tackling homophobia and heterosexism
Nigel Hodges Community Learning Disability Nurse, Solihull Primary Care Trust
Neville Parkes Senior Lecturer/Practitioner, University College, Worcester, North Warwickshire Primary Care Trust
Although learning disability services have a mandate to address homophobia and heterosexism, many continue to view these as marginal issues. Nigel Hodges and Neville Parkes examine the negative impact that discrimination can have on the lives of people with learning disabilities and the implications for their health
Homophobia, according to Sprecher and McKinney (1993) in Williamson (2000), involves ‘negative and/or fearful attitudes about homosexuals or homosexuality’. Other authors have given similar definitions. For example, Lock and Kleis (1998) said homophobia is characterised by negative attitudes towards homosexual people, while Richmond and McKenna (1998) identified it as a dislike or distrust of homosexuals’ life-styles based on personal, social or cultural beliefs.
Learning Disability Practice.
8, 3, 10-16.
doi: 10.7748/ldp2005.04.8.3.10.c1614
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