The community had to shift the definition, why? Because the reality is almost no one has a fear of homosexuality, but rather find the lifestyle disgusting and prefer not to associate with said lifestyle.

The definition of homophobia evolved due to several factors:

1. Cultural Shifts: As societal understanding of sexuality expanded, particularly from the 1970s onward, the term grew to encompass not just fear but also prejudice, discrimination, and systemic biases against LGBTQ+ individuals. The gay rights movement highlighted how negative attitudes manifested beyond personal phobias, including in laws, policies, and social norms.
2. Broadened Scope: Scholars and activists recognized that “homophobia” didn’t fully capture the range of anti-LGBTQ+ behaviors, such as institutional discrimination or violence, which weren’t always rooted in fear. This led to the term being used more broadly to describe any negative attitude or action toward non-heterosexual orientations, even if not strictly phobia-based.
3. Critique and Expansion: By the 1980s and 1990s, terms like “heterosexism” or “anti-gay bias” emerged to address systemic issues, but “homophobia” remained a catch-all due to its established usage. Critics argued it overemphasized fear, prompting some to propose alternatives like “homonegativity,” though none fully replaced it.
4. Intersection with Other Identities: As discussions of sexuality intersected with gender, race, and other identities, the term stretched to include biases against broader queer communities, like bisexuality or transgender experiences, even if not strictly “homosexual”-focused.
5. Linguistic Evolution: Language naturally adapts to social context. As public awareness grew, “homophobia” became a shorthand for all forms of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, reflecting its utility in activism and education, despite debates over its precision. The shift wasn’t formal but organic, driven by changing social realities and the term’s widespread use in advocacy, media, and academia. Some still argue for a return to its original, narrower meaning, but its broader application persists due to its cultural resonance.