Homophobia: an intense, irrational fear of homosexuals and homosexuality, and the hatred, disgust, and prejudice fostered by that fear. In common usage, homophobia is widely used to describe any belief or behavior which indicated fear of hatred of homosexuals or homosexuality.

Homohatred: an alternative term used by some people to describe beliefs and behaviors which reveal hostility and prejudice toward homosexuals and homosexuality. 

Biphobia: Fear of hatred of bisexual men and women displayed by non-bisexual persons (who are themselves either homosexual or heterosexual).

Homophobia can be experiences at several levels:

1.      the  fear or hatred of persons who are LGBTQ

2.      the fear of being perceived as LGBTQ

3.      the fear of one’s own sexual or physical attraction toward members of the same sex (which is referred to an internalized homophobia)

The fear or hatred which comprises homophobia can be expresses outwardly through a variety of prejudicial attitudes and discriminatory actions or behaviors, such as

1.      expressing discomfort or disgust toward person who are LGBTQ

2.      denying equal treatment to person who are LGBTQ

3.      expressing hostility or violence toward persons who are LGBTQ

• Making negative assumptions about a person’s sexual identity based on dress, behavior, or personality. 
• Feeling repulsed by displays of affection between same-sex couples, but accepting affectionate displays between opposite sex couples.
• Thinking of persons are LGBTQ  only in terms of sexuality, rather than as whole, complex persons. 
• Being afraid of social or physical interaction with person who are LGBTQ.
• Avoiding social situations or activities where you fear being perceived as LGBTQ.
• Feeling that people who are LGBTQ should not discuss or display their sexual orientation openly while people who are non-LGBTQ may do so freely.
• Assuming that person who are LGBTQ will be attracted to everyone of the same sex.

• Assuming that people who are bisexual are confused about their sexuality.
• Assuming that people who are bisexual are promiscuous or cannot live monogamously.
• Assuming that people who are bisexual are in denial about their homosexuality.
• Believing that people who are bisexual spread AIDS.

Source: modified for the B-GLAD program at UNCW through Northern Illinois Universities Safe zone Program