I have always disliked the term homophobia and think the gay politico movement trots it out way to often in an attempt to paint everyone against their goals as a bigot, while there is a difference of opinion on gay issues even among the gay community. Of course, they then bring out the term self loathing homosexual.
I suppose I am grateful to some extent for gay extremists since they keep the discussion public. I am glad that I am no longer considered a felon in my home state. For myself, I have no intention of forcing an employer to hire me even though he doesn't want to employ a homosexual. Mitch and I have never run into problems with finances or with hospitals. Frankly, I think more of myself than that. I have no interest in working at a company that is that small minded.
I don't think people fear homosexuals. I think their dislike for homosexuals comes from several emotions, all of which I consider legitimate feelings.
1. Primal - Homosexual sex cannot create life therefore on a primal level it is bad in that it does not further the species.
2. Moral - Religious and cultural writings generally condemn it. People, in general, need cultural connection in order to have a sense of well being.
3. Personal - Bad experience with homosexuals or possibly being molested by a homosexual causing lasting emotional harm.
4. Internal - People who have homosexual desires themselves and therefore hate anything that reminds them of it. I fell into this category myself for quite some time. In high school I was the first in line to tease the effeminite boys, what better way to cover my own lusting for the football team.
5. Distaste - People who don't like to think about the physical acts of homosexuality because they are distasteful to them and cannot separate the person from the sex act. I heard Boy George very articulately discuss this once. Anal sex is simply disgusting to many many people and they cannot separate that from the person they are standing in front of.
In my experience, I have met people from each category. I am very open about myself and so I tend to make people come down on one side or the other. Those who don't like me simply avoid contact with me. I gave up the idea of converting everyone to pro-homosexual a while back. It is simply irrelevant to me whether everyone in the world likes me or not.
I am disappointed that my family and a number of my friends could not weigh their love for me as myself against their emotional response to my homosexuality. But, I have given up this fight also. Its boring.
I do find it odd that people have a need to publicly state their feelings about homosexuality as with this post. Since billions of people share their views of homosexuality it isn't exactly a special attribute for them. If they are looking for a fight with a homo or a homo lover, I guess that can be thrilling for a while, although I find it dull.
homo hugs
Joel
