So we all know what a stereotype is, and if you’re kind of unsure what stereotype means, it’s a fixed idea about characteristics or qualities of a certain group or individuals. Well, one of my major concerns are the stereotypes that we as a society put on homosexuals, and how it’s affecting our worldwide communities. Is it really right for one to judge another on his or her sexual preference? Personally I don’t believe so, and I really think it’s been taken too far.
Where did people start to think that is was okay to judge someone on who they are? There’s a recent case in an issue of People Magazine of March 17, 2008, about a young 15 year old boy by the name of Larry King. Eighth grade, at E.O Green Junior High School in Oxnard, California, this boy was murdered by a 14 year old classmate for being a homosexual and being thought of as a young effeminate girl. Working in his computer lab first period on February 12, Brandon McInerney the 14 year old boy, walked up behind Larry in perfect sight of students, pulled out his father’s handgun from his waist and shot Larry in the back of the head twice. Honestly, what has society come to! Who ever thought it was right to murdering or bullying someone for something that may even be all based on genetics? When is it ever right!? If stereotypes were never made, issues such as Larry King’s case would never have happend.
Even our media perpetuates the stereotypes of homosexuals, in television shows such as NBC’s “Will and Grace”, whereas characters such as Will and Jack are both homosexuals but Jack is played as a masculine homosexual and Jack is played as the “flaming queen”. Even the television show “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”, gives off the stereotype that gay men are fashion mavens and neat freaks. All of these shows with homosexual characters contain stereotypes! How did it even come to this? Where did we get the idea that homosexual men are flaming queens, beyond effeminate, shoppaholics and beauty freaks? And for the homosexual females where did we get the idea that they’re all trying to be masculine and tough? Society has labeled all homosexuals with these titles! And yes, some homosexuals to tend to carry themselves that way, but more today than ever because of our stereotypes! And what people don’t understand, is that there are millions of homosexuals that do not fall under those categories! What’s so wrong about all of this is that no matter what people say, it is not possible to determine anyone’s sexual orientation just by looking at them and how they act, but because of stereotypes, people suddenly believe they can. Not all gay men listen to dance music, or like fashion, and not all gay men have high-pitched voices, or ‘limp’ wrists, and not all gay females try to take the role of a male, these are all stereotypes that society has made up. It’s not fare that their being judged and some being punished for it, there’s no rule to whether or not men have to like women and vise versa . I just think the whole situation has gotten way out of line and people need to stop and realize what their actually doing to people, it’s cruel and it needs to come to an end.
- Kayce
Where did people start to think that is was okay to judge someone on who they are? There’s a recent case in an issue of People Magazine of March 17, 2008, about a young 15 year old boy by the name of Larry King. Eighth grade, at E.O Green Junior High School in Oxnard, California, this boy was murdered by a 14 year old classmate for being a homosexual and being thought of as a young effeminate girl. Working in his computer lab first period on February 12, Brandon McInerney the 14 year old boy, walked up behind Larry in perfect sight of students, pulled out his father’s handgun from his waist and shot Larry in the back of the head twice. Honestly, what has society come to! Who ever thought it was right to murdering or bullying someone for something that may even be all based on genetics? When is it ever right!? If stereotypes were never made, issues such as Larry King’s case would never have happend.
Even our media perpetuates the stereotypes of homosexuals, in television shows such as NBC’s “Will and Grace”, whereas characters such as Will and Jack are both homosexuals but Jack is played as a masculine homosexual and Jack is played as the “flaming queen”. Even the television show “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”, gives off the stereotype that gay men are fashion mavens and neat freaks. All of these shows with homosexual characters contain stereotypes! How did it even come to this? Where did we get the idea that homosexual men are flaming queens, beyond effeminate, shoppaholics and beauty freaks? And for the homosexual females where did we get the idea that they’re all trying to be masculine and tough? Society has labeled all homosexuals with these titles! And yes, some homosexuals to tend to carry themselves that way, but more today than ever because of our stereotypes! And what people don’t understand, is that there are millions of homosexuals that do not fall under those categories! What’s so wrong about all of this is that no matter what people say, it is not possible to determine anyone’s sexual orientation just by looking at them and how they act, but because of stereotypes, people suddenly believe they can. Not all gay men listen to dance music, or like fashion, and not all gay men have high-pitched voices, or ‘limp’ wrists, and not all gay females try to take the role of a male, these are all stereotypes that society has made up. It’s not fare that their being judged and some being punished for it, there’s no rule to whether or not men have to like women and vise versa . I just think the whole situation has gotten way out of line and people need to stop and realize what their actually doing to people, it’s cruel and it needs to come to an end.
- Kayce
