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The term '''homophobia''' most directly means the "fear of homosexuality" but, as with terms such as xenophobia, also implies a hate or prejudice against homosexuals. The term is used to describe people who openly condemn gays and people who feel uncomfortable around them.

The term '''homophobia''' most directly means the "fear of homosexuality", but it also includes a fear of increased political and social power of homosexuals in advancing their [[homosexual agenda|agenda]]. The term is used to describe people who openly condemn gays and people who feel uncomfortable around them.

It is primarily used by people supportive of tolerance to homosexuality, to people who are against said tolerance. Some claim that "it is intended to sound like a form of [[mental illness]]", but this does not describe its popular use or the definition of the word. <ref> According to the National Association for Research & Therapy on Homosexuality (NARTH), gay-rights advocate Gregory M. Herek, Ph.D. wrote that the term "homophobia" was useful in pushing forward the gay agenda in our culture. [http://www.narth.com/docs/creates.html Gay Psychologist Creates New Terms for Use in the Social Debate]. "In his paper on homophobia, stigma, and sexual prejudice, Dr. Herek suggests that although the term "homophobia" was useful in pushing forward the gay agenda in our culture, the term may be too limited in its scope today."</ref>

It is primarily used by people supportive of tolerance to homosexuality, to disparage people who are against said tolerance. Some claim that "it is intended to sound like a form of [[mental illness]]", but this does not describe its popular use or the definition of the word. According to the National Association for Research & Therapy on Homosexuality (NARTH), gay-rights advocate Gregory M. Herek, Ph.D. wrote that the term "homophobia" was useful in pushing forward the gay agenda in our culture.<ref>[http://www.narth.com/docs/creates.html Gay Psychologist Creates New Terms for Use in the Social Debate]</ref> "In his paper on homophobia, stigma, and sexual prejudice, Dr. Herek suggests that although the term "homophobia" was useful in pushing forward the gay agenda in our culture, the term may be too limited in its scope today."

For example, NARTH says,

For example, NARTH says,