Monday, October 23, 2017

Harvey Fierstein with Barbara Walters on 20/20 (1983)


Via Scientific American: Homophobes Might Be Hidden Homosexuals

A new analysis of implicit bias and explicit sexual orientation statements may help to explain the underpinnings of anti-gay bullying and hate crimes


Homophobes Might Be Hidden Homosexuals
Credit: Wikimedia Commons/thaths
Homophobes should consider a little self-reflection, suggests a new study finding those individuals who are most hostile toward gays and hold strong anti-gay views may themselves have same-sex desires, albeit undercover ones.


The prejudice of homophobia may also stem from authoritarian parents, particularly those with homophobic views as well, the researchers added.


"This study shows that if you are feeling that kind of visceral reaction to an out-group, ask yourself, 'Why?'" co-author Richard Ryan, a professor of psychology at the University of Rochester, said in a statement. "Those intense emotions should serve as a call to self-reflection."

The research, published in the April 2012 issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, reveals the nuances of prejudices like homophobia, which can ultimately have dire consequences. [The 10 Most Destructive Human Behaviors]

"Sometimes people are threatened by gays and lesbians because they are fearing their own impulses, in a sense they 'doth protest too much,'" Ryan told LiveScience. "In addition, it appears that sometimes those who would oppress others have been oppressed themselves, and we can have some compassion for them too, they may be unaccepting of others because they cannot be accepting of themselves."


Via Daily Dharma: Create a Sacred Space

Most of us cannot afford a separate room for zazen [Zen meditation], but all of us can make a corner sacred.

—Robert Aitken, “Setting Up Your Home Altar