Out gay MP Tim Barnett believes the Rodney Hide/ACO Glass incident may have its roots in a desire by some people to avoid others thinking they are queer. "The longer I work in public life, the more truth I apply to the concept of 'homo-homophobia'. That isn't about hating queers; instead, it is thought and action generated by the desire to avoid others believing that you are queer," says Barnett who adds that he is reluctant to pass judgment on the specifics of the incident which has led to ACI Glass employees demanding an apology after Hide asked if they were gay. "Even in environments which are essentially gay-friendly, a heterosexual person who feels the need to prove their heterosexuality can in the process be demeaning gay people," he says.