Heterosexism versus Homophobia

Is there a difference between not agreeing with homosexuality and homophobia? This individual gives us his own answer and in someway believes there the same.

What exactly is “not agreeing with homosexuality “? Does society have an idea of what this really means? Actually they came up with a word for it these days--Heterosexism. Heterosexism is kind of of the middle ground between Homosexuality and Homophobia par say. Heterosexism is the disagreement with homosexuality based on beliefs and ideology. Homophobia is the hatred of homosexuality by other reasons such as disgust, misunderstanding, or experience.
Homophobes are usually more violent and expressive with their feelings toward homosexuals. Homophobic people are usually those who picket marches and protest on gay rally days. Homophobia is thought of to be psychological and sometimes threatening to the person themselves. Homophobes are not likely to befriend a homosexual or even be near them at a party. Homophobes are often afraid of being in close quarters with a homosexual person. This fear is often more reverent in men. Most men are said to have a sense of anger arise when in their presence. Although not all homophobes do, many have been noted to go as far as committing hate crimes such as house burning or even vitalization. Homophobes don’t necessarily have a reason to believe that the homosexual lifestyle is wrong, they just believe its gross and will go to any means to show it.

Heterosexist individuals however are not as violent and expressive. Heterosexists are not in favor of homosexuality in no way. However they do not go as far as expressing it openly. Heterosexism do not convey the hate that homophobes do but the disagreement is mutual. Heterosexist believe that homosexuals are wrong and indeed going against the will their higher being. Heterosexist will not befriend a homosexual but are willing to be friendly and courteous at all times. Although heterosexist people can come from any class or financial standing; heterosexist believe that they are superior to homosexuals no matter their identity. They believe that homosexuals have a lower standard in society because of their lifestyle. For example heterosexist would stand as the “white society” in the old days. The “white society” had an idea and feeling of superiority over other races in America no matter what their status really was. This is the same thought pattern that heterosexist have over homosexuals.

Although both heterosexist and homophobes do not agree with homosexuality, they both go to different degrees to express it. Homophobia and heterosexism is alike in a lot of ways. However the differences outweigh the similarities. Homophobia is different from heterosexism. Homophobia is extreme, heterosexism is subtle.

reasons for homosexualtiy

There are multiple reasons for homophobia, or reasons to not support homosexuality. Homosexuality is a lifestyle for some, for some its all they know. But I believe the bigger and most outlooked about questions is Why are homosexuals...homosexuals?

The first reason that comes to mind when I think of a person having a same sex partner is: Why not the opposite sex? However it is very normal for a person to have a bad experience with a person of the opposite sex. After that life changing experience your perception changes and so does your future choices. For example a friend I know was raped as a small child by a person from the opposite sex. The situation was traumatic and undisguised. From then on she looked at men very differently. She saw men as perverts and predators, she felt inferior and worthless when in their presence. Her relationships with even close male friends changed. She felt violated and because of the situation she was never able to forgive the man. Therefore she was never able to forgive any man. To her they were all the same. Her ideals had been skewed. This unfortunate accident happened early in her life, however it is still effecting her today. That friend is now homosexual! The true reason I guess would never be known , however this is a fortified reason. Some homosexuals are homosexuals because they shy away from the opposite because of previous experiences.

The next plausible reason for homosexuality would be that they are just born that way...maybe its genetic. Scientist say that homosexuality is a natural thing that has happened in nature throughout history. Homosexuality occurs in other species. Although there is no acknowledgeable physical or psychological reason for homosexuality, maybe some are just meant to be. Its not an unnatural thing to find a homosexual child, or a child that has homosexual tendencies. Think about it most gay adults were once gay children. Many people believe that being gay is strictly a choice. However its hard to believe that homosexuals can just wake up and decide to be gay. Being gay is not a light thing, especially in today's society. There is so much controversy over the homosexual lifestyle that you have to had thought long and hard to even consider being put in front of the "firing squad" per say. Meaning being gay would have to be something that you have been dealing with for a while, because with it comes many consequences. Many pose the question: Why would someone choose to be gay? Why would someone want to live on the outskirts of society? I say, they wouldn't. Who would? No one wants to be put into a category of promiscuity and persecution. No one but someone that has no choice.

