Homophobia is the term used to describe the irrational fear, hatred, aversion to or discrimination against people who are homosexual, or same sex attracted, or who are perceived to be homosexual or same sex attracted.

Homophobia can exist in a variety of forms

Personal: Fear or hatred of homosexuality that exists as a thought inside someone’s head

• Making a determined effort to dress or act in such a way as to not appear to be queer
• Having low self-esteem because of concerns around being queer

Interpersonal: Behaviour of an individual towards others who are, or who are perceived to be lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender or queer

• Violence, physical harassment, name calling, anti-queer hate crimes
• Jokes that misrepresent or put down queers, the suggestion that we should ‘understand’ when we are treated differently

Institutional: The ways in which government, business, churches and other organisations discriminate against GLBTIQ people

• Policy or legislation that actively prevents same-sex couples from being able to adopt or marry
• Ignoring sexuality as a category on data collection sheets

Cultural: Social “norms” that support the idea that heterosexuality is inherently 'right' and anything else isn’t.  This is also known as 'heterosexism',  the assumption that heterosexuality is the norm and that everyone is heterosexual

• Asking a woman “do you have a boyfriend?” rather than “do you have a partner?” (ie assuming that they’re straight).
• Failing to include positive queer role models in main stream media.
• The most obvious example of heterosexism is the fact that we have to 'come out' as same-sex attracted. There is an assumption that everyone is heterosexual unless we prove otherwise.

Homophobia can be extremely hurtful and harmful, not only to your physical well being and safety but also to your mental health and happiness and to society as a whole.

If you are at immediate danger of physical harm please call your local police or 000.

More info

If you would like support, advice or more information about homophobia please contact:

Contact: ACON's Anti-Violence Project

Tel: (02) 9206 2030
Free Call: 1800 063 060
Hearing Impaired: (02) 9283 2088

Email: avp@acon.org.au

Web: www.acon.org.au/anti-violence