Homophobia, the End of Pride Month

I wanted to get through all 30 of my planned posts, but I realized a few days ago that I was burning myself out on it, that my writing wasn't doing well because of the pressure I put on it, and I can skipping over things that I didn't want to, because I wanted to get the posts out fast. That isn't what I want. I also didn't like that everything seemed to be running together in my head and I didn't like how similar the posts were all getting. I'm going to go back to one post at a time, even if it means a few days between posts, though I do want to keep to every other day at least. 

Next year will bring another Pride Month, and you can wait until then to learn about Loki and albatrosses and the Hijra and Kalonymus ben Kalonymus's poem. Or maybe I'll tell you about them sometime between now and then. Or you can look into them yourself, because I trust you to be able to find interesting things online if you want them. 

Here's today:

Homophobia. 

I really hate that word, in case I haven't said it enough. 

It shouldn't be a word, and it's not a phobia. 

Phobia is defined as a FEAR of something. An intense FEAR. It's paralyzing and panic inducing and serious. It's irrational, a fear you can't avoid or control, despite logically knowing that it's not a danger. Phobias are serious and real and not something to be joked about. 

Homophobia, a word I seriously hate because of this, is a PREJUDICE. A BIGOTRY and a CHOICE. A bad one, but still. It is not a phobia. It's not a fear. It's irrational, I'll give you that, but humanity is irrational often enough without it being a phobia. It's not a phobia. 

I will say this as many times as I need to. Homophobia isn't a phobia. Don't use that word and don't let anyone else use it. It isn't right. 

Also, it should be noted that that bullshit, the word I hate, is more recent than Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuality, Transsexuality, Polyamory, and Third or Fourth genders. So, it's not someone objecting to a new thing, it's someone objecting because we're refuting new bullshit. Please keep that in mind next time you encounter a bigot, and please remember to let them know that they aren't homophobic, they're bigots and assholes because of their choice. It probably won't actually change their minds, but phobias are to be respected, bigotry is not. 

And with this Author's Note, I end Pride Month for right now. I'll try to be back tomorrow with information about something interesting.