Homophobia is perpetuated everywhere, in the smallest things, such as jokes, gender roles or even in the things we say. We tend to overlook these things because it's so normalised in our society, and after all, we grew up with these heteronormative standards. This article is primarily about the casual use of homophobia in our daily lives and how it affects many people.

To measure this, we conducted an online survey on the discrimination that the LGBTQ+ community faces. Of the 49 answers to our survey a majority stated that either they or their friends had experienced homophobia in different ways.

According to the survey's answers, insults and derogatory comments are the most common experience. These comments can come from anything between strangers on the streets to family or friends, and they show a deeply ingrained dislike for people who are gay, or different from the norm. 

 Of the 49 answers to our survey 85,7 percent answered that they did not use the word gay as an insult, but 83,7 percent answered that they knew someone who used the word as an insult.

"Yes, I have experienced homophobia and transphobia in various situations, especially in social settings where people felt comfortable expressing harmful stereotypes or making derogatory comments." This is an answer to the question 'Have you experienced homophobia/transphobia? If so, in what way?' in our survey. This answer shows that the way homophobia is accepted socially leads to an environment where people feel unsafe and uncomfortable.

 In an interview with our classmate she mentioned a person she used to know who had a very homophobic family who got beat up for being gay, and had to be very secretive about it. Homophobia often has a larger effect on minors because they have less control over their lives and social circles, which can make it harder to get away from homophobic people. This is especially true if those people are their family since minors are both socially and economically dependent on their parents.  

Homophobia is also used in jokes, not only by homophobic people, but also between gay people as friendly ribbing. This is one answer to the question 'Do you/someone you know use homophobia as a joke? If so how?':

"Towards each other but not as slurs. Only with people who are okay with it. Me and my friends use it for fun." Homophobia in jokes can be a way for gay people to cope with their reality, and the homophobic treatment they endure in their lives. The difference between homophobic jokes and homophobia used as a joke is how you do it, and if the people you do it with feel comfortable with your jokes.

Christian preacher at Sergels Torg, Stockholm. Image: Amanda.

Homophobic jokes on the other hands are jokes used to push down on gay people and make them feel uncomfortable. "Jokes that downgrade LGBTQ people and make us seem worth less", this is a good description of the sort of jokes used by homophobic people.

Homophobia is used in both insults and humor. It can be used to push gay people down, or between gay people as a way to bond. The current state of our society means that homophobia is socially acceptable, and that needs to change in order to create a society where everyone feels welcome.