Queer Cafe

Huff Post: Harmful Myths and Stereotypes About Gay Men

Info: LGBTQ Stereotypes

Info: Terminology and Definitions
Video: LGBTQ Myths Debunked

SPLC: Debunking Myths and Falsehoods Against LGBTQ Community

Myths and Misconceptions

Myth: Homosexuality isn’t very prevalent.

Fact: The Kinsey studies (1947, 1953) found that 10-12% of men and women identify as gay or lesbian throughout their lives. More recent studies have found that 6-12% of men and women report engaging in same sex behavior during their lives (National Survey of Family Growth 2002). Same-sex intimate behavior is common, having been found in every known culture and in the animal world as well. LGBTQ people are found in every social, economic, racial, and religious group. They are our teachers, colleagues, friends, parents, and children. We all know a number of LGBTQ people, whether we are aware of it or not.

Myth: We know what “causes” homosexuality.

Fact: The research so far has proven only one thing, we don’t know what causes anybody’s sexual orientation. This myth has an interesting heterosexist slant. Do people ever wonder and ask what causes heterosexuality?

Myth: Homosexuality is unnatural.

Fact: There are recorded observations of same sex behavior and gender fluidity throughout the animal kingdom (seagulls, horses, penguins, primates) and from every known culture in the world.

Myth: Homosexuality is immoral.

Fact: There are several instances in a variety of religious texts that can be and have been used to condemn homosexuality. Some religious leaders and movements choose to use them; others believe they are a reflection of the social customs of the time, are not dealing with LGBTQ identity and relationships as we know them today, and should not be translated literally into policy for contemporary times.

Myth: Homosexuality is a mental illness.

Fact: The American Psychiatric Association voted in 1973 to remove homosexuality from their list of mental disorders because there is no evidence to substantiate this classification.

Myth: Gay men and lesbian women have many more sexual partners than heterosexuals.

Fact: Certainly, individuals within the LGBTQ community have as many sexual partners as do heterosexual individuals. Society does not provide any of the supports for gay and lesbian relationships that it does for heterosexual couples, yet over 50% of LGBTQ individuals are in long-term relationships and there are same-sex couples in 99% of counties in the US. Heterosexual marriage has a 50% divorce rate.

Myth: Gay men molest children.

Fact: 97% of child molesting is perpetrated by heterosexual adult males on adolescent females. The “average” offender is a white heterosexual male in an adult relationship and is a man that the child knows. The adult who does molest children is often a pedophile, a person who is attracted to children regardless of their sex.

Myth: You can spot a gay man or lesbian women by the way they act and dress.

Fact: Gender roles do not determine sexual orientation. Many LGBTQ people are impossible to distinguish from straight and more gender normative individuals. There are some lesbians who dress in a very masculine way, some gay men who act in traditionally feminine ways, and many LGBTQ people who feel the freedom to explore a range of gender expression. They are also many gender normative LGBTQ people who “pass” unnoticed every day.

Myth: Gay people are not good parents. They introduce their children to their “lifestyle.” Their children will grow up to be gay.

Fact: According to the American Psychiatric Association, studies comparing groups of children raised by homosexual and by heterosexual parents find no developmental differences between the two groups of children in four critical areas: their intelligence, psychological adjustment, social adjustment, and popularity with friends. It is also important to realize that a parent's sexual orientation does not dictate his or her children's.

Huff Post: Harmful Myths and Stereotypes About Gay Men

Info: Frequently Asked Questions

SPLC: Debunking Myths and Falsehoods Against LGBTQ Community

Global Perspective: Myth vs. Reality

Myth: Homosexuality is a “Western phenomenon.”

Reality: Claims that same-sex attraction is a Western practice are false. LGBTQ people exist everywhere, in all countries, among all ethnic groups, at all socioeconomic levels and in all communities and have for a very long time. What is true is that many of the criminal laws that continue to be used today to punish LGBTQ people in many countries are Western in origin and are a legacy of 19th Century colonial powers. This remains the case even though most former colonial powers no longer have these same discriminatory laws in place. Many have replaced them with legislation that promotes equality.

Myth: Depriving LGBTQ people of their human rights can be justified on grounds of religion, culture or tradition.

Reality: Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity can never be justified on any basis. Human rights are universal: every human being is entitled to the same rights, no matter who they are or where they live. History, culture and religion are all very important, but all States, regardless of their political, economic and cultural systems, have a legal duty to promote and protect the human rights of all. This includes the rights of all LGBTQ people. Religious freedom means the right to our beliefs, but it does not give us the right to impose our views on others, including by discriminating against or otherwise harming them.

Myth: LGBTQ people are “not normal,” they are a creation of the modern age; their identity is a “trend.”

