Heterophobia

{{significantly problematic}}{{homophobia}}{{Sources needed}}
'''Heterophobia''' is the supposed "fear and mistrust" of [[heterosexual]] people, presumably by non-heterosexuals. 

As fully respectable as it clearly sounds at face value - the obvious [[Morality|good]] of opposing [[Sexism|'''anyone''' hating '''anyone else''' for their sexuality]] - the ''actual'' origins of ''this'' particular term '''were not''' rooted in a legitimate self-defensive response to any actual hate against heterosexuals, but rather as an intentionally [[Homophobia|anti-gay]] neologism meant to be used against the [[LGBT]] community as a [[snarl word]] designed to delegitimize the [[gay rights]] movement, its campaign for [[equality|equal]] treatment, and aim to end to anti-gay [[bigotry]]. 

The term implies that, rather than reacting to anti-gay [[rhetoric]], gay rights advocates are in fact speaking out against heterosexuality and heterosexuals in a demeaning or bigoted manner. This phraseology attempts to equate the fight against bigotry with bigotry itself.<ref group=note>Etymological Pedantry Alert: Although, since in Greek ''heterophobia'' can be translated as "fear of difference," it is somewhat [[ironic]] that the anti-gay position could in fact be called heterophobic. If more precise terms were favored, ''homoerotophobia'' could mean "fear of homosexuals," and ''heteroerotophobia'' could be expressed to mean "fear of heterosexuals."</ref> Despite the [[anecdotal evidence|rare specific instance]] (see [[#Actual "heterophobia"|below]]), on the institutional level it is fairly obvious that "heterophobia" does not exist.

== Persecution complex ==
{{main|Persecution complex}}
Usage of "heterophobic" or "heterophobia" by anti-gay groups falls into the wider pattern of the [[persecution complex]], in which groups criticized for their tendency to create hate and [[discrimination]] react by reframing their discriminatory tendencies as some value-neutral idea, and then suggesting that criticism of this reframed idea constitutes discrimination.  

Thus, racism becomes "white pride," and the marginalized racist claims that the "heritage" of having lighter skin pigmentation is being sidelined unjustly through "[[reverse racism]]."  Similarly, homophobia is simply a deeply-held [[fundamentalist Christian]] value, and disrespecting this value by granting equal rights to homosexuals constitutes "religious discrimination".

== Deconstructing the persecution complex ==

The misunderstanding inherent in this use of the persecution complex goes to the basic definition of the [[rights]] of the individual.  While equally-situated individuals have the right to be treated equally (the anti-discrimination principle), no-one has a right to institutionalize [[legal]] discrimination against an innocent group, no matter ''how much'' they want to, and no matter what "values" this goal of discrimination is based upon.  Thus, "persecution" of discriminators is justified.

Furthermore, anti-gay groups can often be heard bleating about "special rights" given to homosexuals, or that homosexuals are a "protected group" under equality legislation (this argument is a favorite of [[Ron Paul]]).  However, what they fail to see is that "sexual orientation" is something that everyone has, and such legislation also protects straight people from being discriminated against on the same grounds, as uncommon as that may be.  That's the very definition of equality.  Instead, [[conservative]]s who oppose equality legislation see it as some kind of [[identity politics|attack on their identity]], and cry about how no one ever gave them "special rights," blissfully unaware of their own [[privilege]].

Put another way, the individual has the right to do anything that does not infringe upon the rights of others.<ref group=note>[[John Stuart Mill]], right?</ref>  Unjust discrimination infringes upon another's rights, and is thus not a right that should be valued.

== Separatist feminism ==

A few [[lesbian]], self-proclaimed [[feminists]] could be referred to as heterophobic, as well as being [[misandry|misandrist]], as they are overtly opposed to joining the at-large heterosexual society (at least as long as they consider it male-supremacist) on the grounds that women who engage in any familial or working relations with men "betray their lesbian sisters."  There's a reason you can't find them in political office. It's worth noting this is a small and ever-dwindling minority of feminist lesbians.<ref>{{see-wp|Lesbian separatism}}</ref>

== Actual heterophobia ==

It is probable that a number of individual gays and lesbians do indeed have an inflexible and pathological fear, hatred, and mistrust of straight people; every definable identity group has some pitiably damaged people hanging around on its [[fringe]]. [[Bullying]] and hatred often lead to more bullying and hatred in response. If heterophobia is indeed a problem within the queer community, it is likely a reaction to decades and decades of homophobia and the violence and cruelty that it entails, not something that emerged in a vacuum.

In other words - play [[Homophobia|stupid games]], win [[Blowback|stupid prizes]].

== See also ==

*[[Heteronormativity]]
*[[Misandry]]
*[[Reverse discrimination]]
*[[White History Month]]

== External links ==

*[http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HetIsEw Het is Ew], [[TV Tropes]]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100325204911/http://www.theonion.com/articles/gaypride-parade-sets-mainstream-acceptance-of-gays,351/ Gay-Pride Parade Sets Mainstream Acceptance Of Gays Back 50 Years], ''[[The Onion]]''

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Culture]]
[[Category:Homophobia]]
[[Category:Snarl words]]
[[Category:Reverse discrimination]]

Categories: Culture, Homophobia, Snarl words, Reverse discrimination