Poll: Are you Homophobic??

[Mr0llivand3r]

While I don't hate butt-pirates but I will say this:


people often forget that half of the word "homophobia" is "phobia", which means "a fear of something"

just because you dislike something does not mean you're afraid of it. It's such a fucking pompous, childish, liberal thing to just cross your arms, roll your eyes, and say, "You're just afraid of it"

That's like someone disliking shellfish and their friend telling them, "You're such a crustaceaophobe"...

"Um... no? I just don't like shellfish. I don't distance myself from meals consisting of crustaceans because I'm afraid of them, I do because I simply don't like them"

As I said before, I'm not homophobic. But hypothetically I won't distance myself from gay people because I'm afraid of them. I would just not like them.

 

[technoted]

Not in the slightest, doesn't bug me at all, though I will sometimes find myself giggling like a school girl at the really camp ones arguing...

 

[Dags90]

From an evolutionary perspective, it makes little to no sense; at the very least, the existence of a "gay gene" (meaning some sort of biological reason why a person is gay; no idea why the word "gene" is part of the term) is completely unfounded. Evolution progresses when a small mutation happens, and if that mutation is beneficial and helps the creature survive, it will, and it will mate and spread its mutation. So let's say that, somewhere back in the history of evolution, an animal received the "gay gene." It would be incapable of reproduction. Animals, acting on instinct based on their biology, would not have the sense to know, "If I want evolution to continue, I should reproduce;" they would simply do what they are biologically programmed to do. If they are programmed to have sex with the same gender, they would only be rejected by the rest of the pack unless another animal of the same gender had the same mutation (which, considering the already astronomical odds against these "beneficial mutations" in the first place, is more than unlikely); but even if they do find a partner, the "gay gene" would not spread. Beyond that, contrary to popular belief, homosexuality cannot be caused by genetics alone; it is dependent on many social and environmental concerns. Even the studies regarding biological homosexuality admit this. The point to all this is that there are many good reasons why any sort of biological need to be gay can be doubted, and even denied outright. Again, this is not all the information, so you can come to a different conclusion, but this is more than a valid argument.

I decided only to deal with this one point, as genetics is my forte. While your scenario does apply to basic Mendelian genetics, there are many other possibilities. Non-Mendelian genetics are much trickier and widespread in humans.

Homosexuality could be the result of complex interaction of several genes and epigenetic triggers. Homosexuality could be a rare negative consequence to genes that are otherwise positive. In these cases, the net benefit of homosexuals genes outweighs the reproductive loss of the few homosexual children.

There are plenty of ways for homosexuality to be caused by genetics, epigenetics and other biological pathways. I think there's almost certainly a genetic component. We also find homosexuality in non-social animals, like dragonflies and fruit flies.

 

[SulfuricDonut]

I don't mind at all if someone is homosexual, as long as homosexual guys don't start hitting on me... then I would probably edge away from them.

 

[EightGaugeHippo]

Nope, but I do hate the accent thing, gets on my nerves.

 

[DannibalG36]

Homophobic is an inaccurate term. Some people don't FEAR homosexuals. Instead, said people are utterly REVOLTED by them. Fear and revulsion are two different things. Just saying.

 

[JordanMillward_1]

Homophobic is an inaccurate term. Some people don't FEAR homosexuals. Instead, said people are utterly REVOLTED by them. Fear and revulsion are two different things. Just saying.

Which is why the definition of homophobia doesn't just cover fear of, but aversion to, hatred of and discrimination towards homosexuals or homosexuality.

 

[Nieroshai]

I believe it's a poor lifestyle choice

You are, however, assuming it's a choice for everyone. Just because you had bisexual leanings at one point (most people have at one point or another), doesn't mean that people who actually are bisexual/homosexual choose to be like that.

Plus, how is it a "lifestyle"? You don't say that straight people have a "heterosexual lifestyle" do you? I'm bi, but I don't let it affect how I live my life other than who I happen to find attractive.

You're going off of the "fact" that people can be born that way. Other than being potentially bicurious or disinterested in women, this is not the case. You aren't born wanting your own sex. You're born with an eventual desire to reproduce, or at least attempt to do so. Your final sexuality is cemented in your experiences during puberty. And yes, a lifestyle. Sexuality is a lifestyle. Diet is a lifestyle. Hobby is a lifestyle. Many of our actions can be classified as such if they are personal choices. Any sexuality is a choice, because you are easily capable of being celibate. It is how you interact with (insert partner here). Therefore heterosexuality IS a lifestyle, as is celibacy. And your nature does affect your life, because you interact differently with other genders than those with other sexualities do. People still think I'm gay just because I'm more comfortable around females as friends than guys. I could go on much longer, but I don't want to sound like a jerk.

