Homophobia

Homophobia is a sort of negative outlook and feelings towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, and in few cases transgender and intersex people and activities. Definition refers unpredictably to antipathy, contempt, prejudice, aversion, and ridiculous fear. It is noticeable in critical and antagonistic behavior such as discrimination and brutality on the basis of a perceived non heterosexual orientation. Civil rights leader Coretta Scott King stated that, homophobia is like racism and anti Semitism and other form of bias; it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to disagree with their humanity, their dignity and personhood. The term homophobia comes from the Greek word homoios (for same), and phobia (irrational fear). There are two words originating from Homophobia, they are homophobic and homophobe. The person who exhibit homophobia is described as homophobic and labeled as a homophobe.

Opposition

The National Association for research and Therapy of Homosexuality, it is an organization which is affiliated with the ex-gay movement, states that the term homophobia as being “often used inaccurately to describe any person who objects homosexual behavior on moral, Psychological or medical grounds”. They also stated that, “Technically, the term actually describes the person having phobia or irrational fear. Principled disagreement, therefore cannot be labeled” homophobia.

Classifications of Homophobia

The homophobia is classified into internalized homophobia, social homophobia, and others.

Internalized Homophobia

This is also called as egodystonic homophobia, usually refers to negative feelings towards oneself due to homosexuality. It causes uncomfortable of one’s own sexual orientation.  This cause’s high suicide rate among gay teenagers (up to 30% non heterosexual youth attempt suicide) has been accredited to this phenomenon. The label of Internalized homophobia also applied to LGBT persons who bear “compromise” policies, i.e. same-sex marriage.

Social Homophobia

Social homophobia is nothing but, the fear of identifying as gay. Theorists like Calvin Thomas and Judith Butler have recommended that homophobia can be deep rooted in an individual fear of being identified as gay. Homophobia in men is interrelated with lack of self confidence about masculinity. Due to this reason, supposedly homophobia is widespread in sports like football, rugby that are considered stereotypically male. These theorists have also argued that, an individual who excels homophobic thoughts and feelings is not only to communicate their belief about the class of gay people, but also want to get rid from this class and its social status. Nancy J. Chodorow told that homophobia can be examined as a method of fortification of male masculinity.

Questions:

• Explain Homophobia?
• Mention classifications of homophobia?