Gender and Sexuality: The Connection Between Homophobia and Misogyny

This essay examines the interconnectedness of homophobia, misogyny, and societal treatment of individuals based on their gender and sexual orientation. It argues that societal views often treat gay men as inferior, mirroring the treatment of women, due to their defiance of societal norms. The essay references studies and articles that highlight how misogyny and homophobia are often linked, where challenging male dominance and heteronormative expectations can result in societal punishment. It explores how even in accepting societies, LGBTQ+ individuals may still face marginalization and discrimination. The essay also draws on the work of Kate Manne to define misogyny and its effects on women and how these effects are mirrored in the treatment of gay men. Overall, the essay provides a sociological perspective on how societal structures and beliefs can perpetuate discrimination against both women and gay men.

Gender and Sexuality
It is true that recent studies in Gender and Sexuality have linked homophobia to
misogyny. The society continued predisposition against same-sex orientation, especially in men
is highly connected to its sexism against women. The elimination of homophobia can lead to the
end of sexism and vice versa because both conditions are dependent on each other and are
merely states of one’s mind. People who are sexist or homophobic simply have a
misunderstanding and irrational fear while others have these conditions due to their conservative
religious beliefs. The society treatment of women as inferior beings also means that gay men are
treated as inferior because to society, they are like women.
Thesis statement: Society treatment of women as inferior beings also means that gay men are
treated as inferior because, to society, they are like women.
In an interview between Sean and Kate Manne who is a Cornell philosophy professor,
Kate indicates that misogyny is “Controlling and punishing women who challenge male
dominance. Misogyny rewards women who reinforce the status quo and punishes those who
don’t.” (Illing, 2017) In fact, a more elaborate meaning of Misogyny in her book is given as a
social environment or frameworks where women face both hatred and hostility just because they
are women living in a male-dominated society. The same case applies to gay men.
Most society norms do not support gay people, and therefore gay men are defying the
societal beliefs and culture, and in return, the society treats them as inferior beings as a way of
punishing them – just like the way they treat women. Even in societies where gay couples and
marriages are legally allowed, they are still a minority group and still not “fully” accepted by
society (Lopez, 2015).

References
Illing, S. (2017, December 5). What we get wrong about misogyny. Retrieved April 22, 2019,
from Vox website: https://www.vox.com/identities/2017/12/5/16705284/metoo-
weinstein-misogyny-trump-sexism
Lopez, G. (2015, April 24). 9 questions about gender identity and being transgender you were
too embarrassed to ask. Retrieved April 22, 2019, from Vox website:
https://www.vox.com/2015/4/24/8483561/transgender-gender-identity-expression