Andrew Sullivan on ‘homophobia’: 

I don’t like the word myself. There’s a smugness to it that doesn’t sit well with me. And it also implies that a religious or moral position against homosexuality is inherently irrational. It may be highly rational in the context of wanting to maintain a social hierarchy, or a coherent theocracy. I also think that a lot of anti-gay feeling is fear-driven, but it is also contempt-driven. Why not replace homophobia with fear and hatred of gay people. Orwell would approve, I suspect. Use shorter words when possible; avoid Latinate constructions; keep language real. So I guess I have no real problem with the AP’s decision as long as it does not lead to ignoring stories of anti-gay fear and loathing that need to be told.

[illustration via]

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   What we don’t need tomorrow. via Stumblr

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   Are you kidding me? Being uppity is so not in, Newsweek

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   The more generic appropriate word is xenophobic. Fear of strangers or others different from you. So homosexual...

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    “Because Proposition 8 disadvantages gays and lesbians without any rational justification, Proposition 8 violates the...

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    It’s nice for someone to give a fair view on the idea of homophobia

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    Admittedly I am struggling to grasp his argument, but I find it interesting that someone outside of academia would...

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    Andrew Sullivan has always been terrible and one of the many reasons Newsweek is terrible.

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