Posted on 06/06/2002 10:17:46 PM PDT by Clint N. Suhks
For much of this century, homosexuality was defined by the medical and scientific community as a psychiatric disorder. In the last several decades, however, "homosexuality" has been removed from the diagnostic manual of disorders, and research emphasis has shifted to the other side of the problem: the study of the negative, sometimes pathological, reactions to homosexuals by heterosexuals. The term "homophobia" has gained currency as a one-word summary of this widespread problem. Since the early 1980's, scientists attempting to measure homophobia have developed a number of different homophobia scales and questionnaires.
In 1996, as part of his study on homophobia, Dr. Henry Adams and his colleagues at the University of Georgia developed their own "Homophobia Scale" by modifying scales used by other researchers in earlier studies. It's a 25-item questionnaire "designed to measure your thoughts, feelings and behaviors with regards to homosexuality." The instructions stressed: "It is not a test, so there are no right or wrong answers."
Below, FRONTLINE has reproduced this "Wright, Adams, and Bernat Homophobia Scale." It is not a perfect measure of anti-gay feelings or ideas, and is not a predictor of potential for anti-gay violence. [Though this scale was used in a research project designed to test the theory that homophobia is a manifestation of repressed homosexual desire, the scale is not a measure of homosexuality.]
This questionnaire is designed to measure your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors with regards to homosexuality. It is not a test, so there are no right or wrong answers. Answer each item by checking the number after each question as follows:
1 = Strongly agree 2 = Agree 3 = Neither agree nor disagree 4 = Disagree 5 = Strongly disagree
1. Gay people make me nervous.
2. Gay people deserve what they get.
3. Homosexuality is acceptable to me.
4. If I discovered a friend was gay I would end the friendship.
5. I think homosexual people should not work with children.
6. I make derogatory remarks about gay people.
7. I enjoy the company of gay people.
8. Marriage between homosexual individuals is acceptable.
9. I make derogatory remarks like "faggot" or "queer" to people I suspect are gay.
10. It does not matter to me whether my friends are gay or straight.
11. It would upset me if I learned that a close friend was homosexual.
12. Homosexuality is immoral.
13. I tease and make jokes about gay people.
14. I feel that you cannot trust a person who is homosexual.
15. I fear homosexual persons will make sexual advances towards me.
16. Organizations which promote gay rights are not necessary.
17. I have damaged property of a gay person, such as "keying" their car.
18. I would feel uncomfortable having a gay roommate.
19. I would hit a homosexual for coming on to me.
20. Homosexual behavior should not be against the law.
21. I avoid gay individuals.
22. It bothers me to see two homosexual people together in public.
23. When I see a gay person I think, "What a waste."
24. When I meet someone I try to find out if he/she is gay.
25. I have rocky relationships with people that I suspect are gay.
On February 19, 1999, in Sylacauga, Alabama, 39-year-old computer programmer Billy Jack Gaither was brutally beaten with an axe handle. His throat was cut, and his body was set on fire. One of his convicted killers, Steven Mullins, testified he killed Gaither because he was "queer." Why have gays like Gaither and Matthew Shepard become the target of such brutality? What is the source of this kind of hatred? "Assault on Gay America" explores whether there are possible links between the forces that drove Billy Jack's killers and the forces that fuel homophobia in the general law-abiding public.
FRONTLINE examines Gaither's life and death through interviews with his family, friends and killers, detailing how Billy Jack dealt with his homosexuality with his family, and with neighbors and friends in the Sylacagua community. The program also explores his killers' motivations, including trial testimony that one of them, Steven Mullins, may have had a secret homosexual sex life.
