Is the US more homophobic than the rest of the developed world?

[GenMarshall]

Is this the actual thread that were going by since there are two and a mod has yet to close one of them. With that out of the way.

I believe that it varies from place to place in the United States. Areas near larger cities and blue states tend to be more liberal and accepting of gays while the country side and the red states (Especaily the protestant bible belt region) tend to be more homophobic.

 

[MobBoss]

Define developed.

I humbly submit that the US is quite tolerant of homosexuals. The only main issue that I can see is the marriage issue, which is a big hurdle for Americans in total, but in of itself not an indicator that America is intolerant of gays in general.

Is there anything outside of the gay marriage issue that would give you the idea that the US is intolerant of gays and homophobic?

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Will & Grace, a top show for years, the Queer Eye show, the 'Girls Gone Wild' lesbians, we're very tolerant.

 

[Tycoon101]

Define developed.

I humbly submit that the US is quite tolerant of homosexuals. The only main issue that I can see is the marriage issue, which is a big hurdle for Americans in total, but in of itself not an indicator that America is intolerant of gays in general.

Is there anything outside of the gay marriage issue that would give you the idea that the US is intolerant of gays and homophobic?

I agree, America is extremely tolerant, even towards their marridges.

The only thing that I can think of for intolerant Americans is the fact that there are hate crimes towards them, albeit very rarely.

 

[nonconformist]

Of course we have our fair share of intolerants in Europe, particuarly in places like Italy and Span wher ethere are strong religious groupings, but generally the liberal view of Gays come sout on top here whilst in the US the conservatives often seem to get their way on the issue and that there seems to be alot more hostility towards gays in the US.

Catholicism is on itas way out in Spain, with the new generation.
And Spain is one of the few countries to legalise gay marriage!

 

[MobBoss]

I agree, America is extremely tolerant, even towards their marridges.

The only thing that I can think of for intolerant Americans is the fact that there are hate crimes towards them, albeit very rarely.

I have mentioned in other threads that as a paralegal, I fail to understand why we have "hate crimes" on the books. A person should be punished equally for shooting either a hetero/homosexual and in turn punished the same for shooting a black/white person.

To me, the entire set of laws seem very redundant.

 

[Low Tier Hero]

As an American Citizen in the only state to allow Gay Marriage in the US; I'd definitely have to say there is still intolerance.

I got a storytime for you guys.

So, my grandmother lives in Missouri; and we go and visit her every few years.
The last time we went to visit her; I was up late watching a rebroadcast of the local news; and on said local news they were covering the issue of the gay marriage allowance in my home state. Now the commentary was on the verge of disgust, that polite kind of contempt you'd imagine from a high society elite; or perhaps a particular elitist from any given set of people. I wasnt surprised. What I was surprised was the female correspondants last comment was

"Well, if mentally handicapped people can get married; I guess maybe they thought this makes sense. And now for the weather."

So yeah. Im pretty sure America's homophobia is just under the surface just waiting to come out.

-An Idle Mind

 

[Truronian]

I'd say compared to some European countries the US on average is more homophobic. In the big cities, I'd say the US is just as accepting as most European countries; its just the rural areas that seem more conservative on the issue.

Go Xenaphobia!

Fear of warrior princesses?

 

[garric]

You think that the UK and Spain is the whole world?

Not to mention if you're gay in Saudi Arabia you'd probably be beheaded.

 

[sysyphus]

Seems to me that the level of homophobia in a given ssociety is directly proportional to the level of religious activity.

More secular countries like France, Germany and Canada tend to be less homphobic while more religious countries like USA, UK and Poland tend to have more homophobia.

 

[Sidhe]

Define developed.

I humbly submit that the US is quite tolerant of homosexuals. The only main issue that I can see is the marriage issue, which is a big hurdle for Americans in total, but in of itself not an indicator that America is intolerant of gays in general.

Is there anything outside of the gay marriage issue that would give you the idea that the US is intolerant of gays and homophobic?

The issue of Gay marriage being played politicaly as a method to encourage increased voters. In this country if you played the anti gay marriage issue as a tennant of your policies pre legalisation it would not of been to encourage voters, in fact quite the opposite.

