Heterosexuality has been seen as the norm and
dominant view regarding human sexual behavior in most societies conversely
homosexuality has been as the sexual minority. In an effort to reach social
tolerance and acceptance, the LGBTQ community has challenged hetero-sexist views
usually through nonconforming methods. In the middle of this coalition we often
think of the LGBTQ community as one common force, however it is important to
consider other minorities within the LGBTQ community. Barbara Smith's article
"Homophobia: Why Bring It Up?" brings up a valid point when she
refers to the misconception that “gay” refers to a white homosexual men,
"[ignoring] that some of us are women and people of color and
working class, and poor and disabled, and old. " These minorities that Smith mentions
often get overshadowed by the broad concept of homosexuality. For this reason I
would like to focus my blog post on the sexual minority of Latino homosexual
men and argue how catholic religion and Latino culture have created a unique
identity among Latino homosexual men. In addition I will analyze how the Latino
community is becoming more accepting than previous generations.
Religion plays a big factor in the beliefs and opinions of its worshipers. In previous generations Catholic religion has often instilled beliefs that homosexuality is immoral creating homophobic point of views among its believers. In the news article "Much has changed for gay and lesbian Catholics in L.A." it is stated that the Pope Venedict XVI wrote in a letter to bishops, “[that Catholicism] is an "objective disorder, and a person engaging in homosexual behavior acts immorally.” This belief often led homosexual Catholics to feel as if they were doing something wrong and sinful if they engaged in homosexual behavior. In addition these religious views made it harder for a Latino man to “come out” to his family. However things have been changing, the news piece also brings up a more promising point of view as it explains how catholic religion is becoming more accepting towards homosexuality. Catholic churches are learning to view homosexuality as an intrinsic part of gays and lesbians rather than seeing it as a sin.
Religion plays a big factor in the beliefs and opinions of its worshipers. In previous generations Catholic religion has often instilled beliefs that homosexuality is immoral creating homophobic point of views among its believers. In the news article "Much has changed for gay and lesbian Catholics in L.A." it is stated that the Pope Venedict XVI wrote in a letter to bishops, “[that Catholicism] is an "objective disorder, and a person engaging in homosexual behavior acts immorally.” This belief often led homosexual Catholics to feel as if they were doing something wrong and sinful if they engaged in homosexual behavior. In addition these religious views made it harder for a Latino man to “come out” to his family. However things have been changing, the news piece also brings up a more promising point of view as it explains how catholic religion is becoming more accepting towards homosexuality. Catholic churches are learning to view homosexuality as an intrinsic part of gays and lesbians rather than seeing it as a sin.
Another fundamental part of Latino identity is
patriarchy and gender roles. Latino gender roles expect males to engage in
masculine behavior whereas women are supposed to follow feminine roles. A shift
in the workplace in America and European countries paved the way for a change
in traditional gender roles in both men and women. With the rise of industrialization
people were allowed to leave the family-based economy and focus more on their sexual
identity.(Almaguer) Latinos on the other hand experienced much less of this
change in economy. When comparing the differences among white gay men and Latino
or other colored gay men it is also crucial to consider the racial differences.
White gay men are in a better situation than other homosexuals because they
have a racial advantage, one can see how this has been advantageous since the
first homosexual alliances to be formed were prominently of white gay men.
Colored people are in a much more compromising situation facing both racial
discrimination and homophobia. (Almaguer)
Religion, culture, and traditions encompass what
it means to be both Latino and homosexual. The homosexual experience is
different for every race, social class, and culture since all these components
intertwine to form unique identities.
Bibliography
Almaguer, Tomas “Chicano Men: A Cartography of
Homosexual; Identity and Behavior” in
Social Perspectives in Gay
and Lesbian Studies ed. Peter M Nardi and Beth Schneider,1998.
Landsberg,
Mitchell. "Much Has Changed for Gay and Lesbian Catholics in L.A." Featured
Articles From The Los Angeles Times. 23 Oct. 2011. Web. 09 Feb. 2012.
<http://articles.latimes.com/2011/oct/23/local/la-me-gay-catholics-20111024>.
Smith, Barbara
“Homophobia: Why Bring It Up?” from The Lesbian and Gay and Studies Reader. Ed Henry Ablelove
et al New York& London: Routlesdge,1993.
I agree that religion is one of the main components in the history and hindered rise of LGBTQ voices throughout time. Many religions do not accept homosexuality and condemn even the thought of it. In cultures that are very religious, such as the Latino culture, it might be extremely difficult to show one's true identity. According to the article “Homosexuality and American Society: An Overview,” homosexual behavior was considered a sin and was illegal by law. Medical profession “marked gay people as inferior-less moral, less respectable, and less healthy than their fellows.” This response to homosexuality definitely takes a toll on LGBTQ individuals. Imagine the guilt and hurt a person faces when he or she is told by his/her religion that his/her true sexuality is a heinous sin. In my opinion, religion should be accepting of all identities as long as people remain faithful to whom they worship.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, it is interesting to see that Latino culture emphasizes gender roles as much as the Asian culture similarly does. Patriarchy seems to be a universal expectation in many cultures, and even gay males are counted upon to take on this role. Men are expected to show masculinity, while women are supposed to be feminine. I think it's harder for minority and other ethnic groups to be open about their sexualities or identities because of this undaunted pressure of gender roles. I'm sure there are several LGBTQ Latino people who cannot come out to their families and friends due to their responsibility in society to act as their “assigned” genders from birth. The only way we can address this problem is to become “gender-blind,” if you will, in order to accept people for who they really are.
Works cited:
ReplyDeleteJohn D'Emilio. "Homosexuality and American Society: An Overview." From Sexual Politics, Sexual Communities in the United States 1940-1970. Chicago, III: University of Chicago Press, 1983.
I agree with the detrimental state homosexuality in the Latino culture. Being a Latino man myself I see many of the arguments made in this post everyday in my culture. Religion has been an intrinsic piece of Latino culture since it has began and because of this we grasp to the religious attitudes, this being the predominantly ideologies of the catholic religion and one such ideology being the expulsion of homosexuality from any culture. Because of this the Latino community has a certain dilemma. Smith argues that “homophobia is usually the last oppression to be mentioned, the last to be taken seriously, the last to go” (1993). However, because of the strong, intertwining bond between the Catholic church and the Latino community homophobia is actually the first oppression to be taken into account but is not seen as on oppression to rid of but in fact as an oppression to be enforced! How is the Latino community to get rid of its homophobia if the force carrying and creating their most important ideologies attempting to eradicate the homosexual community all together? As also stated in this post there are all other kinds of factors leading to homophobia in the Latino Community. How is a person going to be able to overlook and outgrow such negativity towards homosexuality if everything that they have been raised with and thought to believe because of their culture tells them otherwise?
ReplyDeleteAlmaguer, Tomas “Chicano Men: A Cartography of Homosexual; Identity and Behavior” in
Social Perspectives in Gay and Lesbian Studies ed. Peter M Nardi and Beth Schneider,1998.