CONTENTS

Introduction

Part 1: Living in the World

Myth 1: You Can Tell Who’s Gay Just by Looking

Myth 2: About 10 Percent of People Are Gay or Lesbian

Myth 3: All Transgender People Have Sex-Reassignment Surgery

Part 2: Cause and Effect

Myth 4: Sexual Abuse Causes Homosexuality

Myth 5: Most Homophobes Are Repressed Homosexuals

Myth 6: Transgender People Are Mentally Ill

Myth 7: Homosexuals Are Born That Way

Part 3: Troublemakers

Myth 8: LGBT Parents Are Bad for Children

Myth 9: Same-Sex Marriage Harms Traditional Marriage

Myth 10: All Religions Condemn Homosexuality

Myth 11: Gay Rights Infringe on Religious Liberty

Myth 12: People of Color Are More Homophobic Than White People

Part 4: It’s Just a Phase

Myth 13: Lesbians Do Not Have Real Sex

Myth 14: All Bisexual Men Are Actually Gay; All Bisexual Women Are Actually Straight

Myth 15: Transgender People Are Gay

Myth 16: There’s No Such Thing as a Gay or Trans Child

Part 5: Struggling in the World

Myth 17: Positive Visibility in the Media Increases Tolerance and Acceptance of LGBT People

Myth 18: Coming Out Today Is Easier Than Ever Before

Myth 19: Antidiscrimination Laws in the United States Protect LGBT People

Myth 20: Hate Crime Laws Prevent Violence against LGBT People

Myth 21: Getting Tested on a Regular Basis Helps Prevent the Spread of HIV

Acknowledgments

Notes