Ten Ways Homophobia & Transphobia Affect Straight People

1. Homophobia and transphobia force us to act "macho" if we are a man or "feminine" if we are a woman. This limits our individuality and self-expression.

2. Homophobia and transphobia put pressure on straight people to act aggressively and angrily towards LGBTQI people.

3. Homophobia and transphobia can make it harder to be close friends with someone of the same sex.

4. Homophobia and transphobia often strain family and community relationships.

5. Homophobia and transphobia can cause youth to become sexually active before they are ready in order to prove they are "normal." This can lead to an increase in unwanted pregnancies and STIs (sexually transmitted infections).

6. Homophobia and transphobia prevent vital information on sex and sexuality to be readily available in classrooms, medical offices, and other educational venues. Without this information, LGBTQI people are putting themselves at a greater risk for HIV and other STIs (sexually transmitted infections).

7. Homophobia and transphobia can be used to hurt a straight person if they "appear to be gay" and/or express her/his gender outside societal expectations.

8. Homophobia and transphobia make it hard for straight people and LGBTQ people to be friends.

9. Homophobia and transphobia, along with racism, sexism, classism, etc. make it hard to put an end to AIDS.

10. Homophobia and transphobia make it hard to appreciate true diversity and the unique traits that are not “mainstream.”

Crossposted via Q Resources.

Open Forum: Are Gay Parents Scared of Prospect of Gay Children?

We all know that many straight parents conceive of and fear the idea that their child may grow up to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. They figure, "they wouldn't raise their child to be like that, and that they don't have that problem in their family" but low and behold a percentage of children will grow up to become queer identified.

Queer headed households are daring and challenging societies concept of family structure by being whom they are while still embracing the joys of family life, conception and adoption. LGBTQIA parents bill themselves as more understanding and open minded because of their own experiences growing up different.

When push comes to shove, are LGBT parents scared of the prospect that their very own child may be gay or transgender? Did you ever consider the possibility that a child of an LGBT parent may have a tough time coming out to their family?

It isn't that these parents wouldn't understand sexual and gender diversity, they do but they also have to face a society that has had very little exposure to queer parenting. Are LGBT parents afraid, people will point a finger and say "see gay parents do raise gay children." Is it possible that gay kids will fear coming out so that they don't disappoint their parents making them think they did a poor job?