How Do Most People React To Homophobia?

Sometimes hidden camera videos make you lose faith in humanity — and sometimes they remind you that people are actually pretty cool sometimes. Take, for instance, a recent video in which a gay couple ask people to translate a homophobic letter. The reactions of these unsuspecting translators is pretty great, and it'll definitely give you hope that not everyone out there is a homophobic jerk.

The video was created as an awareness campaign by the Federación Estatal de Lesbianas, Gais, Transexuales, y Bisexuales or State Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Transexuals, and Bisexuals, a Spanish organization that both works towards equality for LGBT people in general and helps other LGBT organizations in Spain coordinate. In it, an American gay couple asks Spaniards on the street in Madrid for help translating an email from their hotel that provides them with directions. However, the letter doesn't just have directions — it also contains very homophobic instructions for the tourists not to act like a couple during their stay.

“If I see you touch one another, kiss each other, or do any p*ssy stuff around me in the hostel, I will f*cking punch your face,” the letter says.

Understandably, the would-be translators become very uncomfortable and upset when they see the text, and are reluctant to read the hateful words to the couple. And their reactions can remind you that most people are actually a lot better than we give them credit for.

Here's a sampling of the reactions:

1. Most People Seem Immediately Saddened And Upset:

2. "You Should Stay Someplace Else."

3. "This Is Homophobic."

4. "I Can't [Read This]."

5. "He's An Asshole."

6. "Go To The Police."

7. "Tell The Police And They Can Close His Business."

The video ends with a message that 38 percent of LGBT people in Spain have felt discriminated against, and reminds the audience that homophobia is not a joke.

It's encouraging to see that the people in the video react very negatively when they see the homophobic letter. After reading it, they realize how hurtful it is and want to protect the gay couple from it. After reluctantly translating the text, they make it clear that they don't believe this kind of mistreatment is OK, and encourage the couple to take action, even offering to help them go to the police. So it seems that even though homophobia is still unacceptably common in today's society, most people are against such bigotry.

You can watch the full video below.

Images: Federación Estatal LGTB FELGTB/YouTube (7)