Is Homophobia a Mental Illness?

[Heyo]

... or just a misnomer.

Phobia are defined as "a persistent, excessive, unrealistic fear of an object, person, animal, activity or situation. It is a type of anxiety disorder. A person with a phobia either tries to avoid the thing that triggers the fear, or endures it with great anxiety and distress" - Phobia - Harvard Health

If you are homophobic, do you really feel excessive fear in the presence of gays?

If it is a mental illness, homophobes aren't responsible for their irrational actions and we shouldn't condemn them but try to help them. Desensitization is the usual method to treat phobia.

What do you think?

 

[Windwalker]

Homophobia is a sign of one's own sexual insecurities.

 

[Estro Felino]

I think it has to do with unresolved heterosexuality.
Because there are 100% heterosexual men who don't mind gay men...especially because they are very possessive and jealous so they want no rivalry/competition with other men.

I guess biphobia is much more widespread than people think.

 

[We Never Know]

... or just a misnomer.

Phobia are defined as "a persistent, excessive, unrealistic fear of an object, person, animal, activity or situation. It is a type of anxiety disorder. A person with a phobia either tries to avoid the thing that triggers the fear, or endures it with great anxiety and distress" - Phobia - Harvard Health

If you are homophobic, do you really feel excessive fear in the presence of gays?

If it is a mental illness, homophobes aren't responsible for their irrational actions and we shouldn't condemn them but try to help them. Desensitization is the usual method to treat phobia.

What do you think?

Lets look at anxiety which is the most common with near any phobia.

Anxiety disorders are the most common of mental disorders

So..Does that mean homosexuality is a mental disorder because many/most have a form of anxiety from (acceptance, openness, rejection(society), judgement, etc.)

 

[Brian2]

... or just a misnomer.

Phobia are defined as "a persistent, excessive, unrealistic fear of an object, person, animal, activity or situation. It is a type of anxiety disorder. A person with a phobia either tries to avoid the thing that triggers the fear, or endures it with great anxiety and distress" - Phobia - Harvard Health

If you are homophobic, do you really feel excessive fear in the presence of gays?

If it is a mental illness, homophobes aren't responsible for their irrational actions and we shouldn't condemn them but try to help them. Desensitization is the usual method to treat phobia.

What do you think?

Maybe the term is used wrongly by people to describe those who have no fear of gay people.

 

[The Hammer]

Lets look at anxiety which is the most common with near any phobia.

Anxiety disorders are the most common of mental disorders

So..Does that mean homosexuality is a mental disorder because many/most have a form of anxiety from (acceptance, openness, rejection(society), judgement, etc.)

No. Just because they are more prone to certain mental disorders, doesn't mean they are a mental disorder.

 

[The Hammer]

Maybe the term is used wrongly by people to describe those who have no fear of gay people.

No?

 

[We Never Know]

No. Just because they are more prone to certain mental disorders, doesn't mean they are a mental disorder.

I really don't get or understand where this said fear of homosexuality comes from.

It makes no sense. If you don't agree or like then you must fear. Is that right?

 

[Aštra’el]

I would rather not use the term “homophobia”, as I think it is reductive and inaccurate. It overly simplifies a range of potential thoughts and emotions into a single easily dismissible category in attempt to paint someone as “the other”, deserving to be vilified for expressing any form of opposition to “homosexuality”.

I would say, disapproval of homosexual inclinations and behavior is not “homophobia”, and it is not a mental illness… but simply a combination of personality traits and worldview positions, which I find very understandable.

 

[Estro Felino]

I really don't get or understand where this said fear of homosexuality comes from.

It makes no sense. If you don't agree or like then you must fear. Is that right?

That's not fear.
if I see two women kissing each other...I feel a slight repulsion, because I would never do that, so I think it's absolutely normal. It's a matter of chemistry. It is not fear.
But that doesn't mean I don't accept them as members of our society. I do accept them.

