Homophobia

[Y_B]

To me, homophobia is the pervasive ambiance of negativity towards homosexuality. It doesn't need to manifest in outright objection. A simple feeling of disdain is enough to be considered homophobia in my book.

 

With that given definition, homophobia can manifest from homosexuals who are deep in the closet. Gays who are ashamed of themselves are demonstrating a level of homophobia.

[zland666]

I quote the words of my cousin "As long as they don't touch me."

 

I think a saying like that describes homophobia, you don't want anything to do with them and there scared of it like they think gays can turn them gay as well like if a kid were to come out in school he would either be abused as for some kids might think that if you beat them it will take away the gay out of them or they'll avoid the kid like the plague. There scared of change there used to things being simple and this is a big change that they have to try and figure out or leave it at there stubborness.

[Mark Arbour]

I quote the words of my cousin "As long as they don't touch me."

 

I think a saying like that describes homophobia, you don't want anything to do with them and there scared of it like they think gays can turn them gay as well like if a kid were to come out in school he would either be abused as for some kids might think that if you beat them it will take away the gay out of them or they'll avoid the kid like the plague. There scared of change there used to things being simple and this is a big change that they have to try and figure out or leave it at there stubborness.

 

That's a great line to bring up! I've heard that from a lot of guys, but I interpret it differently. I think it can mean a couple of different things, or both at the same time. I think on the one hand, they're saying that because they simply don't want to be hit on. Some guys have a pretty big personal space requirement. They just don't want to encourage intimacy. On the other hand, it's possible that they don't want to be hit on because they might just give in and give it a try. I read a survey recently about male sexuality. They listed the sexual fantasies almost all men have but won't admit to. Near the top was being with another guy, or more specifically, being blown by another guy.

 

I'm sure there are a lot of other plausible reasons, but regardless, I've never really considered that homophobic.

[Amelia]

That's a great line to bring up! I've heard that from a lot of guys, but I interpret it differently. I think it can mean a couple of different things, or both at the same time. I think on the one hand, they're saying that because they simply don't want to be hit on. Some guys have a pretty big personal space requirement. They just don't want to encourage intimacy. On the other hand, it's possible that they don't want to be hit on because they might just give in and give it a try. I read a survey recently about male sexuality. They listed the sexual fantasies almost all men have but won't admit to. Near the top was being with another guy, or more specifically, being blown by another guy.

 

I'm sure there are a lot of other plausible reasons, but regardless, I've never really considered that homophobic.

 

I agree, Mark. I think most of the time, guys who say something along those lines are fairly open to a friendship with a gay man. I love reading M/M stories and gay sex is part of my fantasy world (which my husband knows about and does his best to ignore), but I have ZERO desire to watch or read about lesbians. I have no desire to be hit on my another woman - I can appreciate another woman's beauty, and I have accepted compliments from a lesbian before, but anything beyond that would probably make me uncomfortable.

[Tommy_B]

I'm a bit of a latecomer to this discussion, but I loath the word homophobia.

 

Why? Because it's the wrong word for what most people use it as these days. It's become the 'catch all' word for prejudice directed against homosexuals, rather than simply being afraid of homosexuals / homosexuality (with though strange, is a legitimate fear... much like my deathly, and completely irrational, fear of bees). There are many phobias out there, and a phobia is a psychological, not criminal, issue. Literally, it's 'fear of same', not 'bigotry against same'. And that kind of word mix-up just drives me nuts.

 

Practically speaking, it's become the word used to define prejudice and bigotry against homosexuality. This includes everything from social prejudice (don't get involved with 'those people' to 'go away faggot!) to physical violence (from slamming people up against lockers as you walk by to shooting them in the back of the head execution style).

 

Interesting that you have a +1 positive on your definition and when Tim said the same thing in a different forum he got like -20.

[Hamen Cheese]

Nowadays, I see homophobia as the fear of being associated with anything to do with homosexuals or homosexuality.

[thephoenix]

I compare homophobes to terrorists. Sorry, but I can't help it.

 

They're lurking in the background waiting for you to slip up and then strike. As some previous posts mentioned, it's what you don't know they will do that causes the most stress. And when they do strike, the consequences can be quite disastrous.

 

I highly doubt it's an actual phobia such as arachnophobia or fear of heights.

