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'''Homophobia''' is, literally, "fear of homosexuality."  Though the term can be used for a variety of purposes, its most common usage is to criticize people opposed to [[homosexuality]].

'''Homophobia''' is, literally, "fear of homosexuality."  Though the term can be used for a variety of purposes, its most common usage is to criticize people opposed to [[homosexuality]].

Homophobia is a [[pseudoscience|pseudoscientific]] term originally intended to portray principled opposition to the [[homosexual agenda]] as an abnormal mental condition. Phobia, in this case, refers to any unreasoned fear without justification.  Please refer to definitions of "Claustrophobia", or fear of enclosed spaces, or "acrophobia", or fear of heights.

Homophobia is a [[pseudoscience|pseudoscientific]] term originally intended to portray principled opposition to the [[homosexual agenda]] as an abnormal mental condition. Phobia, in this case, refers to any unreasoned fear without justification.  Please refer to definitions of "Claustrophobia", or fear of enclosed spaces, or "Acrophobia", or fear of heights.

It was introduced into scientific literature shortly before the American Psychiatric Association declassified its diagnosis of [[homosexuality]] as a [[mental illness]] in 1973. A 2002 research study by the [[University of Arkansas]] Department of Psychology, however, claimed that among non-homosexual homophobes no phobia exists.<ref>[http://www.cwfa.org/articles/674/CFI/cfreport/index.htmNew Study Says There’s No Phobia in ‘Homophobia’], Martha Kleder, CWA, 6/28/2002.</ref> Most homophobes are homosexual who suffer from "internalized homophobia".  The is no agreement within the psychiatric and therapeutic professions on what the term actually means.

It was introduced into scientific literature shortly before the American Psychiatric Association declassified its diagnosis of [[homosexuality]] as a [[mental illness]] in 1973. A 2002 research study by the [[University of Arkansas]] Department of Psychology, however, claimed that among non-homosexual homophobes no phobia exists.<ref>[http://www.cwfa.org/articles/674/CFI/cfreport/index.htmNew Study Says There’s No Phobia in ‘Homophobia’], Martha Kleder, CWA, 6/28/2002.</ref> Most homophobes are homosexual who suffer from "internalized homophobia".  The is no agreement within the psychiatric and therapeutic professions on what the term actually means.