There are 9 choices, 18 votes for knaveofhearts' debate

Why is it called "Homophobia"?

why is it that someone who is against gay marriage, or doesnt like gays (there is a huge difference) is called "homophobic"? is "homophobia" really the best term for it?


  • Not really

    Homophobia is defined as "hatred or fear of homosexuals". The only people who fall into this category are the people who ARE scared or hating of gays. People who have opposing moral viewpoints can't be classfied as homophobic unless they also have one of those qualifications. Seinfeld Moment: "What causes homophobia? What is it that makes a heterosexual man worried? I think it’s because men know that deep down, we have weak sales resistance. We’re constantly buying shoes that hurt us, pants that don’t fit right; men think: “Obviously, I can be talked into anything. What if I accidentally wander into some homosexual store, thinking it’s a shoe store and the salesman goes: “Just hold this guy’s hand walking around the store for a little bit see how you feel. No obligation, no pressure, just try it. Would you like to see him in a sandal?””

    27%  Voted for by looking4realtruth, Energizer Bunny, Aedon, Spade-Dragon, TeChNoWC.
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  • Not a phobia

    the suffix "phobia" means a fear of, thus Homophobia means a fear of gays. To my knowledge they arent scared of gays, they think that they are morally wrong. therefore, homophobia and prejudice and discrimination against gay people are two separate things.

    16%  Voted for by knaveofhearts, ThisEndUp, Dienush.
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  • they think we are "afraid"

    the gay community would like to believe that we straights spend every night drenched in cold sweat over the issue of homosexuals. Okay, maybe some, like that idiot Fred Phelps, do, but the majority of us really don't care what goes on in other peoples bedrooms... we're just sick of hearing about it all the time. Do we straights need a parade every year and "coming out parties" to feel special? NO! we just live it, and that's enough for us, but the gays and lesbians feel the need to throw it in our faces every chance they get, and then they wonder why we make jokes about them and tell the to screw themselves. Come on! You don't have to stay in the closet but could you at least keep it in your house? we keep our sexual preferences there. You dont see straight sadomasochists or straight langerie-fetishists organizing parades and going public with their "lifestyles" do you? How would you like seeing some straight guy you know and trust wearing a leather mask, and leading his half-naked wife down the street on a leash? it would be more information than you wanted about that person, would'nt it? That's how we feel.

    16%  Voted for by NeferMaatNetjer, Paradoxx, Dark Red Ink.
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  • True Meaning

    Actually "homo" can mean either 'man' or 'same'. "Phobia" means 'fear of'. There for "homophobia" means either a 'fear of man' of 'fear of two things that are the same'. If you want to go farther into meaning or where it comes from..... Someone becomes 'homophobic' by not being able to understand,on such a level that it creates fear, an imbalance of chemicals in the brain that influences emotions. By all means 'homophobia' is not a good thing. Quoting Jedi Master Yoda:"fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering". Now I will let you ponder as to what 'Homophobia' will lead to.

    11%  Voted for by wandering poetess, Oral Fixation.
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  • ............
    well i think i'll have to agree with ya,i mean phobia is a fear of something.and if its just a person who just doesn't like them then they aren't really afraid of them
    Voted for by allaboutpoetry.
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  • just use of words

    yeah, I think homophobia is pretty much an implication of dislike or hatred for homosexuals,I don't think it means literally that one must be fearful of them as such. Although it can sometimes be argued that someone may dislike or hate homosexuals because they are scared of differences, of something foreign to their own nature... but that's a different debate altogether,

    lattaz

    Voted for by Lgirl.
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  • Seriously

    When you really break down into roots, homo is a Latin declension meaning 'of man,' and so is means 'Fear of man,' thusly being improperly used.

    But to the point of what it is supposed to mean, I really don't think there is even concievably a real fear of homosexuals, unless a heterosexual is afraid that they will try to get to them or perhaps tempt them.

    Voted for by Vitance.
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  • proper term
    The "proper" term is being mentally maladjusted towards homosexuals.
    Voted for by Doom Pickels.
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  • No, no, no!
    The etymology of the word is Greek, not Latin - it does not have anything to do with men - a homosexual is someone whose sexual desires are directed solely towards members of the same sex - hence, 'homo' - the same. A phobia is an irrational (I must stress this) fear or hatred of something; hence, in this case, an irrational fear or hatred of homosexuals.
    Voted for by Lost Identity.
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