From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
Homophobia (from
Greek ὁμο
homo(sexual), "same, equal" + φοβία (
phobia), "fear", literally "fear of the equal") is the fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against
homosexuality or homosexuals. Several dictionaries also associate irrationality with this type of fear. It can also mean hatred,
hostility, disapproval of, or
prejudice towards homosexual people, sexual behavior, or cultures, and is generally used to insinuate
bigotry.<ref>
Merriam-Webster Online and 11th Collegiate Dictionary, 2005, American Heritage Dictionary.</ref>
Homophobic is the adjective form of this term used to describe the qualities of these characteristics while
homophobe is the noun form given as a title to individuals with "homophobic" characteristics. Some people believe any usage of this term is controversial.