Can we end the use of the word "homophobia"? Phobias are actual specific anxiety disorders. Homophobia is not one of them. Using "homophobia" is actually the same as using the word "retarded" We are telling people with anxiety disorders that they are somehow substandard people based solely on their anxiety disorder, that because of their phobia they are worthy of derision. We are also telling them that their cure is to simply "stop being irrational" - which is what I understand the "cure" for "homophobia" is.

The dictionary disagrees with you: "an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation"

A medical dictionary may have a separate definition, but the more common meaning is not that strict. It just has to be an exaggerated fear beyond the norm.

I'm not sure what there is to disagree with, phobias appear in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition. Homophobia is not there. We are attacking people with actual DSM-V conditions when we use the term "homophobia." Just like we used to attack others with specific conditions when we used the term "retarded" in the 80's As a society we've moved past "retarded" and I look forward when we do with our " -phobia" obsession.

Can we end the use of the word "homophobia"? Phobias are actual specific anxiety disorders. Homophobia is not one of them. Using "homophobia" is actually the same as using the word "retarded" We are telling people with anxiety disorders that they are somehow substandard people based solely on their anxiety disorder, that because of their phobia they are worthy of derision. We are also telling them that their cure is to simply "stop being irrational" - which is what I understand the "cure" for "homophobia" is.

The dictionary disagrees with you: "an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation"

A medical dictionary may have a separate definition, but the more common meaning is not that strict. It just has to be an exaggerated fear beyond the norm.

Can we end the use of the word "homophobia"? Phobias are actual specific anxiety disorders. Homophobia is not one of them. Using "homophobia" is actually the same as using the word "retarded" We are telling people with anxiety disorders that they are somehow substandard people based solely on their anxiety disorder, that because of their phobia they are worthy of derision. We are also telling them that their cure is to simply "stop being irrational" - which is what I understand the "cure" for "homophobia" is.