[MrGaryy]

Well it's a number of many, many things really. I think in young teens it really just is a fear of going against the grain, I doubt half the 13 year olds labelling people as queer or fags, if you genuinely broke down their personality meant it in an offensive way but they know that if they speak in a way similar to others it will make them more acceptable. Not to excuse that sort of thing or anything, just my personal explanation.

In turn, this young upbringing - from their peers not their parents - gives them the mindset that gay is bad and straight is fine. Most people mean more to it than that, most people who use homophobic slurs aren't actually homophobic, merely ignorant.

and frankly I think people who are genuinely homophobic have WAY too much time on their hands if they feel so strongly about how people, who apparently disgust them, lives their lives.

[Jack_]

Originally Posted by MrGaryy

Well it's a number of many, many things really. I think in young teens it really just is a fear of going against the grain, I doubt half the 13 year olds labelling people as queer or fags, if you genuinely broke down their personality meant it in an offensive way but they know that if they speak in a way similar to others it will make them more acceptable. Not to excuse that sort of thing or anything, just my personal explanation.

I'd agree with that.

Originally Posted by Lauren

On subject with Stu and Wildcat... I think homosexual 'sex' is neither normal nor abnormal, because it comes under the subject of sex - which is completely 100% natural. The desire of sex is fuelled by our need to reach a sexual pique, and whicever way this is achieved is natural. Nothing to do with procreation in my view.

And this, very good explanation.

Originally Posted by Spike

I think the main reason is children are brought up to think being straight is normal and maybe the only option. I know when I was a child I didn't know that there could be such a thing as same sex couples, if people were more open with their children about this kind of thing then maybe homophobia would die out

This is pretty much what I believe but just put into a simpler form. Like Stu said earlier the thread, hopefully in the next generation homophobia will have been wiped out and only the small few will still be homophobic.