[Ibby]

Originally Posted by Hyoi

Ib, you might want to read this link......http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/rainbo...prej_defn.html

The article describes a heterosexual's open dislike and or beratement of homosexuality as not at all a phobia, an irrational fear, but a prejudice. It can brought out by such as a homosexual indicating that a heterosexual is "cute" (or vice versa). I personally could care less what your sexual orientation is, but you might feel a bit uncomfortable, or even offended, if I, a known heterosexual, called you "cute". You might interpret this as "queer" or "light in the loafers", id est, a put down. Obviously, you don't need me to tell you that you have every right to express your opinions in the manner you see fit, but you should realize that more often than not, a negative reaction is a retort, a return put down to a percieved put down. It's just something to think about.

All that truly counts is that you're an intelligent, talented individual. Period.

Homophobia is simply the accepted, much-used term for any kind of anti-gay or anti-queer prejudice, whether it's really a technical 'phobia' or not.