Was it Homophobic?

[Doug]

The poster said "Homophobia is a social disease".When I saw it I thought to myself " fuck you, just because a person isn't down with who you are does not make them socially diseased."

Re: This part: I think it depends on the definition of homophobia - if its simply thinking/feeling uncomfortable with homosexuality, I say you're right to say 'fuck you' to the poster. If its act or actively acting against homosexuals, or even saying 'homosexuality is wrong', then thats not acceptable to me either. But anyways, I think we both agree that if someone is gay, that's who they are, and so long as they don't want us to take part in it, it should have no effect on us.

 

[The Unworthy Gentleman]

You just need to tolerate homosexuality, you don't have to like it.

I don't like homosexuality but I won't treat a gay any different because of it. So long as who he is isn't based entirely around his sexuality, I'm cool with him. If the poster makes you feel uncomfortable then that's okay, you just need to accept others for differences they can't control, you can hate on them entirely for an attitude you deem to be that of an asshole.

 

[ultimateownage]

A friend of mine saw a very provocative gay rights poster in our school. He was two gay men dressed as hockey players making out. He asked me if was homophobic if he felt uncomfortable with it . I told him " It's fine to be uncomfortable with it, you're not a gay basher so I don't see a problem". I knew which poster he was talking about. I told him " It pissed me off, but for a different reason". The poster said "Homophobia is a social disease".When I saw it I thought to myself " fuck you, just because a person isn't down with who you are does not make them socially diseased."

That poster just really bothers me in general. It's really in your face. I understand the fact that the homosexual community hasn't had it easy, but I don't think you need to be all up in peoples face about it. You're homosexual, big fucking deal ( i'm in Canada).I almost want to rip that poster down. Your part of the human fucking race, you sexuality in meaningless and none of my concern.

In short; Is okay to be uncomfortable with homosexuality. I say yes.

I'm most likely wrong somewhere in here. I do enjoy other peoples perspective in such things, and love expanding my own perspective.

I think your opinion is fine and not at all homophobic, but only on one condition. Would you be annoyed if there was a poster of a heterosexual couple kissing, and being 'all up in your face about it'? If not, yes, you ARE being homophobic. If not, you just don't like people making out in public which is fine.
That's pretty much my opinion, it's not okay to only hate it because it's a homosexual couple. But if you just hate the act in general, in this case being making out in public, then there's nothing wrong.

 

[Blitzwarp]

I think I'd be off-put if a guy and a girl were furiously making out on that poster. Equal rights to gay people and all, but it's sort of rude to be that egregious then insinuate someone is homophobic for being uncomfortable with it.

There are valid, non-homophobic reasons to be put off by that poster. Get a room, people.

I agree.

Also, OP, do you know who put the poster up? Was it the school, or a student? I only ask because things like this weren't allowed in my school (anything, from sexuality to gender issues to religion) in case anybody sued, and props to your school at least for allowing its students to be open-minded, even with such a silly poster.

 

[s0denone]

I always propose this thought exercise when homophobia comes up: Imagine it's racism and change "homosexuals" for "blacks" in whatever you just said.

Let's try it out, shall we?

"You just need to tolerate black people, you don't have to like them.

I don't like black people, but I won't treat a black person any different because of it. So long as who he is isn't based entirely around his race, I'm cool with him."

Yeeeeah. Not as neutral as you intended, probably.

Are you telling me that people I don't like, I have a phobia of?
I agree entirely with your quote there, with the "black people" in it.

There isn't anything remotely racist in it at all.
People shouldn't be defined by (or "based around") their race at all, they should be defined by their actions.

EDIT: I should note, though, that I don't agree with the "I don't like black people[...]", but that I agree with the reasoning that follows it.

 

[superbatranger]

I never did understand that whole notion of openly projecting one's sexuality in such a way that's akin to going around shouting, "Hey, I'm ____!" Shouldn't something like that be kept toned down in a moderate way? I mean, you don't have to tell me your sexuality right off the bat. It won't change my opinion of you.

 

[Lord Kloo]

This reminds me of a poster in my college:

It shows a picture of three normal sized brains and one small one, they are all labeled as different races but the small one is labeled racist, which in itself is racism assuming that just because one doesn't like other colored people they are stupid..

Anyway OT: It shouldn't be in your face like that because they insult people who disagree with them over an issue of a subjective concept.. people who hate meat, X-bros or anything else don't have to put up with that abuse neither should homophobic people.. but also people shouldn't voice their opinions if they are insulting others..

If you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all..

