[VUzgOhgv]

Homosexuality is illegal in the majority of SSA countries (something I don't disagree with) and public opinion is very much against. Anyone who is exposed as being a queer at very least leaves themselves open to being shunned by society, and in some parts quite possibly lynched.

There is no doubt that in SSA homosexuality and being limp-wristed is not tolerated at all.

My question is, is homophobia in SSA an attitude that stems back pre-colonial times, or is it an attitude that has been left over from the colonial times when homosexuality was illegal in most of Europe?

[mobiphones]

Much of Africa is Muslim, that may have something to do with it. Islamic countries tend to view homosexuality very unfavorably.

[Teeppoodiug]

Much of Africa is Muslim, that may have something to do with it. Islamic countries tend to view homosexuality very unfavorably.

Christian Africans are just as bad, watch this:

[BonjGopu]

Christian Africans are just as bad, watch this:

that guy's nuts
here's the remix

" Eat Da Poo Poo "

[vansVoish]

I had the privilege of studying this complicated issue under the tutelage of the renowned Charlie Bass (a.k.a. The Bass), a living legend and specialist in African history. According to my esteemed teacher, it was the crackas that brought sodomosexuality to Africa. Before their sinful meddling all of Africa was 100% straight.

[tipoketpu]

Never really understood gay hate myself - perhaps if a religion says it's unacceptable that makes people intolerant overall? I just can't see myself caring about somebody else's sex life to literally hate a person. Sometimes it's a little funny and weird when some gays "over do it" that is, "acting" like an extreme version of the opposite sex (feminine males, or butch females), but big deal.

[herbalviagra]

There are a number of reasons why people are homophobic. Homophobic people often hate gays because they feel that homosexuality poses a threat to the traditional family and structure of society, but for others it's more than that. Other times it's due to religion which ties into what I just said, other times it's just due to ignorance and thinking your way is the only right way. Rarely though, closet homosexuals put on a homophobic act to throw people off from figuring their sexuality out, other times they may be self-hating. But these are only examples of the reasons people I know have hated gays, I am sure there are others.

[nvideoe]

To any gay hater here - why are you concerned about the traditional family so much? I'm being serious. If anything wouldn't gay people be a good thing overall considering over-population?

I'm probably opening a large can of worms, but I just want to see inside the conservative mindset for a bit. It's probably been discussed lots; I just never step into these conversations.

[Chooriwrocaey]

To any gay hater here - why are you concerned about the traditional family so much? I'm being serious. If anything wouldn't gay people be a good thing overall considering over-population?

I'm probably opening a large can of worms, but I just want to see inside the conservative mindset for a bit.

I wonder this as well but what I wonder more is, why would a gay hater feel like their family is threatened by a gay couple living a mile down the street or even further?

[Frdsdx26]

I'm not homophobic.

I'm not scared of gays. I just don't like them.

*rimshot*

[LeviBrawn]

I'm not homophobic.

I'm not scared of gays. I just don't like them.

*rimshot*

But why? There has to be some reason.. people don't just dislike things or people without reason (be it a good or bad one).

[exettybele]

But why? There has to be some reason.. people don't just dislike things or people without reason (be it a good or bad one).

I think there are a good five or so main lines of thought behind homophobia.

1) Religious/historical bias. You think it's a sin, it's evil, it's against traditional values, etc.
2) You just don't like gay culture, such as drag queens and dance music.
3) You're a simple person who thinks with your gut and you find the image of same-sex scenarios creepy.
4) You're not a religious person but a social darwinist and you find their behavior to be foolish and unnatural.
5) You're a closeted homosexual yourself and you persecute them in order to take attention off of yourself.

[xtrslots]

But why? There has to be some reason.. people don't just dislike things or people without reason (be it a good or bad one).

I have no issues with gays. I was making a joke based on the literal meaning of "homo-phobic", which would technically translate to "afraid of gays" not "hatred of gays".

As to your question, I think the main reasons for being homophobic are religious convictions along with a fear that being near gays could make you less of a man or that gays are a bad influence on children.

[pIp83Uns]

2) You just don't like gay culture, such as drag queens and dance music.

I personally think that stuff is embarrassing and a poor representation of the gay community and exploits one horrible stereotype after another, but some people like it.

---------- Post added 2010-10-26 at 04:22 ----------

As to your question, I think the main reasons for being homophobic are religious convictions along with a fear that being near gays could make you less of a man or that gays are a bad influence on children.

Ohh okay. Sorry, I'm a bit slow. I thought you were serious before.

[easypokergonj]

I personally think that stuff is embarrassing and a poor representation of the gay community and exploits one horrible stereotype after another, but some people like it.

Blame the gay pride parades. That's where gays showcase themselves with the largest spotlight, and the displays are horrific if that's not your sort of thing. People dressed as nuns, people wearing next to nothing, etc.

As Jack said the other day, the Indians under Gandhi and the blacks under MLK, Carmichael, etc. fought for their rights respectfully and with dignity. Gay pride parades have no dignity, unfortunately.

[orbidewa]

Blame the gay pride parades. That's where gays showcase themselves with the largest spotlight, and the displays are horrific if that's not your sort of thing. People dressed as nuns, people wearing next to nothing, etc.

As Jack said the other day, the Indians under Gandhi and the blacks under MLK, Carmichael, etc. fought for their rights respectfully and with dignity. Gay pride parades have no dignity, unfortunately.

I don't know what I am, but I do know I would not be caught dead wearing go-go boots or pink booty shorts at one of those parades. I find all of that to be over the top (what's the point?). As far as I am concerned, it hinders the whole idea of equal treatment because it makes people think that the gay community is full of freaks. As hard as it is for some to believe, most gay men are not flaming queers and most lesbians are not bull-dykes.

[Draftcasino.com]

True story. There are a lot of "normal" gays, but the problem is they're not the attention whores. The queens and diesels are.

It's the same story as with Muslims in the west. There are a lot of peaceful ones who just want to be accepted by society, but it's the more pissed off ones who think who the hell they are that make the headlines. In both cases they only have themselves to blame as they have to fight to get their message out, and they choose not to.

[robinthesearchmasterh]

I mean to be honest I can understand where some people are coming from - if I thought that most gay men and lesbians were all like what the pride parades suggest, I'd be scared for society too. But not because of sexual orientation, rather because of the manner of behavior.

[WrinnaArraple]

But they choose to be defined by their sexual orientation.

It's not "people who have green eyes and like soccer who happen to also like having sex with people of the same gender". It's "gay people".

And if you don't like the behavior of high-profile gay people, you attribute it to gay people.

If obnoxious homosexuals stopped defining themselves as homosexuals primarily before anything else, it may be easier for homosexuals as a whole. Like, the reason Timothy McVeigh comparisons to Islamic terrorists are invalid is because McVeigh didn't identify as a Christian first and foremost.

[masaredera]

But they choose to be defined by their sexual orientation.

It's not "people who have green eyes and like soccer who happen to also like having sex with people of the same gender". It's "gay people".

And if you don't like the behavior of high-profile gay people, you attribute it to gay people.

If obnoxious homosexuals stopped defining themselves as homosexuals primarily before anything else, it may be easier for homosexuals as a whole. Like, the reason Timothy McVeigh comparisons to Islamic terrorists are invalid is because McVeigh didn't identify as a Christian first and foremost.

It's the gay men and women who choose to revolve their entire life around their sexual orientation that are the problem. Granted I am not saying that it is okay for people to hate and discriminate but it's this overly extravagant minority of homosexuals who give the rest of them a bad name.

I've heard the argument "they're just being themselves and letting it all out after years of hiding it", though.