[freakthefreakout]

Homophobia, like racism, and sexism can be both subjective and objective to those who experience it

[Michael9344]

I think it's general dislike of gay people. This in turn redirects to gay rights and all.

[Zolia Lily]

Homophobia- here it is! And on mainstream commercial television, no less!!! The important part of the video happens between 2.15 and 3.30. Disgusting? Disgusting!

 

http://www.samesame.com.au/news/local/6514/Ten-host-Mardi-Gras-Parade-disgusting.htm

 

So angry my hands are actually shaking. I never knew my hands could shake before now!!! GRRRRRR!!! ( there isn't even a smiley angry enough for this.... )

 

 

[Wulfenite]

I'm a bit of a latecomer to this discussion, but I loath the word homophobia.

 

Why? Because it's the wrong word for what most people use it as these days. It's become the 'catch all' word for prejudice directed against homosexuals, rather than simply being afraid of homosexuals / homosexuality (with though strange, is a legitimate fear... much like my deathly, and completely irrational, fear of bees). There are many phobias out there, and a phobia is a psychological, not criminal, issue. Literally, it's 'fear of same', not 'bigotry against same'. And that kind of word mix-up just drives me nuts.

 

Practically speaking, it's become the word used to define prejudice and bigotry against homosexuality. This includes everything from social prejudice (don't get involved with 'those people' to 'go away faggot!) to physical violence (from slamming people up against lockers as you walk by to shooting them in the back of the head execution style).

 

Took the words right out of my mouth =)

[rustle]

Yeah, the word's generally misused, although some of the haters truly are afraid.

 

Many homophobes I've known are, more accurately, xenophobes. Anything beyond their ken is enough to make them shake in their boots. After all, it's a big, scary world out there, and they might get eaten (and not in a good way). The true homophobes often seem to be fighting their own battles inside. They were taught to hate, then figured their own fingers were awfully dirty to be pointing at someone else, but if they yell, "Get him!" loud enough, nobody will notice.

 

 

[Friendship7]

Homophobia is another form of ignorance that breeds hate. Although I don't believe everything what they do and live I accept that they are people too. If the gvt want's to take tax money from them just like everyone else then that makes them equal. If they pay their fair share in life in the USa athen they should get all of the rights of every taxpaying person living in the US. Hate has no place in civilized society.

[MusicalAlchemy]

I'd count homophobia in various levels, i mean there's a difference between the people who get uncomfortable if you talk about gay issues, and the people who will cut you out from their lives if you look at someone of the same gender. I count homophobics as anyone who has any kind of reaction to people being gay. Just as "I'm straight" would get a reaction of "er... so what.", anything different to that in terms of mentioning being gay, i'd count as homophobia. People who would rather you didn't hold hands with your same-sex partner around them, i'd count as homophobic, or the people who are embarassed by it. The people who aren't homophobic, you can joke about with them about it. That's the main difference - whether they and you can joke about it, in a friendly way.

[Goedric]

The most incidious form of homphobia is the sort noone has mentioned. Most rational people will at least admit publically that overt cruelty, discrimination or violence is not one of mankinds noble actions. however, we cannot forget the power of the love that dare not speak its name.

 

Until all too recently we didnt even have gay people in films or televison. If you are very young, imagine growing up as a gay person and never seeing two men or two women kiss romantically. Imagine knowing that the entire world had conspired to leave you isolated from even the very notion that gay people exist.

 

Fortunately things have changed, but not all that much really.

 

Even today in most towns two men will think twice and often better of it before kissing in a public place. No matter what the laws are there are social pressures for us not to push the envelop of equality.

 

If a thing isn't seen then it is by defination peculiar. Its difficult to levy 100% blame on ignorant small town teens full of testosterone for making fun of the gay guy because as a society we have created an atmosphere where it's permitted at least by the sin of omission.

 

I can remember years ago (many many many years) when i went to a gay bar for the first time. It was a place called roscoes in chicago. I felt like i had finally found the world that i had only dreamed existed. It wasnt more than 30 minutes before two young men, in love or lust, moved close to kiss each other. I had never seen a more beautiful thing and the moment it happened i looked away in shame. I, the guy who thought himself immune to internalized homophobia looked away for just a second and i understood how a reinforced invisibility was even more insideous than the more easily addressed gay bashing.

 

anyway. just a thought