LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Homophobia
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Homophobia is a unique form of a phobic reaction. Like any true phobia, when an individual is forced to face the phobic object or situation, panic can occur. This panic reaction will produce a fight or flight response. If the symptom is a milder form of negative response, it is not a phobia. Not liking spiders is not the same as being terrified of them (arachnophobia). Not liking homosexuality or homosexuals or being uncomfortable with them is not homophobia.
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Homophobia is not a psychiatric term. There is no such thing as [C]linical homophobia, though the phenomenon of homophobia continues to be studied by groups like the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association. Some studies have linked deep hatred towards homosexuality to repressed homosexual feelings. (see "internalised homophobia", below).
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Homophobia ... harms non-gay people as well. Warren J. Blumenfeld argues that the following side effects of homophobia harm heterosexuals: Extremist far-right conservative and religious groups use anti-gay bias to further their political goals. Anti-gay bias leads everyone compromise their morals and treat others badly. Anti-gay bias causes everyone to avoid or have trouble forming close relationships with friends of the same sex. Everyone's behaviour is restricted to rigid gender-roles or punished for variance by anti-gay bias. Even if people are in actuality straight, they may be silenced or ridiculed into not fulfilling their potential by avoided the creative fulliling but stigmatized activity.
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In its new book, Sex, Love and Homophobia, Amnesty International has reported on the stories of people around the world who simply wish to love one another as an expression of their everyday lives, just like anyone, anywhere. These include Poliyana Mangwiro who was a leading member of Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe despite Robert Mugabe’s protestations that homosexuality is "against African traditions". And Simon Nkoli, the ANC activist who after spending four years in prison under apartheid went on to be the face of the struggle for gay rights in the new South Africa.
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Homophobia is most often manifested in discrimination. Until recently, discrimination against homosexuals was a function of government in Western countries. The passage of many notable non-discrimination laws and the voluntary changing of policy by many employers has, to a certain extent, improved the situation for homosexuals. However, some anti-gay rights groups contend that many of these laws and policies have, in fact, discriminated against heterosexuals. Gay rights activists do not accept these claims and further state that there is still a great deal of subtle anti-homosexual discrimination. Because of this, many homosexuals still fear being fired from their jobs, denied housing, or harassed in various ways.
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Homophobia is defined in the Psychiatric Dictionary as the "profound and irrational fear of being sexually assaulted by members of the same sex at any given time." It is characterized by paranoid glances at members of the same sex and can be triggered by many various catalysts. If a person is not scared of homosexuals but merely thinks they are disgusting, then they are jealous of their wealth and good looks! [It's little known fact that the 0.0002% of people that are homosexsual actually control 98.6% of the world economy. The remain 0.4% is divided amongst canadian beavers and Ronald McDonald (whose sexuality is disputed)- Source: UN world wealth distrubution report 1876 - 2007
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Homophobia