EDIT: I do not mean to say entirely that it's always a personal choice, merely that it's not genetic. Psychological doesn't mean voluntary. It is probably a product of experiences that coompletely changes the way a person thinks.

 

[The_Amazing_G]

I hate the term 'homophobic'. if someone is predudaeced to gay people, is it usaully not a "phobia". A better word to use would be "homosexism".

Anyway, I am a little uncomfortable around people who are openly gay with other gay people, but I am also uncomfortable with PDA's made by "straight" people, so I guess I am not homophobic. I have no problem with gay people at all, but I prefer people who make no big deal about being gay (I have a lot of respect for people like that) to people who are openly gay and "in your face about it", like say, a gay pride parade.

 

[Kortney]

I accidentally clicked yes.

But the truth is no. My twin is bisexual and has been in a relationship with a girl for about a year now. I know her better than I know myself and I can tell she has no control over who she is attracted to and I would never hate someone for that.

 

[The_Amazing_G]

I believe it's a poor lifestyle choice

You are, however, assuming it's a choice for everyone. Just because you had bisexual leanings at one point (most people have at one point or another), doesn't mean that people who actually are bisexual/homosexual choose to be like that.

Plus, how is it a "lifestyle"? You don't say that straight people have a "heterosexual lifestyle" do you? I'm bi, but I don't let it affect how I live my life other than who I happen to find attractive.

You're going off of the "fact" that people can be born that way. Other than being potentially bicurious or disinterested in women, this is not the case. You aren't born wanting your own sex. You're born with an eventual desire to reproduce, or at least attempt to do so. Your final sexuality is cemented in your experiences during puberty. And yes, a lifestyle. Sexuality is a lifestyle. Diet is a lifestyle. Hobby is a lifestyle. Many of our actions can be classified as such if they are personal choices. Any sexuality is a choice, because you are easily capable of being celibate. It is how you interact with (insert partner here). Therefore heterosexuality IS a lifestyle, as is celibacy. And your nature does affect your life, because you interact differently with other genders than those with other sexualities do. People still think I'm gay just because I'm more comfortable around females as friends than guys. I could go on much longer, but I don't want to sound like a jerk.

EDIT: I do not mean to say entirely that it's always a personal choice, merely that it's not genetic. Psychological doesn't mean voluntary. It is probably a product of experiences that coompletely changes the way a person thinks.

I'm going to have to agree with that. I have not seen any proof that it is form birth. I am inclined not to believe that it is because from a "natural selection" point of view, being gay would be a defect, becasue it keeps the said persons genes form being in the gene pool. And yet, there is a increasing population of gay people in each generation. Logically, it does not make sense to be born with it. If you can be born with it, then it has to be genetic, and it can not be genetic. It is impossible. The only other explanation is for it to be a defect, and I do not think that it is. Therefore, it only makes sense that it is a lifestyle choice. I'm not saying people WANT to be gay (I'm not saying they don't either), I am saying it is a point of view born from circumstances that have nothing to do with birth.

 

[ALuckyChance]

I'm going to have to agree with that. I have not seen any proof that it is form birth. I am inclined not to believe that it is because from a "natural selection" point of view, being gay would be a defect, becasue it keeps the said persons genes form being in the gene pool. And yet, there is a increasing population of gay people in each generation. Logically, it does not make sense to be born with it. If you can be born with it, then it has to be genetic, and it can not be genetic. It is impossible. The only other explanation is for it to be a defect, and I do not think that it is. Therefore, it only makes sense that it is a lifestyle choice. I'm not saying people WANT to be gay (I'm not saying they don't either), I am saying it is a point of view born from circumstances that have nothing to do with birth.

"In 1993, linkage between homosexuality and chromosomal region Xq28 based on molecular approaches was reported. Nevertheless, this was not confirmed in later studies. Recently, a wide search of the genome has given significant or close to significant linkage values with regions 7q36, 8p12 and 10q26, which need to be studied more closely. Deviation in the proportion of X chromosome inactivation in mothers of homosexuals seems to favor the presence of genes related with sexual orientation in this chromosome. There is still much to be known about the genetics of human homosexuality."

- Influence of genetic factors on human sexual orientation. (PubMed)
[small](taken from a post from the religion and politics subforum)[/small]

You also seem not to know the evidence showing that mothers with many sons happen to have a higher chance of their youger sons being gay. I'd look up a source for that, but you know, effort.

 

[TheLaofKazi]

The problem with this thread is;

A: This is a bait thread. Its one of those threads whose title and or subject are designed solely to get people to click on it, and comment. Those annoy me to no end, but its not about me, its about all the little people, so...

