What exactly is "homophobia"?

Brandon Rivera2 said:I mean, I'm definitely not gonna go looking the other way just because of some random idiots...

But why? They might be bothering you. 🤷 Personally, if something bothers my sense of aesthetics (for instance, a soap brand like "Sun Valley"), I simply choose not to look at it.

placidwolf27 said:...is something actually going to happen?

Are you trying to suggest that homosexuality is contagious?

By that logic, what about bisexuality—does that travel through the airwaves too?

But seriously, does anything actually change?
Will some poor, innocent soul succumb against their will to whatever "evil forces" they're exposed to, or will someone perfectly innocent just suddenly become gay?

So, you're saying people who hang out with gay or lesbian folks start imitating them spontaneously—like monkeys, as you put it—as if humans possess some sort of magical power to hypnotize us poor heterosexuals...

Have you personally experienced this, or are you just theorizing that the monkey really does mimic the monkey?

Even if we accept your premise, it doesn't explain what your specific issue is—say, with lesbians, for example?
It seems obvious you haven't actually known anyone who isn't heterosexual (though you likely have, and they just kept it under wraps, which is only natural)

And how is it that all gay people don't simply turn heterosexual, given that we are surrounded by an endless supply of hetero material? One might think the influence works both ways, but clearly it doesn't... I suppose they must be immune.

Well, you don't have to look at anyone if you don't want to; nobody is forcing you. You could always just stare at the ground

or up at the sky...

The point was completely missed. I said more people are becoming tolerant or acting indifferent toward homosexuality because they mimic what they see—watching perversions and becoming perverse themselves. But not everyone becomes gay; it depends on the inclination a person already has. It’s like how not everyone with a genetic predisposition becomes gay (for example, there aren't any among Orthodox Jews).

That still doesn't explain what your actual problem is. Like, specifically with lesbians?
It's just obvious you don't know anyone who isn't heterosexual (though you probably do, maybe you just don't realize they're gay since people usually hide it).

And if it works that way, why don't all gay people become straight when we're surrounded by so much straight material? You'd think it worked both ways, but clearly it doesn't; I guess they're resistant.

I've already laid out my views in detail in previous posts, so I won't repeat myself. And yes, I am quite familiar with the homosexual population, for private reasons.

Brandon Rivera2 said:Look, I'm really not in any position to be calling the shots on what happens with the LGBTQ+ community...

I guess I'm wondering what your actual motivation is for bringing this up—is it just curiosity about whether one can be considered homophobic if they oppose certain legal rights while personally having nothing against individuals? Is that the core of it? I suppose you might think it's possible to hold negative political stances regarding the LGBTQ+ community without actually being homophobic toward people personally... if that makes sense. Do you truly believe political positions can be entirely decoupled from homophobia? And by that, I don't mean some irrational psychological phobia, but rather more of a social bias or, perhaps, just a collection of ingrained prejudices.

Ryan Wood98 said:But why? They might be bothering you. 🤷 Personally, if something bothers my sense of aesthetics (for instance, a soap brand like "Sun Valley"), I simply choose not to look at it.

But honestly, they just ruin my view. I can't even focus on the horizon when they're there...

Edward Wilson82 said:Man, you really love twisting arguments.

Being gay and watching porn aren't the same thing.

One is an orientation—it's how you're wired. The other is just an action.

And you certainly have a way of twisting arguments; homosexuality isn't a disorder. It hasn't been considered one for quite some time.

Brandon Rivera2 said:I mean, nobody really wants to see someone out in the middle of a plaza stuffing their face with greasy burgers and onions or dropping pizza crusts everywhere...

Brandon Rivera2 said:But honestly, they just ruin my view. I can't even focus on the horizon when they're there...

Ugh, what a troll. 🤦

I honestly thought we were discussing this as a theoretical matter.

And yeah, I suppose what you're doing is pretty rude. It would probably be much better if you moved over to the Offtopic section or something similar—you know, where you can go ahead and invent problems or "contemplate" abstract concepts.

Brandon Rivera2 said:But honestly, they just ruin my view. I can't even focus on the horizon when they're there...