 

[Beryl77]

You can tolerate something but you don't have to like it.
I don't have anything against gay people because it's their right to do whatever they want with their sexual life and it's none of my concern. I don't get why so many people care about what gay people are doing. If they're not having sex right in front of you, simply ignore them if you don't like it.
Someone in my class really likes to watch "how I met you mother" and his favourite charakter is Barney Stinson and when he found out that his actor, Neil Patrick Harris, is gay he said that he couldn't believe it and that he doesn't like him anymore. That's Homophobic but if you're feeling unconfortable when a gay couple makes out it's not really homophobic (maybe a slight bit?). I also don't like to look at two gay people when they're kissing in public but I don't mind what they do in private. It's just unusual for some straight people to see that and it's normal for humans not to like something unusual.

 

[Unspeakable]

I think we're all missing the point here. It's not the content that matters; what's of moral relevance is whether or not it is ok to hang posters. And I say no, no it isn't.

 

[CoL0sS]

That hardly makes you a homophobe. Although I do agree that "in your face" attitude that some of the people who feel different (or were mistreated through course of history) have these days is getting pretty tiring. I don't really care about your sexuality,color of your skin, clothes or social status as long as you act like a decent human being. Yeah perhaps you have it rough, but these days who doesn't, and shoving your beliefs down my throat sure isn't gonna make it better.

 

[guntotingtomcat]

To be honest, I'n not down with PDA at all.

Unless it's in a night club, which is kinda hot.

 

[The Unworthy Gentleman]

I always propose this thought exercise when homophobia comes up: Imagine it's racism and change "homosexuals" for "blacks" in whatever you just said.

Let's try it out, shall we?

"You just need to tolerate black people, you don't have to like them.

I don't like black people, but I won't treat a black person any different because of it. So long as who he is isn't based entirely around his race, I'm cool with him."

Yeeeeah. Not as neutral as you intended, probably.

It isn't neutral because being black and being gay is different. I said I don't like homosexuality not that I don't like gay people. I don't like the idea of men getting it on with other men but that's not to say I don't like the men getting it on.

Don't take things out of context, that's why it doesn't sound neutral.

 

[s0denone]

Ah, read that twice, did you? Not so cool with "you don't have to like black people" said openly in casual conversation, are we?

No. Just about as cool as saying "You don't have to like gays" said openly.
Just because saying something is socially stigmatised, doesn't mean whatever those things are, are wrong.

Yeah, I like this game. Let's do the OP. I'm going to go with antisemitism. Religion is clearly a choice, after all, so you should be able to be waaay more antisemitic than you are homophobic, shouldn't you?

What? So you are indeed telling me that people I do not like, I have a phobia of?
Now... You even go as far as equating "homophobia" with "antisemitism" in terms of the feelings involved.
That is completely absurd in and off itself. Please reconsider your entire argument.
Either you are working on a very broad definition of "homophobia" in that even mild things such as being uncomfortable around them means you are it... Or you are equating the feelings to antisemitism, which would mean intense prejudice and dislike.

"A friend of mine saw a very provocative jewish rights poster in our school. It was two men dressed as rabbis praying. He asked me if was antisemitic if he felt uncomfortable with it . I told him " It's fine to be uncomfortable with it, you're not a jew basher so I don't see a problem". I knew which poster he was talking about. I told him " It pissed me off, but for a different reason". The poster said "Antisemitism is a social disease".When I saw it I thought to myself " fuck you, just because a person isn't down with who you are does not make them socially diseased."

That poster just really bothers me in general. It's really in your face. I understand the fact that the jew community hasn't had it easy, but I don't think you need to be all up in peoples face about it. You're a jew, big fucking deal ( i'm in Canada).I almost want to rip that poster down. Your part of the human fucking race, you religion in meaningless and none of my concern.

In short; Is okay to be uncomfortable with judaism. I say yes.

I'm most likely wrong somewhere in here. I do enjoy other peoples perspective in such things, and love expanding my own perspective."

You know what? I'm an atheist.
I don't like religion.
Does that mean I hate everyone religous? Nope.
Does that mean I do not tolerate anyone religious? Nope.
Does that mean I do not like religion? Yes.

Gaaah, so uncomfortable to read. Comedy gold, really.

You know what?
I'll just reiterate what I said before, to make sure you understand:
Antisemitism = Great dislike and prejudice.
If homophobia = Great dislike and prejudice THEN being uncomfortable around a poster of two gay gentlemen making out is NOT homophobia.

EDIT: To make it clear:
If you are working with above definition of homophobia(which I would actually agree with you on), then being homophobic requires you to discriminate, hate or otherwise go out of your way to make life worse for those who are gay.

 

[Stasisesque]

I always propose this thought exercise when homophobia comes up: Imagine it's racism and change "homosexuals" for "blacks" in whatever you just said.

Let's try it out, shall we?

"You just need to tolerate black people, you don't have to like them.

I don't like black people, but I won't treat a black person any different because of it. So long as who he is isn't based entirely around his race, I'm cool with him."

