With all the current discussions about same-sex marriage swirling around the corridors of power at the moment one might be tempted to think that homophobia is now a dead issue. The fact that an American President can now come out in favour of same-sex marriage might indicate that same-sex attracted people are now free from intimidation, discrimination and violence but statistics still seem to indicate otherwise.

Apart from sections of the Arab world where homosexuality still remains illegal and punishable by death, Australian tolerance appears to also have some limits. A recent report from Latrobe University reveals some alarming statistics for same-sex attracted young people in particular.

In the report, Writing Themselves In 3, (http://www.latrobe.edu.au/ssay/assets/downloads/wti3_web_sml.pdf)  18% of young people said that they had been physically assaulted because of their sexuality and 61% verbally abused while 69% reported other forms of homophobia.  Rodney aged 17 said: “I struggled a bit through years 9/10. The change rooms before and after PE were the worst, you always had your back turned on at least some of the other boys. You never knew what they would do.”

Earlier Australian research too by Wesley Mission found that gay-identified young men (aged 18-24) were 3.7 times more likely to attempt suicide. Most of these attempts occurred after the person had self-identified as gay. While it might be an exaggeration to draw a direct link between bullying of same-sex attracted young people and suicide, the Wesley Mission believes that “what is evident from a survey of the literature is that feelings of isolation, alienation, helplessness and hopelessness can be identified as possible ’causes’”.

There’s also another more subtle form of homophobia which I label institutional or theological homophobia and is best illustrated by Pope Benedict’s pronouncement in January this year that: “homosexuality represents policies which undermine the family, threaten human dignity and the future of humanity itself.” Official Catholic theology currently defines homosexuality as “intrinsically disordered”. This institution has a lot to answer for in prolonging those “feelings of isolation, alienation, helplessness and hopelessness” that the Wesley Mission has identified.

But it should be emphasised too that it is more often the religious power-brokers who harbour this homophobia and not always grass-roots believers. There are many examples of religious believers who oppose homophobia and all forms of discrimination. A recent example I came across was IsaiahOne, a “coalition of Christians of varying denominational backgrounds who are concerned that Christians better understand human rights, in particular how they apply practically to people in contemporary Australian society.” (http://www.isaiahone.org)

Same-sex attracted people and their supporters are fighting back. Today, May 17th marks the celebration of The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) www.dayagainsthomophobia.org/ celebrated every May 17. It is coordinated by the Paris-based “IDAHO Committee” and aims to coordinate international events to call respect for lesbians and gays worldwide. May 17 was chosen as the day of the event because homosexuality was removed from the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization on May 17, 1990.

In my own region, GASP (Geelong Adolescent Sexuality Project) is a social and support service for young people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or in any way questioning their sexuality. GASP offers support, information, referral and social connections for same-sex attracted young people and aims to create a community that celebrates all young people. (http://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/community/youth/gasp.aspx)

Susanne Prosser who is GASP’s Youth Development Officer says that “the group is so important for young people as a point of connection. Often it is the first time that they have met another GLBT person, or adult. And increasingly, for those who are ready, it is becoming an advocacy group, as we provide them with the support and tools to challenge homophobia within the community.”

I believe that homophobia, like all fears, is mostly based on ignorance and the more gay people can live their lives openly and not be hidden the more it is obvious that we are the same as everybody else, with the identical dreams, hopes and plans for our lives. Idaho Day is one reminder of that reality.

Meanwhile as I was finishing this blog a medical group, who should know better, Doctors for the Family, announced that they had made a Senate submission which argues same-sex marriage would put the “future health of our nation” at risk. It seems we still have a long way to go yet before homophobia is outdated.

 

Greg McHenry talks to Sussane Prosser and John Bartlett about IDAHO DAY and homophobia on Pulse radio 94.7 on Tuesday May 15th 2012.
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