Corkern- Brokeback Mountain

Homophobia is the New Sexism

Regarding the rights or women and equality for women, America, as a society has come a long way in the past 50 years. Sexism still exists, as there will always be people around who are afraid of anything different than themselves, but it is not nearly as prevalent nor accepted as it once was. Women these days have the options of getting jobs, voting, divorcing, terminating and unwanted pregnancy- things that not too long ago, would have been illegal. It seems that homophobia has replaced sexism as another way to be intolerant. Now, homosexuals have trouble being accepted, are not always able to marry or adopt children, and face rejection from their own families.

The story, Brokeback Mountain which was set in the early 1960’s, is a story of two men, Jack and Ennis, who develop a relationship while working together one summer. While reading, it is easy to see just how pervasive the homophobic mentality was. During that time, it was no secret that men caught in homosexual relationships could very well be killed for such a thing, as Ennis himself witnessed as a young boy. When these two young men fall in love while working together over the summer, they were forced to keep it a secret, not only from society, but from themselves. Jack and Ennis would be intimate time and again, yet never speak of it. As time went on, they both married and had children, yet for many years they continued to see each other on occasion and try to figure out ways to see each other more frequently. Fear, mainly Ennis’ fear, kept them from being together all the time.  He was afraid of losing his children, and more so, afraid of them getting killed for their relationship. Tragically, Ennis’ fears came true when he found out Jack had been killed in a supposed accident. Ennis knew better though. He knew Jack had been murdered.

Homophobia and sexism are so closely linked. It’s almost as if homophobia has replaced sexism in a way. Since sexism isn’t nearly as strong nor accepted as it once was, I have hope that homophobia will become less and less apparent as our society evolves.