L G B T   C a m p u s   O r g a n i z i n g

Internalized Homophobia/Biphobia

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Assuming that you cannot find or help

develop heterosexual or non transgen 

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Assuming other lesbian, gay, bisexual,

der allies;

and transgender people are only poten 

tial sexual partners, or that every inter 

action is about flirting and cruising;

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Believing the stereotypes about les 

bians, gay men, bisexuals, and trans 

gender people and acting them out or

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Criticizing other lesbian, gay, bisexual,

believing there is one right way to be,

and transgender people for being  too

act, dress, etc. as a lesbian, gay man,

out,   flamboyant,   blatant  or  mili 

bisexual, or transgender person; and

tant  about their sexual orientation;

staying away from them;

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Dismissing the uniqueness of transgen 

der experience, e.g., adding  transgen 

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Assuming that everyone is heterosexu 

der  to the title of your group without

al, or lesbian, or gay, or bisexual;

learning about transgender experience

and gender oppression, including the

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Bisexuals assuming their experience

commonalities and differences

and oppression is the same as a les 

between lgb people and transgender

bian's or gay man's; at times bisexuals

people.

enjoy  heterosexual privilege  that is

not available to lesbians and gay men;

LGBT people are part of every group.

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Lesbians and gay men assuming that

The essence of our oppression is isola 

bisexuals never experience heterosex 

tion, invisibility, and shame.  It is impor 

ism;

tant for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and

transgender people to find each other and

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Lesbians and gay men assuming that

offer each other support and space to

bisexuals are  just going through a

come out in our own unique way.  On the

phase,   non monogamous or promis 

other hand it is important for us to gently

cuous,   confused,  or  will necessari 

challenge each other's internalized

ly abandon them for an opposite gen 

homophobia.  What keeps us from report 

der partner; 

ing harassment against us?  Do we just

take it for granted?  What stops us from

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Not speaking up as strongly on issues

asking a professor to include lesbian and

of heterosexism as you would about

gay material in the curriculum or chal 

other issues;

lenge heterosexist remarks in the class 

room?  What stops us from going to a

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Thinking that there really is something

dance, a meeting, or a demonstration?

wrong with being lesbian, gay, bisexu 

Sometimes there are real external threats,

al, or transgender;

but often we have a hard time telling the

difference between our own internalized

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Assuming that you would be unwel 

fear from external threats.  It is important

come as a lesbian, gay man, bisexual,

for us to recognize our commonalties as

or transgender person and that you

lgbt people, and the unique differences

can't talk about your experiences; 

between lesbians and gay men, or les 

bians and bisexual women, as well as the

7 2

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B u i l d i n g   a   H e a l t h y   O r g a n i z a t i o n