Innocent hate

Some people like to defend homophobia in Sri Lanka as a kind of “benign” bigotry, claiming it largely comes from a place of “innocent” ignorance rather than actual hate or fear. They point to the long careers of openly (or not too deeply closeted) gay politicians as proof.

I confess, in my own ignorance and privilege as a cishet man, I have wondered if there might be something to it. I mean, the politician argument is fairly compelling, especially if you’ve never been made to feel like an outcast because of your gender or your sexuality.