Homophobia in 2025- Still?
Homophobia in 2025- Still?
Casual homophobia flies from all angles in conversation today. Homophobia has existed for centuries- bringing people down, shaming them for simply loving one another. And it’s not going to just “disappear” on its own, it's something that we all have toagree on together to end. I mean seriously, every day I hear something new. “That’s so gay” as in insult is a common one. Even to the point where I’ve heard a coworker exclaim, “Ew!” to a picture of two guys kissing. It’s sick, in my opinion. To tiptoe around the topic would be to diminish it, and its affected population, so the question is- how can I help? What can I do?
In order to combat homophobia and create a safer space for LBGTQ individuals everywhere, you can change your mindset to something more supportive and stand up to those who say otherwise. A book by Cindy Ann Kilgo suggests that “getting started (education), going deeper (personal action), and inclusive excellence (advocacy)” are the first three steps to inclusivity and a healthier community. Using these as a guide can help you to becoming a better ally and friend to LGBTQ people.
So, to start, we’ll tackle education, or educating yourself about LGBTQ history and issues. Learning what it means to be a true ally will mean a lot to those you’re trying to support. A simple search can bring you to places like Brittanica or other informative sites with a wealth of information and resources. By looking into past and present issues, you can give yourself a better framework for supporting those affected, as well as form your own opinions in order to educate others as well. What words and phrases to avoidis very important to know. Another good thing to look into would be different resources around you for LGBTQ people that you can support.
This ties right into how you can help your LGBTQ friends. Once you have a good framework of understanding into the issues they face, its easier to support them. A couple good things to tell your friends include that you’re here for them- maybe let them know you’ve done your research too. Learning about when something would be an issue and being there to validate a friend through it is one of the most supportive things you can do. Another good notion is to tell them that you’ll be there to stand by them if they’re being treated badly. Making it clear that you’re supportive of their sexuality can be obvious but so necessary for fostering safer spaces. Some examples of things you can say include things like “You can always be yourself around me, dont worry.” “If anyone tries to give you trouble, I’m here for you.” or even if it comes up in conversation, simply “Love is love. I’m not here to judge you.” can mean so much to someone.
If you’re in a situation where you hear someone make a homophobic joke, call it out! Silence will look like an agreement, and will enable said person to continue spreading hate. Just tell them it’s not funny and move on. Even if there’s not a gay person in the room, it’s still important to try to stop this behavior. Think back to kindergarten. The bystander is just as bad as the bully. Speaking up is so important because it creates safer spaces for LGBTQ people to be themselves. It doesn’t have to be a huge argument—a simple “That isn’t funny man.” could solve the problem in its tracks. Calling out toxic behavior is one of the easiest ways to shut it down.
It doesn't always come from other people. Even well-meaning comments can be perceived wrong if your tone is off. In general, you should think twice before choosing what or who to joke about, and if what you’re about to say isn't something you’d say in front of a gay person; don't! Calling someone or something gay as an insult or butt of a joke is far too common. Even if it seems like a victimless crime, you would be reinforcing horrible stereotypes that have been around for far too long.
In the end, it’s easier than you think- just don’t be a d***head. Having basic respect for others is easier than many think, and you can start today with three steps. Educating yourself on LGBTQ history and issues. Google is free, people. Learning about the problem is the first way towards stopping it. Secondly, personal action. Talking to the people in your life about how you can support them. Reaching out to people in support. Even something as simple as supporting gay creators in media is a step. To end strong, focus on how you can advocate for others. What can I do to help? That’s your ending thought for today. Homophobia is way too often found in today’s conversation and together, we can take steps to end it.
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