Hello fellow Westmontians! You have most likely intentionally clicked onto the ‘Pride’ section on The Shield, meaning you are either an ally or… not. Anyways! Here are some refutations of stereotypes that are completely blasphemous with no logical reasoning behind them and why they are harmful! Enjoy!
*DISCLAIMER: the term “gay” is being used as an umbrella term throughout this article as a reference to the entirety of the LGBTQ+ community.
Gay men are all feminine
Femininity has become much more normalized throughout these last few decades. Whether those expressing their feminine side being women or men, social culture in the United States is forever changing, allowing both genders to express themselves without fear. However, despite our perceptions of society altering towards a more accepting society, the stereotype that “all gay men are feminine” does not hold up to the long standing view of masculinity in the U.S. More importantly, what does femininity even mean? Is it nurturing the people around you, wearing feminine clothes, having long hair, wearing makeup, or staying at home with the kids? Truly, the way a person looks has no correlation with the people they are attracted to. Many men who are attracted to men love to feel masculine because that makes them feel more like themselves. Labeling a box you have never opened without looking to see what is inside does not make the contents fit the label.
All lesbians are evil
This perception of women has a long, long standing oppressive nature associated with hating men, looking for attention, and sexualizing women for their own benefit. Lesbians, bisexuals, and any other women attracted to women have vastly different personalities, morals, and values. Attraction, again, has nothing to do with personality and the way they conduct themselves around others. This stereotype primarily applies to masculine-presenting women, however the implications of saying that an entire group of people must be horrible because they are gay makes absolutely no sense and should not have to be explained.
You can’t be religious if you’re gay
Religion and gayness has never seemed to go hand throughout most of the world, not just in the United States. If you are gay, you are a hater of religion; if you are religious, you hate gay people. On both sides of this coin, this perception is harmful and limiting to everyone it applies to. Having a faith for something morally higher than you in a sense is innate, just as sexual attraction is. The ability to practice religion in the U.S. has been deemed a right for decades for everyone—there are no limitations to who can and can’t believe. Christianity in particular is the main debate on this subject, however, sexual attraction has nothing to do with religious preferences and those who practice should not be deemed as “unholy”.
They’re always looking at you
Most every gay person in their life has been accused of having a crush on a friend or random person they allegedly starred at in the locker room. A constant sexualization of the LGBTQ+ community is not only dehumanizing, but also outright disgusting. The second a dear friend finds out their other friend is gay, the whole mood shifts and suddenly, they aren’t invited to sleepovers, or their friends become uncomfortable with their presence. Moreover, gay men in particular have been subject to outrageous stereotypes of pedophilia without any kind of reasoning attached to it. These stereotypes destroy friendships, reputations, and confidence. The LGBTQ+ community has overcome a lot of these struggles especially in the last few years, but the fact that these stereotypes still exist in the modern world shows a lack of maturity, critical thinking, and decent human decency for a large group of people in the U.S.
If you or a friend believe or have believed any of these stereotypes, I assure you to educate yourselves and understand the intense implications any stereotype comes with. Especially, check around this issue’s ‘Pride’ section and read the important works of my peers.