Homophobia (etymologically homo = same, phobia = fear) is never used according to its etymological meaning, fear of sameness. In its broader sense homophobia simply refers to disapproval of homosexuality. It is also used to mean hatred and fear of homosexuality or homosexuals themselves. Often the point is made by some homosexuality advocates and their sympathizers that the distinction is a narrow one. Thus the term is used variously to mean any sort of disapproval of homosexuality, whether subtle or explicit, unconscious or conscious, completely unreasoning or in some way principled.
Homophobia (homo = same, phobia = fear) is never used according to its etymological meaning, fear of sameness. In its broader sense homophobia simply refers to disapproval of homosexuality. It is also used to mean hatred and fear of homosexuality or homosexuals themselves.
Often the point is made by some homosexuality advocates and their sympathizers that the distinction is a narrow one. Thus the term is used variously to mean any sort of disapproval of homosexuality, whether subtle or explicit, unconscious or conscious, completely unreasoning or in some way principled.
Changed: 25c27
Some gender theorists interpret the fact that male/male activities or relationships often incites a stronger reaction in homophobics than female/female (Lesbian) activities or relationships as meaning that the homophobic feels threatened by the subversion of the [gender paradigm]? in male/male sex. Homophobics often express strongly sexist view and tend to focus on the sexuality of lesbigay people to the exclusion of all other traits, in much the same way as racists tend to define people exclusively by their ethnicity.
Some gender theorists interpret the fact that male/male activities or relationships often incites a stronger reaction in homophobics than female/female (Lesbian) activities or relationships as meaning that the homophobic feels threatened by the subversion of the [gender paradigm]? in male/male sex. Homophobics often express strongly sexist views and tend to focus on the sexuality of lesbigay people to the exclusion of all other traits, in much the same way as racists tend to define people exclusively by their ethnicity.
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