why are people homophobic?

Answer 1

Because they lack information on the subject. Or they were brought up to be like that and have never met anyone so they could re-evaluate their ideas.

Answer 2

I think that homophobia or discrimination against gays and lesbians or any kind of alternative lifestyle is largely a fear of the unknown on the part of the person who discriminates.
They don't understand or even attempt to understand that being gay is a lifestyle - and they would rather lash out or think negatively than go through the trouble of getting to know someone who is gay, or by simply ignoring us.
Another reason seems to sometimes revolve around religious beliefs.
There are two studies which shed some light on your question. One was a 2004 sociological and psychological study done at Cornell University by Robb Willer and the other was a 2003 survey by the Pew Research Institute.
Check out the following site to read about the results of these studies.
http://www.yawningbread.org/arch_2005/yax-470.htm
Take care.

Answer 3

Well heres 2 proven facts about them

1) Having a lower educational and social status, for example the lower a person's level of educational attainment and social class the more negative their attitudes are towards homosexuality.

2) In order to protect themselves gay men often pretend to be heterosexual and sometimes join in homophobic taunts themselves.

You don't have to agree with me, but a study has proven those to be some of the reasons people are homophobic.

Answer 4

It really all depends. People are raised with the belief that anyone whose not heterosexual is sick individual. Although it's really not true. I think its a mixture of that and people not knowing anybody who is homsexual. I used to be pretty grossed out by them until I met my boss at work. Than I realized it wasn't bad. People are people no matter what. People are just to judgemental. By the way I'm sure someone on here will say I'm homo sexual, but I'm not.

Answer 5

Because homosexuality and effeminate behavior has been arbitrarily labeled as the powerless Other in our society. People are afraid of losing their power or access to resources (ie jobs, human rights, equitable treatment from others, etc.).

Answer 6

It's a known fact that people hate/fear in others that which they dislike and fear in themselves. Most homophobes are really emotionally stunted people. Who cannot let it go...because they can't like gay people or even approve of them because then they would have to admit that they have gay feelings in themselves.

Answer 7

Most people are terrified of anyone and anything that's different from themselves. It's normally the result of living a shallow life and not being exposed to the rest of the world, or growing up with parents who program you to think in the same narrow-minded way that they do, never giving you the opportunity to gather information and make decisions for yourself.

Answer 8

People tend to be homophobic due to religions that most cultures are based on that don't accept homosexuality.

Answer 9

Most people that I know are repelled by homosexuality. They don't fear or hate homosexuals, so they are not homophobic.

I don't like peppers, but I don't hate people who eat them. I don't like lack of consideration, but I don't hate people who are inconsiderate.

Homosexuals are just people that do things that the rest of us find revolting. The majority of us really don't care what you do. We just don't want to hear about it, and we resent being told that we have to accept it as normal.

Answer 10

They don't take the time to educate themselves about things they don't understand....so they call names and look down on homosexuals or any other group of people they don't know about.

I'm heterosexual so my answer is not biased.