"I Too Could Be Gay If I Wanted"
Misplaced Empathy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1558/bsor.v39i4.005Keywords:
queer pedagogy, empathy, homophobia, orthosexualityAbstract
An important factor in the social rejection and marginalization of queer people is misplaced empathy. When it comes to sexual identity, putting oneself in someone else's shoes, if bringing into those shoes a radically non-queer emotional experience, will only lead to further lack of understanding and misconceptions. The religious studies classroom provides a privileged setting for exposing that wrong kind of empathy and help the students reflect about the ways in which negative religious attitudes to queerness may be tainted with it.
References
Boswell, John 1980 Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
Flores, Francisco 1986 “Homosexualidad y su influencia en el Servicio Militar.” In Madrid Gai 16, 4. Madrid (Spain).
Ginzberg Eli et al. 1959 The Ineffective Soldier: Lessons for Management and the Nation. New York: Columbia University Press
LeVay, Simon 1996 Queer Science: The Use and Abuse of Research into Homosexuality. MIT Press
Schmiechen, Richard, et al. 1992 Changing Our Minds: The Story of Dr. Evelyn Hooker. San Francisco: Frameline.
Weinberg, George 1972 Society and the Healthy Homosexual. New York: St Martin’s Press
Flores, Francisco 1986 “Homosexualidad y su influencia en el Servicio Militar.” In Madrid Gai 16, 4. Madrid (Spain).
Ginzberg Eli et al. 1959 The Ineffective Soldier: Lessons for Management and the Nation. New York: Columbia University Press
LeVay, Simon 1996 Queer Science: The Use and Abuse of Research into Homosexuality. MIT Press
Schmiechen, Richard, et al. 1992 Changing Our Minds: The Story of Dr. Evelyn Hooker. San Francisco: Frameline.
Weinberg, George 1972 Society and the Healthy Homosexual. New York: St Martin’s Press
Published
2010-11-23
Issue
Section
Articles
How to Cite
Herrero-Brasas, J. (2010). "I Too Could Be Gay If I Wanted": Misplaced Empathy. Bulletin for the Study of Religion, 39(4). https://doi.org/10.1558/bsor.v39i4.005
