It is the hatred, hostility, or disapproval of homosexual people. While appalling and dangerous – and at times murderous – when it is found in individuals, formal or informal groups, it makes life for Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or intersex (LGBTI) persons a misery, often leading these to a devastating feeling of insecurity even within their families of origin. Homophobia is even more appalling and dangerous – and again murderous – when found in the very letter of the law. When discrimination and hatred are enshrined in the texts meant to sanction the social pact embodied by a State, a homosexual knows that there is nowhere to turn to for help. Many of us have known what it means to live in a State like that – a mixture of terror and sense of betrayal, a disorientation and sheer disbelief when trying to understand what is supposedly wrong with oneself. These feelings, and the knowledge of the physically and mentally painful consequences of State sponsored homophobia, are so unbearable that almost always self-denial seems to be the only possible – albeit deceiving – way out.
Source: IKGA
Copyright: © 2009 ILGA, The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association www.ilga.org
