By Jazmine Basa
"That’s gay! Faggot! Queer!" Do those terms sound familiar? Although gay marriage was legalized in California since June 16, 2008, homophobia is still present ten years after. 2018—a year where american high school students are more aware of the LGBT community, but there is still no hesitation to treat them as jokes. Yet, such actions exist even within the walls of Yerba Buena.
As children, we are all raised to be nice to others to be respected the same way. People like Jonell Soriano, a senior at Yerba Buena high school (2018 to 2019), identify as gay. With a gentle heart with compassion for those around him, Jonell still experiences homophobia within Yerba Buena. Despite his love for his peers, the majority of his classmates saw his sexuality as a joke.
Joey Garcia, a junior at Yerba Buena high school is one one to admit to such crimes. “Yes, I have used such derogatory terms against the LGBT,” Garcia states. “As being born in a country [Philippines] full of homophobes and my mom being part of a generation that doesn’t respect gays, of course I was influenced as such [to be homophobic]. ”
Often, a banter with friends can make turn a wrong direction without anyone realizing it. Homophobia is simply a result of how we’re raised, for the beliefs handed down to us appear right at first glance. Traditions and generations also contradict each other, making change challenging. People like Joey Garcia admit to this; as a result of his parents, he presents such homophobic attributes on occasion.
So, you ask, what exactly does a simple phrase like “that’s gay” have to do with this? Why does it matter if it is not directed towards them?
Jonell Soriano, a member of the LGBT community, feels that people smear his sexuality by treating it like a joke. He explains, “Homophobia had always been one of the main reasons for my depression because I would always be afraid of coming out. I fear that I would not be accepted as who I am. It has been affecting me mentally and I would end up overthinking about how I act, talk, or how I look.”
Directly, or not, the phrase misrepresents gay people as a whole—their sexuality is treated as an insult or joke—leaving the LGBT Youth to question if they are really “normal” in the eyes of their peers. It leaves an insecure view to teenagers like Jonell, and results in internal—as well as external—conflict.
Unfortunately, Jonell is not the only person to tolerate such a burdens, and gay people are not the only people who experience discrimination from their sexuality. Biphobia is an issue as well.
A similar issue takes place Ridgewood High school in Norridge Illinois. “No one has ever said anything bad about my sexuality to my face,” Len Kade, a bisexual 15-year-old sophomore states. “You’re being told that your sexuality is wrong and that you're wrong for something you can't help.”
HRC’s Supporting and Caring for Our Bisexual Youth informs, “Only five percent of bisexual youth reported being ‘very happy,’ compared to 21 percent of non-LGBT youth surveyed.”
According to www.hrg, only 44 percent of bi+ youth said they have an adult they can turn to, compared with 54 percent of lesbian and gay youth, and 79 percent of non-LGBTQ respondents.
Kade admits to being a part of that percentile: “My mental health wasn't so good to begin with and this [discrimination] just added onto it.”
Facing a similar issue at Reads Academy, a lesbian student speaks out on behalf of this. However, she prefers to keep anonymous for her safety. “I try to focus more on the positives, like the idea of growing old in an old cabin with my wife and children and dogs, but sometimes I just remember that there are people out there who, if given the chance, would have me locked up or worse. It definitely takes a toll,” states the anonymous student.
Most LGBT teenagers are more likely to harassment compared to their non-LGBT peers. According to Rachel Dows, an LGBT Communications Manager, says that as of March 2018, it has been reported to be 3.5 million (ages 8-18) LGBT american students. 85% have experienced verbal harassment. 58% have confirmed to feeling unsafe for their sexuality at school.
A study even shows that 30% of LGBT youth attempted suicide. According to Emily Bridges, a writer in advocates.foryouth.org, that is twice the amount of straight teenagers. Despite this, she adds that 55% of the states do not have protection from LGBT discrimination.
A vice-president in her high school’s LGBT club, Mary Richardson is disturbed by this fact. At Chisholm Trail High School, she feels welcomed by her peers. Yet, she believes that people outside of her school should fee the same way. “Staff should protect LGBT students from any form of discrimination and actually punish homophobic acts. Laws need to be enforced. Adults have to emphasize how homophobia is a horrible and shouldn’t be overlooked,” Richardson states.
While some people in the LGBT community believe staff should help with this issue, some have already lost hope. “I don't think it can really be fixed, as much as we'd like it to. People are really stubborn and protective about their political views so a little bit of discipline won't do anything,” Len Kade remarks.
This begs the question: why does homophobia exist? It’s the result of different beliefs--religion, political, and tradition being the main factors. However, it can also be the result of the psychology, or mental health, of said homophobic or biphobic person.
According to an article by Stephanie Pappas from www.livescience.com, lead researcher Emmanuele Jannini, an endocrinologist and medical sexologist at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, has conducted a psychological study on anti-LGBT people. To accomplish this, 551 Italian university students (ages 18 to 30) were asked to fill a survey that questioned their psychopathology. Results show that more fearful, immature people have a tendency to be harsher towards LGBT. However, those with depression are more supportive of the LGBT community.
Yet, despite something that appears permanent, there is still a chance of improvement.
According to www.citylab.com, “When Pew compared these latest data to an earlier 2007 survey, they found that attitudes toward gay and lesbian people were markedly more positive in countries like the U.S. and Canada, where acceptance increased by 11 and 10 percent, respectively.”
In order to improve even further, we should all consider a simple solution to this issue—think before we speak.
