerced and conditioned into being inhumane (261). By this, mean several attributes such as hatred are nurtured therefore bringing forth an intense negative intent among those who would rather grow into loving human beings. This destroys the fundamental instinct that enables men and women live in a society that is peaceful.
Perhaps the final and one of the most significant ways in which heterosexuals are missing out through the endless propagation of hate against homosexual, is the continuous labeling of heterosexuals who are not gay as homosexuals (261). This kind of discrimination can cause very serious damage to the morale of individuals just like racism and other mainstream forms of discrimination. The effects can be as devastating as suicide and denial which ends up leading to factors such as the first one that talks of inhibiting creativity of individuals through fear.
Works Cited
Blumenfeld, Warren J. "How homophobia hurts everyone." Readings for diversity and social justice (2000): 267-275.
