homophobia

Homophobia, homonegativity. These are attitudes of discomfort, fear or hostility towards romantic or sexual relationships between people of the same gender, and towards the people who want these relationships. These attitudes are encouraged by power structures in society called heterosexism. We can criticize the word homophobia because it gives the impression the problem is only with the homophobic person, but it’s the result of these social structures; many people prefer the term homonegativity for this reason. When a bi+ person or a gay person believes in some of these attitudes about themselves or other gay or bi+ people, it’s internalized homonegativity (homophobia).