Discrimination is a major problem in today's society. To be prejudiced against someone means to "PRE-JUDGE" or judge him or her before you know enough o make a wise decision. People who deicide they don't like a classmate, a neighbor, or anyone else because of that individual's religion, weight, country of birth, etc. are prejudging or prejudiced. They discriminate (treat that person unfairly) not because of hat he or she is, says, or does, but simply because the individual is part of a group of overweight people, or those who worship God in a certain way, or are not born in America, etc. Racism is prejudging people based on the color of their skin. Homophobia is discriminating against people because of sexuality.

The majority of people in America and in the world are heterosexual. This means they are attracted to, date, and if they marry, choose people of the opposite sex. Females are attracted to males and males to females. It's estimated that 10%, or one out of every 10 human beings is different in this way. He or she is homosexual or bisexual; if you happen to be homosexual, you're attracted to members of the same sex. A bisexual is a person who physically, emotionally, and socially attracted to members of the opposite sex as well as to members of his or her own sex.

To most of us the unknown is more frightening than the known. This is totally true in explaining why so many people are homophobic; that is they prejudge and discriminate against individuals whose sexual choices are different from the majority. Maybe you think that the homophobia problem doesn't have anything to do with you. It does! Prejudice, for whatever the reason, is cruel and wrong! Information is power! The more you learn not only about homophobia, but about discrimination in general, the better prepared you will be to stop it, both in your own relationships and in helping those you know to do the same. Live and let live! Treat other people the way you would want them to treat you.