Streen's definitions

homophobia

Supposedly meaning 'fear of homosexuality,' homophobia's colloquial and rhetorical effect is often closer to that of 'disagreement with homosexuality.' According to its chief proponents, these two meanings are nearly synonymous, while those labeled as such claim that it is a misnomer intended to libel or slander those in disagreement with a particular lifestyle.

1. Homophobic person: If someone gay touches me, I'll kill them.

2. 'Homophobic' person: If someone gay talks to me, I'll discuss with them at length why I think their lifestyle is a moral/societal/civil mistake.

by Streen September 13, 2005