In some ways homophobia may have been the wrong term or too harsh of a term. But in some ways it may be a good one. Noone myself included likes to think that we may be racist, sexist, etc. We may refer to people making a racist comment but not want to label them further as a racist. I think our sexuality and how we view it as well as others is one that many of us have to deal with. When I was younger I started coming to grips with my crossdressing. In my young mind I would tell myself hey at least I'm not gay. Im not sure if I thought that was a terrible thing to be, or just a tougher thing to be. I remember being 12 years old or maybe younger and learning the worst thing you could be called was a queer, or gay, or worse yet a faggot. Those were considered words so inflammatory to somebody young. At the time it felt so important to declare yourself a man, in whatever form that meant. As I got older and looked for places to venture out I heard that gay/lesbian oriented clubs were safe places. That was a struggle at first because the worry what will people think of me, will I get hit on. Mostly the fear comes from the unknown as well as the prejudices that are drummed into a young and impressionable mind. But while i still struggle with my crossdressing the one thing that it has blessed me with is to come into contact with people who I may never have, as well as an understanding of what it is like to be considered a minority or in some cases a freak. It has also encouraged me to educate and inform as best as I can others- in no way am I an advocats as others are, but I try to do what I can.
