but I don't understand why homophobia and Islamophobia shouldn't be used simply because they aren't "phobias" in the traditional sense; language changes and words are created, and since we already have these two concise words that are used frequently to describe two types of prejudiced thinking, it doesn't make much sense to just stop using them because of a little technical thing like this. The words are already in our vocabularies, you know?
although I would argue that people who hate Muslims and people who hate queer people are often doing it because of an irrational fear (ex: they think all Muslims are terrorists, they think gay marriage will ~destroy American society~)
well, actually, I guess I see why those words could be problematic, because "phobia" tends to imply an involuntary fear, so perhaps calling someone's hatred for other people a "phobia" could imply that they are not responsible for their prejudices. I'm kind of all over the place with this comment, I apologize.
It seems to me that when people discuss homophobia, they aren't really discussing fear so much as they are discussing a strong dislike of gay people. Personally, I don't have any issues with the term 'homophobia' and most of the objections I have personally seen to it have come from anti-gay people. "I'm not homophobic! I'm not afraid of gay people! I think it is wrong because blahblahblah"
I am a queer woman and I personally wish there was another term. I think implying that homophobes have a "fear" and not "hatred" or "bigotry" is not harsh enough.
(although I do understand where you're coming from, not trying to argue as much as discuss)
It was an observation really, not an argument. I haven't read the comments here yet, but a queer person (im one) objecting to the word and calling for its replacement is fine and i'd want to read those arguments, but I just hadn't come across anyone against it yet who I felt should decide on what word should be used.
in my experience, most people have no idea what heterosexist means/have never heard that term before, so I end up having to explain it. So, I'd rather stick with the terms that most people around me already know
but I don't understand why homophobia and Islamophobia shouldn't be used simply because they aren't "phobias" in the traditional sense; language changes and words are created, and since we already have these two concise words that are used frequently to describe two types of prejudiced thinking, it doesn't make much sense to just stop using them because of a little technical thing like this. The words are already in our vocabularies, you know?
although I would argue that people who hate Muslims and people who hate queer people are often doing it because of an irrational fear (ex: they think all Muslims are terrorists, they think gay marriage will ~destroy American society~)
well, actually, I guess I see why those words could be problematic, because "phobia" tends to imply an involuntary fear, so perhaps calling someone's hatred for other people a "phobia" could imply that they are not responsible for their prejudices. I'm kind of all over the place with this comment, I apologize.
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(although I do understand where you're coming from, not trying to argue as much as discuss)
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