Why is it that people who are labeled as being homophobic are derided and abused when any other phobia elicits understanding and support?

I have often wondered about the term homophobia. it does not seem like a fear of any kind to me. more like hate.

i guess if tight spaces where alive and claustrophobic people mostly hated them and tried to make their lives less enjoyable we would probably have the same level of distaste for them.

personally, the moajority of the time i think its just a learned behaviour.

I don’t think we use the word “homophobia” to mean an actual phobia of homosexuals. If someone was literally phobic of homosexuals, I think they’d understand it was irrational – like having an irrational fear of redheaded people or something. The homophobia we talk about is way more widespread than that – and like @poisonedantidote said, it’s related to hate, not fear. Much more equatable to racism than an actual phobia.

Homophobia is not a traditional phobia. It’s as much a phobia as racism could be considered a phobia.

Because I think 99% of the time, it’s not homophobia. As you say, a phobia is an irrational fear. Typically, it’s not fear, it’s hate and intolerance. The response that a typical “homophobe” has to seeing gay people is not “Eek a gay! I better hide!”

edit: I’m trying to say that it IS irrational, but it ISN’T fear.

I think it is a very innacurate term. I’m not sure how or why it came into fashion, but it is not a phobia.

It is an AVERSION ( based upon the same type of prejudice as racism. To call it a phobia just pretties it up way too much.

I know whereof I speak as I do have a phobia ( for which I went through an entire course of therapy) and it is far far more than just an aversion.

The two are not synonymous at all. Homophobia is a misnomer pure and simple.

@The_Compassionate_Heretic It’s as much a phobia as racism could be considered a phobia.

In some cases it is, xenophobia is a genuine condition.

In a world that has become so creative with language, why are these terms being misused? Why not create new terms to precisely describe the intent of the person commenting?

How about opinionated?

Homophobia is a total misnomer; what people should be calling them is bigots.

The most probable etiology of what has been misnamed homophobia (not in any usual sense of the word a phobia) is, in psychodynamic terms a Reaction Formation. A reaction formation occurs when a person is unable to tolerate certain feelings in him or herself, and deals with the anxiety by unconsciously despising that which he or she is afraid of becoming.

At one time the reaction formation based on fear of one’s own sexual orientation was known as “Homosexual Panic”, and it was well known to law enforcement officers that people who physically harassed homosexuals had often been caught themselves in crypto-homosexual relations.

Look at the anti-gay voting records of the politicians who are later caught soliciting for sex in airport bathrooms. There you find an example of cruel self-loathing masquerading as righteousness.

Cutting and pasting some stuff I said recently in response to another question…

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Wikipedia sez:

Homophobia (from Greek homós: one and the same; phóbos: fear, phobia) is defined as an “irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals”, or individuals perceived to be homosexual; it is also defined as “unreasoning fear of or antipathy toward homosexuals and homosexuality”, “fear of or contempt for lesbians and gay men”, as well as “behavior based on such a feeling”.

Heterosexism is a term that applies to negative attitudes, bias, and discrimination in favor of opposite-sex sexuality and relationships. It can include the presumption that everyone is heterosexual or that opposite-sex attractions and relationships are the norm and therefore superior.

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[...]when someone won’t be around gay people because they think they’re going to catch it, that’s fear and I’d call it homophobia. But when someone protests gay marriage because it would ruin the institution, that’s superiority and I’d call it heterosexism. When I’m deciding which term to use, I think to myself, “Is this person thinking of me like I’m a serial killer, or like I’m a dog?”

Really, we could toss both terms, lump them together as homomisia and just be done with it. But I’m a fan of semantics and I like having lots of words to choose from, so…

Homophobia I would consider to be closer to being sexist, or racist than an actual fear of something.

If someone was gay, but not outward about it, a homophobic person may not know any better and would have no problems being around them. But if the homophobic person found out, they would choose not to be around that homosexual person any longer. Not that he’s afraid of the gay population, but I’d assume their distaste, or dislike, or something they simply don’t agree with or support.

So I guess it’s kind of frowned upon to be homophobic, since you’re choosing to be that way. Where as if someone was scared of spiders, it’s not like you’re hurting the spiders feelings, whereas someone who is gay might become offended by a homophobic person who chose to avoid gays. So I guess people attack to homophobia because it’s not really a natural fear, but more of a chosen way to be.

That’s how I see it at least.

The phobia part is actually inaccurate. It is more about fear and hyperbole. There is nothing to fear (about homosexuals) but fear itself, the most irrational of emotions. However, I understand that some people have genuine issues from their upbringing and personal beliefs. I understand it, but just don’t agree. As long as people don’t spread their homophobia except in their own skull, then I have no problem in someone being homophobic, much as one’s other biases of prejudices.

My funniest experience with a homophobic person was when friend A met friend B. B is openly gay. Friend A is openly dismissive of gays. Once friend A told me that he thought friend B was making a pass at him. I replied that it wasn’t likely, and friend A replied, “Why? aren’t I attractive enough for him?”

some people you can just never please.

Kind of makes my point, doesn’t it, @Psychedelic_Zebra ?

@pdworkin yes, in fact, your answer reminded me of this particular episode among my friends.

Hobo – I’m hobophobic So what AH AH AH
Scared of bums
Not just because they stink bad
Not just because they’re crackers
From drinking too much lysol
Let them be
Just don’t get fuckin’ near me

Scared of bums AH AH
Infested with microscopic bugs
Endocrine systematic Doo Doo
Why don’t they get a job

Let them be
Just don’t get fuckin’ near me

If those who are “homophobic” were to simply not mix with openly homosexual people, I suspect folks would be more sympathetic. Unfortunately, most people that we call homophobes seem to feel that it is incumbent upon them to attack or otherwise molest and malign people who are attracted to the same sex.

Homophobia is not classifiable as a phobia, it is ignorance and intolerance that has been misnamed.

@poisonedantidote I have often wondered about the term homophobia. it does not seem like a fear of any kind to me. more like hate.

Well said.

i always feel awkward about using the word ‘homophobia’ to describe prejudice, but i never know of a better word to use in place.