Yeeeeah. Not as neutral as you intended, probably.

Are you telling me that people I don't like, I have a phobia of?
I agree entirely with your quote there, with the "black people" in it.

There isn't anything remotely racist in it at all.
People shouldn't be defined by (or "based around") their race at all, they should be defined by their actions.

EDIT: I should note, though, that I don't agree with the "I don't like black people[...]", but that I agree with the reasoning that follows it.

Ah, read that twice, did you? Not so cool with "you don't have to like black people" said openly in casual conversation, are we?

Yeah, I like this game. Let's do the OP. I'm going to go with antisemitism. Religion is clearly a choice, after all, so you should be able to be waaay more antisemitic than you are homophobic, shouldn't you?

"A friend of mine saw a very provocative jewish rights poster in our school. It was two men dressed as rabbis praying. He asked me if was antisemitic if he felt uncomfortable with it . I told him " It's fine to be uncomfortable with it, you're not a jew basher so I don't see a problem". I knew which poster he was talking about. I told him " It pissed me off, but for a different reason". The poster said "Antisemitism is a social disease".When I saw it I thought to myself " fuck you, just because a person isn't down with who you are does not make them socially diseased."

That poster just really bothers me in general. It's really in your face. I understand the fact that the jew community hasn't had it easy, but I don't think you need to be all up in peoples face about it. You're a jew, big fucking deal ( i'm in Canada).I almost want to rip that poster down. Your part of the human fucking race, you religion in meaningless and none of my concern.

In short; Is okay to be uncomfortable with judaism. I say yes.

I'm most likely wrong somewhere in here. I do enjoy other peoples perspective in such things, and love expanding my own perspective."

Gaaah, so uncomfortable to read. Comedy gold, really.

From some of the threads/posts on this very forum, it'd be fairly easy to come to the conclusion that it's quite all right to outright hate religion, religious people, religious teachings and so forth. This forum alone has less tolerance of religion than the entire USA (little overstatement on the last point, I admit).

That said, tolerate by dictionary definition is the putting up with/granting liberty/permitting people/acts/choices/races/ideals. Tolerance means to not prohibit, it does not mean to like. There's even an argument on whether it means acceptance - personally I'd separate tolerance and acceptance, your view may vary.

We are not living in a 1984 scenario, there is no such thing as thoughtcrime. You will rarely discover whether or not someone is tolerating or accepting you for who/what you are - whether that be gay, black, Jewish etc. and so forth. And you are perfectly capable of teaching tolerance to others.

 

[Whitenail]

Um... you are... actually... right, OP. It's okay to have posters up but that one seems too In Your Face about it.

[sub][sub][sub]Wait... if they can put that poster up... can I put up a...? You know what, nevermind. I didn't say anything.[/sub][/sub][/sub]

Speaking of "in your face" it's yet another post wherein you bring up the fact that you're a pedophile...if we really wanted to know about what you're attracted to it's right up there in your profile, you don't get a badge for typing the word "Pedophile" 1600 times. I'm sorry but despite the time I spend here it has literally been segued into every one of your posts that I've seen, even one on gun ownership.

OP: I think that's a fairly rational way of looking at it, while I'm fine with the LGBT community I think your sexual or gender orientation shouldn't be the sole, defining factor of who you are as a person and it should not make you think that you're entitled to take the soap-box and fill people's ear-holes with you broadcasting what you're like.

But I've honestly wondered what it would be like if heterosexual people tried living up to gay culture, I envision straight pride parades where all we do is march in succesion while wearing outfits of grey.

 

[clockout]

I always propose this thought exercise when homophobia comes up: Imagine it's racism and change "homosexuals" for "blacks" in whatever you just said.

Let's try it out, shall we?

"You just need to tolerate black people, you don't have to like them.

I don't like black people, but I won't treat a black person any different because of it. So long as who he is isn't based entirely around his race, I'm cool with him."

Yeeeeah. Not as neutral as you intended, probably.

Are you telling me that people I don't like, I have a phobia of?
I agree entirely with your quote there, with the "black people" in it.

There isn't anything remotely racist in it at all.
People shouldn't be defined by (or "based around") their race at all, they should be defined by their actions.

EDIT: I should note, though, that I don't agree with the "I don't like black people[...]", but that I agree with the reasoning that follows it.

Ah, read that twice, did you? Not so cool with "you don't have to like black people" said openly in casual conversation, are we?

Yeah, I like this game. Let's do the OP. I'm going to go with antisemitism. Religion is clearly a choice, after all, so you should be able to be waaay more antisemitic than you are homophobic, shouldn't you?

