I read this expression in news reports and editorials from time to time I'm wondering if the expression is a fair or valid one. Granted, there are some individuals who are "afraid" of homosexuals ("phobia") but I don't think that this describes all, or even a majority of people for whom this label is given. To be fair, I think there are VARIED perceived negative reactions to homosexuality: hate, fear, confusion, disgust, etc... and that fear is only a part of the negatively. That being said, is the term "homophobe" (specifically implying fear) an accurate term to use?
(And please don't read this question negatively. It isn't intended as such. I just read a number of op-eds and this term appears from time to time.)
2006-08-01 07:07:45 · 14 answers · asked by Rob 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
Wide Awake, sorry to repeat the question , but it didn't appear as a previously asked question when I typed it, and since I'm not gay, I generally don't read the questions in this section of Yahoo Answers.
2006-08-01 07:21:24 · update #1
I think that it depends. The suffix "-phobe" suggests "fear", but it's not always used that way. Inanimate substances are sometimes called "hydrophobic" if they repel water, and that obviously does not mean to suggest that they actively fear the water.
If the suggestion is that the person to whom "homophobe" is applied necessary fears homosexuals or homosexuality, it's probably only true part of the time. It'd be very surprising if fear were always involved, though in many cases it obviously is.
If the word is not meant to imply fear but merely aversion, then I think it is as accurate as one could expect.
2006-08-01 07:15:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋
I agree with you. I don't think everyone should be classified under one term. However, this seems to be what is now an acceptable term to describe most who have a fear, dislike, or in general ignorant.
If those who don't like us go to know us, those who were ignorant took the time to learn about us perhaps then there would be no need for other words. and this term could be used specifically for those who fear.
2006-08-01 14:15:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Homophobe does not mean the fear of homosexuals... it means that people are fearful of being mistaken for a homosexual when they really aren't. It is applied to those who want the world to know that they aren't homosexual... it really has nothing to do with actually being afraid of homosexuals... see the difference...
It's actually a small percentage of people... for example I don't really care if people think I'm homosexual... I would prefer that they know my true identity as heterosexual but I don't get upset if someone thinks I'm homosexual so I'm not a homophobe... make sense???
So I think you are right though... it is a misunderstood term and it is misused and not an accurate term to use...
2006-08-01 14:15:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess this is the new popular question in this section. It's been asked at least three times today.
People fear what they do not understand - or do not wish to understand. So yes, "homophobia" is an accurate term with its current usage.
Other accurate terms are bigotry, hatred, discrimination, and promotion of violence against LGBT people. So until homophobe gets replaced with "anti-christian hate-monger," we'll keep using it.
2006-08-01 14:13:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As I think one person mentioned above, it's all about the fact that we're only beginning to develop a language to talk about the phenomenon of sexual orientation. The concept of orientation, as we percieve it, is a relatively new thing (although non-straightness is not). That having been said, while I don't think "homophobia" really works for what most people mean by it if you just break it down to it's parts, I also think that that's kind of just what happens in our language. Words acquire shaded, not-readily-apparant meanings. For semantics' sake, though, it might be good to define that one before you use it; people are still catching up to what it really means.
The only other term we have is heterosexism; which sometimes covers what we mean by homophobia, but not always.
2006-08-01 20:45:01 · answer #5 · answered by Atropis 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I suppose you could use the term "heterosexist" if you wanted to aim for a slightly broader term. However, while the actual etymology of the word denotes "fear," I think the general usage of the term encompasses the other variations (disgust, hate, etc.)
2006-08-01 14:35:12 · answer #6 · answered by ArcadianStormcrow 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As usual the gays on this site think anybody who is not jumping up and down with joy about their lifestyle are homophobic. I dont think that homosexuallity is right. I dont hate or fear anybody as a group. I know some gay people , some I dont like some I do .
2006-08-01 15:30:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rob, think it is as accurate as it needs to be for most of those emotions are rooted in some form of fear.
There is a second class of people, heterosexists, who simply look at the world through glasses that paint everyone heterosexual, and therefore they don't account for the differences we bring to the table. This would include the informal office gathering where everyone is free to "bring your wife," or the teacher who asks kids to draw pictures of mom and dad.
2006-08-01 14:29:39 · answer #8 · answered by michael941260 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the suffix -phobe does not only mean fear. It can also mean a strong aversion or dislike. So, yes, the term Homophobe is acceptable.
2006-08-01 14:14:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The term applies to the fear one has that they, them selves, are homosexual.
Tammi Dee
2006-08-01 14:24:59 · answer #10 · answered by tammidee10 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