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{{Homosexuality}}

{{Homosexuality}}

'''"Homophobia"''' is a widely used term of dubious meaning. It is a coinage modeled on terms such as "claustrophobia" and "hydrophobia" but unlike those terms "homophobia" has no basis in clinical psychology.<ref>http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/homophobia</ref> In response to the so-called "normalization" of homosexuality, pro-homosexual [[activist]]s attempted to stigmatize political opponents using a smear tactic to imply religious believers and others suffered from a [[mental illness]].  The word caught on in academia, news media, and among Hollywood celebrities and is still used to imply [[discrimination]] against a person with a disability is perfectly legitimate and acceptable.

'''"Homophobia"''' is a widely used term of dubious meaning. It is a coinage modeled on terms such as "claustrophobia" and "hydrophobia" but unlike those terms "homophobia" has no basis in clinical psychology.<ref>http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/homophobia</ref> In response to the so-called "normalization" of homosexuality, pro-homosexual [[activist]]s attempted to stigmatize political opponents using a smear tactic to imply religious believers and others suffered from a "[[mental illness]]".  The word caught on in academia, news media, and among Hollywood celebrities and is still used to imply [[discrimination]] against a person with a disability is perfectly legitimate and acceptable.

== Etymology and definition ==

== Etymology and definition ==

The word homophobia comes from combining the Greek prefix ''homo-'', meaning "same", and suffix ''-phobia'', meaning "fear of". In its early usage, the term described heterosexual fears that others might think they were homosexual <ref>http://www.narth.com/docs/creates.html</ref>  The [[neologism]] was promoted by [[George Weinberg]], a homosexual activist and psychologist, who attempted to define it in clinical literature shortly before the downgrading of homosexuality as a mental illness by the [[American Psychiatric Association]] in 1973.  Weinberg claimed it was "the dread of being in close quarters with homosexuals -- and in the case of homosexuals themselves, selfloathing."<ref>Plummer, David, ''One of the Boys: Masculinity, Homophobia, and Modern Manhood'', [https://books.google.com/books?id=xHGz4f_2_7IC&pg=PA3&ots=U8ktZZgnAk&dq=George+Weinberg+homophobia&ie=ISO-8859-1&sig=d7hjCcZ1uuBlgdLyRjUJwEn51uA#PPA3,M1 pp. 3-4]: "'Homophobia was introduced into the clinical literature by George Weinberg in 1972, in ''Society and the Healthy Homosexual.''</ref>  The term then entered common usage beginning with [[pornographic]] publications.<ref>Gregory M. Herek, Ph.D., published ''Beyond 'Homophobia': Thinking About Sexual Prejudice and Stigma in the Twenty-First Century,'' in the April, 2004, issue of Sexuality Research & Social Policy.</ref>

The word homophobia comes from combining the Greek prefix ''homo-'', meaning "same", and suffix ''-phobia'', meaning "fear of". In its early usage, the term described heterosexual fears that others might think they were homosexual.<ref>http://www.narth.com/docs/creates.html</ref>  The [[neologism]] was promoted by [[George Weinberg]], a homosexual activist and psychologist, who attempted to define it in clinical literature shortly before the downgrading of homosexuality as a mental illness by the [[American Psychiatric Association]] in 1973.  Weinberg claimed it was "the dread of being in close quarters with homosexuals -- and in the case of homosexuals themselves, selfloathing."<ref>Plummer, David, ''One of the Boys: Masculinity, Homophobia, and Modern Manhood'', [https://books.google.com/books?id=xHGz4f_2_7IC&pg=PA3&ots=U8ktZZgnAk&dq=George+Weinberg+homophobia&ie=ISO-8859-1&sig=d7hjCcZ1uuBlgdLyRjUJwEn51uA#PPA3,M1 pp. 3-4]: "'Homophobia was introduced into the clinical literature by George Weinberg in 1972, in ''Society and the Healthy Homosexual.''</ref>  The term then entered common usage beginning with [[pornographic]] publications.<ref>Gregory M. Herek, Ph.D., published ''Beyond 'Homophobia': Thinking About Sexual Prejudice and Stigma in the Twenty-First Century,'' in the April, 2004, issue of Sexuality Research & Social Policy.</ref>

