homophobia
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. Prejudice, fear, or hatred directed towards homosexual people or homosexuality: An irrational aversion to, or discrimination against, individuals who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual, or towards same-sex attraction and relationships in general.
Usage
- The term is used to describe a range of negative attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors, from personal discomfort and derogatory language to systemic discrimination and violence.
- It is a sociological and psychological concept used in academic, activist, and everyday contexts to identify and critique anti-LGBTQ+ bias.
Examples
- Noun:
- The company's new policy aims to combat homophobia in the workplace.
- His comments were widely criticized as stemming from deep-seated homophobia.
- Education is a key tool in reducing societal homophobia.
Advanced Usage
- Institutional/Structural Homophobia: Refers to policies, laws, and practices within institutions (like governments, religions, or corporations) that systematically discriminate against homosexual people.
- The country's ban on same-sex marriage is an example of institutional homophobia.
- Internalized Homophobia: When a person who is homosexual unconsciously absorbs and accepts negative societal attitudes about homosexuality, leading to self-hatred or denial.
- Therapy helped him address his feelings of internalized homophobia.
Variants and Related Words
- Homophobic (adjective): Characterized by or showing homophobia.
- Homophobic rhetoric has no place in public discourse.
- Homophobe (noun): A person who harbors or exhibits homophobia.
Synonyms
- Anti-gay bias
- Heterosexism (specifically denotes the assumption that heterosexuality is the norm or superior)
Related Phrases and Concepts
- LGBTQ+ phobia: A broader term encompassing prejudice against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual/gender minorities.
- Hate speech/crime: Homophobia can be a motivating factor behind hate speech or criminal acts targeting individuals because of their sexual orientation.
Noun
- prejudice against (fear or dislike of) homosexual people and homosexuality