Difference between revisions of "Homophobia"
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The [[neologism]] was invented by George Weinberg, a gay activist and psychologist, who explained 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 clinical literature by George Weinberg in 1972, in ''Society and the Healthy Homosexual.'' At that time, he referred to it as 'the dread of being in close quarters with homosexuals.'"</ref> The term entered mainstream currency initially through pornographic publications. | The [[neologism]] was invented by George Weinberg, a gay activist and psychologist, who explained 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 clinical literature by George Weinberg in 1972, in ''Society and the Healthy Homosexual.'' At that time, he referred to it as 'the dread of being in close quarters with homosexuals.'"</ref> The term entered mainstream currency initially through pornographic publications. | ||
| − | The word comes from combining 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 term has not been wholly accepted within the psychological therapeutic community. | + | The word comes from combining 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 term has not been wholly accepted within the psychological therapeutic community. |
== Homophobia as an "Irrational Fear" == | == Homophobia as an "Irrational Fear" == | ||
Revision as of 19:31, 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 could mean fear of or contempt for homosexuals or being homosexual, however there is no agreement among therapeutic researchers and professionals as to what the term means. 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. The therapeutic community is largely divided between proponents of gay gene theory who believe a person is born gay and will always be gay, and proponents of Restoration therapy who believe with sympathy and understanding a homosexual can be relieved of afflictions if he so desires. Gay gene advocates seek to criminalize so-called "homophobia", despite many homophobes themselves being gay, whereas Restoration therapy advocates point out the cruelty of brainwashing a young person into believing -- based upon theoretical evidence -- there is no hope of ever leading a heterosexual lifestyle.
Etymology
The neologism was invented by George Weinberg, a gay activist and psychologist, who explained it in 1972 as "the dread of being in close quarters with homosexuals."[4] The term entered mainstream currency initially through pornographic publications.
The word comes from combining 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 [5] The term has not been wholly accepted within the psychological therapeutic community.
Homophobia as an "Irrational Fear"
The suffix "phobia" suggests an irrational fear, but that is not how the term is used.[6] The term is used by gay rights groups to suggest that all opposition to homosexuality is irrational and hateful.[7]
- 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." [8]
William O'Donohue and Christine E. Caselles [9] 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
- ↑ Gay Psychologist Creates New Terms for Use in the Social Debate In his paper on homophobia, stigma, and sexual prejudice, Dr. Gregory M. 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
- ↑ NARTH Position Statements
- ↑ Plummer, David, One of the Boys: Masculinity, Homophobia, and Modern Manhood, pp. 3-4: "'Homophobia was introduced into the clinical literature by George Weinberg in 1972, in Society and the Healthy Homosexual. At that time, he referred to it as 'the dread of being in close quarters with homosexuals.'"
- ↑ http://www.narth.com/docs/creates.html
- ↑ 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 of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, Volume 15, Number 3, Springer Netherlands, September, 1993. ISSN 0882-2689