Is Homophobia a Crime

When Chris and Rodney were in their teens and twenties homophobia was all around but it was never recognised for what it was. Today it is unacceptable abuse but the population was taught that it was OK and not abuse. There is still a legacy of thought that makes it OK to be a homophobe

"Oh you're so gay", or "it is so gay" is often put down as playground banter but it hurts a gay child every bit as much as it hurts a black boy to be called a WOG or a Coconut. When you use the word gay to mean something is bad or unacceptable then that is abuse. We might have come a long way where black people are concerned but "working on the black" or "black listing" are still used today to mean something wrong or bad.

The stereotypes of limp wrists, odd ways of walking, wearing makeup or cross dressing, light voiced often get a child labelled as gay. The child might be gay but those are not the things that define a child as gay.

Saying that being gay is unhealthy or unnatural is often regarded as being just expressing an opinion and it is right that there should be freedom to discuss other points of view but when it comes from a man who is in a position of trust, leadership or a role model then it is not an opinion but a teaching.

It is never OK to say, ‘you act like a girl (or look like a boy)’ as a put-down. Passing it off as the child being sensitive is a denial of the truth.

Using the words ‘queer’, ‘dyke’ or ‘fag’ to joke around is not OK. These are hurtful words and can impact on anyone who overhears them.

Would you want the teacher at school to tell your child he is evil and bad because he is gay?

Barring someone from an activity, a sport, a lesson or from attending church on grounds of their sexual orientation is wrong.

The Penalty for Homophobic Abuse

The penalty is simple, the child might want to take his own life

You might lose your job. Plenty of teachers and other public sector employees have and only a little time ago Israel Folau was sacked because of his Homophobic postings on Instagram. He tried to hide behind religon saying he was only quoting God's words. Really I thought God loves everyone!

Each and every person is responsible for homophobic abuse. It is important to stand up and shout that Homophobia is not acceptable today. In France today, if you are found guilty you can face a fine of up to 45,000 Euro and a year in prison. President Macron has warned that the penalty will increase.

Stand up now and stop Homophobia

A video about homophobia. Everyone can make a difference.