+98 Homophobia is a fear, not a hate (from the Greek: φόβος, phóbos, meaning "fear" or "morbid fear"). So why tell people off for being Homophobic? You wouldn't tell an Arachnophobic off for being scared of spiders. amirite?

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Because being afraid of another person with feelings who means you no harm just because they have a different lifestyle from you is totally the same thing as being afraid of a mindless invertebrate that instinctually wants to kill you.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Last time I checked spiders were scared of humans, and only bite us if they feel threatened. Also, it's not being afraid of them, it's being afraid of what they are. To some people it's just to much for them to handle.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Off topic, I know, but spiders have attacked me while I slept - several times in the same night. Anyway, I don't care to get into a discussion about it... just giving you the heads up.

by Anonymous 6 years ago

Phobias are irrational fears. It's not supposed to be fair or logical. Now if the person just hated homosexuals that's a different story.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

What you say is true literally, but the term has come to apply to people unwilling to accept homosexuality, more than people who have an irrational fear of homosexuality.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

The term homophobia has become so bastardized that it isn't even used to mean to be afraid of homosexual people anymore. It's much shorter than, "Man, you're such a homosexual-hating individual."

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Right. There's a difference between the two but over time it's become a word to describe someone who is prejudiced against gays. The same way the word retarted was the proper term for someone who is mentally challenged but now it's considered an insult to that community.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

agreed. high five

by Anonymous 14 years ago

*high five* *love five* *flip it, skim it, crouching tiger, zookeeper's boy, hair dresser on fire, girlfriend in a coma* And then we slap it on a biscuit. :)

by Anonymous 14 years ago

this is only true is someone is actually terrified of gays. usually, when someone says homophobic, the mean they hate or dislike them.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

this logic is infallible; however, people are usually misusing the word to refer to a gay-basher any true homophobes should be pitied any gay-bashers should be ashamed

by Anonymous 14 years ago

That's my view as well. Nice post ;)

by Anonymous 6 years ago