Well, I suppose there are plenty of unpleasant people out there who ruin my view too, but I can't exactly demand they stay home.🙄

Lisa Hernandez3 said:I guess I'm wondering what your actual motivation is for bringing this up—is it just curiosity about whether one can be considered homophobic if they oppose certain legal rights while personally having nothing against individuals? Is that the core of it? I suppose you might think it's possible to hold negative political stances regarding the LGBTQ+ community without actually being homophobic toward people personally... if that makes sense. Do you truly believe political positions can be entirely decoupled from homophobia? And by that, I don't mean some irrational psychological phobia, but rather more of a social bias or, perhaps, just a collection of ingrained prejudices.

Why wouldn't I? It's not like I hang out with any gay guys. Honestly, whether it's "natural" or "innate" doesn't really matter to me. If there was a national referendum on their rights, I'd vote no. Other than that, they don't bother me at all...

Brandon Rivera2 said:But honestly, they just ruin my view. I can't even focus on the horizon when they're there...

Good grief, how many skyscrapers are supposed to ruin your horizon before you've had enough? What exactly are you suggesting here—that I start stockpiling sticks of dynamite just to clear the skyline?

nimblegardener7 said:The point was completely missed. I said more people are becoming tolerant or acting indifferent toward homosexuality because they mimic what they see—watching perversions and becoming perverse themselves. But not everyone becomes gay; it depends on the inclination a person already has. It’s like how not everyone with a genetic predisposition becomes gay (for example, there aren't any among Orthodox Jews).

That still doesn't explain what your actual problem is. Like, specifically with lesbians?
It's just obvious you don't know anyone who isn't heterosexual (though you probably do, maybe you just don't realize they're gay since people usually hide it).

And if it works that way, why don't all gay people become straight when we're surrounded by so much straight material? You'd think it worked both ways, but clearly it doesn't; I guess they're resistant.

I've already laid out my views in detail in previous posts, so I won't repeat myself. And yes, I am quite familiar with the homosexual population, for private reasons.

Oh yeah, you obviously know the global gay scene better than anyone else on this planet.

I guess there aren't any homosexuals in conservative Iran, or Uganda, or anywhere in conservative Africa or the Middle East either...

So why on earth are those people being executed in Iran? Is it just out of boredom? I suppose there are no gays in conservative Iran—where, by the way, abusing a ten-year-old girl is considered perfectly normal—they only exist in the "immoral" West, right?

Brandon Rivera2 said:Why wouldn't I? It's not like I hang out with any gay guys. Honestly, whether it's "natural" or "innate" doesn't really matter to me. If there was a national referendum on their rights, I'd vote no. Other than that, they don't bother me at all...

In that case, I'm not quite sure why you're even bothering to ask what homophobia is or whether you personally fit the description. You can think whatever you like—there's really no need to waste everyone's time here on the forum. Especially when it seems like the whole topic is just being used as a way to stir the pot and push views that don't actually relate to the question you originally asked in your first post.

Everyone acts like they’re all about being tolerant and stuff, but honestly, if they saw someone eating a massive, messy burger with extra onions right next to them in a crowded place, they’d change their tune pretty fast...

nimblegardener7 said:The point was completely missed. I said more people are becoming tolerant or acting indifferent toward homosexuality because they mimic what they see—watching perversions and becoming perverse themselves. But not everyone becomes gay; it depends on the inclination a person already has. It’s like how not everyone with a genetic predisposition becomes gay (for example, there aren't any among Orthodox Jews).

That still doesn't explain what your actual problem is. Like, specifically with lesbians?
It's just obvious you don't know anyone who isn't heterosexual (though you probably do, maybe you just don't realize they're gay since people usually hide it).

And if it works that way, why don't all gay people become straight when we're surrounded by so much straight material? You'd think it worked both ways, but clearly it doesn't; I guess they're resistant.

I've already laid out my views in detail in previous posts, so I won't repeat myself. And yes, I am quite familiar with the homosexual population, for private reasons.

Oh, sure—and there aren't any among the monks or priests either, since they're all celibate, right?

isn't that just how it works?

You certainly have a... unique way of interpreting human sexuality...