Reality: Sexual orientation and gender identity are not “current trends.” Almost every country has a recorded history of people whose identities and behaviors bear close resemblance to what we call today heterosexuality, bisexuality, homosexuality and transgender identity.

Myth: LGBTQ people are requesting “special rights.”

Reality: This is not true. There are no special rights being claimed by or for LGBTQ people. They are entitled to enjoy the same human rights and fundamental freedoms to which every human being is entitled. Regretfully, these rights and freedoms are denied to millions of people around the world just because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. This is why there is a need to focus on ending discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and ensure the inclusion of all LGBTQ people in development.

Myth: Criminalizing homosexuality is a good idea.

Reality: Criminalizing private sexual relationships between consenting adults, whether the relationships are homosexual or heterosexual, is a violation of the right to privacy, is discriminatory in nature and violates international human rights law. When enforced, these laws violate rights to freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention. Criminalization serves to legitimize hostile attitudes towards LGBTQ people, feeding violence, discrimination, extortion and blackmail. Enforcing these laws costs a lot of money and brings no social value.

Myth: By repealing laws that criminalize same sex activity we are “promoting homosexuality.”

Reality: Promoting equal rights of lesbian, gay and bisexual people is not “promoting homosexuality” – it is promoting the same fundamental human rights for everyone. These are core values that all United Nations Member States have the obligation to uphold.

Myth: Governmental representatives should follow public opinion when there is overwhelming public support for punitive laws against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Reality: Governmental representatives have the responsibility to advance the human rights and inclusion of all people, no matter how unpopular this viewpoint might be. Negative public attitudes can never justify human rights violations, including punitive laws and police harassment and brutality against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, any more than they can justify sexist, racist, xenophobic, sectarian and other discriminatory acts or policies. When there are discriminatory attitudes against certain groups, it is the responsibility of parliamentarians and others to work to overcome such discriminatory attitudes through public education, awareness raising and other measures.

Huff Post: Harmful Myths and Stereotypes About Gay Men

Info: Frequently Asked Questions

SPLC: Debunking Myths and Falsehoods Against LGBTQ Community

Myth: There is nothing in international human rights instruments about LGBTQ people, so they do not apply.

Reality: Quite the contrary, international human rights law applies to every person. International human rights law establishes legal obligations on States to make sure that everyone, without distinction, can enjoy their human rights. A person’s sexual orientation and gender identity is a status, like race, sex, color and religion. Many human rights treaty bodies, human rights mechanisms, special procedures, recommendations of the United Nations Human Rights Council, United Nations resolutions and reports have repeatedly confirmed that LGBTQ people are entitled to all the same human rights as straight and cisgender people and that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity violate human rights law.

Myth: When our national legislation does not conform to human rights norms and standards, there is not much we can do about it.

Reality: Sometimes provisions of national laws and policies may conflict with fundamental rights enshrined in international law – whether it is in relation to the human rights of LGBTQ persons or in relation to other groups or specific human rights standards. All States have a duty to review and reform national legislation and policies in line with international human rights standards, including in relation to human rights treaty obligations. Parliament has the responsibility for lawmaking and therefore must also ensure that national legislation conforms with international human rights obligations.

Myth: There are more serious problems for governmental representatives to focus on rather than LGBTQ rights – like education, health and security.

Reality: This is a common tactic to deflect attention away from and minimize or ignore State responsibilities to respect, protect and fulfill the rights of LGBTQ people. The human rights of LGBTQ people, like all people, require serious and dedicated attention. LGBTQ people are often the ones more likely to be denied equal access to education, health and security. Protecting, respecting and fulfilling the rights of LGBTQ people in no way prevents, obstructs or delays the resolution of any other matters.

Myth: Homosexuality is an illness, or a health issue.

Reality: More than 20 years ago the World Health Organization explicitly clarified that homosexuality is neither a disorder nor a disease and has emphasized that homosexuality is a natural and non-pathological variation of human sexuality.

Myth: We can change a person’s sexual orientation and gender identity.

Reality: The World Health Organization has made clear that sexual orientation cannot be changed. Attempts to forcibly change the sexual orientation of lesbian, gay and bisexual persons are ineffective, harmful and may amount to torture.

Huff Post: Harmful Myths and Stereotypes About Gay Men

Info: LGBTQ Stereotypes

SPLC: Debunking Myths and Falsehoods Against LGBTQ Community

Myth: All LGBTQ people have HIV/AIDS.

Reality: This is patently not true. HIV/AIDS affects heterosexual, cis-gender and LGBTQ people, men and women, in varying degrees according to the characteristics of the epidemic. In some regions of the world it is primarily a problem among the heterosexual population. What is true, however, is that stigma, discrimination and exclusion of LGBTQ people leads to lack of access to information on HIV and safe sex practices, prevention, testing, treatment, care and support. This leaves LGBTQ people (and in particular transgender women) at higher risk of contracting HIV. Reducing stigma, eliminating discrimination and exclusion and, consequently, increasing access to services, is the right way to address the HIV epidemic for all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Myth: Being around LGBTQ people or having access to information on homosexuality endangers the wellbeing of children.

