Why are so many people close-minded when it comes to LGBTQ individuals?

I think what it boils down to is a lack of education about or exposure to the LGBTQ community. People are afraid of things they don't understand or that are unfamiliar to them. It doesn't make sense, but for some people it's easier to be ignorant to something than to try to educate yourself about it and understand it.

Many fear what they don't know or understand and because LGBTQ individuals aren't of a 'societal norm' those that aren't familiar often alienate. Because someone is born differently or has something different about them...doesn't mean there is anything wrong. we're all unique individuals. We should celebrate our differences and diversity instead of trying to divide ourselves up. As a pansexual person myself, most people don't understand that the way I think is that gender is irrelevant when I find someone appealing in a romantic manner. I don't know why I feel this way, but I do because I've had fulfilling relationships with many individuals of different gender identities and of different sexual orientations. And other factors that do contribute to the 'close mindedness' as you state...could be philosophical and/or religious reasons--there are belief systems out there that are against same-sex relationships, and there are others that celebrate it as a 'norm'. A lot of it is culture and a particular society orientation regarding attitudes towards something that isn't strictly heterosexual coupled relationships. Personally, I find the gender identity and sexuality to be a spectrum because it's not clear cut on/off or a/b, black/white etc. There's a lot of area where one person may be primarily leaning this way but with curiosities another. And there's nothing wrong with that. It's also up to those individuals to realize and learn that people are people, and it doesn't matter what our orientation is because we're all part of the human race. :)

Mostly, people tend to be really close minded when it comes to LGBTQ individuals because of their beliefs. They believe that love is only supposed to happen between a guy and a girl. What they forget to understand is that these are two individuals too. You do not choose your life and you cannot choose whom you love either. Sure there might a few things that you might consider attractive that the rest might not, but you still didn't CHOOSE them. Another reason why people are close minded is because they tend to think that being gay or straight or bisexual or whatever it may be is a CHOICE. A lot of people do not understand the struggle that LGBTQ people go through for mere self acceptance, much less acceptance from others. Religious books like the Bible, Quran or Gita haven't done anything to promote or demote this but people see these books and their sayings from different perspectives. :)

LGBTQ community is damaged by a lot of things, traditions, religions, ... It's already hard for someone to accept being part of this community, but we must not forget that it's also a path for someone to accept the difference of someone else. Things are moving slowly, if you look back, it was still considered an illness in the 80's, and now we're slowly gaining equality in several country. Minds are changing, allow them to take the time they need and they'll be slowly more open minded :)

Many people fear what they don't understand. When astronomers first proposed that the universe did NOT revolve around the earth, society at large rejected them. When older, mysterious women were able to affect change using herbal remedies, people cried "Witch!" and murdered thousands. Similarly, as the LGBTQ community continues to discover more nuances within ourselves, things like skoliosexual and demi-heteroromantic and genders outside the traditional binary, the public in general is confused. These are concepts that people don't understand fully, partly because they are new, different, and a little scary, and partly because our community doesn't want to let too many non-LGBTQ people in, for fear of harm or rejection. Without understanding, people close their minds to new ideas and opportunities to understand themselves and their world.

There are various reasons. Many feel that as it is a main basis of their faith, that it would be considered blasphemitic for them to believe otherwise. Furthermore, our society is still accepting this, and as a result, many individuals have been raised to believe that it is acceptable to be close-minded.

I find that many disabled people, like myself, experience ableism (the belief that a population can't do much). People have starred at me and steered clear of me like I have a deadly disease that might catch. People don't like what they don't understand..it may be the same for the LGBTQ population. You all aren't alone.

They fear themselves. They are unwilling to deal with their own life baggage, and avoid their own pain. The only way to do that is to build up a view of the world and other people that is controlled and narrow minded. It gives them the illusion that they have life figured out and that they are safe from their past. So everyone that disputes those views by simpy being themselves (but supposedly so different) is viewed as a serious threat.

Religion, culture, etc. One day, people will learn to accept LGBTQ+ for who they are. No one deserves to be mistreated because of something they can't change. One day, people will see that truth.

Hey there! People can be close-minded about LGBTQ+ individuals for a few different reasons. It could be because of their religion, personal opinion, or other things. Religion is a big one, as it is said that a man should marry a woman and men should not marry men and women should not marry women. Religion is only one reason for being close-minded, but is the biggest reason. However, some people are homophobic because that's how they were raised and it is their opinion. Most children are raised thinking that a man should marry a woman, and nothing else. Being raised this way can lead to homophobia in some cases. ~Brooklyn

People fear what they don't understand❤Everyone is allowed to have their own views and opinions tho, so I wouldn't worry about it too much....don't worry about what other people think....we only have one life so don't waste it trying to please people ❤

Simple. They are scared. They don't understand that we are who we are and nothing will change that. People don't like change. They refuse to accept things they can't control.

People are afraid of what they don't know or understand. Fear leads to them being closed minded about things. That, or they think that it's okay to hide behind their beliefs.

Like many of the answers say, People don't understand lgbtq. But as well, it is because humans are a simplistic being. We like seeing only two options. Male or Female, Straight or Gay... When you start going beyond, people get scared. they start fearing that the world is too complex. A lot of the world is too closed minded. There are some who will open their mind and be shocked when they learn, like all the pieces fitting together, but many don't.

People tend to be afraid of things they do not understand. Often their fear manifests as dislike. When people say they do not like LGBTQ individuals, what they're really saying is that they are afraid of people feeling something they don't understand.

I feel as though close minded people are uneducated on the topic of lgbtq things. Also a persons upbringing might effect their thoughts and opinions.

I think the main reason why so many are so close-minded about the LGBTQ community is because they just don't understand. Many think you can pray it away, or that it's simply a choice. Some think LGBTQ members are trying to destroy religion. Some think LGBTQ members can't be good parents or guardians. They just haven't been educated in a way to see from an LGBTQ members perspective

People don't like what they don't understand, and LGBTQ can be hard to understand even when you're going through it.

I believe that people aren't willing to be open to new ideas that they don't understand. They are afraid to embrace people who aren't like them. I definitely believe that people should become more educated on the LGBTQ+ community so that they understand these people better. Basically, society has made people believe that different isn't good. Whether it's because of a religious belief or just not having an understanding of the LGBTQ+ community, people are unwilling to accept a change in the way they regard people who aren't like them.

We are not seen as normal. However, in my opinion, there is really no normal or perfect in society because no one is perfect, just the influence of other people making seeming "norms." Also, it is the lack of education and exposure. We are all wonderful people, and no one should ever feel ashamed of who they are because that's what someone told us. Be yourself because that's the best thing you can give to the world.