Verywell / Laura Porter
Homophobia is an irritational dislike of, orprejudiceagainst, people who areLGBTQIA+.
Homophobic actions can include incidents of harassment, discrimination, and violence against people who identify as LGBQ+.
The prefix of the word references same or similar gender attraction.
Verywell / Laura Porter
That’s because it leads to harm against others and is rooted in anger and fear of difference.
Being homophobic is similar to the concept of beingracist.
History of Homophobia
George Weinberg coined the term homophobia in the 1960s.
Due to the medicalization of same/similar-gender attraction, the scientific community has also played a role in destigmatization.
Understanding Homophobia, Heterosexism, and Transphobia
Homophobia is often conflated with heterosexism and transphobia.
There are some important differences between these prejudices.
However, that isn’t the case.
Transphobia is a very specific dislike of and discrimination against people who are trans.
Transphobia depends on cisnormativity to exist.
Cisnormativity is the idea that being cisgender is the normal or right way to exist.
Transphobia manifests as actions such as violence and the denial ofgender-affirminghealth care.
It’s possible to be homophobic and transphobic at the same time.
How Homophobia Manifests Itself
Homophobia can be blatant or subtle.
It also presents as institutional as well as personal.
Let’s look at the ways that homophobia has existed in our society.
Causes of Homophobia
There are many different reasons that homophobia has existed.
These are some of the most common reasons.
Impact of Homophobia
Homophobia has many negative impacts on LGBTQIA+ people.
These can include:
Signs of Homophobia
We all learn as we grow in life.
Sometimes, we find ourselves realizing that the viewpoints we hold might not be the best ones.
Though your instinct might be to fight back against it, this can be dangerous.
You should always ensure your own safety before you act.
If you have been the victim of homophobia,seeking helpfrom others is generally your best bet.
Explain the situation, and ask for their help in resolving it.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
How to Shift Culture Away From Homophobia
Homophobia doesn’t have to be part of our culture.
There are actions we can all take to ensure that we don’t behave homophobically.
In the same vein, remember that just because a person lookscishetdoesn’t mean they are.
Ask for aperson’s pronounsrather than assuming you might tell what gender they are by looking.
This serious issue leads to people being harmed and, therefore, is not a joking matter.
It’s best to check in first and ensure your questions will be welcome.
Consider learning more about what others have experienced through LGBTQIA+ essays about homophobia such asthis one.
Adams HE, Wright LW Jr, Lohr BA.Is homophobia associated with homosexual arousal?.J Abnorm Psychol.
1996;105(3):440-445.
Hubbard TK.Historical views of homosexuality: ancient greece.Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics.
doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.013.1242
Medievalists.net.Same-sex relations in the middle ages.
Burton N.When Homosexuality Stopped Being a Mental Disorder.
1993;1(2).
CDC.Stigma and discrimination affects gay and bisexual mens health.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stigma and Discrimination.
