This Saturday, May 17 people get the chance to get together and support each other on The International Day Against Homophobia. It’s on the same day as Belgian Pride, so it is extra special for us at DAA.

This blog post will explain the phenomenon ‘Homophobia’. What it means, where it came from, etc…  Also make sure you stay tuned on Facebook, because we will be sharing some interesting facts and milestones concerning Homophobia.
 

So what is Homophobia? It’s one word for all the negative attitudes and feelings that ultimately lead to rejection and discrimination towards gay men, lesbians, bisexual, and transsexual or transgender people. Even towards people whose physical appearance or behaviour does not fit masculine or feminine stereotypes. Homophobia has three variants: bi-phobia, gayphobia and lesbophobia. They speak for themselves.
 

Eventhough these attitudes go back to Ancient Greece, the word ‘homophobia’ was first used in 1969 by George Weinberg, an American psychologist. So you can see that it’s a very new word. Back then homophobia was: ““The fear expressed by heterosexuals of being in the presence of homosexuals, and the loathing that homosexual persons have for themselves.”

Gay prides and political activism are a way for the LGBT community to fight homophobia. After so many years the battle is still going on. Who knows when this war will end.