Homophobia

Homophobia is an irrational dislike or fear of individuals who are members of the LGBTQ+ community. Although the word phobia implies a fear of something, scholars argue that while homophobia may have initially been rooted in fear, homophobic actions are indicative more of hatred (Resnick, 2023). Critical scholars trace homophobia to early fears by White supremacists that their “colonial status quo” would be challenged (Resnick, 2023). In the modern era, homophobia can range from anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments to physical opposition and violence. Unlike other phobias that people may experience, homophobia is not an acceptable phobia to hold. Anti-LGBTQ+ statements may be considered improper, but physical opposition and violence are discriminatory and/or illegal. In some instances, homophobia may be institutionally supported through religion or government. The term homophobia can be interchangeable with a more modern term, heterosexism, although some scholars are quick to point out differences between the two. Heterosexism is often used when discussing more systemic forms of discrimination, including healthcare, marriage, and employment equality (Planned Parenthood, 2023), while homophobia is more individualized.

Internalized homophobia is a form of discrimination in which people with same-sex attractions are also homophobic. This internalized phobia may result in difficult feelings toward oneself, ranging from discomfort to denial (Planned Parenthood, 2023). The phobia may or may not manifest itself outwardly. The person may deny their actual feelings and choose to not identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Conversely, they may also choose to “prove” that they are heterosexual by dating members of the opposite sex or acting out against openly gay people. In extreme cases, they may also self-harm.

As with any racist or discriminatory behavior, it is difficult to stop homophobia. Stopping one’s personal use of homophobic or discriminatory slurs is an easy way to limit homophobic reactions. However, stopping someone else from saying something offensive is a more difficult challenge, as is stopping the use of discriminatory casual language. Speaking out in favor of the LGBTQ+ community or other marginalized group carries with it its own, unique challenges. So, too, does stopping bullying.

Overview

What is a Phobia?

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine (2023), a phobia is “an uncontrollable, irrational and lasting fear of a certain object, situation, or activity.” Phobias can be mild or severe and often occur in childhood. In the United States, roughly 19 million people have at least one phobia, which can be split into three categories: simple (or specific), social, or agoraphobia. Simple phobias are the most common and focus on specific objects, like bridges or snakes. Social phobias involve having extreme anxiety over certain public situations, like public speaking or meeting new people. Finally, agoraphobia refers to a fear of panicking and being unable to escape certain public situations, like an elevator or small room. Mild cases of agoraphobia may be confused for shyness, while more severe cases may cause people to never leave their home (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2023). There is no set treatment that covers all phobias. Treatment is individualized and varies from person to person. Two types of therapy for phobias are behavioral and cognitive-behavioral. In behavioral therapy, individuals work on changing certain actions through various practices, including breathing techniques. Cognitive-behavioral therapy introduces practices that help the individual choose to react differently to triggering situations (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2023). Cognitive-behavioral therapy also focuses on altering thinking patterns to avoid attacks.

History

Dating back to Ancient Greece, same-sex relationships between freeborn men and younger and/or enslaved males were widely accepted, though perhaps not spoken of regularly. In 346 BCE, Greek law outlawed male prostitution, not because of homophobia, but fear that men might begin selling their bodies for other purposes. As Roman civilizations became more de-urbanized, the acceptance that existed in Ancient Greece waned. By 390 CE, same-sex prostitution and same-sex relations were formally prohibited. The Theodosian Code, a collection of Roman laws published in the early fifth century, states that, “All persons who have the shameful custom of condemning a man’s body, acting the part of a woman’s to the sufferance of an alien sex (for they appear not to be different from women) shall expiate a crime of this kind by avenging flames in the sight of the people” (Blumenfeld, 2021). The fall of the Roman Empire, which occurred later in the fifth century, signified greater freedoms for the oppressed, and punishment for same-sex lovers was overlooked or not disseminated as frequently.

During the Middle Ages, adultery and “works of lewdness” with one’s own sex were grounds for a death sentence (Blumenfeld, 2021). Toward the end of the twelfth century, a wave of intolerance spread throughout Europe, and same-sex relations were condemned. Once again, as time passed, the continued cycle of approval-disapproval remained. In the early sixteenth century, the English Parliament considered “buggery” a crime punishable by death or the removal of property. By the early nineteenth century, the development of the Napoleonic Code eliminated such rules in France, but they continued to be enforced in other parts of Europe.