B: This topic is a rather lame one anyways. Topics about gender differences, race differences, sexual differences, and to a lesser extent, political and religious ones are ALWAYS lame. Because frankly, its been done before. See Ref A. Its the equivelance of cashing in on a cow, only the cow has already been beaten to death six times prior to your arrival. (And, making a broad, unfounded/completely founded assumption about the age-range of the forum base, this cow was most likely beaten to death six times before you were even born.) And finally...

C: No one ever tells the truth anyways. Thats the lamest part of all. No one ever admits to being a homophobe in person. No one ever admits to being anti-black, anti-gay, or a chauvinist, in public, in honesty. Because we are a culture of people who have been taught the fear of the Politically Correct.

Think about that for a second. When have you ever seen your average friends admit to being against womens sufferage? Or against 'equal' rights between the races? Never. Because admitting that would make you a social outcast instantly. People are not free to admit how they feel about a "hot button" topic, and so they tow the line. The best anyone can do these days is couch their statement carefully, with the old throwaway line.

"Im not a racist... but..."
"Im not anti-gay or anything, but..."

So... I feel this post is a waste of time. Its certaintly gotten alot of bites, but thats because most fish have poor vision, and bite whatever shiny thing you toss infront of it.

Whiskey Echo!!
mythgraven

I agree. I don't mind discussion on these sort of hot topics, because sometimes they can interesting (and there has been some in this thread, because at least the community here is generally the more thinking type), but when you just spout out such a generic issue with no real room for anything other then people stating their thoughts, with no creative spin on the discussion to get people to think outside the box, it just feels so pointless. It's just a simple "yes or no" kind of thing, with no deeper look into the issue being the basis of the discussion. A lot of hot topic issues tend to be like that with the whole "pro-life or pro-choice" for abortion or "yes or no" on legalizing marijuana. A lot of the more complex opinions that aren't just on one side tend to get overlooked amongst all the black or white ones.

I especially get annoyed with the whole "I don't hate gays or anything, but I don't like seeing them kiss in public" crap. Sure, with many people, homosexuality isn't their thing, that's all fine and good. But being utterly disgusted by it? Honestly, just fucking look away. If it really bothers you that much, then congratulations, that's what happens when you grow up in a fake, superficial society that fills your mind with a very narrow idea of sexuality while still acting like they aren't intolerant and close-minded. Go to Europe and you will see women walk around topless. It's not a big deal there, because well... it isn't. and fortunately, the culture there agrees. Every culture has it's own arbitrary bigotries, and at the very least I would like to see people become a bit more conscious of how their minds have been molded by those around them, so they can at least just say "I know seeing some men kissing in public is harmless, but I'm not used to seeing it."

 

[Dags90]

I'm going to have to agree with that. I have not seen any proof that it is form birth. I am inclined not to believe that it is because from a "natural selection" point of view, being gay would be a defect, becasue it keeps the said persons genes form being in the gene pool.[footnote]See my post here: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.237559-Poll-Are-you-Homophobic?page=11#8504912 [/footnote] And yet, there is a increasing population of gay people in each generation[footnote] I've never seen that proven, most sociologists believe its remained pretty constant (and is constant across cultures). What has changed is acceptance, leading to more open homosexuals.[/footnote]. Logically, it does not make sense to be born with it. If you can be born with it, then it has to be genetic[footnote]Ever hear of thalidomide?[/footnote], and it can not be genetic. It is impossible. The only other explanation is for it to be a defect, and I do not think that it is. Therefore, it only makes sense that it is a lifestyle choice. I'm not saying people WANT to be gay (I'm not saying they don't either), I am saying it is a point of view born from circumstances that have nothing to do with birth.

There are so many problems with this post it makes my head hurt. Going to deal with them point by point in footnotes.

 

[William Dickbringer]

I actually know a few gay guys who are funny as hell one of my friends is a bisexual (but a little more of a lesbian) and she's one of my best friends and one of aunts is gay I really just get along with them as much as I would with a straight guy

 

[Kuroneko97]

Not at all. It catches me a little by surprise when I hear someone I know is, but I'm not afraid or disgusted by them. Two of my aunts are gay, and both my siblings each have a gay friend. I love my aunts, and those friends are very nice in my opinion. I just see homosexuals as people with a different interest than me.

 

[CarpathianMuffin]

I'm not the least bit opposed to homosexuality, though as with most things, it bugs me when people are so... I wouldn't say open, but almost obnoxious about it.

But yeah, I'm completely accepting.

 

[The 11th Plauge]

i have no problem with them, I just dont want to hear about it myself. you can be gay, but if you dont want me spouting christian stuff, dont go spoting gay stuff as well

 

[RatRace123]

Not at all.