Heterophobia

Heterophobia (sometimes actively defined as Homosexism) is the irrational fear or resentment of, aversion to, or discrimination against heterosexual people and their normative families (Familyphobia; German: Familienphobie), especially from LGBT/homosexual circles.

An introduction to heterophobia

In 2016, police departments reported a total of 148 anti-heterosexual hate crimes to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports. In 2018, the small state of Connecticut alone reported two verified anti-heterosexual hate crimes along with 18 anti-White hate crimes and many more. It can be assumed that the predominant number of heterophobic insults or attacks are not reported due to shame or the certainty that they will not be taken seriously, let alone prosecuted.

In October, new legislation issued by the government's women and equality unit will make it illegal for any goods or service providers to offer discriminatory treatment on the basis of sexuality. The implications of the act are vast and will make it harder than ever for homophobia to go unnoticed. But as shops and services are rushing to open doors to gay and lesbian consumers, we are battening down the hatches of our own communal closet - scared to death that "the straights" are on their way in. Nowhere is this "heterophobia" more evident than on London's solipsistic gay scene, where straight women are "fag hags" and men "closet queers". Recently, I was out in the city's bastion of lesbiandom, Candy Bar in Soho. The girls and I were happily arm wrestling, comparing the snaps on our braces and discussing how it was surely possible to fit a 15th cat into a one-bedroom apartment. Then there was an abrupt silence. A man and a woman, obviously a couple, had stumbled in off Greek Street thinking they had found the perfect place to start their evening. Oh, how we laughed: "Aren't straights funny?" we proclaimed. "Hapless heterosexuals. Why don't they just stick to All Bar One?" Thinking that venues can continue to justify being "gay only" is about as ridiculous as believing that lesbians really do sit around comparing biceps and talking about their cats. But when it comes to welcoming one and all to the places gay people like to call their own, words such as equality and diversity are conveniently forgotten. The Goods and Services Act will also, however, make it illegal for gay venues to dismiss people based on their real - or perceived - sexuality, and heterosexuals will be well within their rights to challenge harassment or discrimination. So, I would like to apologise for the treatment of well-meaning heteros who have accidentally ended up in homosexual establishments only to have their liberalism stretched to its limits. Asking straight guys if they are "drag kings" and women if they're "trannies" - it's wrong and I'm sorry. But seriously, watching squirming straight guys in the middle of a teeming gay bar is undeniably amusing. Some make a dash for the door; others circle the bar to make sure it's gay and not just really trendy. Then there are those who have a team huddle and decide to buy a drink on the other side of the fence for a change. And good for them. They have gone to the effort of putting their open-mindedness into action - isn't it about time the gay community did the same?

Treatment of Heterophobia

Medication can be prescribed for treating the phobia, but it must be noted that these medicatons can have side effects and withdrawal syptoms. It must also be noted that medicines do not cure phobias and only temporarily suppresses the symptoms. There are treatments for heterophobia that can be explored such as counseling, hypnotherapy, psychotherapy and Neuro-Linguistic programs. Heterophobia cannot only hold you back in your life, it can also hold back others around you. This condition is not only an extreme or irrational fear of straight/non-gay individuals or the opposite sex, it is also usually coupled with a hatred or outspoken disapproval of their relationships. This has recently become a large issue in our society. While there are some rare cases, this phobia is seen more predominantly in LGBT communities.

See also

• Homosexuality

External links

• Why homophobia against straight men matters by Owen Jones, May 2022

In German

• Gender denial (in German)
• Homobolshevism (in German)