Meaning of gay panic | Babel Free

Definitions

1. An emotional reaction characterized by intense discomfort, fear, or anxiety upon encountering or discovering that someone is gay.
   uncommon, uncountable
2. A feeling of anxiety brought about when one realizes they are attracted to someone of the same gender.
   uncountable

Examples

“I feel⟳ like⟳ hip-hop / Used to be a voice for the voiceless, you know⟳? / And now it's become⟳, at least in the mainstream, a symbol of / misogyny, gay panic, fiscal irresponsibility, you know⟳? / So I figure⟳ / if you can't beat⟳ 'em / join⟳ 'em”

“In perhaps the most on-the-nose depiction of its tendency toward gay panic for cheap laughs, Joey and Ross freak out in the seventh season of Friends after they accidentally fall⟳ asleep together on the couch.[…]””

“Thirty seconds into the TV show⟳, the main character’s phone wallpaper reading "gay panic" may well epitomise not only his own⟳ feelings but also those of Heartstopper‘s fans.[…]””

“Gay panic can lead⟳ to feelings of isolation, shame, and depression, and can be a major barrier to coming out.[…]””

CEFR level