Why are Americans so prejudices and intolerant of gay people?
146041
For a couple of reasons. Americans fall victim the very human instinct of being afraid of that which they don't understand. If they are not gay, then they don't want gay people around, because they make the "straights" uncomfortable.\n\nAlso, it makes people feel like they belong to something to exclude someone else. That is the root problem in the cases of slavery, sexism, and homophobia.\n\nLastly, Americans resent being told what to do. It's part of our nature. So when people in government make laws FORCING us to accept a certain lifestyle, or laws that PROMOTE one group over another, there is a dangerous backlash in retaliation. \n\nGood question, but be careful not to limit your vision to the faults of America. It isn't just us-and it isn't all of us.\n\nGood Luck!
954057
because Americans have a problem with clumping people together in one group       we can't help it      just like in our own country some have a problem with all black people             and some have a problem with all white people             and some have a problem with all gay people             because we have conflict with some middle eastern people right now alot of us don't like any of you        i myself am guilty as well
244140
Fear and prejudice, which go hand in hand.  It seems those so anti-gay are afraid of many things about it.  Most being that 80% of people have had, usually as children experimenting, a sexual liaison with someone of the same sex.  Something normal and healthy.  They are so afraid of them being classified as gay because of that it becomes a deep anger at themselves then transmitted outwards.  It's a sad thing to use an inaccurate book to back up your own fears.
543762
I'm not sure... I was the victim of a gay bashing on Christmas Morning, 2005. And since I live in western Nebraska, I really was not sure what to do. If I had made a stink out of it and got the police involved, I more than likely would have been subjected to it again. Maybe gay bashing is done by those who are too chicken shite to admit they really are gay, so they hate those of us who are out of the closet and fear that we will drag them kicking and screaming into the world of Gayness. lol.
672591
Not for me.\n\nCan't people stop questioning why people are gay and just accept that people are gay?
642271
I think its because people dont really have a problem with gays they just have a need to complain. Will and Grace is a comedy television show. People get addicted to tv. I mean where do you think all the gay controversy started. Whatever the news and tv says people believe so if the news says gay marriage is bad people believe it if will and grace say gays are good they believe it its warped and messed up. What people do behind closed doors is none of my business and does not affect me at all. But the shows great and so are gay men just as straight men!
68966
OK, it's time to tackle some of the tough questions!\n\nFirst of all, to qualify my answer , I am not gay, liberal  or aetheist.\n\nSecondly , while your question has provoked much comment, it's not really the right question\n\nThe "United States" is not scared of Homesexuality. The right wing religious zealots that live predominantly in the "red" states ARE scared. Not necessarily of Homosexuality, but of the fact that they may be wrong, wrong about lots of things. Scared that others may be more righteous than them.  A small percentage  may truly believe that in being "Christian", it is their responsibility to help others who in their minds Haved "sinned." To some extent, they can ALMOST be forgiven, since despite their small minded views , at least their intentions are not hateful. Most of course do not even fall into this category. They are "sinners", just like the rest of us. they may or may not call themselves religious, but this does not change their nature. Their hatered of gays is no different than the post civil war hatred against former slaves. It was simply about the need to be able to feel superior.\n\nMind you, if you are truly an excellent Human Being, you do not have this need ! You are happpy with your own life and let others live theirs. You Honor God by following Golden Rule "do unto Others as you want others to do unto you"\n\nEven their "Lord Jesus" knows  this and states it in the bible which they usually manage to misquote so often.\n\nIn Matthew 19:19 he replies to man who has asked about getting into heaven that he must obey the commandments and when asked to specify, Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,' and 'LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF' "\n\nENOUGH SAID, I THINK!\n\nNow as to same sex marriage, that's another story. In my opinion, the PROBLEM is that the government has No Business being involved in marriage AT ALL. Marriage is a religious institution and should be left to the "church"\n\nOf course, there are reasons such as inheritance, insurance, health care proxy etc. etc. that marriage is convenient. for these reasons, there should be some kind of civil registration which can apply EQUALLY to any two people in a committed relationship and cohabitate, and should NEVER EVER be confused with religious marriage performed by a priest, minister , rabbi, imam, guru, or any other religious represenatative. \n\nBTW, Any preferential tax treatment should never be conferred on the basis of this registration, and instead only be available to Parent(s) of Children as properly caring for a child is clearly expensive but has great value to the community as a whole.
930920
No matter where you go, you will find those who revel in disliking people that are different. It makes them feel superior. Sad really.\n\nFew Americans hold the views you think. That's a caricature promulgated by the ultra conservatives, and maybe a few morons thrown in for good measure. Being more liberal on many things makes you seem to be the enemy, so they demonize you.\n\nMost of us respect your culture, and some of us envy many elements of it.