Interwoven with Billy Jack's story is FRONTLINE's larger examination of anti-gay attitudes, fears and beliefs that seem to permeate American society and lead to anti-gay violence. In recent years, psychologists and social scientists have been researching the nature of homophobia and the cultural and historical context for understanding heterosexuality and homosexuality. Among those interviewed is forensic psychologist Karen Franklin who studied negative reactions to gays among thousands of young people and conducted a scientific study of perpetrators of anti-gay hate crimes; Also interviewed is sociology professor Michael Kimmel who has examined how the rules and ideals of masculinity contribute to Americans' anti-gay attitudes and fears.
While a majority of Americans have come to believe that homosexuals deserve the same rights as heterosexuals, almost half of them believe that homosexuality is a "sin" or "wrong." Toward the conclusion of this report, FRONTLINE explores the religious argument against gays with Reverend Donald Fado and Daniel Helminiak --both say the Bible does not condemn homosexuality--and with Reverend Jerry Falwell. Falwell speaks for many religious leaders in maintaining that Bible scripture proscribes homosexual acts and is evidence of God's judgment against homosexuals. He admits, however, that anti-gay rhetoric may have gone too far.
Falwell also believes that gays 'choose' homosexuality and can change their sexual behavior, despite scientific studies that are indicating a biological/genetic factor in sexuality. Billy Jack's sister, Kathy--who is also gay--tells FRONTLINE that she and her brother both tried to become heterosexuals. "I tried once, and I said, 'I can't do it,' because I knew for years, this is me ... I've got to be me. Billy tried several times."
1. Gay people make me nervous.Not since I started using soap-on-a-rope.
1. Gay people make me nervous.Not since I started using soap-on-a-rope.
I started to take the quiz but quickly saw it's one of those propaganda devices that allows no shading of answers. Would I smack a gay guy who came on to me? It depends entirely on the manner and the context. I might even feel sorry for him as I said "No thanks, I'm straight." But if he got pushy so would I. These so-called quizzes will be used to show how "homophobic" a large segment of the population is. Pure pro-gay propaganda. Avoid it.
Expect it to be part of the Public School curriculum soon.
I am so tired of being told I have to love these people and accept their life style.
I'm not sure what color that'd be, but it ain't pink.
It's not.
Uh... you show me one case of sodomy in nature and you win.
A. Hate Crimes Legislation Up For Vote Soon!
The Senate is poised to vote on S. 625, the Local Law enforcement Enhancement Act of 2001 (LLEEA).
This is a Ted Kennedy hate crimes/thought crimes measure. If passed, it will add homosexual behavior as a specially-protected class under federal law. This legislation must be defeated. Homosexuality does not merit protection as equal to race or religion. To read more about this legislation and the entire concept of hate crimes, read TVC's Special Report, "Hate Crime Legislation: Unequal Treatment Under The Law" here
Please contact your two Senators and ask that they vote NO on the LLEEA. If you need contact information for your Senators, go here
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2. Nickelodeon Tapes Pro-Homosexual Show
Nearly a quarter of a million parents have signed petitions through Conservative Petitions and the American Family Association to protest an upcoming pro-homosexual special produced by Nickelodeon. The show was taped on June 5 and will air on June 18 at 9 p.m.
Nickelodeon may have backpedaled on the content of this show because of the widespread publicity we've given it, but we're still not convinced that Nickelodeon's leadership can be trusted.
TVC's inside sources have told us that the two-hour taping featured host Linda Ellerbee, who has supported homosexual causes, a homosexual school principal, a homosexual New York fireman, and homosexual activist Rosie O'Donnell. The show is also supposed to interview individuals who will present a pro-family, Christian viewpoint.
During the taping, Rosie attacked Christians who oppose homosexuality, but also admitted that her own 7-year-old son would like to have a dad.
TVC's Executive Director Andrea Lafferty issued a press release on this Nickelodeon program on June 6. To read her comments, go here
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During the taping, Rosie attacked Christians who oppose homosexuality, but also admitted that her own 7-year-old son would like to have a dad.
Rosie preaches tolerance for all unless it interferes with her beliefs...how is that different from those she attacks? Rosie's kid will be heading for therapy later in life.
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