 

[We Never Know]

That's not fear.
if I see two women kissing each other...I feel a slight repulsion, because I would never do that, so I think it's absolutely normal. It's a matter of chemistry. It is not fear.
But that doesn't mean don't accept them as members of our society. I do accept them.

So you don't agree but you don't shame and/or condemn them. Is that right?

 

[stvdv]

... or just a misnomer.

Phobia are defined as "a persistent, excessive, unrealistic fear of an object, person, animal, activity or situation. It is a type of anxiety disorder. A person with a phobia either tries to avoid the thing that triggers the fear, or endures it with great anxiety and distress" - Phobia - Harvard Health

If you are homophobic, do you really feel excessive fear in the presence of gays?

If it is a mental illness, homophobes aren't responsible for their irrational actions and we shouldn't condemn them but try to help them. Desensitization is the usual method to treat phobia.

What do you think?

Is Homophobia a Mental Illness?

IMO:
Seems more like a "Spiritual illness"
Lack of Love, compassion and empathy
(Those I learned from the Bible)

Also:
a) Lack of "Love God"
b) Lack of "Love Thy neighbor"
c) Lack of "Love Thy Self"

Also:
Lack of belief in "Thou shall not judge"

 

[Estro Felino]

So you don't agree but you don't shame and/or condemn them. Is that right?

I do accept them, as everyone should.

 

[stvdv]

That's not fear.
if I see two women kissing each other...I feel a slight repulsion, because I would never do that

I like it seeing 2 women kiss

IF
people kiss more + judge less
THEN
the world would be more loving

 

[We Never Know]

Is Homophobia a Mental Illness?

IMO:
Seems more like a "Spiritual illness"
Lack of Love, compassion and empathy
(Those I learned from the Bible)

Also:
a) Lack of "Love God"
b) Lack of "Love Thy neighbor"
c) Lack of "Love Thy Self"

Also:
Lack of belief in "Thou shall not judge"

Lets just cut through the chase.

Homosexuality was in the DSM.
Homophobia never was.

 

[We Never Know]

I like it seeing 2 women kiss

IF
people kiss more + judge less
THEN
the world would be more loving

"I like it seeing 2 women kiss"

Why?

 

[RestlessSoul]

I really don't get or understand where this said fear of homosexuality comes from.

It makes no sense. If you don't agree or like then you must fear. Is that right?

Phobia, from the Greek Phobos meaning fear, refers to a deep or irrational fear or aversion to something. So that’s where the fear comes from in this context - it’s there in the last three syllables of the word.

This being the case, one might reasonably argue that disapproval of homosexuality does not in itself constitute homophobia. Homophobia refers to active dislike, prejudice etc, not indifference.

 

[We Never Know]

Phobia, from the Greek Phobos meaning fear, refers to a deep or irrational fear or aversion to something. So that’s where the fear comes from in this context - it’s there in the last three syllables of the word.

This being the case, one might reasonably argue that disapproval of homosexuality does not in itself constitute homophobia. Homophobia refers to active dislike, prejudice etc, not indifference.

"disapproval of homosexuality does not in itself constitute homophobia"

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I've tried to relay that message all week!

 

[The Hammer]

I really don't get or understand where this said fear of homosexuality comes from.

It makes no sense. If you don't agree or like then you must fear. Is that right?

Of course not. I voted other in the poll personally.

But, a dislike of a person's lifestyle to the point that you think they are better off dead, or don't deserve the same basic rights as everyone else, is a problem.

Whether we call that a phobia, a fear, or what have you. It's still a societal problem.

 

[Trailblazer]

Maybe the term is used wrongly by people to describe those who have no fear of gay people.

More to the point, the word homophobia is used to criticize religious people who have scriptures with laws against homosexual behavior, which is not homophobia by any stretch of the imagination.

Homophobia: dislike of or prejudice against gay people.
what is homophobia - Google Search

Homophobia encompasses a range of negative attitudes and feelings toward homosexuality or people who are identified or perceived as being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT).
Homophobia - Wikipedia