Out of all the different types of bigotry, why does homophobia/heterosexism seem socially accepted?

Because some folk think it makes them look heterosexual (particularly when they are in some doubts).

Research by U.S. psychologists suggests that 80 percent of men who are homophobic have secret homosexual feelings.

Prof. Adams's research was published as Is Homophobia associated with Homosexual Arousal? in the prestigious U.S. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, (1996, Vol. 105, no. 3, pp. 440-445).

Prof. Adams says his research shows that most homophobes "demonstrate significant sexual arousal to homosexual erotic stimuli", suggesting that homophobia is a form of "latent sexuality where persons are either unaware of or deny their homosexual urges".

These findings support the theories that homophobia (fear of gayness or support for antigay discrimination) is often indicative of repressed, self-loathing, homosexual feelings; and that many homophobes subconsciously use antigay attitudes as a smoke-screen to disguise their own homosexuality.

@ alk: Anal sex is and has always been the most frequent form of heterosexual activity worldwide, as the cheapest and most convenient form of birth control. The orifice is tighter than vagina, too, so after childbirth many men browbeat their women into accepting it.

And many hetero men need to get their prostate messaged, especially if they are circumcised, because they have lost two thirds of the nerve endings in the penis from the operation and at some stage keratinization also sets in.

More than 50% of gay men reject it.

Christine, when did you choose to be heterosexual? Why would anyone choose something that they are ridiculed for by people who don't understand?

To answer your question, OP, the struggle to overcome racism has been going on for hundreds of years. Politically speaking, the issue of homosexuality and legality has come up relatively recently. A large public shift in attitude takes time.

It's becoming less acceptable, but homophobes get away with a lot by whinnying about FAAAITH..."

Never mind that Jesus didn't teach homophobia.

The reaction to homophobic bullying depends on where the school is. Some schools are being responsible. Any institution tends to reflect the attitudes of the community. In a redneck, bible-banging area where those "godly" folk are busy gettin' drunk and cheatin' and listening to twangy songs about cheatin' and drinkin' .... odds are the bullies are "just boys bein' boys." Which doesn't say anything good about the so-called "men" in the community.

Oh, here's some science for our ignorant little trolls. If they can comprehend it:

New Civil Rights movement Article

http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/gay%E2%80%A6

Not genetic but is from the womb

http://io9.com/5967426/scientists-confir%E2%80%A6

Human sexuality is Complicated national Geographic

http://youtu.be/xXAoG8vAyzI

Runs in Families

http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.v%E2%80%A6

Epigenenics -National Institute For Biological Synthesis

http://www.nimbios.org/press/FS_homosexu%E2%80%A6

Epiginenics Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigenetic_%E2%80%A6

as much a choice as Handedness Scicence says

http://www.redding.com/news/2008/jun/17/%E2%80%A6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saO_RFWWVVA&featur...

"Out of all the different types of bigotry, why does homophobia/heterosexism seem socially accepted"

The people behind it hide behind the Bible and claim the name of God. They forget to show Gods love to all.

Actually aids is mainly caused by homos!! Look it up bright spark!!

P.S TROLLS IS SUCH A GAY WORD

HAHAHA

it is not a choice to be gay. It is a choice to hide who you are and pretend to be straight. Someday this will be just as frowned upon as racism. At one point the only way to be normal was to be white and people ridiculed blacks the same way they ridicule gay people today

gay men sex spreads fecal matter everywhere and is considered a severe bio hazard!

There is nothing bigoted about accepting normality and rejecting adherent behavior.

No, being born with autism is not the same. You choose to sleep with others of the same sex.

Because no body really likes homos!! The media lies. So it is your choice.

Because homosexuality is a choice and your race/skin color is not.