Homosexuality is a very controversial topic in America. Homosexuality might be the most misunderstood lifestyle in America. Its interesting to me how a country that calls themselves the "land of the free" can be so binding. Why is it that homosexuals are bonded by stereotypes and biases. We have all learned religious acceptance, we have all made a huge deal over civil rights and the equality of races. America has even put God first, the God that they claim made all man equal. Is homosexuality that obscene? NO, we just haven't quite understood what the Bill of Rights.

Reasons for Homophobia

As I researched homophobia I came across this experimental video that was quite interesting.

"Homophobia is widespread in America, far more widespread than most heterosexuals realize, and it is far more subtle, too. The discrimination it inspires touches the lives of many Americans, not just gay Americans, but all Americans", as stated by Scott Bidstrup. But what exactly is the cause of homophobia?

The first reason to believe that Americans are homophobic is because of their simple fear.Not necessarily the fear of homosexuals but the fear of homosexuality and what it brings along with it. As I asked around my dorm some people fear that if America was to accept this then what will happen next. This fear of "loss of control", as researched by Scott Bidstrup in

Homophobia:The fear behind the hatred

, is normal in most homophobic individuals. He states that" Someone who lives life in a manner quite different that oneself represents a threat to that individual. The threat is a threat to the ego in the sense that one's own choices may prove not to be optimal; it is also a subconscious threat to one's security in the sense that the other may prove to be more successful". Although most people would hate to admit it, they are mostly afraid of what will happen to what they thought was right when another option is exposed. People are afraid to wake up one day and realize that they,they being the "heterosexuals", are the weird ones.

The second reason I encountered why people are homophobic is because of their religious background. Most religions do not promote the homosexual lifestyle. In fact there is no one religion that strictly enforces or believes in this. Its simple looked over in some. For example in some religions they believe that it is against the will of God to do such acts. The rejection of homosexual behavior that is found in the Old Testament is well known, as presented by the Catholic Answers, a religious website. The website explains that "throughout history, Jewish and Christian scholars have recognized that one of the chief sins involved in God’s destruction of Sodom was its people’s homosexual behavior." Although this is a wide know example the Holy Bible gives another in Leviticus: "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; . . . If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall be put to death, their blood is upon them" (Lev. 18:22, 20:13). Of all the religions mostly associated with the US, Muslims and Jews show more controversy over this subject. As we know in America we are a religion based society and what we are taught is what we adhere to. However they exclaim that it is not the homosexual that they condemn it is homosexuality!

The final reason that I believe is a cause of homophobia is jealousy. Think about it! In life when you are strongly against someone or truly hate something, you usually envy it. The most homophobic person just might be homosexual. Sulayman X agrees by saying that one cause is ,"Jealousy, perhaps. Or self-hatred. I get the feeling that the vicious messages from these people are actually desperate pleas for help. I have to wonder, after all, why the issue of homosexuality stirs up such anger and emotion within them -- indeed, why else, if not because they are passionately involved in the issue in their own lives?" Many Americans might have the very feelings that they are afraid of ,but yet try to hide them buy being controversial to others that share that feeling.

Although homophobia is rising and very crucial. Homosexuality is rising as well. It is estimated by gayadoptionfaqs.com that approximately ten percent of the U.S. population or 25 million people are homosexual. This is a huge number and it is growing daily! So my turn on this is...if you can't beat them, join them....No, just kidding. But as you have realized homosexuals are a large part of Americans society and we are the "land of the free" and that includes in sexuality.