Reality: This is a myth. Learning about or spending time with people who are LGBTQ does not influence the sexual orientation or gender identity of minors, nor does it harm their wellbeing.

Myth: Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are “dangerous to children.”

Reality: No. There is no link whatsoever between being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender and child abuse. Evidence shows that LGBTQ people all over the world, just like straight and cisgender people, are good parents, teachers and role models for young people. Portraying lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people as pedophiles or as dangerous to children is wrong and offensive. It is a distraction from the need for serious and appropriate measures to protect all children, including those coming to terms with their sexual orientation and gender identity. All forms of sexual abuse, including against children, should be prevented and punished wherever they occur and whoever is involved.

[Source: Parliamentarians for Global Action]

Common Misconceptions

Myth: You can spot a gay or lesbian person by the way they act and dress.

Fact: Some people believe all gay men are effeminate, and all lesbians are tomboys. While there are some gay and lesbian persons who fit these stereotypes, they are no more representative of all homosexual people than are the Marlboro Man and June Cleaver types representative of all straight people. LGBTQ people generally look and act like everyone else. Most people never suspect the sexual orientation of an LGBTQ individual.

Myth: I’ve never met a person who is gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.

Fact: Most people know a number of LGBTQ persons, but are unaware of it because these persons are “in the closet”. Because of intense prejudice and hatred directed toward LGBTQ people in our society, many are quite reluctant to reveal their sexual orientation. As noted, most LGBTQ people look and act just like everyone else. They come from all walks of life, all races, all economic levels, and all political perspectives. So heterosexual people can assume that they probably have homosexual neighbors, friends, relatives, and fellow worshipers, although those persons may be afraid to reveal that they are not straight.

Myth: LGBTQ people want to come into our schools and recruit the students to their lifestyle.

Fact: There have been attempts to bring LGBTQ issues into schools, but certainly not to convert anyone. There is no evidence that people could be “recruited” to a homosexual orientation, even if someone wanted to do this. The intent is to teach adolescents not to mistreat LGBTQ classmates, who are often subjects of harassment and physical attacks. Talking openly about homosexuality is also crucial to students who are LGBTQ. Feeling alone, frightened and confused, these young people are much more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers. A recent study indicates that 30% of gay and lesbian students attempt suicide around the age of 15.

Myth: To be bisexual implies that a person has multiple partners.

Fact: Bisexual individuals have affection and sexual feelings towards persons of the other sex, as well as the same sex. This does not imply involvement with more than one partner any more than a heterosexual person’s ability to be attracted to more than one person implies multiple partners.

Myth: You can always tell homosexuals by the way they look or act. Men who act in a feminine manner must be gay. Masculine women with short haircuts and deeper voices must be lesbians.

Fact: These stereotypes only apply to about 15% of gays and 5% of lesbians. These stereotypes confuse the concept of sexual orientation (whether you prefer the same or the other sex as sexual partners) with gender roles (exhibiting masculine or feminine behavior). Just as the vast majority of gays and lesbians do not fit these stereotypes, only a portion of heterosexuals match them. Except for their actual sexual activity or admitting their sexual preferences, there is no accurate way to judge someone’s sexual orientation.

Many adolescents and some adults are not secure in their masculinity or femininity. For them, it is important to be as different form an LGBTQ person as possible. They may even have homophobia, an unreasonable fear and/or hatred of homosexuals. With their insecurity, they maintain stereotypes of effeminate male gays and masculine lesbians. When they follow the stereotyped gender roles, they feel more sexually adjusted. They use the stereotypes to distinguish between out-group and in-group members. When these individuals meet homosexuals who do not fit the homosexual stereotypes, they feel very upset and threatened. They are extremely upset by any activity with people of the same sex that even hints at being sexual.

Myth: Christians are united in their opposition to homosexual people and homosexuality.

Fact: There are a wide variety of opinions about homosexual persons among the various Christian denominations, and among individuals as well. Some religious groups interpret certain Biblical passages as injunctions against homosexuality, while others view these passages in the light of historical context, pointing out other passages Christians no longer take literally, such as those advocating slavery, dietary laws, and ritual purity laws. In addition many Christian denominations have issued statements condemning discrimination and prejudice against homosexual people, as have a number of Jewish and other religious groups. There are numerous congregations who welcome and affirm homosexual Christians as fully participating members with unique gifts to offer.

Huff Post: Harmful Myths and Stereotypes About Gay Men

Info: LGBTQ Stereotypes