Homophobia

The term "homophobia" is constructed from Greek ?????? (homos), same and ????? (fobos), fear. It has two meanings. The less common or literal meaning is "fear of the same". It is, however, almost exclusively used in the alternate sense of an intense aversion to, or disapproval of, homosexuals and/or homosexuality, bordering on the irrational.

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In terms of public use, the terms homophobic and homophobia are mostly present in either criticism of certain aspects of society, either by offended homosexual individuals or supporters of their rights, or in discussion as to the general public perception of homosexuality. The terms have also come to be applied to Transgender issues and other occasions of gender-play.

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As to the validity of the term, it is sometimes argued that the term suggests an irrational, instinctual fear, as other phobias would, which they feel mischaracterizes "homophobes"' opposition to homosexuality in that it is often based on religious beliefs and/or reasoning as to the nature of sexual relationships. Gay-rights supporters, on the other hand, argue that homophobia is in and of itself unfounded in intellectual terms and as such, the connotations of the term as that of sheer prejudice and unjustified aversion are valid.

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Some argue that homophobia itself stems from a clinical condition, suggesting that the term should be taken literally as a medical definition of ill aversion to homosexuals, for the state of individuals and their associated interactions with society. The scientific community is unsupportive as to this notion, though some still speculate on evolutionary reasons for homophobia in today's society http://uk.gay.com/headlines/8588.

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