Quick question

[PinkFloyd]

This is probably more suited towards TWPR, but the subject fits here... ANYWAYS, on to the question.

How come the term for being against the LGBT community is "homophobia?" I mean, that sounds like someone who is afraid of Freddie Mercury instead of disliking him. I mean, racist people aren't called "foreigerphobes." This isa dumb question, I know... I've alwyas wondered it though.

[Harley Quinn]

Racist people are called racists because they're against the race. Homophobia is being against homosexuals, do you see where this is going?

[JamesSuperBoy]

Xenophobes

Xenophobia

Dictionary definitions of xenophobia include: deep-rooted, irrational hatred towards foreigners (Oxford English Dictionary; OED), unreasonable fear or hatred of the unfamiliar (Webster's

[Tarannosaurus]

Probably because hatred can come from fear of things we don't know. Racist people and homophobic people often become less hateful when they spend time around people of other races/ sexualities

[Green Arrow]

I guess it's because the Race version is Xenophobia an the word "racist" is a lot easier to say. It just means the same thing, it doesn't necessary mean that they're afraid of said group of people. I know it's stupid, but that's the english language for you!

[Luminous]

Maybe it's because the hatred is actually fear. Or maybe it started out as fear?

[AlexOnToast]

In the words of Morgan Freeman
"'I hate the word homophobia. It's not a phobia. You are not scared; you are an asshole."

I think the Morg summed it up pretty well there...

[Pulp501]

Homophobia means not just a fear of gay people, but a hatred, or discrimination against them.

[steellord321]

I wonder if they would prefer just being called bigots instead? There has to be some word to mean dislike of gays. May as well be homophobia.

I do think there's some who are afraid though and not just dislike.

[Hermes]

Probably because hatred can come from fear of things we don't know. Racist people and homophobic people often become less hateful when they spend time around people of other races/ sexualities

That would have been my explanation too. Fear and hate can be very close.

[Typhlosion]

Full Definition of PHOBIA: an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation

Beats me. Then again, what about the word hydrophobic?

By the way, xenophobia =/= racism. One is fear, another is discrimination.

[ksdnfkfr]

I think maybe it could have started out as a parody as well, since people were trying to make homosexuality out to be a psychological disorder. A term like homophobe sort of turned the tables on that.

[PinkFloyd]

In the words of Morgan Freeman
"'I hate the word homophobia. It's not a phobia. You are not scared; you are an asshole."

I think the Morg summed it up pretty well there...

Did Morgan Freeman actually say that?

[AlexOnToast]

Did Morgan Freeman actually say that?

So I was told several times, but now that I have actually done a bit of research, it turns out that he may not have said it.

[Lovelife090994]

I haven't a clue. Many people don't involve themselves in the LGBT yet are not hateful. I've been called homophobic at times yet I am not scared of homosexuals, if anything we both disagree on things. I've met many who don't like my beliefs, that doesn't mean they have a phobia or are a bad person.

[DeadEyes]

In the words of Morgan Freeman
"'I hate the word homophobia. It's not a phobia. You are not scared; you are an asshole."

I think the Morg summed it up pretty well there...

I was not going to dare using the A word but if you can quote Morgan Freeman then it's all good hehe.