Difference between revisions of "Homophobia"
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==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
| − | The word "homophobia" comes from the Greek prefix ''homo-'', meaning "same", and suffix ''-phobia'', meaning "fear of". In early usage by homosexual activists, the term described heterosexual fears that others might think they were homosexual.<ref>http://www.narth.com/docs/creates.html</ref> | + | The word "homophobia" comes from the Greek prefix ''homo-'', meaning "same", and suffix ''-phobia'', meaning "fear of". In early usage by homosexual activists, the term described heterosexual fears that others might think they were homosexual.<ref>http://www.narth.com/docs/creates.html</ref> It was coined by George Weinberg, a pro-gay psychologist, who defined it in 1972 as "the dread of being in close quarters with homosexuals,"<ref>Plummer, David, ''One of the Boys: Masculinity, Homophobia, and Modern Manhood'', [http://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 literature by George Weinberg in 1972, in his milestone publication ''Society and the Healthy Homosexual.'' At that time, he defined homophobia as 'the dread of being in close quarters with homosexuals.'"</ref> now meaning irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals.<ref>[http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/homophobia homophobia], Merriam-Webster online</ref> |
== Homophobia as an "Irrational Fear" == | == Homophobia as an "Irrational Fear" == | ||
Revision as of 10:38, April 29, 2007
The term "homophobia" was useful in pushing forward the homosexual agenda [1] by portraying all opposition to homosexuality as irrationally based on fear or hatred. The term is misused by apologists of homosexuality to smear Christians and others who oppose homosexuality on Biblical grounds.
The term, originally meaning fear of being thought homosexual,[2] now means fear of or contempt for homosexuals. Unlike other words ending in -phobia, it is not a term for any recognized psychological condition. According to NARTH,
- "The term "homophobia" is often used inaccurately to describe any person who objects to homosexual behavior on either moral, psychological or medical grounds. Technically, however, the terms actually denotes a person who has a phobia—or irrational fear—of homosexuality. Principled disagreement, therefore, cannot be labeled "homophobia."[3]
When used in this dishonest way, the term is offensive and derogatory.
Etymology
The word "homophobia" comes from the Greek prefix homo-, meaning "same", and suffix -phobia, meaning "fear of". In early usage by homosexual activists, the term described heterosexual fears that others might think they were homosexual.[4] It was coined by George Weinberg, a pro-gay psychologist, who defined it in 1972 as "the dread of being in close quarters with homosexuals,"[5] now meaning irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals.[6]
Homophobia as an "Irrational Fear"
The suffix "phobia" suggests an irrational fear, but that is not how the term is used.[7] The term is used by gay rights groups to suggest that all opposition to homosexuality is irrational and hateful.[8]
- There is no personal, internal, institutional, or cultural homophobia. The terms do not exist in the recognized scientific literature...There is only one homophobia, which has been properly defined....There is no doubt that homophobia exists. There is also no doubt that there are rationalized and irrational anti-homosexual attitudes. However, it would be very valuable for society in general, and therapists in particular, to have a clear picture of homophobia separated from all the other topics that have been lumped under that rubric." [9]
William O'Donohue and Christine E. Caselles [10] 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 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."
References
- ↑ 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. Gay Psychologist Creates New Terms for Use in the Social Debate
- ↑ Gay Psychologist Creates New Terms for Use in the Social Debate
- ↑ NARTH Position Statements
- ↑ http://www.narth.com/docs/creates.html
- ↑ Plummer, David, One of the Boys: Masculinity, Homophobia, and Modern Manhood, [http://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 literature by George Weinberg in 1972, in his milestone publication Society and the Healthy Homosexual. At that time, he defined homophobia as 'the dread of being in close quarters with homosexuals.'"
- ↑ homophobia, Merriam-Webster online
- ↑ Psychologists do not recognize it as a phobia in any generally recognized publication like the DSM IV.
- ↑ Eg, this site [1] first defines homophobia as a dread or fear, but says that it includes those who write their Congressmen to oppose same-sex marriage.
- ↑ HOMOPHOBIA: A Scientific Non-Political Definition, Dr. Sander J. Breiner, National Association for Research and Therapy on Homosexuality, 2003.
- ↑ William O'Donohue and Christine E. Caselles, Homophobia: Conceptual, definitional, and value issues, Journal Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, Volume 15, Number 3, Springer Netherlands, September, 1993. ISSN 0882-2689