Why do a lot of Straight People think that Homophobia means "a Fear of g**s" as in the individual person?

Question

Isn't the "irrational fear" more from the situation and not of the actual person or individual?

For example, a lot of Straight Men will not hangout with a g*y Man, not because he fears him or dislikes him, but he "Fears" that other Straight Men (like his buddies" will think he is g*y.

...or a Straight Man, while he doesn't physically fear a particular g*y Man, but he might "Fear" that a g*y Man might look at him if they were both in the same public communal showers at the same time.

...or the absolute worst one, a Straight Man doesn't want to be around a g*y Man because he "Fears" he might get the g*y Cooties from him, and then will become g*y himself.

Answer 1

no i dont hangout near g**s because its creepy  

Answer 2

Homophobia means hate.  

Answer 3

ooook i'm straight and not a homophobe but the reason men don't hang with g*y guys as much as u would like to see is because the ignorant 1's that he hangs out with will think he's g*y,  i know i know there's science to prove that it's science n blah blah blah (no offense) but yea they just don't want ppl to think he's g*y  

Answer 4

The first two are probably the more valid reasons.

Most people today know that you ain't gonna become g*y from just hangin with a g*y guy.

I do know a lotta guys who ain't really against g**s who still won't hang with em cuz of what their friends might say.

And i know a lotta guys who avoid g**s cuz they think they might get hit on by em.

But I never yet heard anyone say they were afraid to hang with g**s cuz they were afraid gayness would rub off on em and make them g*y too.

Answer 5

The straight men that have a "fear" of g*y men aren't necessarily afraid of the g*y man hitting on him... or looking at him... or anything of that nature. Straight men often "fear" g*y men because they don't understand them. And they would rather come off as ignorant and homophobic than actually get to know a person or try to understand them. If they dont confront their fears and take the time to understand and gain knowledge they will always be "afraid". People fear what they dont understand. Its human nature.

Answer 6

Because people who think that way are ignorant and immature. They live in a sheltered world and refuse to accept those that are different.

Answer 7

Most people I know think that it means a to dislike g**s to a huge extenet.

Answer 8

Yes, it is an irrational fear.  Most homophobes I know of are like this because they are narcissists.  These people are so full of themselves that they think just because, say, a man likes other men that he likes all men and will make a pass at anyone with a Y chromosome.  And somehow, being hit on by a g*y man will make him g*y or something.  

Many other phobias like the fear of balloons or heights are really based on how the fear is from a situation that got attached to something like, say, the balloon.  Other fears are based on fear of a situation, like the acrophobia; being high up will lead to a potential fall.  

So I guess I'm trying to say that some straights are scared of being in a situation where a homosexual is making a pass at them, so they attach that fear to all known homosexuals.  So the situation leads to fear of the individual.