In my research for the presentation at John Bentley School I found a rather interesting and full definition of homophobia by the crown prosecution service.
Homophobia is:
A fear of or a dislike directed towards lesbian, gay or bisexual people, or a fear of or dislike directed towards their perceived lifestyle, culture or characteristics, whether or not any specific lesbian, gay or bisexual person has that lifestyle or characteristic.
The dislike does not have to be as severe as hatred. It is enough that people do something or abstain from doing something because they do not like lesbian, gay or bisexual people.
I really rather like this definition.
Taken from: http://www.cps.gov.uk/publications/docs/htc_policy.pdf
Is that just a definition of "homophobia" or the criteria that needs to be met to take legal action?
If it's the latter, then that seems a little worrying, as humans have a habit of disliking each other and can abstain from being friendly or simply avoiding social contact with said disliked party or group.
Are we reaching a point where the law is trying to force people to like each other?
I'm all in favour of protecting all groups from violence, prejudice and hatred, but is it not also my right to not like someone?
XoD.