Homophobia: reality or Orwellian doublespeak?

Does homophobia exist, or is it pure doublespeak? A war of words

Leire Díaz's claim that the far right is legalising homophobia has peine a front that goes beyond a passing controversy. While she points to a real risk for the LGTBI community, her critics deny the very existence of the term, with arguments ranging from pathologising dissent to the suspicion that denouncing hate speech is, quite simply, a business.

The denialist arguments

Those who oppose the expression argue that homophobia does not exist, that it is an invention of pogre to silence those who think differently. They claim the real problem is heterophobia and that the only hate crime being committed is against heterosenshetero. Some go further, adding that the author of the phrase is a parasite who lives off public grants for professionally denouncing hate speech.

Abascal and the paradox of the discourse

The debate has dredged up a quote from the leader of Spain's Vox party, Santiago Abascal, who claims to defend lgtb people better than Prime Minister Sánchez. The quote, often used as proof that the right is not homophobic, clashes with those who see that defence as mere electoral window dressing. Amid insults and name-calling, the conversation shows just how far language has become the main battleground.

The detail that stands out: nobody in the public debate devotes a single line to discussing whether Vox's policies affect LGTBI people. The entire discussion revolves around the word, not the consequences. And that, perhaps, is the best metaphor for the moment.