I don't understand homophobia at all. I feel like people simply pass judgement on others without understanding. What do you guys think?
127086
Fear is a very basic uneducated response to a situation. These people are making assumptions about things before taking the time to get to know people. It's just like in the 1960's and prior when so many people were close minded towards African Americans and other minority races. They don't understand something or someone so they degrade them. It's disgusting and sad. People can love one another in a number of ways and there doesn't need to be one set guideline as to how you go about doing it. And the term is misused, 'homophobia' is to be scared of gay people, as in you don't want to approach them. But these people are not afraid of them in that sense. They need to stop interjecting their ridiculous religious claims and learn to be a little more open minded.
49852
I am a straight man.  I have had many gay friends due to my involvement in theatre.  I do not hate homosexuals.  I am also a Christian and I know lots of people who hate homosexuality.  I don't understand why it is singled out as THE sin to hate.  I have told Fat christians that I think gluttony is a sin.  I have told rich Christians that greed is a sin.  I have then asked them why their sin is less of a sin then a homsexual's sin.  I have asked these questions many times in many adult Sunday School classes.  Needless to say it doesn't make me real popular.  So now to your question.  I think a lot of people hate homosexuals simply because they are told they should.  The Christian right is constantly bombarding us with the message that homosexuality is the number one threat to the family unit.  Of cours this is stupid.  Divorce, infidelity and not spending time together are the biggest threats to the family units I know about.  When a Christian tells me that homosexuality is a sin.  I always agree that the Bible does say that a man shouldn't lay with another man.  So by the letter of the law it is a sin.  But then I ask them if they have had to fight off strong urges to sleep with members of the same sex?  They always respond NO!  Then I say isn't it odd that most of the other sins in the Bible hold some temptation for us, but this one, if we are heterosexual holds none?  I then ask them if gay marriage was legal and the gay couples got the same tax breaks and property rights as straight couples would you be tempted to turn homosexual?  Of course they say NO!  Then I zing them with "So why do you suppose that of all the sins listed in the Bible we straight Christians spend so much time and energy focusing on the one that doesn't tempt us and never will?  Isn't it possible it's a convenient way to not deal with issues that DO effect us?  Isn't it possible that it's just a way to feel superior and holy without ever having to do anything but look down on others who are different than us?  100% of the time they then answer: "The Bible says homosexuality is a sin."  This one issue is truly one of the reasons it is hard to stay active in church.  When you KNOW people are judging and being blind and feeling so secure and right about it, it can drive you crazy.  Even when I tell them that I have watched gay friends die horrible deaths of AIDS without adequate medical care because their life partner of many years could not get them on a "family" insurance plan, it makes no impact.  Now having said all of that I would like to share with you some things about the current attitude in our society that makes me dislike the Gay Rights movement.  As a heterosexual Christian male, I am judged and hated before I even have an opportunity to share who I am.  As a straight male, I get sick of being told by effeminate men what is style.  I resent being almost always portrayed in the media as not as smart as gay men, not as in touch with our feeling, not as capable of expressing emotion.  I think on any given night on television there is a lot more straight male bashing then there ever was gay bashing.  There I got it off of my chest.  This is the longest answer I've ever written.  I wonder if anyone will actually read it all the way through?
100078
Fear and prejudice, which go hand in hand.  It seems those so anti-gay are afraid of many things about it.  Most being that 80% of people have had, usually as children experimenting, a sexual liaison with someone of the same sex.  Something normal and healthy.  They are so afraid of them being classified as gay because of that it becomes a deep anger at themselves then transmitted outwards.  It's a sad thing to use an inaccurate book to back up your own fears.
640033
because people are cruel and want to target someone that is different then them. I wish everyone would just leave gay people alone. They are also human beings with feelings!!
173883
I have a friend who is gay.He grew up being my brothers' friend.We were always together,people thought we were a couple.This went on for years.Then one night he tried to commit suicide.Thank God he called someone to help him.He said he thought it would be best if he killed himself because he was afraid we would not accept him anymore.Boy was he wrong!We did not not shun him.He was & is still part of the family.We don't treat him any different now.We never will.I know that a lot of people say homosexuality is a sin.But it isn't my place or anyone else's to judge you or any other gay person.I know my friend is alot happier now that he is not secretive about his sexual prefferences.I have called my friend but he has not returned any of my calls,but i know he is fine because his mother has told me.Whatever his reason for not calling me,is his choice.Maybe i was just in his life for a season.Who knows?I still consider him my friend.I know he is Happy with his partner,so i am not worried about his well being.I would never turn my friends away,no matter what.Well unless they did harm to my family.That is a different thing.Anyway,this is just who i am.Be Blessed! Monica
57341
I wish I could give you a straight answer.  I am like you, I love meeting new people of all races, ethnicities, genders, I like everyone.  Society is too closed minded.  Saying homosexuality is a sin so we should hate gays is ludacris.  If Christians hate gays because they sin then shouldn't they hate alcoholics, rapists, murderers, all other religions, democrates, just the same?  Shouldn't they put forth just as much anger and protest against these groups as well? People who hate homosexuals have ill logic.  We as open minded people need to set the standard and put morons in their place.
264852
Fear and ignorance.\n\nIf a person gets freaked out by the notion that someone around them is gay it's usually because they are afraid that the gay person will see some obvious gay traits that they have and "out" them.  Not only is this an unreasonable expectation to put onto someone, it leads to fear, hysteria, and violence.  \n\nNobody can "make" you gay, and if you are afraid you might have some traits, YOU DO, everybody does, that alone doesn't make you gay (or straight for that matter!)\n\nGender can be graphed on a bell curve, and everyone has a combination of male and female traits.  It's perfectly normal.  I wish the ones who react with fear could get over their irrationality as much as you do!
