Homophobia is associated with homosexual arousal.

[illwakeupalone]

The authors investigated the role of homosexual arousal in exclusively heterosexual men who admitted negative affect toward homosexual individuals. Participants consisted of a group of homophobic men (n = 35) and a group of nonhomophobic men (n = 29); they were assigned to groups on the basis of their scores on the Index of Homophobia (W. W. Hudson & W. A. Ricketts, 1980). The men were exposed to sexually explicit erotic stimuli consisting of heterosexual, male homosexual, and lesbian videotapes, and changes in penile circumference were monitored. They also completed an Aggression Questionnaire (A. H. Buss & M. Perry, 1992). Both groups exhibited increases in penile circumference to the heterosexual and female homosexual videos. Only the homophobic men showed an increase in penile erection to male homosexual stimuli. The groups did not differ in aggression. Homophobia is apparently associated with homosexual arousal that the homophobic individual is either unaware of or denies.

Here's the link guys. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8772014

What's posted here is a summary of the report from Department of Psychology at the University of Georgia in Athens. What do you guys think? Lol.

I don't know, self-hate may explain some homophobia but it probably doesn't explain all. I don't think you can point to every homophobic person as being a closet homosexual.

[illwakeupalone]

I agree. It is after all just one small study, but it's interesting to consider.

[concklin]

It's true that not all homophobic people are homosexual. But it is a noticeable pattern that a good amount of them are. It's because of the simple concept of someone who's closeted and not wanting anyone to know - that person will try their best to seem straight, so they'll incorporate homophobia into their personality.

This guy I went to high school with, freshman year he was very homophobic. And then either sophomore or junior year he came out, and is now involved in activism.

[Phoenix]

As others have said, this isn't the be all end all explanation for homophobia, but for those who are secretly feeling homosexual desires and who display homophobia to cover it up, the article illuminates an ego defense mechanism called reaction formation. The individual will criticize something to ease the anxiety they feel internally over the subject.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reaction_formation

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

A strongly heterosexual individual who is fearful or hateful toward those who identify themselves as homosexual and bisexual may be seeking to counteract deep-seated and often untouched homosexual desires. A reaction formation is used to exaggerate heterosexual behavior outward, to relieve inward anxiety regarding homosexual desires.

[Revan]

Interesting to say the least.