I think the idea of 'purity' is more an issue of authority and control. If you're expected to approach something much more cautiously and moderate its presence in your life much more than someone else is, chances are that the other party has a much easier time taking the dominant role in any situation related it.
I think another reason homosexuality is regarded as dangerous is that it presents an avenue for the objectification of men (and I've been told by men that identify as homophobic that that's a deeply disturbing concept to them). Not that that doesn't happen in situations only involving heterosexual people, but I think most women don't view sexual objectification as an acceptable thing whereas, perhaps, many men do.
I really think there needs to be a more rigorous study of homophobia. It bothers me that a psychiatric term is so poorly defined and freely used, and because of this it's not regarded as an illness - as much as any phobia really can be, I guess. No one is willing to admit that a phobia is a phobia, that yes, there IS a fear element involved, and it's not just the fear of being perceived as gay.
But there, again, is another issue of authority and control. Homosexuality is regarded as a problem rather than the irrational fear of it. So few people are willing to clinically, rigorously, and objectively evaluate anything, especially not if such an analysis would require them to take a closer look at some of the excuses they make for their actions.
Men feel entitled to a woman's sexuality. As a gay woman I get very personal questions about my sex life from mostly men. And they get upset when I decline to answer. That's DISGUSTING of people, I'm so sorry you have to deal with that. There does seem to be this phenomenon that when a woman is gay, heterosexual men feel that, somehow, it's intended for their benefit. Again I think media is to blame - there are more and more women portrayed as lesbians in media, and they're presented in such a way that it says to the heterosexual male viewer 'it's actually for your enjoyment.'
I think most of our society's behavioral problems would be solved (or at least better addressed) if people realized how much media influences them, and how much they trust it, and that there's absolutely no reason to be that trusting of it. But no one wants to evaluate for themselves, right? ~_~
no subject
I think another reason homosexuality is regarded as dangerous is that it presents an avenue for the objectification of men (and I've been told by men that identify as homophobic that that's a deeply disturbing concept to them). Not that that doesn't happen in situations only involving heterosexual people, but I think most women don't view sexual objectification as an acceptable thing whereas, perhaps, many men do.
I really think there needs to be a more rigorous study of homophobia. It bothers me that a psychiatric term is so poorly defined and freely used, and because of this it's not regarded as an illness - as much as any phobia really can be, I guess. No one is willing to admit that a phobia is a phobia, that yes, there IS a fear element involved, and it's not just the fear of being perceived as gay.
But there, again, is another issue of authority and control. Homosexuality is regarded as a problem rather than the irrational fear of it. So few people are willing to clinically, rigorously, and objectively evaluate anything, especially not if such an analysis would require them to take a closer look at some of the excuses they make for their actions.
Men feel entitled to a woman's sexuality. As a gay woman I get very personal questions about my sex life from mostly men. And they get upset when I decline to answer. That's DISGUSTING of people, I'm so sorry you have to deal with that. There does seem to be this phenomenon that when a woman is gay, heterosexual men feel that, somehow, it's intended for their benefit. Again I think media is to blame - there are more and more women portrayed as lesbians in media, and they're presented in such a way that it says to the heterosexual male viewer 'it's actually for your enjoyment.'
I think most of our society's behavioral problems would be solved (or at least better addressed) if people realized how much media influences them, and how much they trust it, and that there's absolutely no reason to be that trusting of it. But no one wants to evaluate for themselves, right? ~_~