How Has Homophobia Become a Witch Hunt?

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According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, homophobia is the irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals. Much like a witch hunt, homophobia targets and seeks out individuals, gay or straight, and persecutes them based on ignorance, and further more if one cannot provide solid proof of his or her innocence. (Hughes) It is the fuel behind many hate crimes and discrimination. Some claim that homosexuality is a disease. If this statement is true, couldn’t we all simply begin to call in “queer” to work and school when we won’t be present? (Avert)

Homophobes provide numerous reasons, which they view extremely valid, to back up their hatred. “It’s not natural” – a weak argument. Biologists frequently see homosexual behavior in other mammalian species. In livestock ranching, it is so common it’s beginning to be problematic to reproduction. Also, bisexuality is universal in Bonobo Chimpanzees. (Bidstrup) Another variation of the “it’s unnatural” argument is that homosexuality is a “perversion.” You also have the argument that homosexuality is “disgusting, a disease” which is essentially a spin-off of the “it’s unnatural/a perversion” argument: on a level of its own regarding ignorance. Many things in society are disgusting, we don’t simply outlaw them based on if someone is grossed out. Heterosexuals seem to forget that they may seem to be displeasing to the homosexual community-.Wouldn’t it be ludicrous for a gay man or a lesbian woman to come up and say straight people should be persecuted? Isn’t respect and tolerance a two way street? And if homosexuality is a disease, then can we call in “queer” to work or school? Then, there are your petty religious arguments. Religion-based arguments agai...

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... “land of the free,” we must open our minds and hearts and realize that the LGBT community is not what is causing the catastrophe, but bigotry and abhorrence is. Homophobia, like racism, will always be an issue in society. However, with education and reconstruction, we can see a major change and improvement in the quality of life to those who are affected so deeply by hate.

Works Cited

Bidstrup, Scott. "Homosexual Behaviors in Animals." n. pag. Web. 21 Sep 2011.

Homophobia, prejudice & attitudes to gay men and lesbians. , Web. 24 Mar 2011. .

Hughes, Sean. "Anti-Gay Harassment Can Become a Witch Hunt." Winston-Salem Journal 06 FEB 2006: Sec. D. Print.

Waldman, Steven. "Why religions people are against gay marriage.." n. pag. Web. 20 Sep 2011. .

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