Homofobia e preconceito contra diversidade sexual: debate conceitual

The term homophobia has been widely used for the conceptualization of violence and discrimination against individuals who have different sexual orientation from heterosexual. Despite its current use, it is almost ignored, especially in Brazil, the extensive theoretical discussion and controversy around the term since it was coined in the 1970 in the USA. This study discusses the emergence of the term homophobia its uses, limits, possibilities and theoretical implications. It will also addresses the reinterpretations of the idea of homophobia by social psychology using the concept of prejudice and per extent attitudes. Finally, it is defended the use of the construction “prejudice against sexual diversity” as an alternative to homophobia to better defi ne the phenomenon in the individual point of view.