Homophobia is defined by Merriam Webster dictionary as “an irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals.” So, someone who denies being homophobic but has an irrational aversion to homosexuals raising children is, by definition, homophobic.

Discrimination against homosexual parents raising children is irrational because the overwhelming scientific evidence supports the consensus that children of gay and lesbian parents are as healthy and well-adjusted as children of heterosexual parents.

It does no good, however, to call out a Facebook friends as a “homophobe”. Instead, using positive influence can heal the negative influence like an infection. It is not homosexuality that needs healing, but the homophobia. But, how? Reverend Susan Russell opines on HuffPost that having brave men and women with the courage to live their example openly and honestly, showing good, real example of homosexual couples. And, having those same people embrace those outside of their community to educate and influence those people to a more enlightened outlook will do more to heal homophobia than labeling others as “homophobes”. Positive experiences, including those depicted on television and in movies will have a greater effect than negative name-calling. In this way, Ellen Degeneres and Neil Patrick Harris have done more by example to heal homophobia in our society than any court opinion ever could.

How do you think we can heal homophobia?