Okay, this isn't really a very serious question, but I thought it would be interesting to see people's thoughts on the matter.
In general, homophobia means fear of or hostility towards homosexuality, right? But if we look at the etymology of the word: "h omo-", Greek prefix meaning "the same", and "-phobia", Greek suffix meaning "fear". So technically, homophobia means "fear of things that are similar". Bearing this in mind, does that mean the heterophobia is fear of straight people or fear of things that are different? I know that it doesn't really exist, but supposing that it did, which would it be?
2007-10-01 03:58:04 · 7 answers · asked by Iggy 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
Couldn't we just simplify the matter and instead of saying homophobe we could say idiots?
2007-10-01 04:13:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
During the 1970's the term or word homophobia was introduced. Maybe they disregarded the etymology of the word **** and just used the shortened version of homosexual (****) (although it's currently a derogatory term don't know if it was back then =\)
The term Heterophobia is used to indicate discrimination against hetrosexuals. So i don't exactly know if this term is widely common, but i read that in the LGBT community, it's used to counteract perceived deprecatory bias of the term homophobia in debates...
Lol, i don't know if i answered ur question...but it's just thoughts :D
2007-10-01 12:04:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe "Hetero-centric" might fit better.
If you get picky, yes "Homophobia" is correct because it's a psychological irrational fear (Which in psychology is the root of anger and hate) of those attracted to the "SAME" sex.
You have to have a broader understanding of the word's usage to know that it technically is correct.
The word you descibe, the fear of anything different, is actually already out there...it's called "Xenophobia."
2007-10-01 11:03:07 · answer #3 · answered by DEATH 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Technically yes
2007-10-01 11:01:25 · answer #4 · answered by Megegie 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
since it is an accepted meaning of the words, your questioning really has no point.
The word Gay, use to me happy frivolous or a girls name. Now it has been adopted to mean something else. And seldom found in usage for it's original meanings...
2007-10-01 11:03:20 · answer #5 · answered by ♥♥The Queen Has Spoken♥♥ 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I think fear of things different would be more appropriate
2007-10-01 11:09:42 · answer #6 · answered by Alucard HORROR™ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'll be happy to know that Rush Limbaugh beat you to it on this question by about ten years....
2007-10-01 11:01:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