Transcultural Homo- and Transphobia

Negative attitudes toward homosexual and transsexual people are grounded on a number of reasons, ranging from sociocultural to psychological issues. Education, political and religious beliefs, and life experiences undoubtedly play pivotal roles. However, various factors weave together to cause discriminatory behavior toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals, with such discrimination currently identified as homophobia and transphobia. Moreover, those exhibiting sexual and gender variations are often ostracized by various components of society: schools and work places as well as health services. Thus, despite Western media attention often aimed at diminishing homophobia and transphobia, negative attitudes and behaviors toward LGBT people persist, and may have actually increased due to expanded coverage of the issue. Therefore, homophobia and transphobia prevention campaigns need to employ rigorous methods that include assessing possible risk factors that give rise to homophobic and transphobic attitudes and behaviors within culturally defined contexts. In this regard, an accurate and specific sociocultural and transcultural reflection should be undertaken so as to prevent discrimination of sexual minorities worldwide.