insecurity about being heterosexual. or the state of being involved with the bush administration.

The absurd fear the five queers will break into your home and re-decorate it against your will.

NOT fear of the same (yeh yeh, I know, but lets not argue literal translations of the word).

NOR is it disaproving with flagrant homosexuality or gay pride or toilet sex or whatever (though non of the above would have cause to exist were it NOT for homophobia!).

Homophobia is a rabid fear in men of male homosexuality, and/or the possibility of being treated like one through association, to the point of unprovoked sometimes violent outbursts, vocally or physically, against gay men.

It's existence can be directly connected to the attitude of the immediate environment and local laws.

1. In straight men, it normally has very little to do with fear of any actual gay sex act or gay men, rather it's the fear that, for whatever reason (his job, his peers, police attitude, the religious extremists in his area...) any association with or acceptance of anything 'gay' could mean people might think HE is gay, and he therefore would lose the respect of his peers and maybe even ruin his life (or in extreme cases, END his life!) via the open prejudice he see's enacted against gay men around him.
So he 'acts out' to assure people that he is definitely NOT gay nor would he condone it!

2. With gay (or bi) men its when a 'straight acting' gay is trying to keep the respect of his straight peers and, again, doesn't want to get the prejudice and disrespect he see's enacted towards more obvious or 'out' gay men around him.

He's often deeply in the closet, at least with his straight friends, and very vocal about his dislike of queers and how very straight he is, even when unprompted! He may even have a girlfrend or wife or even go gay bashing, and it's these sorts of guys that keep alive illicit homosex in toilets and sauna's and such, as they need to keep hidden.

You don't get so much of it in more liberal inclusive societies where it isn't considered socially unpalatable or dangerous to be gay, or with guys who are totally assured in their heterosexuality, as the fear of being perceived as gay is no longer present.

On a personal note, how come all gay prejudice, anti gay laws and religious dogma is only ever directed at gay MEN when all arguments for it's justification should apply to either sex!? That in itself shows homophobia! Maybe if The Pope just lost the frocks...

When someone hates and/or is afraid of gay people. A term that is true and has real meaning, but is also often used incorrectly so the accuser can use it to their advantage, bitch and whine when someone dislikes them, or because they're really ignorant and stupid.

A word developed for the purpose of deflecting people's dislike and/or disapproval of homosexual behavior and/or practice. It is merely an attempt to overshadow any rational and respectable arguments against homosexuality.

Well let's face it , buttsex is frightening. O_o

The irrational fear that gay people will invade and rearrange your furniture against your will.