Originally (African American Vernacular English, mid-1900s): Woke meant being awake and aware, especially about social and racial injustice. For example, someone who understood systemic racism or inequality might be described as “staying woke.”
Modern positive use: Still used by some to mean being socially conscious, aware of inequality, and supportive of justice (race, gender, LGBTQ+, environment, etc.).
Modern negative/critical use: In politics and media, some people use woke as a derogatory label for what they see as overly progressive or performative activism—like focusing too much on identity politics or being “too politically correct.”
Homophobia refers to prejudice, fear, or dislike toward people who identify as or are perceived to be lesbian, gay, or bisexual. This bias can manifest in negative attitudes, discriminatory behavior, or harmful actions against individuals based on their sexual orientation. It can arise from cultural, social, or personal beliefs and may lead to exclusion, harassment, or violence directed at LGBTQ+ individuals.
Homophobia encompasses a range of negative attitudes and feelings toward homosexuality or people who identify or are perceived as being lesbian, gay or bisexual. It has been defined as contempt, prejudice, aversion, hatred, or antipathy, may be based on irrational fear and may sometimes be attributed to religious beliefs. Homophobia is observable in critical and hostile behavior such as discrimination and violence on the basis of sexual orientations that are non-heterosexual.
Boys Beware, a 1961 US social guidance film warning boys to beware the “predatory” dangers of homosexual men. The film pushes the common homophobic tropes that homosexuality is a mental illness, and that gay men are pedophiles.
Homophobia refers to prejudice, fear, or dislike toward people who identify as or are perceived to be lesbian, gay, or bisexual. This bias can manifest in negative attitudes, discriminatory behavior, or harmful actions against individuals based on their sexual orientation. It can arise from cultural, social, or personal beliefs and may lead to exclusion, harassment, or violence directed at LGBTQ+ individuals.