PAGE 12 HIGH GEAR
Psychologist probes roots of Homophobia
TUCSON (IGNA)-Research in psychology and sociology shows that American notions. about homosexuality are unfounded myths. University of Arizona clinical psychologist Dorothy Riddle told university audience here recently.
Ms. Riddle said she could not account for the "tremendous negative cultural pressure" associated with homosexuality in the face of research that show that 80 percent of the American population has experienced homosexuality or fantasizes
about homosexuality.
Riddle said that research has shown that people who think women should stay in traditional
sex and social roles are the most likely to have a rigid hatred of homosexuals.
"I think there are four different kinds of attitudes that together create homophobia, or the irra tional fear of same-sex sexuality. One is the attitude of repulsion that surrounds Gays. The myth is that Gays are crazy and dangerous, an idea that's been used to justify locking Gays up and giving shock treatment."
The stereotype of homosexuals as child-molesters has been proved false by research which shows that 97 percent of all childmolesters are heterosexuals and that 80 percent of molesters' victims are young girls. "And yet 71
Agency helps gay tenants
In a precedent setting move. the State of California, Division of Fair Employment Practices has agreed to investigate and refnedy housing discrimination cases against gay persons. This s the first time that gay tenants in California will have a state, agency to assist them in sexual orientation discrimination cases.
This decision resulted from extensive negotiations with Governor Brown's office and other administrative officials by Mr Paul D. Hardman of San Fran-
Cisco and Mr. Thomas F. Coleman, a Los Angeles attorney.
In 1978 a decision was made by the Division of Fair Employment Practices not to handle gay
housing cases. although it
peared that the Division had jurisdiction to do so.
In August, 1979, this problem was discovered by Ms. Susan McGrievy, staff attorney for the Los Angeles Gay Community Services Center, when the Division refused to process several housing cases which she had referred to the Division for investigation.
That same month the National Committee intervened and brough the matter to the attention of Mr. J. Anthony Kline, the Governor's Legal Affairs Secretary Kline, Hardman, and Coleman then worked out a solution with Ms. Joanne A Lewis. Chief
percent of adult males in this country believe Gays (men) 'are molesters," Riddle said.
(Editor's note: The best research Update can locate (most scientifically conducted, largest samples, etc.) indicated the following data: 90 percent of molestation victims are girls. Men who molest boys usually also molest girls. Boys are rarely molested by homosexual adult males. The latter account for zero percent and seven tenths of one percent in the largest surveys. The stereotypical child molester is the girl's father. The popular stereotype then, may be considered a "Watergate" coverup that facilitates child
of the Division of Fair Employment Practices.
Upon learning of the decision to handle gay cases, Thomas F. Coleman, Co-chair of the National Committee commented. "This is another example of the firm commitment of the Brown administration to equality under the law for all regardless of sexual orientation. The intervention and assistance from the Governor's office probably saved us three years of litigation over this issue. Now that we have statewide protection in gay housing discrimination cases. we should refer such cases to the Division of Fair Employment Practices for resolution."
molestation?)..
Gay men were shown photographs of nude men and women. Gay men would experience erecatures, and their erections would tions when viewing the male pic-
Another part of the repulsion attitude arises because Gays are thought to be sex-mad. Yet in study of adult men, heterosexuals averaged 3 orgasms a week, while homosexual men averaged 13 orgasms a week.
that procreation is the only basis "Part of the problem is the idea for sex," Riddle said, adding that while no one literally thinks pregnancy is the purpose of every sexual act, many people base their hatred of homosexuality on the fact that it cannot result in pregnancy.
The idea of a phobia towards homosexuality has been shown in a study where Gay and non-
Gaye Barr triumphs
It wasn't all that unusual that a woman placed in the top five of 14 contenders in a recent student government election at conservative North Georgia in tiny Dahlonega, Georgia. What was odd was her name: Gaye Barr.
Some college faculty snickered at the Gaye Barr triumph, but one long-time complainer about Dahlonega's provincialism-the town has a population of 2,500 and approved beer sales only last year-asked a friend, "Aren't you glad we finally have one in town?"
gradually fade when viewing the
female photos. Heterosexual men, however, consistently' erections disappeared. showed a panic reaction to the nude male pictures and their
described was that Gays are emotional cripples. Riddle said that studies show that homosexuals with single partners have
The second attitude Riddle
happier relationships.
The third attitude is that homosexuals are immature and that
the individual should or will outgrow the stage. "The data show that the opposite is true," Riddle said.
Finally, there is the attitude that Gays are trying to act out opposite sex personality traits. "It seems more likely that that idea is in the eye of the beholder," Riddle said. Studies have shown that people who were told someone was a homosexual viewed the person as weaker and smaller than observers who were not told the
person was homosexual. In some cases the observers said the person was "someone they didn't want to meet again."
Riddle concluded by saying that these myths put great pressure on closeted homosexuals who may take years to tell friends, family, and the public of their sexuality.
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