Homophobic hate speech

This hate speech may consist of single words, such as queer. In an effort to neutralise homophobia, this word began to be adopted and redefined by the homosexual community in the 1980s. A similar reclamation has occurred with the words fag and poof, although to a lesser extent. All these words, though widely used by the homosexual community as a positive affirmation of their sexuality, can still be taken as hate speech in some contexts.

One such context is within phrases or anti-gay slogans used by groups with a homophobic agenda, another common form of hate speech.

Occasionally, entire books which attack homosexuals and attempt to justify anti-homosexual views have been described as hate speech. A recent example was Sexual Revolution in South Africa: The Pink Agenda: The Ruin of the Family (2001) by Christine McCafferty and Peter Hammond, a South African book. In 2002, the sale of this was restricted to individuals aged 18 and over, though many were calling for it to be banned outright, accusing it of inciting hatred. Homophobic hate speech is now a criminal offence in many countries.

See also: homosexuality, anti-homosexual views[?], homophobia, homosexuality and morality, religion and homosexuality

External links

• The South African Film and Publication Board on The Pink Agenda (http://www.fpb.gov.za/pressrel/28feb2002)