Homophobia: the perception of social discourses and the experience of victimization of homosexuals

This study, of exploratory character, aims to understand the nature of homophobic crimes from
the perspective of victims. More specifically, it intends to characterize the discourses and practices
of homophobic nature, and its impact and significance for the victims.
A convenience sample of 13 individuals of both sexes, homosexual or bisexual, with experiences
of homophobic victimization, responded to an interview focused on homophobia and cultural
discourses about homosexuality, as well as episodes of victimization experienced by these
participants.
Results show that social discourses reveal an attitude of non-acceptance of homosexuality and
the lack of one perpetrator type or characteristic contexts associated with the occurrence of
episodes of victimization with homophobic motivation, prevailing, however, the verbal abuse. In
this scenario, the victims tend to mobilize strategies of concealment of sexual orientation, using
various types of social support.