Friday, April 9, 2010

Homophobia in Virtual Communities - by Tina Indalecio PhD - Curious Media – Psychology Today


Imagine as you sit quietly in the safety of your own home, you find yourself becoming a victim of hate speech, and prejudice because of your race, religion or sexual orientation. Imagine your child is the victim of cyber bullying or virtual rape, while trying to play a game online. Unfortunately this is becoming a common experience for many individuals who engage in online media, like interactive gaming communities.

In the case of homophobia online, according to a 2006 survey of gay video game players, conducted by the University of Illinois, "When asked how frequently players experience homophobia, those surveyed who responded "Always" or "Frequently" equaled 42%. Add in "Sometimes" and it brings up that total to 74.5%." (Cole, 2009). The study is a few years old, however this problem has only been getting worse, and in an effort to find solutions, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has launched, The Project on Homophobia & Virtual Communities. This issue is of great concern because virtual prejudice or cyber bulling is one thing, but what happens when these behaviors spill over into real life? Read more - by Tina Indalecio PhD - Curious Media – Psychology Today

 Related links:

Study: Same-Sex And Heterosexual Couples Have Same Levels Of Relationship Satisfaction And Commitment - read more

“Helpers-in-the-nest” An Evolutionary Role For Same-Sex Attraction?  Association For Psychological Science – read more

Photo - Ricky Martin Foundation 


Family Acceptance Project™

Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals at Increased Risk of Psychiatric Disorders Due to Discriminatory Policies - read more

Homosexuality A Result Of Genetics And Random Environmental Factors, Says Twins Study – read more

Behind Acts of Homophobia Are Homo-Ignorance and Homo-Avoidance - Dude, I'm Not Gay! - by Joe Kort - Gay's Anatomy – Psychology Today - Read more

Single, Angry, Straight Male... Seeks Same? 
A classic study reveals that young homophobic men have secret gay urges - By Jesse Bering – January 30, 2009 - Scientific American – read more 

Sexual Prejudice - Understanding Homophobia and Heterosexism - by Gregory M. Herek, Ph.D - read more

The Closet: Psychological Issues of Being In and Coming Out - By Jack Drescher, M.D. - read more

Sexual Orientation and Homophobia are Formed Early in Life – Columbia University Medical Center – read more

International Day against Homophobia celebrated in Cuba -- three reports from Havana -Mariela Castro Espín – read more 

It's The Gays' Fault - The Daily Dish - By Andrew Sullivan - read more

Marriage Equality -> Restores “Hope of Love” To Children In Early Childhood - read more 

Ignorance about human sexuality is harmful to children.

“Someday, maybe, there will exist a well-informed, well considered and yet fervent public conviction that the most deadly of all possible sins is the mutilation of a child’s spirit.” Erik Erikson

Kids Are Being Hurt!!!

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