1050279
My friend this is what the American left has done to America.  The left-wing media, government officials, soon enough to be the American people have been hypnotized to think that it's ok for everyone else to show pride for what they are unless you are white, rich, or conservative.\n\nThis is just one of the problems driven from Political Correctness and an overwhelming secular movement in America.\n\nWe must not be afraid of these ploys used by the liberals and we should take pride in the fact that we are all Americans, regardless if we are white or black, rich or poor, conservative or liberal.
1134346
i will start by saying that i am a heterosexual male....\n\nbut i agree with you.... our government should not be imposing their religion will on Americans!!!! there are too many serious problems happening right now in American than to worry about what people do behind close doors....\n\nbut it is the religious right and christian idiots who think that they must impose their beliefs on others.....  if you don't believe in gay marriage don't get one....  people have the right to do as they please..... and all this crap about marriage between man and woman being sacred is just crap.... with our +50% divorce rate.....
304194
Fear is a very basic uneducated response to a situation. These people are making assumptions about things before taking the time to get to know people. It's just like in the 1960's and prior when so many people were close minded towards African Americans and other minority races. They don't understand something or someone so they degrade them. It's disgusting and sad. People can love one another in a number of ways and there doesn't need to be one set guideline as to how you go about doing it. And the term is misused, 'homophobia' is to be scared of gay people, as in you don't want to approach them. But these people are not afraid of them in that sense. They need to stop interjecting their ridiculous religious claims and learn to be a little more open minded.
1143396
Because they are outside the mainstream culture.  Think about it, if the country were mostly gay wouldn't you call yourself a straight American?
153495
It is unfortunate that the majority of people in this country are still so scared of the possibility of gays living equal among them. Why else place such a ridiculous ban? Some will say that children raised by gay parents will have it a lot harder. I disagree. I am amazed at how open and honest the youth in todays schools are. The only ones I know of that are homophobic have learned the behavior and language from their parents. If the youth of today can accept each other, why can't the adults? Fear. My partner and I just placed a question on here about how to adopt. the answers ranged form "Yuck" to 'How dare we drag a child into our fantasy?" These answers just mirror the fear and ignorance of the majority of Americans. Gays are accepted as long as we are funny, and the life of the party, but as soon as we stop acting like the characters on a sit-com we become a threat. The ban doesn't surprise me. the real question here is what to do about? How do accepting, open minded, loving people fight against such fear?
567433
Ignorance and prejudice which are two sides of the same coin.\n\nSpecify WHICH religion.  Some religions actually consider gays more "holy" than straights.  Some Native American religions refer to the as two-spirited people. There are numerous cultures and religions that accept, value and respect homosexuals and even have special social roles for them.
743811
It is not up to me as a gay man to reduce homophobia. What you are suggesting is that victims should be responsible for hate crimes commited against them, which I find to be offensive.\n\nThe onus is on the perpetraitors of violence, harrassment and ignorance against gays and lesbians to enlighten themselves after being shamed for their stupidity.\n\nYou can not 'combat' homophobia - just manage negative impact of homophobic abuse - homophobes act out of fear and ignorance. You can't combat ignorance because ignorance is the deliberate denial to inform oneself of the truth. You can't 'combat' a person's desire to be ignorant if they persist on being ignorant - ignorance serves to benefit those who are ignorant.\n\nYou can only re-adjust the  perspective of the 'victim' so they don't feel victimized. Empower victims of hate crimes to not take abuse to heart.\n\nThere will always be homophobia - we are a minority. We always will be. It is very naive of you to think that we will be accepted by the majority of straight people.\n\nThe Religious Right and 'moral majority' ( I assume you're American) lobby groups in your country are what produces homophobia. The Bible is homophobic. The only way to 'reduce' homophobia is to educate 'Christians'. But you can't educate the uneducatable. So homophobia is here to stay, I'm afraid. It does not bother me. Why? "It is not what you call me, but what I answer to that counts". Think about it.
806998
bigotry and intolerance of all kinds is wrong!  people often fear what they don't understand, but some of those people choose not to educate themselves, and then that fear will fester into irrational hatred.  and that's what starts wars!  that's what tears apart families, denies and takes away equal/civil rights,  gets people fired from jobs for no legitimate reason, leads to violence/bashing!  whether it's because of sexual orientation, race, religion, culture....it's evil!  and bigots who raise their children to hate....to me, that is child abuse, because you are socially retarding your child.\nI am in a loving, monogamous, committed relationship...and I can't get married.  if the bigots/right-wingers/bible-thumpers/"fundies" have their way....churches and government will keep trying to dictate what goes on in everyones bedroom.   what 2 consenting, unrelated adults do in private is their own business, and no one else's!
83218
being afraid of gay people.