Homophobia: appreciations from three psychological perspectives

Abstract

This research seeks to explore the psychosocial causes of homophobia using qualitative research methods to interpret the paradigm of hermeneutics through the epistemology principles of focus groups, observation, and interviews. In the Latin American region, homophobia is still conceived as an acceptable practice, victims of this type of discrimination have been victims of various heinous acts perpetrated by homophobic members of society. These actions are ultimately the consequences of social reinforcement of these negative behaviors through family, school peers, co-workers, and other groups encountered within their social plane. In a society where “normality” and homogeneity are a priority, homophobiais a threat to the mental and physical health of homosexual community members within a system that desires to force normality on them in order to be accepted members of society.