"A friend of mine saw a very provocative jewish rights poster in our school. It was two men dressed as rabbis praying. He asked me if was antisemitic if he felt uncomfortable with it . I told him " It's fine to be uncomfortable with it, you're not a jew basher so I don't see a problem". I knew which poster he was talking about. I told him " It pissed me off, but for a different reason". The poster said "Antisemitism is a social disease".When I saw it I thought to myself " fuck you, just because a person isn't down with who you are does not make them socially diseased."

That poster just really bothers me in general. It's really in your face. I understand the fact that the jew community hasn't had it easy, but I don't think you need to be all up in peoples face about it. You're a jew, big fucking deal ( i'm in Canada).I almost want to rip that poster down. Your part of the human fucking race, you religion in meaningless and none of my concern.

In short; Is okay to be uncomfortable with judaism. I say yes.

I'm most likely wrong somewhere in here. I do enjoy other peoples perspective in such things, and love expanding my own perspective."

Gaaah, so uncomfortable to read. Comedy gold, really.

I've read and read other post, but you...you honestly got me here. I do feel like a douche now, because I walked right into this. At least you didn't pull out the n-word, but judaism serve well enough. Lessoned learned.

 

[supermariner]

you can't help how you react to something
if you don't like it, then you don't like it

it depends how you deal with your feelings about it
if you react in a tolerant and understanding way
you don't HAVE to like it. No it's not homophobic

 

[Actual]

Someone in my class really likes to watch "how I met you mother" and his favourite charakter is Barney Stinson and when he found out that his actor, Neil Patrick Harris, is gay he said that he couldn't believe it and that he doesn't like him anymore.

When I find out he was gay, my reaction was:

"He's gay and he can play such a convincing and hilarious womaniser!? Legendary!"

On topic, I'd like to put a floor to ceiling poster of me with my tongue tickling some girl's tonsils, and the big text stating "Makes you uncomfortable? Then you're mentally diseased and socially deficient! or you have a reasonable sense of polite boundaries."

I really hate in your face, I'm here I'm queer, militant gays.

Yeah, I like this game. Let's do the OP. I'm going to go with antisemitism. Religion is clearly a choice, after all, so you should be able to be waaay more antisemitic than you are homophobic, shouldn't you?

"A friend of mine saw a very provocative jewish rights poster in our school. It was two men dressed as rabbis praying. He asked me if was antisemitic if he felt uncomfortable with it . I told him " It's fine to be uncomfortable with it, you're not a jew basher so I don't see a problem". I knew which poster he was talking about. I told him " It pissed me off, but for a different reason". The poster said "Antisemitism is a social disease".When I saw it I thought to myself " fuck you, just because a person isn't down with who you are does not make them socially diseased."

That poster just really bothers me in general. It's really in your face. I understand the fact that the jew community hasn't had it easy, but I don't think you need to be all up in peoples face about it. You're a jew, big fucking deal ( i'm in Canada).I almost want to rip that poster down. Your part of the human fucking race, you religion in meaningless and none of my concern.

In short; Is okay to be uncomfortable with judaism. I say yes.

I'm most likely wrong somewhere in here. I do enjoy other peoples perspective in such things, and love expanding my own perspective."

Gaaah, so uncomfortable to read. Comedy gold, really.

I like what you're doing with this thought experiment but I'm afraid it doesn't quite fit in that case. This could be transferred to religion if the poster had the image you described but instead said "If you're not a believer in the Jewish faith you are a flawed person."

The homosexuality poster was outside the limits of politeness and blaming the people it made uncomfortable for it's rudeness. Instead of kissing why not have them holding hands, that's at least acceptable behaviour in public.

...Actually I think I may be being old-fashioned here, a lot of posters do have overt sexuality in them. Can we get rid of them all regardless of the gender of the photographed?

 

[MassiveGeek]

It's not homophobic but it does hint at an underlying prejudice (which I imagine may have more to do with gender than orientation).

Also, I don't see how saying "homophobia is a social disease" translates into calling homophobic people diseased. The LGBT community still doesn't have it "easy", and they need to be "up in people's faces about it" otherwise enough people don't listen or care.

Or just feeling uncomfortable. I'd feel uncomfortable around a giant poster of two guys making out, and I'm female - there's no "fear" there of being hit on by a man - that's actually what I want. I just, like many, don't find public displays of affection, between any gender/sexuality, to be particularly... necessary.

It's common amongst older generations, the same type who are uncomfortable about sexually charged scenes in programmes on before the watershed. Those values are still being passed down, and have nothing to do with homophobia.

As has already been mentioned, you don't need to like something to tolerate it. If you're pushing for people to like homosexuality, you're in for a tough battle.

That's what she said.

... No, she really did.

I do agree with it.

Sorry for the super, super awful joke that may or may not be applicable, it doesn't say what sex you are on your page.

 

[Actual]

you don't need to like something to tolerate it.

That's what she said.

... No, she really did.

Funny, I'm often telling women they don't need to like it to tolerate it.