“Harmless Intentions Doesn’t Exonerate Anyone From Homophobia.” A Teachable Moment on Twitter

“Homophobia does not need to be violent or extreme. It does not always mean you hate the gays. Sometimes it’s just you interrogating them in ways that you will never question a heterosexual person.”

These formed part of education that Twitter user Uloma with the handle @ulxma gave to another user, Lolo Cynthia, when she posted a thread decrying any attempts by people around her to label her homophobic.

“I am not homophobic not even in the least way but this term has been used to describe me many times. I just want to state this – I am not homophobic!” Lolo Cynthia protested. “I may use terms that seems inappropriate but my intentions are NEVER to cause harm. I fight against injustice no matter what!!”

She went on to talk about how she always fights for human rights, and yet, when she gets called a homophobic person, it “goes against my core.”

She however went on to apologize for whatever times she has tweeted anything to “invalidate or harm” [LGBTQ people]. “I am sorry,” she tweeted. “My inquisitive mind ensures I question everything/interrogate and this might seem like an insult but it’s not! If I say sth that seems triggering – call me to it with kindness… let me interrogate..let me research .. Allow me make a conscious decision. I will NEVER look down on anyone or cause harm to anyone!”

Uloma however took on this opportunity to educate Lolo Cynthia that tweeting or sharing opinions that interrogate the existence and experiences of LGBTQ people in ways that she cannot apply them to heterosexual people could in fact be homophobic.

“Instead of defending yourself against accusations of homophobia, sometimes listen. Check your privilege,” Uloma tweeted. “Many homosexual people struggle with internalized homophobia themselves so it is not farfetched for straight people/allies to have some traces of it in them.”

She went on to say that “every straight person is liable to homophobia because the world gives privilege to your existence and suppresses that of others”, adding that “a lot of times, you won’t see this because you’re not the one feeling it. That’s why it is important to listen. Both to what you’re saying and to what they’re saying. They’re both very important.”

She finished her lecture with the most important takeaway of all, which is that “Homophobia does not need to be violent or extreme. It does not always mean you hate the gays. Sometimes it’s just you interrogating them in ways that you will never question a heterosexual person. And these are things that we are all welcome to unlearn.”

Check out the full teachable moment below: