The label of internalized homophobia is sometimes applied to conscious or unconscious behaviors which an observer feels the need to promote or conform to the expectations of
heteronormativity or heterosexism. This can include extreme repression and denial coupled with forced outward displays of heteronormative behavior for the purpose of appearing or attempting to feel "normal" or "accepted". This might also include less overt behavior like making assumptions about the gender of a person's romantic partner, or about
gender roles. Some also apply this label to
LGBT persons who support "compromise" policies, such as those that find
civil unions an acceptable alternative to
same-sex marriage.
Some argue that some or most people who are homophobic have repressed their own homosexuality. In 1996, a controlled study of 64 heterosexual men (half claimed to be homophobic by experience and self-reported orientation) at the
University of Georgia found that men who were found to be homophobic (as measured by the Index of Homophobia)
[49] were considerably more likely to experience more
erectile responses when exposed to
homoerotic images than non-homophobic men.
[47]