This web page is the result of a web project for Dr. Lynda Ewen's SOC 555 (Sex and Gender) course taught in the fall semester 1997 at Marshall University. The assignment given was as follows:

"It is widely believed within social science that patriarchy and the ideology of male supremacy could not be sustained without homophobia. This g eneral agreement, however, does not mean that all agree on the way in which homophobia is socially constructed, nor agree on the relative importance of ideology (homophobia and males supremacy) versus economic incentives or historical/cultural traditi on."

"You are to each find three scholarly journal articles that address the question of the relationship between homophobia and patriarchy/male supremacy. These articles must take differing positions regarding this relationship and be from differen t journals. For each article, prepare a three page summary and analysis. You will need to identify two web sites that pertain to the issue of homophobia or are in some other way related to the material in the articles you have critiqued. Prepare a s ingle page where you give the URLs of those web sites and brief explanations of what the web sites contain and why they are relevant. You will meet and read each other's article critiques. You will have a discussion trying to summarize the "state" of the theory and research on this question -- at least as it is revealed in six different articles. You will then create a web page with the results of your findings."

The final portion of this assignment required that Michael and Okey meet, read each other's articles, discuss the results, and reach a conclusion on the "state of this theory" or attempt to answer the question of whether or not patriarchy o r male dominance would be maintained without homophobia. The majority of articles suggest that patriarchy is NOT dependent upon homophobia to survive. Only one article, Gay Discourse in Adult Education: A Critical Review, suggests that patriarchy or mal e dominance would not be able to be maintained without homophobia. The remainder of articles suggest that homophobia is a tool of patriarchy; however, the patriarchal system has many other tools and methods which ensures the continuation of male dominanc e.

The other articles either directly or indirectly suggest that the main weapon of patriarchy is sexism. The articles generally agree that homophobia is a "weapon" as well, either as a weapon of sexism (one of the articles even uses this phrase as a title) or as a direct weapon itself. Interestingly, one of the articles, Dealing with Prejudice and Conflict in the Classroom, examines the results of an experiment designed to teach students about homophobia and about the results of strict gender rol es enforced by our patriarchal structure. Students learned by participating how patriarchy affects the lives of people who are out of the mainstream. The results of this experiment as stated in Michael's analysis, "taught students that America is a patria rchal society which has rigid sex roles which causes those who are out of the rigid categories to be denied equal rights." This article provides an excellent example of the link between patriarchy and homophobia because they had to walk on the "outside"o f acceptability for a day by wearing a pink triangle. One quickly learns the penalties for breaking a gender role in this society. Our conclusion after reading the articles and discussing what they reflect in regard to the theory being examined, is that patriarchy WOULD survive without homophobia. The patriarchal system has several methods of oppression and removing one of them (such as homophobia) would only result in another group being singled out and used by the male dominated system. These "weapon s" exist to ensure the stability of the patriarchy - to keep everyone in line.

If people break the rules, such as gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered people, the patriarchal system is threatened. Therefore, attempts are made to force those people back into acceptable roles. If people refuse to be forced back into particular roles, they are punished. In this particular instance, people are threatened with violence, shame, loss of work, home, family, and various other things in our lives w e hold dear. These articles reflect this position either overtly or covertly. The language use in these articles may be different, however all of them have a common thread running through them -- patriarchy uses homophobia to oppress people because thes e people threaten the patriarchal system.

Sexism, Patriarchy and Homophobia

Included in this website, one will find a listing of eight items relating to sexism, patriarchy, and homophobia. The site discusses homophobia and how this furthers the goal of white male privilege and how these factors suppress homosexuals. Included in the site is a statement which argues that one can't be black and homosexual. While reading this website, keep in mind that it is written from an African American perspective. (Michael Schryer)

Homophobia: A Weapon of Sexism

This link provides direct access to the article of the same name reviewed on this webpage. It provides the reader a quick reference to this particular article. The article itself examines the rol e homophobia plays in regard to sexism. (Okey Napier)

Understanding Prejudice Based on Sexual Orientation