HOMOPHOBIC

Definition of HOMOPHOBIC

HOMOPHOBIC Adjective

Homophobic is an adjective that describes attitudes, behaviors, or actions that demonstrate prejudice, discrimination, or hostility towards individuals who are homosexual or towards homosexuality as a concept.

Prejudice and Discrimination: Being homophobic involves harboring negative attitudes or biases against people who identify as homosexual or who engage in same-sex relationships. It may manifest in various forms, including verbal abuse, social exclusion, or denial of rights and opportunities.

Hostility and Animosity: Homophobic attitudes often manifest as hostility or animosity towards individuals based on their sexual orientation. This can lead to verbal or physical attacks, harassment, or hate crimes targeting individuals perceived as homosexual.

Fear and Misunderstanding: Homophobia may stem from fear, ignorance, or misunderstanding of homosexuality and LGBTQ+ identities. People who are homophobic may have deep-seated beliefs or cultural influences that contribute to their negative perceptions of same-sex relationships.

Social and Legal Implications: Homophobic attitudes can have significant social and legal implications, contributing to discrimination, stigmatization, and marginalization of LGBTQ+ individuals. Such attitudes may also influence public policies, laws, or institutional practices that restrict the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ communities.

In summary, homophobic describes attitudes, behaviors, or actions characterized by prejudice, discrimination, or hostility towards homosexuality or individuals who identify as homosexual. It reflects negative perceptions and biases that can have harmful effects on LGBTQ+ individuals and communities, leading to social, legal, and psychological challenges.

Examples of HOMOPHOBIC in a sentence

  • His homophobic comments were met with condemnation from the public.
  • The school has a zero-tolerance policy for homophobic behavior.
  • She spoke out against homophobic discrimination in the workplace.
  • The movie sheds light on the harmful effects of homophobic attitudes.
  • The community rallied together to support LGBTQ+ individuals in the face of homophobic violence.
  • The company’s homophobic policies were met with boycotts and protests.
  • The comedian’s jokes were criticized for perpetuating homophobic stereotypes.
  • The government passed legislation to address homophobic hate crimes.

Origin of HOMOPHOBIC

The term homophobic has its linguistic roots in Greek and English, offering insights into its etymological origins.

  • Greek Influence: “Homophobic” combines the Greek prefix “homo-,” meaning “same,” with the English suffix “-phobic,” derived from the Greek word “phobos,” meaning “fear.” In Greek, “homophobic” would translate to “fear of the same.”
  • Development in English: The term “homophobic” emerged in English during the mid-20th century to describe individuals who harbor fear, prejudice, or hatred towards homosexual individuals or same-sex relationships. It denotes a deep-seated aversion or hostility towards homosexuality.
  • Semantic Evolution: Initially coined to describe fear or prejudice towards homosexuality, the term “homophobic” has evolved to encompass broader concepts such as discrimination, intolerance, and bigotry based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

The term homophobic thus reflects its etymological roots in Greek and English, emphasizing the fear or aversion towards homosexuality or same-sex relationships.

Synonyms

  • Anti-gay
  • Homophobic
  • LGBTQ+-phobic
  • Queerphobic
  • Same-sex-averse
  • Gay-hating
  • Homosexuality-repelling
  • LGBT-hostile

Antonyms

  • LGBTQ+-friendly
  • Accepting
  • Inclusive
  • Open-minded
  • Supportive
  • Affirming
  • Progressive
  • Tolerant

Related

  • Discrimination
  • Prejudice
  • Hate speech
  • Bigotry
  • Intolerance
  • Stigma
  • Bullying
  • Marginalization

🌐 🇬🇧 HOMOPHOBIC in other languages

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