Homophobia: How We All Pay the Price

by Warren J. Blumenfeld (Editor)

The hatred of lesbians, gay males, and bisexuals remains an "acceptable" prejudice in our society, despite the widespread damage it causes in all of our lives. Inviting sexual minorities and heterosexual men and women to become allies in the fight against homophobia, the contributors to this anthology explore how homophobia colludes with sexism by forcing people into rigid gender roles; how homophobia causes unnecessary pain and alienation in family relationships; how it works against health-care policy and arts administration that would benefit all members of society; and how homophobia leaves the policies of religious insitutions unfulfilled 
In both personal and analytical essays, the contributors show how the fight to end homophobia is everyone's fight if we are to bring about a less oppressive and more productive society. They offer concrete suggestions on transforming attitudes, behaviors and institutions.

Genres: Nonfiction, LGBT, Gender

318 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Dr. Warren J. Blumenfeld, College of Education, University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is co-editor of Investigating Christian Privilege and Religious Oppression in the United States (Sense), Editor of Homophobia: How We All Pay the Price (Beacon), and co-editor of Readings for Diversity and Social Justice (Routledge).

Reviews

[Scott Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up as a Southern Baptist with a lot of structural homophobia around me. Homosexuality was viewed as an irrefutable sin, and nothing else in the Biblical narrative could say otherwise. Over the years, I’ve questioned much about the religious tradition I was handed. I am still a Christian, but my faith takes a much different form that values education, a lack of bias, and a role for history in religion. In fact, now, I am an advocate and ally for the LGBTQ+ community in my professional and personal lives.

I picked up this book because I realize that I have imbibed a lot of homophobia over the years. I’ve always been fairly muted in my expressions, but fear surrounded me and certainly permeated how I thought of myself. Structurally, it was all over my evangelical religion and in American culture. I picked up this book to understand homophobia better so that I might better combat – it in myself first and in others.

This anthology consists of 17 essays, each on a different subject. Topics are grouped into four categories: Definitions, families, social manifestations, and freedom. It makes the case that homophobia is like racism: It hurts everyone in a myriad of ways, not just the oppressed but the oppressors, too. Gender roles, personal inhibitions, the machismo culture, and a general ignorance all hold us back. Given my faith journey, I especially appreciated the chapters on Judaism and Christianity.

Compiled in 1992, this book is certainly dated. Many events referred to difficulties in the Reagan and Bush administrations. Still, the discussed concepts and ideas are surprisingly still relevant – even after the end of DOMA. It reminds me just how precarious American political and legal culture still is about issues of gender and sexuality. I appreciate the ability to think about these issues more carefully. I think my daughter and any grandchildren will appreciate my efforts.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not 100% sure this is the book I read, but the date seems about right, and assuming it is, I found it incredibly powerful and eye-opening.