"That’s gay! Faggot! Queer!" Do those terms sound familiar? Although gay marriage was legalized in California since June 16, 2008, homophobia is still present ten years after. 2018—a year where american high school students are more aware of the LGBT community, but there is still no hesitation to treat them as jokes. Yet, such actions exist even within the walls of Yerba Buena.
As children, we are all raised to be nice to others to be respected the same way. People like Jonell Soriano, a senior at Yerba Buena high school (2018 to 2019), identify as gay. With a gentle heart with compassion for those around him, Jonell still experiences homophobia within Yerba Buena. Despite his love for his peers, the majority of his classmates saw his sexuality as a joke.
Joey Garcia, a junior at Yerba Buena high school is one one to admit to such crimes. “Yes, I have used such derogatory terms against the LGBT,” Garcia states. “As being born in a country [Philippines] full of homophobes and my mom being part of a generation that doesn’t respect gays, of course I was influenced as such [to be homophobic]. ”
Often, a banter with friends can make turn a wrong direction without anyone realizing it. Homophobia is simply a result of how we’re raised, for the beliefs handed down to us appear right at first glance. Traditions and generations also contradict each other, making change challenging. People like Joey Garcia admit to this; as a result of his parents, he presents such homophobic attributes on occasion.
So, you ask, what exactly does a simple phrase like “that’s gay” have to do with this? Why does it matter if it is not directed towards them?
Jonell Soriano, a member of the LGBT community, feels that people smear his sexuality by treating it like a joke. He explains, “Homophobia had always been one of the main reasons for my depression because I would always be afraid of coming out. I fear that I would not be accepted as who I am. It has been affecting me mentally and I would end up overthinking about how I act, talk, or how I look.”
Directly, or not, the phrase misrepresents gay people as a whole—their sexuality is treated as an insult or joke—leaving the LGBT Youth to question if they are really “normal” in the eyes of their peers. It leaves an insecure view to teenagers like Jonell, and results in internal—as well as external—conflict.
Unfortunately, Jonell is not the only person to tolerate such a burdens, and gay people are not the only people who experience discrimination from their sexuality. Biphobia is an issue as well.
A similar issue takes place Ridgewood High school in Norridge Illinois. “No one has ever said anything bad about my sexuality to my face,” Len Kade, a bisexual 15-year-old sophomore states. “You’re being told that your sexuality is wrong and that you're wrong for something you can't help.”
HRC’s Supporting and Caring for Our Bisexual Youth informs, “Only five percent of bisexual youth reported being ‘very happy,’ compared to 21 percent of non-LGBT youth surveyed.”
According to www.hrg, only 44 percent of bi+ youth said they have an adult they can turn to, compared with 54 percent of lesbian and gay youth, and 79 percent of non-LGBTQ respondents.
Kade admits to being a part of that percentile: “My mental health wasn't so good to begin with and this [discrimination] just added onto it.”
Facing a similar issue at Reads Academy, a lesbian student speaks out on behalf of this. However, she prefers to keep anonymous for her safety. “I try to focus more on the positives, like the idea of growing old in an old cabin with my wife and children and dogs, but sometimes I just remember that there are people out there who, if given the chance, would have me locked up or worse. It definitely takes a toll,” states the anonymous student.
Most LGBT teenagers are more likely to harassment compared to their non-LGBT peers. According to Rachel Dows, an LGBT Communications Manager, says that as of March 2018, it has been reported to be 3.5 million (ages 8-18) LGBT american students. 85% have experienced verbal harassment. 58% have confirmed to feeling unsafe for their sexuality at school.
A study even shows that 30% of LGBT youth attempted suicide. According to Emily Bridges, a writer in advocates.foryouth.org, that is twice the amount of straight teenagers. Despite this, she adds that 55% of the states do not have protection from LGBT discrimination.
A vice-president in her high school’s LGBT club, Mary Richardson is disturbed by this fact. At Chisholm Trail High School, she feels welcomed by her peers. Yet, she believes that people outside of her school should fee the same way. “Staff should protect LGBT students from any form of discrimination and actually punish homophobic acts. Laws need to be enforced. Adults have to emphasize how homophobia is a horrible and shouldn’t be overlooked,” Richardson states.
While some people in the LGBT community believe staff should help with this issue, some have already lost hope. “I don't think it can really be fixed, as much as we'd like it to. People are really stubborn and protective about their political views so a little bit of discipline won't do anything,” Len Kade remarks.
This begs the question: why does homophobia exist? It’s the result of different beliefs--religion, political, and tradition being the main factors. However, it can also be the result of the psychology, or mental health, of said homophobic or biphobic person.
According to an article by Stephanie Pappas from www.livescience.com, lead researcher Emmanuele Jannini, an endocrinologist and medical sexologist at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, has conducted a psychological study on anti-LGBT people. To accomplish this, 551 Italian university students (ages 18 to 30) were asked to fill a survey that questioned their psychopathology. Results show that more fearful, immature people have a tendency to be harsher towards LGBT. However, those with depression are more supportive of the LGBT community.
Yet, despite something that appears permanent, there is still a chance of improvement.
According to www.citylab.com, “When Pew compared these latest data to an earlier 2007 survey, they found that attitudes toward gay and lesbian people were markedly more positive in countries like the U.S. and Canada, where acceptance increased by 11 and 10 percent, respectively.”
In order to improve even further, we should all consider a simple solution to this issue—think before we speak.