329893
some people say that christianity is against homosexuality but honestly i dont know.im a true believer(in God) and i hope im not contradicting the bible. this is my opinion: i dont think people should be made to feel bad because of their sexuality.its up to u to decide if u are strong enough to stand up for yo gay self.if not then do go for counselling and maybe u can find the cause of your problem(thats if uve decided its a problem).who are we to judge people, as far as im concerned if the bible says its wrong then seek treatment, if not and if ur religion allows it then accept yourself bcoz people usually only accept someone who is able to accept himself.
326141
Its a hormonal imbalance.But I would neither condemn nor accept it.I also see it as a case of two different colors.BLACK & WHITE.I you come into this world as white,let those with black be.And vice versa.Its a personal thing,if you have such imbalance and you feel you are ok by it,so be it.But if you dont,never press it on someone.We all are created differently and in diversity we shall grow.I personally am not a gay(but not against it)but I love watching Lesbians smooching themselves.Its like watching any game SOCCER,GOLF ETC.You only get a temporary relief while the players make their money.Ten years ago people still practiced it but not as pronounced as today.Afterall in history,homosexuality has been an age-long practice.But it doesnt mean its accepted publicly yet.THIS MY PERSONAL VIEW.
50115
sorry mean people are mean to you. happy for you that you are in love that is wonderful. \ni don't know why some people think homosexuality is wrong, stumps me entirely. i suppose they need to hate other people to feel better about themselves. too bad they don't know that love is supreme.
139202
I love it when people say we chose to be gay.  Like you I knew I liked boys over girls when I was around 5 years old.  It hurts, thanks to these ignorant people who are afraid of us.\nJust think, one day when I was a very little boy, I knew that people hated homosexuals.  I woke up one morning and said that I wanted to be in a group that the majority of the people hate, so that I would be ridiculed and beat up every chance they could get on me.  Tell me that isn't ignorant.  What kid would wake up and think that?  Keep in mind that every child wants to fit in.  It is human nature to bind together.\nMy belief is that in today's society with the laws stating that you cannot hit anyone that is of other race lest you be called a prejudice jerk.  Homosexuals are not normally included in these laws.  Because people can no longer hate others for being African-American, Asian, Mexican, etc they take it out on Homosexuals.\nBesides, studies have shown that the people that really hate homosexuals, are that way because they are afraid they might be one too.  Think about it. Oh and BTW, it is genetic, my uncle is gay too, and no he didn't do anything to me when I was a child to make me gay.
414765
I'm straight but I have alot of gay friends.  I like to answer questions in this category for three reasons:  1) the questions are usually more interesting than in alot of other categories, 2) to show my support and 3) I like to try to give helpful advice particularly to young gay people who are struggling.  I have a theory about these "heteros" who constantly bash, harass and make disparaging remarks about gay people.  To me the ones that scream the loudest in their opposition to homosexuality are either religious zealots or self-loathing, paranoid closet queens.  Most straight people, even ones uncomfortable with homosexuality, don't make such a big deal about it.
195652
yup - as a teenager I was fairly homophobic if I'm honest, I was trained as a dancer and felt branded as 'gay'.  however by about 20 years I'd seen enough scientific evidence and met several gay men in the profession to change my mind.  It's not their fault, it's in their genetic make-up, they have to live with that too, it's not a choice they make.  However, I still wish they wouldn't be so stroppy!! it's a characteristic I've come to laugh at from time to time, you can stop them from a mile away just from the disturbance!  I don't envy them at all, glad I'm straight, got married and had kids.  There are worse people in the world (like religious folk in cults, like Christianity etc)...
136311
Well, if you feel that way, then you're a bigot. I'm gay, and I can advocate for the fact that it IS natural, because I'm gay, and I WOULD know, unlike you. The issue with homophobia, is that straight people try to make stupid assumptions (It's a choice, it's not natural) when in reality, they have no CLUE because they're not gay themselves. We were born this way, we're PEOPLE like everyone else, and we too, do get offended. So please, save your bible-thumping bigotry for someone who cares. I would also like to point out that for every homophobic person answering this question is a gay/lesbian teenager commiting suicide right now because of the CRAP and TORTURE you put them through. Those of you calling yourselves adults/christians should be ASHAMED. GOOD DAY.
415161
I am told by gays that it is discrimination but it's not.  They think we hate them.  I don't know any Christian that hates them.  We believe the bible and the bible says they're life style is wrong, that no homosexual will inherit eternal life.  We all have our own sins we have to bring before the Lord.  It's no worse than any other sin.  But how can God forgive them of it and heal them if they insist it isn't sin?  If your attitude is loving even though you don't accept what they do, then you are right with God.  The rest isn't yours to deal with,  it's theirs.  God bless you for having such a kind heart.
300055
it feels good.. a gay person is still a person!  they aren't any different except fo their sexual preference!  one of the things that i've learned about the ppl in the gay community is that they are the most open, caring, compassionate ppl out there!  they don't judge ppl because they know how it feels to be judged!
242941
I can understand why you wouldnt like this specific person, great, and its great that you dont hold that against gay people. Feeling wierded out is totally natural, am i right in suggesting that youve never really come across it before? literally, there is hardley a difference between you and me. We are both human beings, only i prefer having relationships with guys. Dont let that be what gets to you. you shouldnt judge people on who they are, based on gender, sexuality, race or class, but instead as who they are as a person. its best to get to know the person before you judge them for being gay. Just remember, that single person who did something to a family member of yours is an individual, dont judge everybody else based on their actions (it wouldnt be fair!)\n\njust get to know them before you judge them :D and its great to know that there is somebody out there who doesnt "HATE" the gay crowd!