You misnterpret me I'm more interested in perception, although the views of some groups is of interest to me.

Civ General this is the right thread, I'm not sure why the other one hasn't been closed yet. I apologise for any confusion and hope the mods will get around to it.

You think that the UK and Spain is the whole world?

Not to mention if you're gay in Saudi Arabia you'd probably be beheaded.

If that's directed at me then you misinterpreted my post and my later distinction to avoid confusion again it's meant to be any developed country. I will not make a distinction BTW Mob Boss that would simply create confusion and serve you to make some accusations against certain countries, take it as you want.

Seems to me that the level of homophobia in a given ssociety is directly proportional to the level of religious activity.

More secular countries like France, Germany and Canada tend to be less homphobic while more religious countries like USA, UK and Poland tend to have more homophobia.

The UK has legalised gay marriage BTW, we are no more religous than say France, in fact less so I would say

 

[Tycoon101]

Fear of warrior princesses?

I used to watch that show! That is hilarious!

 

[nonconformist]

You think that the UK and Spain is the whole world?

Not to mention if you're gay in Saudi Arabia you'd probably be beheaded.

As Jon Stewart said:

"When South Africa's ahead of you socially, then you know you're in trouble".

 

[MobBoss]

The UK has legalised gay marriage BTW, we are no more religous than say France, in fact less so I would say

Sorry to be pendant again, but the UK has not legalized gay marriage. They have approved Gay Partnerships. The law is very specific in mentioning that Gay Partnerships are not Gay Marriages.

If you doubt me please refer to the law itself.

 

[Sidhe]

Oh yes sorry he's right. And that's the sort of pedantry I support, thanks Mob Boss

 

[GenMarshall]

Seems to me that the level of homophobia in a given ssociety is directly proportional to the level of religious activity.

More secular countries like France, Germany and Canada tend to be less homphobic while more religious countries like USA, UK and Poland tend to have more homophobia.

It also depends on Christian Denominations also. The United States has a predominately protestant faith which condems homosexuality and homosexuals themselves. Sorry if I offended any American protestants in the forum, but its just what I have noticed.

In-contrast with a the largest minority Christian Denomination, Catholicism veiws the act of homosexuality as a sin while the sexual orrientation is not a sin. Catholicism also has a teaching that I agree to fully which is that any unjust discrimination against homosexuals is wrong and that any sign of unjust discrimination should be avoided and be treated like any individual.

I see homosexuals as single people and if they are Catholic, they are still bound to the same "You shall not commit adultery" rule as I am (since I am also a single person). What they do in their bedroom is none of my buissness so long as I dont have to witness it.

 

[sysyphus]

The UK has legalised gay marriage BTW, we are no more religous than say France, in fact less so I would say

I would agree with that statement where British youth are concerned, but your older generations and institutions are still heavily influenced by teh church, especially the CofE.

Still, the fact that you beat the French on reforming medieval marriage laws is impressive.

Sadly, we're in danger of having our progressive law reversed in Canada, beause somehow we've elected a religious wing-nut as a PM.

 

[Sidhe]

That's a good point Sysiphus, but then the older generation are not long for this world, so we'll win in the end. About mid 40 onwards it's mixed and 60+ it depends on the religous level.

I'm sorry about your political difficulties, just thank God you live in a democracy is the only hope I can offer.

EDIT: @Civ General: it's not meant to be directed at the Catholic church at all I think PJP's ideas were not homophobic as such on the contrary there was a genuine effort to move away from such ideas(indeed it wasn't directed at any specific group as such, let me make that clear) I think religous wise it's the conservative protestants who have the less enlightened message.

 

[nonconformist]

I would agree with that statement where British youth are concerned, but your older generations and institutions are still heavily influenced by teh church, especially the CofE.

Sysyphus, old chap, I can say that apart from primary schools and other such pomp, noone really cares aboutn the CoE.

 

[Mr. Do]

I think the US has more vocal homophobes than other countries, but in general, I really don't think so. I bet French-speaking forums have as many homophobes as primarily English-speaking boards do.