Dr Erik Denison is a behavioural scientist at Monash University who has studied why men use hateful language about gay people in male dominated environments, from sport clubs to mining sites.
He said men tend to use homophobic language in these environments to fit in and convey heterosexuality.
“What we found was it didn't matter if a young man or boy had very positive attitudes or had very negative attitudes, they're just as likely to use homophobic language," he said.
They're driven by a desire by young men to conform to the behaviour of others and be accepted, and if they don't use this language, then they're viewed as weird and not part of the group.
Even when it's not intended to be hateful, Dr Denison said this kind of language can seriously harm LGBTQ youth.
This episode of Understanding Hate looks at the causes of homophobic language and violence, and the impact on gay men.
