Why do some cultures develop prejudice toward LGBT individuals?

[C C]

http://ask.metafilter.com/292132/Why-do-...ndividuals

EXCERPTS: . . . I hope I explained this clearly. This is my research area, although I generally focus on political deviance but the process is the same. I'm happy to send you some articles where I elaborate on this. It is hard for those us of that grew up in a culture where individual needs usually trump family needs to understand how this system takes over the brains of those who live in it. Imagine every choice you make and your internal cost/benefit analysis also having to factor in the impact on your family. It is unsurprising that people in such systems are very reluctant to take risks. My own research focuses on the circumstances under which people in such systems WILL take risks. And I will tell you, it takes incredible bravery to deviate - whether it be dissenting politically or being openly gay. Everything and everyone is telling you not to and punishes you when you do. And then you're alone. Your family shuns you. And remember, you need these people to access resources, so you're doubly screwed.

[...] I would challenge the initial assumption that "some [cultures] do not". Even cultures that literally have an accepted "third gender" tradition tend to take poor care of/kill those people at really high rates....

[Magical Realist]

And I will tell you, it takes incredible bravery to deviate - whether it be dissenting politically or being openly gay. Everything and everyone is telling you not to and punishes you when you do. And then you're alone. Your family shuns you. And remember, you need these people to access resources, so you're doubly screwed.

[...] I would challenge the initial assumption that "some [cultures] do not".

I think there is an inherent cultural bias against gay people that underlies the popular political acceptance of them. You see it when you're gay. Not so much against me, but against gay people who are more obvious like effeminate men and masculine women. I sat in my truck one day waiting for my mom to get her hair done at Supercuts and a lesbian looking woman goes in. After about 10 minutes of being ignored she leaves. This is the kind of prejudice that is innocuous all the more because it is subtle and hard to prove. But it goes on. Perhaps only time and the increased exposure of our culture to "out" LGBTs will wear down this barrier. The culture war continues on the everyday miniscule level.