A study by University of Arkansas researchers concluded that the word homophobia, is technically incorrect.  Doctoral student Bunmi Olatunji, lead author of the study stated that homophobia is not actually a fear, and therefore it should not be "pathologized," or treated as a disease would be treated. The 138 participants in the 2001-2002 study, whose gender preferences were unknown to the researchers, were asked to complete a series of questionnaires and surveys. While some subjects displayed conservative sexual attitudes of elevated levels of disgust and dread of contamination toward homosexuals, the results showed a negative correlation between attitudes about homosexuals and measures of fear or anxiety.  

A study by University of Arkansas researchers concluded that the word ''homophobia'' is technically incorrect.  Doctoral student Bunmi Olatunji, lead author of the study stated that homophobia is not actually a fear, and therefore it should not be "pathologized," or treated as a disease would be treated. The 138 participants in the 2001-2002 study, whose gender preferences were unknown to the researchers, were asked to complete a series of questionnaires and surveys. While some subjects displayed conservative sexual attitudes of elevated levels of disgust and dread of contamination toward homosexuals, the results showed a negative correlation between attitudes about homosexuals and measures of fear or anxiety.  

The term's meaning has not been accepted or agreed upon within the psychological [[therapeutic]] community.  William O'Donohue and Christine E. Caselles <ref>William O'Donohue and Christine E. Caselles, [http://www.springerlink.com/content/n0264m864t146585/ Homophobia: Conceptual, definitional, and value issues], Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, Volume 15, Number 3, Springer Netherlands, September, 1993. ISSN 0882-2689</ref> have concluded based upon research within the therapeutic community a clear understanding of the term has not been adequately evaluated and it is not clear whether the term can be accurately characterized.  They have concluded, "the construct of homophobia, as it is usually used, makes an illegitimately pejorative evaluation of certain open and debatable value positions, much like the former disease construct of homosexuality."

The term's meaning has not been accepted or agreed upon within the psychological [[therapeutic]] community.  William O'Donohue and Christine E. Caselles <ref>William O'Donohue and Christine E. Caselles, [http://www.springerlink.com/content/n0264m864t146585/ Homophobia: Conceptual, definitional, and value issues], Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, Volume 15, Number 3, Springer Netherlands, September, 1993. ISSN 0882-2689</ref> have concluded based upon research within the therapeutic community a clear understanding of the term has not been adequately evaluated and it is not clear whether the term can be accurately characterized.  They have concluded, "the construct of homophobia, as it is usually used, makes an illegitimately pejorative evaluation of certain open and debatable value positions, much like the former disease construct of homosexuality."

Gregory M. Herek, a psychology professor at the University of California at Davis, and a recognized authority on prejudice against lesbians and homosexual men, credits psychologist George Weinberg with inventing the word homophobia in the late 1960s. However, the word "has a number of problems with it," said Herek, particularly because there is no basis for the "phobia" suffix in a clinical sense.

Gregory M. Herek, a psychology professor at the University of California at Davis, and a recognized authority on prejudice against lesbians and homosexual men, credits psychologist George Weinberg with inventing the word homophobia in the late 1960s. However, the word "has a number of problems with it," said Herek, particularly because there is no basis for the "phobia" suffix in a clinical sense.

Connie Ress, a regional media manage at the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation stated that she had no intention of dropping the use of the word due to semantical controversy, as she claimed discrimination against homosexuals and the need for laws to protect them was the real issue.<ref>No fear factor in 'homophobia,' by Keith Taylor, The Washington Blade</ref> At a minimum, its continued use stigmatizes people with disabilities.

Connie Ress, a regional media manage at the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation stated that she had no intention of dropping the use of the word due to semantical controversy, as she claimed discrimination against homosexuals and the need for laws to protect them was the real issue.<ref>No fear factor in 'homophobia,' by Keith Taylor, The Washington Blade</ref> At a minimum, its continued use stigmatizes people with disabilities.

==Application==

==Application==