(From Mark Tindall):

1. Aversion to gay or homosexual people or their lifestyle or culture. 2. Behavior or an act based on this aversion. (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 3rd ed., 1992)

Irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals. (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 10th ed., 1993)

n. 1. unreasoning fear of or antipathy toward homosexuals and homosexuality. [1955-60; HOMO (SEXUAL) + – PHOBIA] Derived words –ho’mo-phobe, n.; ho mo-pho’bic, adj. (Random House/Webster’s Online Dictionary, Version 1 for Windows, 1992.)

Homophobia is odd because it is based on views that are easily debunked, and which rely on strangely distorted view of ordinary gay folks.

From http://www.bibble.org/gay/phobia.html

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Homophobia debunked Homophobia is generally an unreasoning loathing of homosexuals, but it is frequently supported by inaccurate statements about homosexuals.

Homosexuality is a behavior Homosexuality is a matter of identity. People do not choose to be attracted to one gender or another, it just happens. Homosexuals are homosexual whether or not they act on their attraction for members of the same gender.

Homosexuality is a choice, homosexuals recruit Many homosexuals would choose to be straight to avoid discrimination. The vast majority of homosexuals claim to have had no choice and only begin to accept their own homosexuality after a difficult process known as coming out. There is no compelling evidence that people have ever been able to successfully change their sexual orientation under any circumstances. This is important because homosexuals and their families have attempted to use any and all means to this end.

Homosexuals are promiscuous and do not value relationships Homosexuals have the same needs for companionship that heterosexuals have. To the extent that there are significant differences between homosexual and heterosexual pairings they are likely caused by commonplace discrimination against gay people. Polygamy is a separate issue from target gender.

Homosexuals are not good parents Studies show that children raised by homosexuals are themselves homosexual just as often as children raised by heterosexuals and are less likely to endulge in bigotry and intolerance.

Homosexuals are perverts (anal sex, pedophilia, beastiality)

Studies show that anal sex is much more common among heterosexuals than homosexuals. Criminal records show that pedophilia is dominated almost entirely by straight men. Beastiality is generally uncommon among both homosexuals and heterosexuals.

Homosexuals are disease ridden Homosexuals are more likely to know about and be motivated to use safe sex practices. Globally AIDS is predominantly a disease of heterosexuals.

Homosexuality is unnatural Homosexuality is common in nature, particularly in humans.

Homosexuality endangers the species Homosexuals can breed and raise children. As with heterosexual couples who cannot themselves have children they may use surrogate parents, artificial insemination, or adopt. Even if homosexuals choose not to be directly responsible for the raising of their own children they can help others raise children or perform tasks that those who are responsible for the raising of families find it difficult to make time for.

Homosexuality is promoted by the media Most images of homosexuality in the media are negative, and almost all are distorted in terms of race, gender, and class. Since homosexuality is not a choice the idea of promotion of homosexuality is meaningless.

Homosexuality is against God Since homosexuality is a matter of identity rather than choice God must have created homosexuals as well as heterosexuals. By this logic homophobia is against God.

Homosexuals want my body Unwanted come-ons are a general problem. Come-ons from homosexuals are loathed by some heterosexuals because these heterosexuals loathe homosexuals. If “No, thanks” doesn’t work then try “You are bothering me.” Responding to come-ons from homosexuals with homophobia is ineffective because it gives the aggressor a weapon to use and a reason to use it.

Homosexuals flaunt their sexuality Humans are sexual beings. It is absurd to ask homosexuals to hide their sexuality because it bothers homophobes. Even the most prudish heterosexuals will show affection for each other in some manner, and open displays of heterosexuality however rare they may have been have become commonplace. Attempting to exclude a significant portion of the population from engaging in essentially harmless sexual expression doesn’t make sense and can’t have a positive outcome.

Homosexuals complicate same-sex bonding People should be able to bond with each other without sexualization.

Homosexuals should not have special pride events Events such as pride parades happen specifically because widespread homophobia has made the daily life of homosexuals a struggle.

Return to Gay:Homophobia

The Bibble Pages, Christian Molick,

From http://www.bibble.org/gay/phobia/debunked.html

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