Discussion: Why the term "homophobic" is problematic

Bathomet

On ATRL I often see people use the term "homophobic", but I thought I might let you know that in some aspects the term is quite problematic.

Quote:

Today homophobia is used around the world to describe hostility toward homosexuality and people who are not heterosexual. However the term has many limitations.

1. First phobia means intense fear. Therefore this term focuses on fear as the basis for heterosexuals’ negative attitudes toward nonheterosexuals and neglects the fact studies found out that other emotions like anger and disgust, are probably more prevalent in antigay attitudes.

2. Phobias are conceptualized as irrational fears in psychology/psychiatry. But in the case antigay attitudes, they are not always irrational in the sense that people are really motivated to justify their attitudes and feelings towards sexual minorities by various beliefs (like gay people are sinners etc)

3. The term neglects the fact that negative reactions to sexual minorities are not rooted in individual pathology, but rather in cultural and social beliefs and expectations.

4. Homophobia as a term render the negative reactions to other sexual minorities like bisexual or asexual people invisible.

http://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs...-113011-143826

What other terms can you use? You can use "sexually prejudiced" or "heterosexist". The latter one captures the social aspect of the phenomena more. Alternatively you can also use the term "antigay bias", if you want a more refined term than "homophobic".

Barbie.

gir take this mess to tumblr

fridayteenage

no thanks

MusicTalker

But no matter what I call people who hate my guts for no reason they still hate my guts for no reason so.

Plus why should I give them the luxury of calling them a more PC term when they can't even respect what should be my PC rights?

Troye

Girl, you can try it with the Oxford dictionary mess but homophobia encompasses everything that's associated with anti-gay attitudes.

Mezter

Looking too deep

simmnfierzig

Dalai

Bathomet

Quote:

Originally posted by MusicTalker

But no matter what I call people who hate my guts for no reason they still hate my guts for no reason so.

Plus why should I give them the luxury of calling them a more PC term when they can't even respect what should be my PC rights?

its not about being politically correct, its more about being scientifically correct which has many consequences in real life. If one labels it "homophobia" then the person ingnores its other aspects (it's not just fear; its a social, not only an idividual phenomena, its not directed towards gays only etc), which could actually be useful when one wants to combat prejudice.

RudeBoyy

pho·bi·a
ˈfōbēə/Submit
noun
an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something.

a·ver·sion
əˈvərZHən/Submit
noun
a strong dislike or disinclination.

dis·in·cli·na·tion
disˌinkliˈnāSHən/
noun
a reluctance or lack of enthusiasm.

Pretty sure the above applies to all ANTI-gay people. Also biphobia is a thing and the word homophobia never claimed to encompass all discrimination towards sexuality.

Legacy

i was watching a debate the other day and they said both homophobic and islamophobic were problematic terms

ziam

Femalien

shut up

Legend ReX

I actually agree.

I've started using the term "mishomophilic." The prefix mis- means hatred and homophilic means attracted to the same (think misogyny). It' not Tumblrese--it's just language.

The only people who truly have a phobia of homosexuality are deep, DEEP closet cases. They are the true "homophobes."

Kim Kardashian

Mis-something would be more appropriate but everyone knows what it means so I don't think it's too problematic.

Sarab

It's like the word "problematic" is getting problematic. All these tumblr SJWs.

DevonDreams

you're not helping

beautiful player

Ties

The first 3 are really good points.

Poe Dameron

Quote:

Originally posted by Legend ReX

I actually agree.

I've started using the term "mishomophilic." The prefix mis- means hatred and homophilic means attracted to the same (think misogyny). It' not Tumblrese--it's just language.

The only people who truly have a phobia of homosexuality are deep, DEEP closet cases. They are the true "homophobes."