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Pastimes : THE SLIGHTLY MODERATED BOXING RING
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To: Rambi who wrote (10616)4/24/2002 8:17:44 PM
From: TimF  Read Replies (5) of 21057
 
I believe you are right about the dictionary definition of the word homophobia (for those dictionaries that actually define the word, I suppose more and more will start doing that), dictionaries follow usage and many people use the word that way. I just think its a sloppy construction of the word. Normally words with the word phobia in them mean a strong irrational even self damaging fear of something. I imagine that there are people who actually have such a fear of homosexuals and homophobia would be the perfect word to describe them. But instead the word is often used to describe people who any dislike of homosexual activity or any feeling that such activity is somehow immoral or disgusting, and also to describe people who have an actual phobia or homosexuality or homosexuals, and also to describe people who hate or even attack homosexuals. This imprecision can lead to confusion about what one means when he uses the term homophobe or homophobia. I think the lack of precision is deliberately used by those who seek to bash people who find homosexuality immoral or even just unappealing, with the implication that they have an active hatred or fear of homosexuals and might seek to commit violence against homosexuals. In fact I think the word was deliberately constructed for this purpose, or at least the current use of it was pushed for this purpose.

Tim
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