Thursday, May 01, 2008

WEAR RED OR A RAINBOW COLORED CLOTHING ON MAY 17!








Entitled Homosexuality is not a sickness!.


On a May 17 that the World Health Organisation (WHO) removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses. Unfortunately, though, prejudice is deep-rooted since some people still think that being gay or lesbian is a mental disorder while others mistakenly believe that homosexuality can be “cured”.


The International Day Against Homophobia is an annual thematic event occurring every May 17. This is a unifying moment during which a great number of activities are taking place. It also represents an opportunity to organize educational and awareness activities. Citizens from all walks of life are invited to reflect on homophobia and its devastating effects.


Because of homophobia, certain people have difficulty accepting and living a sexual orientation that is different from that of the majority, the suicide rate among young gays is much higher than with their heterosexual peers, a great number of gays and lesbians live in secret and in fear of rejection, and transgendered and transsexual persons still live on the fringe of society.








ARE YOU HOMOPHOBIC?

Both on a conscious or sub-conscious level, homophobia surfaces in various ways and can even be internalised.

Homophobic Attitudes
Feelings or convictions that gays and lesbians are abnormal or sick'

Homophobia-inspired Heterosexism
The false belief that everybody is heterosexual and that only heterosexuality is acceptable and legitimate' This belief is based on the idea that the majority sets the norm'

Homophobic Language
The use of vocabulary and expressions that can span from jokes to insults'

Interpersonal Homophobia
Non-verbal displays of being ill-at-ease, feeling unsafe or experiencing fear when in contact with gay men and/or lesbians'

Institutionalised/Systemic Homophobia
The built-in institutional practice of putting gays and lesbians at a disadvantage'

Opportunistic Homophobia
Being interested in homosexuality solely for financial or personal gain, and not wanting to be associated with being homosexual or with gay men and lesbians'

Internalised Homophobia
An often sub-conscious form of homophobia that is a product of education and social values passed down by society' Gay men and lesbians, too, can adopt homophobic behaviour'

Condoned (passive) Homophobia
Silence or lack of response to acts of homophobic language or behaviour that call for someone to intervene and put an end to them'

Homophobic Violence
An extreme display of homophobia that leads to violence and can range from verbal assault to hate crimes'