Homophobes - who is this? The meaning of the word "homophobe"

Exact sciences are developing more and more every year , and others are being improved along with them. Psychologists almost every day introduce new terms into the usage of man.
Especially many words have the ending "phobia". A phobia is a fear or a fear, an aversion or dislike for something. It turns out that people are afraid not only of height or darkness, but also of things that it seems illogical to be afraid of. For example, someone sincerely scared the number 13, people of other races or representatives of non-traditional orientation. A very popular question: "Homophobes - who is this?" What kind of people are they, what are they afraid of, avoid or do not welcome?

Etymology and semantics of the term

What does "homophobe" mean? It should be noted that this word is of Greek origin and means literally the following: "homo" is the same, and "fob" (Phobos) is a fear of something. Consequently, people who suffer from this "disease" show a negative reaction to any homosexual manifestations, it is not important in what manner.

To give a single-word designation to this phenomenon was the psychologist from America Georges Weinberg in the 70s in his book. Since then, this term is actively used by scientists of various fields of activity and scientific institutions in various documentation and literature.

Regardless of what the true meaning of the word "homophobic" is, most often it is used to identify people who experience negative emotions towards members of a non-traditional orientation.

Homophobia: who's afraid of whom?

Despite the fact that the component part of the word "Phobos", that is, fear, in fact the situation is different. Homophobes are not at all afraid of gays and lesbians, but quite the contrary. People who prefer same-sex contacts are genuinely worried about their safety and health, which can damage especially fierce homophobes. Dislike and negative attitude is the calmest attitude of people who do not accept homosexuality. But often open gays and lesbians can not take to work, deny social benefits, insult, beat and even kill. Perhaps it would be more correct to call homophobes "heterophiles", that is, people who accept exclusively traditional relations between a man and a woman.

The boundary between rejection and homophobia

In fact, it is not easy or even impossible to draw a clear distinction between the quiet rejection of homosexuals and open homophobia. These states can flow into each other, can take some form or not at all.

It is believed that heterosexual persons are not entirely happy with homosexual relationships. Kissing girls, embracing guys - "normal" society does not accept this relationship, as same-sex love does not give offspring. It is reproduction that is one of the basic instincts that drives mankind forward along the path of development to the future. Once homosexual contacts do not allow you to conceive and give birth to a child, it means "wrong relationship".

Psychological aspects of homophobia

A well-known fact: some people calmly refer to the fact that people of the same sex can experience attraction to each other, while others fiercely prove the impossibility of this. Why so, and what is the catch? The question arises: "Homophobes - who is this? Are not people disguised as" normal "heterosexuals with secret desires?"

There is a very interesting version - the more active and violent the homophobe behaves, the more it wants to distract oneself from attention and seem "normal". As Sigmund Freud once wrote, every man is a latent homosexual. Perhaps this is what motivates us to behave militantly and aggressively towards open unisex love.

Internally homophobic

One can not fail to mention another kind of homophobia, which is called internal. Until now, it has not been established why men or women become adherents of same-sex relationships. You can blame childhood trauma, sexual abuse, the influence of fashion. Nevertheless, millions of gays and lesbians interviewed admit that they had a perfectly normal childhood with loving parents and traditional entertainments. Why is there "a failure in the program", and people are beginning to attract representatives of the same sex with him? This is a great mystery.

Given the general hype to the topic of homosexuality, many of the homosexuals feel disgust for same-sex love. This is a very complex topic in psychology, of which, of course, public opinion is the cause. It is it that often forms relations with us for one or another phenomenon, and therefore one of them is internal homophobia. Gay or lesbian does not admit to himself or the world in desires, but actively promotes normal heterosexual relationships. Such an atypical homophobe is very unhappy, since happiness is determined by the person's ability to be who he is. These people constantly feel remorse, underestimate their self-esteem, and also live in fear of exposure.

Stereotypes in the cultural perception of homophobia

It so happened historically that there are regions related to homosexuals more loyal and tolerant. And there are countries that do not accept open manifestations of same-sex contacts even in this progressive time. To understand how things are in the modern world with homophobia, think about where legalized same-sex marriages, and where they can still mock and mock at the feminine men.

It is believed that Western and European countries are very tolerant of homosexuality. Gays, lesbians, transvestites and bisexuals are not afraid or hiding, but on the contrary, they conduct gay pride parades and legalize their relations at the state level.

The Slavs, to this day, are recognized as the world's biggest enemies of homosexuality. There is even such a thing - "Russian homophobes", that is, people referring to same-sex contacts are most aggressively and maliciously. This is not accidental - our history at all times has condemned "sodomy", and in tsarist times for homosexuality was put on the stake.

At the same time, it is documented that in ancient Greece and Rome courageous soldiers did not hesitate to show sympathy for their colleagues in the craft, and this in no way affected the attitude of society towards them. Many famous writers, musicians and artists openly confessed their bisexual or homosexual inclinations, and to date open gays and lesbians are super popular designers and fashion designers, directors, anchors and performers.

Homophobia in the World

Despite attempts to establish the most tolerant attitude towards homosexuals in the world, adherents of same-sex relationships are constantly being attacked.

For example, 9 out of 10 gay Americans openly say that they heard insults in their address, and a third admits that they experienced physical violence from homophobes. Statistics also confirms that even at school age children can hear up to 30 homophobic utterances a day - from peers, teachers and adults.

It is very difficult for homosexuals to live in Muslim countries, where for open gays and lesbians there is a real hunting and harassment. In the course of bullying, people of non-traditional orientation not only hear insults and threats, but can be brutally beaten and even killed. Examples of such countries can serve Iraq and Iran.

In Israel, things are no better. Very well known to the world community was the case, which occurred in 2005 at the gay parade. Then on the streets of the city held another rally - a parade of opponents of non-traditional orientation. They carried banners saying that homosexuality is a disease, and they threw gay pride supporters into containers with feces and urine.

It turns out that homophobes are not too harmless. Who are these - not assassins and savages ready to rend the dissidents?

Homosexuality and homophobia on television

Since TVs have become our constant companions, best friends and news providers, public opinion is formed through shows, TV shows and commercials. Perhaps, it is thanks to television that "normal" people around the world realized that there are so many homosexuals that it is better to accept them than reject them. In addition, many popular idols do not hide their orientation and are proving to be homosexual. But opponents of same-sex love, open and hidden homophobes, no less than supporters, and maybe even more. Books, films, songs condemn the attraction to members of their gender, promoting healthy relationships and the continuation of the family. In this case, homophobes - who is it? Are not they people fighting for the continuation of the human race on Earth?

Endless struggle

Confrontation between different countries, cultures, religions will last forever. People sometimes lack a simple human understanding in order to decide for themselves - everyone in this world has the right to their opinion, their views and their choice. Whatever it is, homosexuality is just one more difference between people.

And there is no need to philosophize, whether it is an illness, a psychological deviation or a feature bestowed from above. Awareness is the best way out in this situation. Live, be happy, and do not bother to be happy with other people, whoever they are. Or joyfully pierce the flag of homophobes in the defeated "enemies", exclaiming that you are fighting for the purity of the race or nation. But this struggle is no better than Hitler's war against the Jews, the same senseless and bloody.