As I said a few weeks ago, I will be doing a series addressing stereotypes for LGBTQ+ people—talking about people who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer, as well as people who are intersex and asexual. I look forward to continuing through this series.
However, before going into stereotypes associated with being lesbian, gay, or bisexual, I feel that I should address stereotypes associated with same-sex attraction that I’ve heard from LGBTQ+ friends, writers, celebrities, and others; as all three identities can (in the case of being bisexual) or do (in the case of being lesbian or gay) involve same-sex attraction and feelings, I felt that it was important to address stereotypes associated with people in same-sex relationships in general.
Stereotypes related to same-sex attraction and relationships include, but are not limited, to:
- The thought that people who are in same-sex relationships are living out the “homosexual lifestyle.” Yes, people with same-sex relationships are indeed homosexual, just as people attracted to the opposite sex are heterosexual. But people with same-sex relationships aren’t living the “homosexual lifestyle” any more than people in opposite-sex relationships are living the “heterosexual lifestyle.” And yet, the term homosexual lifestyle is used in a negative way and as if it’s a choice that could be easily opted out of.
- People with same-sex relationships can’t be Christian. This stereotype, I think, is the result of two things: a) the belief among some Christians that homosexuality is a sin worthy of kicking people out of a congregation and b) the fact that this attitude of rejection pushes many people in same-sex relationships away from a belief in Christ (or at least away from church attendance). The reality, however, is that a Christian is a believer in Christ as Messiah, and is someone who tries to follow Christ in all one is and all one does. Those two requirements for being a Christian are not limited to people who identify as heterosexual.
- Same-sex couples “destroy the fabric of families.” This statement begs the question of what makes up the fabric of a family in the first place. Is that fabric a heterosexual couple, or is it something else? Speaking from the experience of being in a loving family, what makes the fabric of families is love, not heterosexuality.
These, of course, are just a few of many unjust stereotypes associated with people in same-sex relationships. If any readers are aware of other stereotypes about same-sex relationships/people with same-sex attraction, or have anything to add about the stereotypes I have discussed above, please feel free to comment below!
Blind Injustice 
What does destroy the fabric of families is the abuse and neglect of children. Maybe people should worry a little more about that rather than judging loving families.
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Agreed. The abuse of children, which actually often does happen a lot with highly rejecting families, does destroy the fabric of families. In short, I tend to think that it is love, above all else, that is the fabric of a strong family. Love wins.
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I loved this post. Thank you for addressing this issue. I am from India and until last year, under some section of law, being in relation with same sex was considered a crime and was punishable. Thank God now that doesn’t exist now. But still nobody lives in same sex relationship due to social stigma and fear of rejection.
I feel love is above everything
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You’re welcome. I’m glad that India removed that law, but am sorry to hear that so much stigma still exists. Hopefully, over time, those stigmas can be dismantled. Thanks for reading!
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Thank you for addressing the stereotype regarding Christianity. Much of the judgment I have received has come from people within the church. Everyone should be welcomed into the church rather than judged and rejected.
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You’re welcome. And you’re not the only one to have said that, which is unfortunate. One of the great commandments from Jesus is about love, yet the response is often hate.
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