Open Forum: Does Heterophobia Exist?

We are all familiar with the term and concept of homophobia which is the irrational fear and hatred of homosexuals. But is there a fear and hatred of heterosexuals displayed by some in the gay community?

When gay people choose to isolate themselves and only associate with others like themselves, do some develop a sense of anger and frustration at the heterosexual majority?

There have even been isolated incidents of straight couples being verbally attacked by gay people screaming "breeder" at them and demanding they leave the gay village.

What about when a bisexual chooses a mate of the opposite sex, they are considered a traitor to the gay community even though they still remain in their bisexual identity.

There are also those who feel that certain efforts for marriage equality to be extended to same-sex couples, that deny granting benefits to unmarried heterosexuals is tantamount to being heterophobic.

So does heterophobia exist, is it growing, or is it a stretch?

Activist Tip: Debunk "Heterosexual" Preference

Often we see anti-gay right-wing forces use quotations around words that describe our identities, and families. You will see them say a "homosexual" insinuating that this does not deserve recognition as a real orientation. They will also put quotations around "marriage" when they discuss gay couples, to debunk the notion of gay unions being worthy. Likewise, with regards to trans folk they say "man", "woman" totally disregarding and disrespecting the persons gender identity.

When dealing with anti-gay opponents lets reverse the tactic and put it on them to see how they feel. For example, "heterosexual" to describe the so called preference of these individuals. Also "heterosexual marriage" to describe the notion that somehow a "straight" couple should attain marriage rights.

Please do not regard this post as heterophobic, we have many allied readers and would never degrade their identities or marriages, this is simply a tactic that can be used against our anti-gay opponents so they can just for a second see what it is like to walk in our shoes.

Word of the Gay: "Breeder"

"Breeder" is a slang or joking term to describe heterosexuals. It is based on the fact that homosexual relations do not lead to reproduction but heterosexual sex does. Although few in number, there have been some hate crimes done by gays on straights that have coupled the word "Breeder" in their violent and/or verbal attack on straight people.

Word of the Gay: "Heterophobia"

"Heterophobia" - The irrational fear or aversion to heterosexual people.

There are a limited number of hate crimes against heterosexual people by homosexual people based on sexual orientation, but there have been a few instances. In heavily LGBT neighborhoods there have been some isolated cases of harassment against straight people.

---

Alternate use of the term:
"Heterophobia" has also been used by more conservative LGBT circles who are opposed to the traditional gay rights platform. They use the term to imply that extending equal rights to LGBT people is tantamount to discrimination against heterosexual people.

The term has been used by conservative circles who feel that when more liberal groups target them by calling them homophobic based on their positions that they can counter that liberal LGBT groups are being so called "heterophobic".