What is Homophobia?

As LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall states, homophobia is the term used to describe prejudice or negative attitudes, beliefs or views about gay people. This can include the fear or dislike of someone because they are, or are perceived, to be gay.

Homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying is when a young person’s actual or perceived sexual orientation/transgender identity is used to exclude, threaten, hurt, or humiliate them. Although Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia are similar, they’re not the same thing. Both gay and straight people can be transphobic and biphobic, and people can be transphobic without being homophobic or biphobic.

How are people homophobic?

People can be homophobic in many different ways. Homophobia can take the form of insults, harassment and even violence. Such discrimination can happen verbally, in writing, in person or virtually. This bullying is born out of ignorance, irrational fear and immaturity.

Everyday Homophobia

Many phrases and words may appear as harmless but can also be homophobic. Phrases you might hear used ‘jokingly’ such as something – an action, an item or a person being described as ‘gay’ as if it is a negative, like ‘that’s so gay’ or ‘you’re so gay’ or someone giving a compliment to another person of the same gender and then assuring them that ‘don’t worry, I’m not gay’, implying that that would be negative or bad. 

More Information and Support

If you are the victim of homophobic bullying, in sport, at work or school help is available.

LGBT Youth Scotland is Scotland’s national charity for LGBTQI+ young people aged 13-25. Find out more about the work they do here.

Head back to the LGBTQI+ campaign page.

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