RMarques
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- Posted: Thu, 14 Dec 2006 16:21:37 +0000
Many people seem to believe that the word phobia means fear, and nothing else, making the words homophobia, incorrect to use to describe those prejudiced to homosexuals. While the word phobia certainly means fear, it also means an aversion or intolerance. You can see this by yourself in the Oxford English Dictionary and Merrian-Webster dictionary:
So, now that we saw the meaning of the word phobia, let us see what aversion means shall we?
Therefore, as you can see, saying “I’m not afraid of homosexuals/transsexuals, so I’m homophobic!” is actually incorrect. If you have an aversion, a dislike, maybe even hatred, for homosexuals and maybe even of homosexuality as a whole, you are indeed homophobic.
Another thing that is sometimes seen is people saying that bigot means racist, therefore, not appliable to those that hate homosexuals. That is also wrong. Bigot means:
As you can see, bigot is someone that is intolerant of other opinions, indentities, lifestyles, etc. While the Merriam-Webster refers to race only, that is a mere example. It is not the only meaning of the word. So, if you are intolerant to homosexuals, you are indeed a bigot.
Merriam-Webster
–phobia
Function: noun combining form
Etymology: New Latin, from Late Latin, from Greek, from -phobos fearing, from phobos fear, flight, from phebesthai to flee; akin to Lithuanian begti to flee, Old Church Slavic bezati
1 : exaggerated fear of <acrophobia>
2 : intolerance or aversion for <photophobia>
Function: noun combining form
Etymology: New Latin, from Late Latin, from Greek, from -phobos fearing, from phobos fear, flight, from phebesthai to flee; akin to Lithuanian begti to flee, Old Church Slavic bezati
1 : exaggerated fear of <acrophobia>
2 : intolerance or aversion for <photophobia>
Oxford English Dictionary
-phobia, comb. form
Forming nouns with the sense ‘fear of -----’, ‘aversion to -----’.
Forming nouns with the sense ‘fear of -----’, ‘aversion to -----’.
So, now that we saw the meaning of the word phobia, let us see what aversion means shall we?
Merriam-Webster
aver•sion
Function: noun
1 obsolete : the act of turning away
2 a : a feeling of repugnance toward something with a desire to avoid or turn from it <regards drunkenness with aversion> b : a settled dislike : ANTIPATHY <expressed an aversion to parties> c : a tendency to extinguish a behavior or to avoid a thing or situation and especially a usually pleasurable one because it is or has been associated with a noxious stimulus
3 : an object of aversion <inconstancy is my aversion -- Jane Austen>
Function: noun
1 obsolete : the act of turning away
2 a : a feeling of repugnance toward something with a desire to avoid or turn from it <regards drunkenness with aversion> b : a settled dislike : ANTIPATHY <expressed an aversion to parties> c : a tendency to extinguish a behavior or to avoid a thing or situation and especially a usually pleasurable one because it is or has been associated with a noxious stimulus
3 : an object of aversion <inconstancy is my aversion -- Jane Austen>
Oxford English Dictionary
(obsolete)1. The action of turning away oneself, one's eyes, etc.
(obsolete)2. The action of averting, warding off, or getting rid of. Obs.
(obsolete)3. A moral turning of oneself away, estrangement (from). Obs.
4. a. An averted state of mind or feelings; a mental attitude of opposition or repugnance; a fixed, habitual dislike; an antipathy.
b. Const. (towards, against, obs.), from, to (for), inf. See AVERSE 3b.
5. transf[erred sense]. of things.
6. An object of dislike or repugnance.
7. attrib., as aversion therapy, treatment, therapy or treatment designed to render a particular habit repugnant to someone addicted to it.
(obsolete)2. The action of averting, warding off, or getting rid of. Obs.
(obsolete)3. A moral turning of oneself away, estrangement (from). Obs.
4. a. An averted state of mind or feelings; a mental attitude of opposition or repugnance; a fixed, habitual dislike; an antipathy.
b. Const. (towards, against, obs.), from, to (for), inf. See AVERSE 3b.
5. transf[erred sense]. of things.
6. An object of dislike or repugnance.
7. attrib., as aversion therapy, treatment, therapy or treatment designed to render a particular habit repugnant to someone addicted to it.
Therefore, as you can see, saying “I’m not afraid of homosexuals/transsexuals, so I’m homophobic!” is actually incorrect. If you have an aversion, a dislike, maybe even hatred, for homosexuals and maybe even of homosexuality as a whole, you are indeed homophobic.
Another thing that is sometimes seen is people saying that bigot means racist, therefore, not appliable to those that hate homosexuals. That is also wrong. Bigot means:
Merriam-Webster
big·ot
Pronunciation: 'bi-g&t
Function: noun
Etymology: French, hypocrite, bigot
: a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group(as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance.
Pronunciation: 'bi-g&t
Function: noun
Etymology: French, hypocrite, bigot
: a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group(as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance.
Wikipedia
A bigot is a prejudiced person who is intolerant of opinions, lifestyles, or identities differing from his or her own. The origin of the word in English dates back to at least 1598, via Middle French, and started with the sense of religious hypocrite, especially a woman.
Bigot is often used as a pejorative term against a person who is obstinately devoted to their prejudices even when these views are challenged or proven to be false. Forms of bigotry may have a related ideology or world views.
Bigot is often used as a pejorative term against a person who is obstinately devoted to their prejudices even when these views are challenged or proven to be false. Forms of bigotry may have a related ideology or world views.
Oxford English Dictionary
(obsolete)1.a. A hypocritical professor of religion, a hypocrite.
b. A superstitious adherent of religion.
2. A person obstinately and unreasonably wedded to a particular religious creed, opinion, or ritual.
b. transf[erred sense] (Of other than religious opinions.)
3. Comb[ined forms]., as bigot-maker.
b. A superstitious adherent of religion.
2. A person obstinately and unreasonably wedded to a particular religious creed, opinion, or ritual.
b. transf[erred sense] (Of other than religious opinions.)
3. Comb[ined forms]., as bigot-maker.
As you can see, bigot is someone that is intolerant of other opinions, indentities, lifestyles, etc. While the Merriam-Webster refers to race only, that is a mere example. It is not the only meaning of the word. So, if you are intolerant to homosexuals, you are indeed a bigot.