The American Psychiatric Association published its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) in 1952 and classified homosexuality as a sexual deviation. Advocates for the gay and lesbian community fought against inclusion in the DSM, but lost the initial battles. The American psychologist George Weinberg first used the term homophobia in the 1960s. In 1972, he authored Society and the Healthy Homosexual and explored homophobia as an illness (Resnick, 2023). He also studied the prejudice surrounding homosexuality. Homophobia is a combination of the word homosexual and phobia, which means a fear or aversion to. In his book, Weinberg also discussed acceptance of others and working toward self-acceptance. In 1973, the board of directors for the American Psychiatric Association voted to remove homosexuality from the DSM (Herek, 2004). In 1987, the DSM underwent major revisions. Those working with or near the DSM-3 realized that the placement of homosexuality as a mental disorder had more to do with social politics than scientific evidence. Slowly, changes were made to the book until the DSM-5 publication in 2013 ultimately contained no category that was connected to sexual orientation.

Further Insights

Increases in Homophobia

The 1960s brought about a social awakening that benefited a number of marginalized groups, or at least brought them widespread attention. LGBTQ+ activists were more visible with their fights for equality and their voices were more widely heard. The Stonewall Riots, also known as the Stonewall Uprising, are considered the key event in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and the elimination of homophobia. On June 28, 1969, after New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, bar patrons and local residents began a six-day protest outside the club and around the city. The Stonewall Inn is a gay club in Greenwich Village, New York City. The riots were an impetus for many gay-rights activists to rally worldwide as the community fought for equality and acceptance.

The LGBTQ+ community faced another setback that began in the 1980s and continued solidly into the 1990s. On June 5, 1981, The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published an article about a rare lung infection found in five young and previously healthy gay men. HIV and AIDS quickly became known as the “gay plague” because of the high rates of transmission between gay men. HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, while AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. However, it was not only gay men who were capable of transmitting the disease. Transmission through heterosexual sex, intravenous drug use and blood transfusions were also possible. Almost immediately after the initial publication, fear and anti-gay bias erupted. Violence against the gay community increased due to “hatred based on fear and self-righteousness rather than to the (actual) AIDS epidemic” (Goleman, 1990).

The Westboro Baptist Church has also become a major contributor of homophobic rhetoric. The church was founded by Pastor Fred Phelps in 1955, and is based out of Topeka, Kansas. Although its focus has largely been protesting against the LGBTQ+ community, it also speaks out against Jews, Muslims, and those Christians they identify as not being “Christian enough.” The group has been protesting and spreading its homophobic rhetoric publicly since the 1980s. The Southern Poverty Law Center placed the Westboro Baptist Church on its list of hate groups because of its homophobic messages and behaviors. In the 2000s, church members picketed the funerals of dead soldiers, arguing that their deaths were punishment for the behaviors of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as society’s acceptance of non-heterosexual lifestyles.

Homophobia was initially defined as “the dread of being in close quarters with homosexuals, and in the case of homosexuals themselves, self-loathing” (Herek, 2004). That definition aligns with classic definitions as to what a phobia is. However, the actions that have frequently served as examples of homophobia are more violent and are less indicative of a fear and more of a hatred. Those who oppose the overuse or misuse of the word homophobia argue that it is not a true phobia in the colloquial sense of the word because of the extreme actions taken by many who claim to be homophobic. Common examples of homophobia may include saying something like, “That’s so gay,” or assuming that someone is in a heterosexual relationship (Queen Mary University of London, n.d.). Homophobia may also be too broad of a term. Some scholars argue it is important to examine the nuances in homophobic rhetoric to fully understand where the fear, if any, lies. For example, it may be more accurate to say someone is transphobic (an aversion to transgender people) or biphobic (an aversion to bisexual people) (Queen Mary University of London, n.d.).