Do you actually realize that sexual orientation isn't determined by an individual's outward behavior?

Lisa Hernandez3 said:In that case, I'm not quite sure why you're even bothering to ask what homophobia is or whether you personally fit the description. You can think whatever you like—there's really no need to waste everyone's time here on the forum. Especially when it seems like the whole topic is just being used as a way to stir the pot and push views that don't actually relate to the question you originally asked in your first post.

Everyone else seems happy to chime in, though. But after scrolling through a few pages now, it looks like nobody has actually given a straight answer on what specific traits make someone homophobic...

Brandon Rivera2 said:Everyone acts like they’re all about being tolerant and stuff, but honestly, if they saw someone eating a massive, messy burger with extra onions right next to them in a crowded place, they’d change their tune pretty fast...

What are we even talking about now? Are you seriously comparing people eating kebabs in public to LGBTQ+ individuals being visible in public? If that's the case, maybe you should move this over to the Foodie forum instead of lingering here in Psychology.

nimblegardener7 said:The point was completely missed. I said more people are becoming tolerant or acting indifferent toward homosexuality because they mimic what they see—watching perversions and becoming perverse themselves. But not everyone becomes gay; it depends on the inclination a person already has. It’s like how not everyone with a genetic predisposition becomes gay (for example, there aren't any among Orthodox Jews).

That still doesn't explain what your actual problem is. Like, specifically with lesbians?
It's just obvious you don't know anyone who isn't heterosexual (though you probably do, maybe you just don't realize they're gay since people usually hide it).

And if it works that way, why don't all gay people become straight when we're surrounded by so much straight material? You'd think it worked both ways, but clearly it doesn't; I guess they're resistant.

I've already laid out my views in detail in previous posts, so I won't repeat myself. And yes, I am quite familiar with the homosexual population, for private reasons.

Having had homosexual experiences isn't a bad thing, and I suppose you shouldn't feel any guilt because of it. If people are trying to convince you that this makes you a worse person, then I think they are simply wrong. 😉

Lisa Hernandez3 said:What are we even talking about now? Are you seriously comparing people eating kebabs in public to LGBTQ+ individuals being visible in public? If that's the case, maybe you should move this over to the Foodie forum instead of lingering here in Psychology.

Look, the whole point is that being in public means following certain social norms, whether we're talking about messy food or sexual orientation...

Brandon Rivera2 said:—And if you’re referring to the Catholic Church, let's be honest, it's already crawling with homosexuals anyway...

Wait, so what happened to Orthodox Jews? Are they just exempt from being homosexuals?

nimblegardener7 said:The point was completely missed. I said more people are becoming tolerant or acting indifferent toward homosexuality because they mimic what they see—watching perversions and becoming perverse themselves. But not everyone becomes gay; it depends on the inclination a person already has. It’s like how not everyone with a genetic predisposition becomes gay (for example, there aren't any among Orthodox Jews).

That still doesn't explain what your actual problem is. Like, specifically with lesbians?
It's just obvious you don't know anyone who isn't heterosexual (though you probably do, maybe you just don't realize they're gay since people usually hide it).

And if it works that way, why don't all gay people become straight when we're surrounded by so much straight material? You'd think it worked both ways, but clearly it doesn't; I guess they're resistant.

I've already laid out my views in detail in previous posts, so I won't repeat myself. And yes, I am quite familiar with the homosexual population, for private reasons.

Then why are Catholics included?

How does that even work?

What exactly are they doing wrong? Are they... perverse? These Catholics?

It’s a relief we finally made it to psychology class

Brandon Rivera2 said:Everyone else seems happy to chime in, though. But after scrolling through a few pages now, it looks like nobody has actually given a straight answer on what specific traits make someone homophobic...

Brandon Rivera2 said:Look, the whole point is that being in public means following certain social norms, whether we're talking about messy food or sexual orientation...

Yeah, we're all participating voluntarily, I suppose. And we have provided answers to your questions.

Could you perhaps explain how your take on public spaces and "appropriate behavior" relates at all to "what is homophobia," which—if I may call you a massive troll—is what you actually set as the topic in your opening post and thread title?