In a recent survey of Americans, 75% reported believing that exposure to violence in popular music, television shows, and movies, inspires young people to act aggressively (Lacayo, 1995; Smith et al., 2000). The consumption of media containing heterosexist and homophobic languages, by young adults and children, harbors aggression and sexual confusion. Jung and Smith (1993) define heterosexism as, "a reasoned system of bias about human sexual orientation...rooted in a largely cognitive constellation of beliefs about human sexuality" (Hecht, 1998, p. 113). The constant exposure to hateful lyrics found in some of today's most popular music desensitizes the young to violence against and mistreatment of gays and lesbians. It may also instill a fear in those young adults who may be confused about their own sexual orientation, causing extreme frustration and emotional pain.

With the recent success of rapper Eminem's sophomore release entitled, The Marshall Mathers LP, much attention had been drawn to this topic. There has been a tremendous backlash against Eminem's music and the messages he delivers to the millions of listeners he has acquired. The most audible criticisms h

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Pants or dress-hate fags? The answer's 'yes'"

Billboard Online. Accessed October 11, 2000, from the World Wide Web:

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