Comments and behaviors that are homophobic, biphobic, etc., further stigmatize already marginalized groups of people. Although LGBTQ+ members may enjoy more rights in the twenty-first century than they did in the 1970s, the path to equality remains difficult. Homophobia potentially prohibits heterosexual individuals’ abilities to form close relationships with people who are LGBTQ+ out of fear of being perceived as part of that group. It also forces people to conform to narrow social constructs as to what it means to be a man or women or feminine or masculine. Finally, homophobia may prevent some members of the LGBTQ+ communities from being their authentic selves, choosing instead to put on a façade instead of being who they truly are (Blumenfeld, 1992). Planned Parenthood (2023) suggested a number of resources for those facing homophobia. These include Q Chat Space, which is facilitated by staff and volunteers from LGBTQ+ youth centers across the United States; the Human Rights Campaign; Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG); and The Trevor Project, which provides trained counselors and offers 24/7 information and support to LGBTQ+ young people.

Issues

Some advocates and scholars argue that homophobia and heterosexism may be used interchangeably. Others state the two are similar terms, but still unique. Homophobia may be defined simply as a personal dislike or hatred of LGBTQ+ people, whereas heterosexism looks at things on a larger scale. Heterosexism conforms to stereotypes and refers to a society where heterosexual individuals represent the dominant sexuality group. Although homophobia can exist on a broader level, heterosexism looks only toward the broader, or systemic level. This is because in a heterosexist society, heterosexual people are prioritized above all others (Resnick, 2023). Heterosexism is the result of heteronormativity. Heteronormativity sees heterosexuality as what is right or what is the norm. It is the standard “default” by which others follow. For example, the heteronormative way of describing a marriage would be between a man and a woman.

Homophobia is also a sort of umbrella term. Underneath homophobia, there may be more specific phobias that individuals have. For example, if someone is transphobic, they have a specific dislike or hatred toward transgender individuals. It is possible that someone could be transphobic but not homophobic. It is also possible for someone who is gay, lesbian, pansexual, or another sexual orientation to be transphobic, but not homophobic. Similar to homophobia’s dependence on heteronormativity, transphobia depends on cisnormativity to survive. A cisgender person is someone whose gender identity conforms to the sex that they were assigned at birth. Transphobia has received more attention in the twenty-first century, as transgender individuals are being recognized and acknowledged more often than in the past. People are also becoming more educated about transgender people and the unique problems they face. Discussion surrounding transphobia has also become more prevalent as the number of violent acts against transgender people grows. According to the Human Rights Campaign, at least thirty-two transgender and gender-expansive individuals were killed in 2024. That number is likely higher; however, some deaths go unreported by the victims’ families. Advocates also point out that the denial of gender-affirming health care can have detrimental effects on the mental and physical health of transgender people.

Bibliography

Blumenfeld, W. J. (1992). Heterosexism & Homophobia: How Homophobia Hurts Us All. Case Western Reserve University. case.edu/lgbt/safe-zone/heterosexism-homophobia

Blumenfeld, W.J. (2021). A Quick Summary on the History of Homophobia in the West. Out News. outleadership.com/news/a-quick-summary-on-the-history-of-homophobia-in-the-west/

Goleman, D. (1990, July 10). Homophobia: Scientists Find Clues To Its Roots. The New York Times. www.nytimes.com/1990/07/10/science/homophobia-scientists-find-clues-to-its-roots.html

Herek, G.M. (April 2004). Beyond ‘Homophobia’: Thinking About Sexual Prejudice and Stigma in the Twenty-First Century. Sexuality Research & Social Policy, 1, 6–24. doi.org/10.1525/srsp.2004.1.2.6

Human Rights Campaign. (2024). Fatal Violence Against the Transgender and Gender-Expansive Community in 2024. www.hrc.org/resources/fatal-violence-against-the-transgender-and-gender-expansive-community-in-2024

Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2023). Phobias. www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/phobias

Jukes, K. (2016, May 17). A Brief History of Homophobia. Each Other. eachother.org.uk/short-history-homophobia/

Mental Health America. (2023). Phobias. mhanational.org/conditions/phobias.

Planned Parenthood. (2023). What is Homophobia? www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sexual-orientation/sexual-orientation/what-homophobia

Queen Mary University of London. (n.d.) What is Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia and Acephobia? reportandsupport.qmul.ac.uk/support/what-is-homophobia-transphobia-biphobia-and-acephobia

Resnick, A. (2023, May 4). The Harms of Homophobia. Very Well Mind. www.verywellmind.com/what-is-homophobia-5077409

United Nations Population. (2023, May 17). International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. www.unfpa.org/events/international-day-against-homophobia-transphobia-and-biphobia