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From: rjd@linus.UUCP (Robert DeBenedictis)
Newsgroups: net.motss
Subject: The Word "homophobe"
Message-ID: <318@linus.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 17-Apr-85 13:34:03 EST
Article-I.D.: linus.318
Posted: Wed Apr 17 13:34:03 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 20-Apr-85 01:37:25 EST
Distribution: net
Organization: The MITRE Coporation, Bedford, MA
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What do people think about the word "homophobe"?
We all know that it comes from "homo-" and "-phobe".
"-Phobe" is pretty straightforward, it means "fear of".
But "homo-" is less clear.  This is not just a semantic,
grammar, vocabulary thing.  I would prefer it if homophobes
were people with a fear of gays, rather than people with a
fear of homos.  I consider myself (though not primarily)
a gay, I do not consider myself a "homo".  "Homo" is, to
me, on par with "fag" and "nigger".  Is there a better word?

Robert DeBenedictis