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How to prevent and fight homophobia.

Preventing and fighting homophobia is difficult at best but through education, prosecution and establishing an environment throughout society that allows us to disapprove of homosexuality and yet not be frightened by it and above all, not to react with violence against homosexuals when we encounter someone who is openly homosexual. We can no more change a person's true thoughts about homosexuality than we can change their belief in God. With that in mind, let us attempt to move forward.

First of all, homophobia is NOT a word that has its roots in politically correct language. It is merely the term given to those who are afraid of homosexuals. Those who exhibit the most fear are generally men because of the way men are socialized from early childhood. If the encounter with another male who is a homosexual is in a sexually charged situation it is likely that there will be a fight or flight response. If the response was fight and it was successful, this may prompt the individual to follow suite with similar actions absent a sexually charged situation. In other words, the homophobe seeks out homosexuals with the intent to victimize the homosexual for their lifestyle choice.
The only true way to combat this is to insist on strict prosecution and punishment of these criminals. No additional laws are required as it makes no difference what the cause of criminal activity is except that additional punishment is warranted due to the malicious nature of the crime.

Preventing homophobia is another matter. Advocates for tolerance and acceptance are often at odds with each other. Many individuals do not accept homosexuality because it conflicts with their religious beliefs. The true faithful know that those who practice this will answer to God and do not pass judgment on this earth. These same individuals would prefer to not know about anyone else's sexual behavior as that should be a private matter. Teaching children that we are all different and that each has our own contribution to make to this world regardless of sexuality is the real lesson that must be taught.

There are those who do not accept and do not tolerate homosexuality because they are not comfortable with how this acceptance and tolerance will evolve in society. Instead, they prefer to not know. They do not care to know and mean no ill toward anyone in the homosexual community and would prefer that they not publicly seek approval and acceptance. It is not that they desire the homosexuals to go back into the closet but rather they remind themselves that they do not identify themselves as being heterosexual and ask the question "Why must homosexuals identify themselves as such when surely there is so much more to person than how they achieve sexual satisfaction?"
In the efforts to eliminate homophobia, it is probably best to prevent violence against homosexuals by prosecuting those who victimize them and educate each other that homosexuals are people who share the same hopes and dreams as heterosexuals. We are all people and shouldn't be afraid of one another because of our sexual preferences.

Learn more about this author, Mark Butler.
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