America should be losing weight

Last blog post I concentrated on why I thought America was so obsessed with being a size zero. Yes, being a size zero is not something that Americans should fascinate over. However, Americans shouldn’t be a size 28 either. Mabey Americans should focus on losing weight, but the healthy way. How can we as Americans lose weight in a positive way?
We could excersise for one. We could learn to take the steps and not the elavator.We could park further from the wal-mart and stop waiting three hours for the person down the lane to unpack their groceries into their minivans. Exercise is very essential in health. According to CBS News research “(WebMD) In January 2005, the U.S. government released a new set of dietary guidelines essentially telling us that as Americans get bigger, so does the length of time we need to be physically active. While it's a little more involved than that, the guidelines from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services indicate that at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity is required to reduce the risk of chronic diseases in adulthood.”
Many of americans are not even getting that amount of excersise. As CNN health puts it Seven out of 10 American adults don't exercise regularly despite the proven health benefits. They defined regular physical activity as light-to-moderate exercise at least five times a week for at least a half-hour, or vigorous activity at least three times a week for a minimum of 20 minutes.
Experts say lack of physical activity contributes to some 300,000 deaths each year in the United States caused by heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other conditions.
Eat right! Just say no to the double pounder and pick up a salad instead. Step away from the table. Many of us eat and are not hungry at all. We eat for pleasure and not for survival. Americans now spend more on fast food than on education, computers, computer software, or new cars. “Most children over 6, teen girls, active women, and many inactive men may need about 2,200calories per day. Teen boys and active men may need about 2,800 calories per day, according to the health statistics.
Although America should not dream to look like the model on the front page of magazagines, they should however dream to be healthy and fit. Losing weight isn't a bad thing but perhaps the motive is what we should question.

Americans fascination with losing weight

This silent film is about a young girl in a scary situation. She is worried about her weight. As we all can see, this girl looks great ,or does she, by American standards. Her ideas and views of herself have been so manipulated that she has began to throw up her meals to transform her body to imitate the ones in the magazines. In the end she even attempts suicide. Is the demand for that size 0 body that strong that our young people would rather die than to face it? Perhaps, but first we must answer this. Why is America so fascinated with losing weight?
First off, the media plays an important role in the decisions and ideas of young people today. On television we see all types of influential messages that suggest that being a size 0 is being beautiful. For example the hit show Ugly Betty stars this young woman that is not a size zero. She landed a job in the fashion industry but her fellow employees cant understand why. They constantly poke fun at her size. They equate her size with a lack of intelligence and charisma. This show is telling us that only "skinny" people should be in the fashion industry and that if your not that perfect size you are then useless.
Not only does the television deliver skewed fews of beauty. But America is also swayed by the music industry. Song writers are also succeeding in the development of their own "beauty" equation. Their lyrics tells us that a perfect woman is 36''- 24'' -36''. They explain that you have to be "tight" in the waste to be attractive. Think about that...those are unrealistic measurements of even a doll. The average woman in America is 163 pounds and has a waste line 36.5 inches in circumference. However they don't stop there.
Everytime I turn on my radio I hear a "get skinny quick" diet plan. Diets, DIETS, diets. They have Miracle Wu-Yi slim tea, water reduction pills, and even plastic wrap to offer to the fat american. Fat by there standards. Have you ever seen a diet commerical, half the people giving the testimonies are our size! Wow that hits you hard doesnt it. America has no option but to fascinated with losing weight because after all...its everywhere.
When do we find a limit? What is fat? What is being attractive? What does true beauty look like, or can you even see it. These are all question that we have to asks ourselves. Beauty is reletive. Until we realize that there is no concrete definition, we as Americans might always be fascinated.

Is it really "PRICELESS"

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Presidential Elections-Whose running?

http://www.politics1.com/p2008-dems.htm

Democratic Candidates

US Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (New York)
Former US Senator John R. Edwards (North Carolina)
Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (Ohio)
US Senator Barack Obama (Illinois)
Former Alaska US Senator Maurice R. "Mike" Gravel (Virginia)

Republican Candidates

Former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. "Rudy" Giuliani (New York)
Former Governor Michael D. "Mike" Huckabee (Arkansas)
US Senator John S. McCain III (Arizona)
STCongressman Ron Paul (Texas)
Former Governor W. Mitt Romney (Massachusetts)
Former Tennessee US Senator Fred Dalton Thompson (Virginia)