The word ‘homophobia’, can be defined as irrational fear against homosexuality. More importantly it can be perceived as a discriminatory state of mind that heterosexuals have towards homosexuals, which makes them homophobic. Recent laws have been passed for same sex marriages in the United States of America. Due to its relationship with the Bahamas, these laws are likely to affect the Bahamas tremendously. According to an interview with the Tribune newspaper, feminist theory, gender and sexuality expert, Dr. Peter Bailey, claims that “globalization will inevitably cause cultural attitudes toward same-sex rights to change.” (Cited in Rolle, 2015) Homosexuality is becoming more prevalent in the Bahamas and as Dr. Bailey stated changes indeed about to take place, therefore it is imperative that persons be enlightened on motives that bring about anti-homosexual behavior amongst Bahamians.
The Bahamas is a small country whose leading religion is Christianity. According to The Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas “the People of this Family of Islands recognize that the preservation of their Freedom will be guaranteed by a national commitment to Self-discipline, Industry, Loyalty, Unity and an abiding respect for Christian values and the Rule of Law”. (Bahamas Government) This shows that due to religious principles, and other aspects of culture the reasons that cause Bahamians to develop homophobic outlooks are, their beliefs that homosexuals bring a higher rate of diseases in the Bahamas, secondly, the fact that it is violating natural law and lastly the aspects of social morality. These points will be constricted to the views of the Bahamian society
Firstly, the rapid spread of pandemic illnesses can be the biggest fear amongst heterosexuals, especially AIDS/HIV transmission, despite the fact these sicknesses aren’t limited to the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual,