Poll: Does anyone really care if people are gay anymore?

[reggiejames]

i stopped worrying about gay men when i realized they were less interested in me than straight women are. lol

 

[Xanadeas]

I dislike the term homophobic it doesn?t make sense, homo means man/human and a phobia is an irrational fear. Ignoring that just because you don?t like something doesn?t mean or even imply that you are afraid of it.
And yes I do care if people are gay if some one in my family or a friend was gay I would want to know, if I didn?t care I wouldn?t be interested.

Homo can mean man/human but in the sense of homosexuality or homophobia it is referring to it's other meaning. Same. As in homosexuality = same sex attraction. Or homophobia would more accurately translate into a fear of sameness or same sex attraction.

 

[Glerken]

Not many people on the Escapist are homophobic. The Escapist is better than that.

However, plenty of people still are homophobic.

 

[TOO S0BER]

I think it's wrong that the law tries to forbid being gay. I'm not gay, nor have I been hit on by a gay person. As far as I'm concerned, they can do as they please with their personal lives. It's not my business, it's not the government's business, and it certainly isn't ANY religion's business (Especially if the two gay people in question are not of that religion).

And banning gay marriage? I disagree with banning gay marriage. The only people that whole-heartedly believe in the marriage definition as between one man and one woman, are the overzelous religious people with one train of thought (no offense). I believe that marriage should be defined as the union of two persons whom deeply love one another. Besides, we should not desegregate gay and lesbion people like white society did to the black society for well over 50 years...they're people too...no more and no less than you or me.

GAY RIGHTS!

 

[Glerken]

I fear that, just like equal rights for black American's, we'll have to wait for the religious to catch up to the forward thinking members of society.

You could have phrased that better then, as it seemed to be on the trollish side.

However! Response time:

Yes, you'll have to wait for some people to catch up. What were you expecting, that everyone was going to become tolerant overnight? That's a little unrealistic. Give it time, and people will change. Heck, they've already changed quite a bit...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp76ly2_NoI
These people not so much.
Although, it is the only one star rated video with that many views I've ever seen.
So ya, if the youtube commenters can be tolerant, I think anyone can.

 

[sleeperhit79]

I think most people do, including gay people. I identity is still important for a lot of people. I understand that we live in a society where the whitest kid from kansas can run around with baggy clothes and side baseball cap saying the n-word left and right. But there are still a lot of people that care about their identity, I myself identify myself partly as a mexican man, I know that I am also much more than that, but the core is still there, and I'm assuming being gay is no different.
I think people forget really quick that not that long ago in california we passed a law that took away gay people's right to get married, a right that they had just received, so yeah, there are a lot of people that care if someone is gay.

 

[xitel]

While I understand where you're coming from, I think that if you really want complete acceptance in the world you have to work for it. Maybe the gay pride parades are a bit much, but they are a showcase of people who are standing proud and don't give a crap what anyone else thinks of how they present themselves or what they do with their own lifes. I understand that theres really no need to be 'proud' of who you're naturally attracted to in the long run, and if you personally aren't, thats fine; but at this current time in the world your community NEEDS to stand up and be proud, if only to show the intolerant fecktards that you mean business.

I agree that we need to stand up and defend ourselves if and when we are attacked, and that we need to stick together as a community, but at the same time we don't need people thinking that being gay means you're not the same kind of person as a straight guy. Yes, we like having sex with different people. Yes, some of us are different personality wise. But there's plenty of different types of personalities among straight people as well. It's just that the vocal minority of the gay society is the type of personality that annoys me, regardless of sexuality. I'm not saying that we should just turn the other cheek when someone gets beaten to death simply because they're gay, or have their house burned down or fired from their jobs. No, if that happens, I will be the first to encourage retribution. Not an escalation, but I wouldn't say just to let it slide. But by shouting how gay you are every chance you get, you're basically taking both cheeks at people and shouting "Smack the crap out of them!"

I know that if you're a manly type of gay guy it must be hard to accept, but the truth is that the gay culture is a HUGE part of the gay community; and yes, gay people USUALLY do have at least some characteristics of the opposite sex. Usually when I say this I get flamed by the people who are exceptions to this rule, but it's the truth. Of course, most people don't even come close to fitting the stereotypes, but almost all gay men at least have some kind of feministic manner (whether that is interests or mannerisms or whatever) and most lesbians are a bit tom-boyish. It isn't just my opinion either, because a lot of people inside and outside of the gay community notice this, all my gay and lesbian friends included. One of my friends back in England who is a lesbian, but like you (fitting very easilly into her gender role, in this case as a very girly girl) always complains to me that she has a LOT of difficulty meeting other women like her, because most of the lesbians she meets are at least a little boyish, and that isn't attractive to her.

I'll be the first to admit, I do have a few feminine tendencies, or at least tendencies that are stereotypical of gay guys. I mean, for example I never go anywhere without my comb, and if my hair gets messed up I get really annoyed. I love my hair. I dislike "manly men", the kind that go out and get ripped with muscles visible through their shirts. That's not sexy to me. I know that the gay culture is part of the community, but I think people need to reconsider what that means exactly. I for one refuse to think that it means wearing rainbows and pink and speaking in a fey voice. The gay culture is just a culture of people that are gay. Just like straight culture is just people that are straight. I know guys like me are somewhat rare, i.e. guys that are completely straight except for the fact that they love another man. But that doesn't mean that the gay community needs to be shouting it's presence everywhere all the time. It just makes us look like a kid throwing a tantrum, not a group of people that differ from the societal norm and want to change that fact.

The point i'm waffling on to reach is that while there are plenty of homosexuals like yourself, you have to accept the fact that sometimes being gay and being a bit girly (or being a lesbian and being a bit boyish) can go hand in hand. It's why 'Transgender' is grouped in there at the end of GLB. Gay pride parades are often attended by the extreme stereotype-fitters, who are just like the others except MORE so. Or, in many cases, just ordinary gay people who take the opportunity to flaunt their personality to the very extreme just for a fun day out.

I can understand wanting to go out and letting yourself just go all out, but I see the kinds of people that actually participate in those parades and I can't help but think that they are forcing themselves into that stereotype, or at least some of them are, just to feel like they fit in. That's one of the problems I have with that kind of thing. You already feel ostracized by the majority of society for being gay, and now you feel like you can't fit in with the gay community because you aren't "fabulous" enough. So they force themselves to be someone they're not, and force themselves to change in order to fit in, which is what those parades are supposed to be protesting. That is, the perception that society is trying to force us to change from being gay in order to fit in. It's hypocritical. They want equality, but then they get angry when people get annoyed by them shouting about how gay they are.

Oh, and I know it must be rather annoying with some of the 'members' of my sexuality constantly reminding you that they're okay with you. But just roll with that, it's something many guys feel they need to do as they observe some of the haters in the world and want to reassure you and themselves that they're not like that. It's a gruff thumbs up from the straight men out there which you should be glad of. It's all another stage of the growing acceptance towards you. One day, I hope, nobody will need to do that, as it will be expected to be accepting of homosexuality.

Oh, I appreciate it, don't get me wrong. But there's one guy that says it to me almost every time I get into a conversation with him. Sometimes it's slightly relevant, other times it's just "Hey, dude, you know I'm cool with you being gay, right?" I appreciate it once or twice from people, especially if it's actually sincere (otherwise it annoys me even more), but hearing it ad nauseum from the same person just makes you start to think "He's really not okay with it, but he thinks if he says it enough I'll start to believe it." And yes, one day I hope we eventually get to the point where "I'm gay" results in a response of "Okay. Did you see the game last night?" But that's a long way away.

 

[scotth266]

I fear that, just like equal rights for black American's, we'll have to wait for the religious to catch up to the forward thinking members of society.

You could have phrased that better then, as it seemed to be on the trollish side.

However! Response time:

Yes, you'll have to wait for some people to catch up. What were you expecting, that everyone was going to become tolerant overnight? That's a little unrealistic. Give it time, and people will change. Heck, they've already changed quite a bit...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp76ly2_NoI
These people not so much.
Although, it is the only one star rated video with that many views I've ever seen.
So ya, if the youtube commenters can be tolerant, I think anyone can.

There's always going to be some people who can't deal: after all, there are still racists in the U.S... The opposition of the homosexual culture will continue to be fierce for quite some time. However, these people are doomed to walk the path of the Dodo, for the sake of social progression.

 

[Novacain4862]

I never care, and I still dont care. It doesn't bother me at all.

 

[Blow_Pop]

i dont care just dont push it on me....

I am the same way about religion


I have no problem but I would have serious mental issues if I did seeing as how I am bi.
I just look at it as I'm just a greedy ***** and can't deal with a choice of men or women, I want both. hahahaha

Being bisexual just means you have twice as many options as anyone else... give or take.

eh that too....but i still like my greedy ***** thing. it makes me and everyone else laugh(usually)
well unless you get to my extended family. My mom, dad, and brother are ok with it but no one else really knows. I was raised roman catholic.and minus my immediate family everyone else is very highly religious and scary.....

 

[hero in flames]

There is nothing wrong with gay's... unless they try to hit on me or my friends...

 

[Offworlder_v1legacy]

nope.
Why would I they`re just people

Amen

 

[xitel]

Gay marriage should be legal everywhere.

Dogma should not be allowed in politics.

snip

Actually I disagree very minutely. See, some churches want to marry homosexuals but cannot because of laws placed against such actions. That's why we need to legalize gay marriage, so those churches who want to marry homosexuals can.

I... I don't think that's true. First Amendment states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Those laws would never have made it through the legislative process. Or if they did, the courts would instantly strike them down. That's a direct violation of the First Amendment. Hence why I said gay "marriage" shouldn't be legal OR illegal.

 

[Zorg Machine]

male teenager votes no. SOUND THE GOD ALARM.

 

[TOO S0BER]

I dislike the term homophobic it doesn?t make sense, homo means man/human and a phobia is an irrational fear. Ignoring that just because you don?t like something doesn?t mean or even imply that you are afraid of it.
And yes I do care if people are gay if some one in my family or a friend was gay I would want to know, if I didn?t care I wouldn?t be interested.

Homo has another meaning in just the word itself. Homo meaning "the same". With the word "Homosexual" Homo means "the same" and of course what sexual means. Just clearing up.

 

[traceur_]

No, I don't really give a damn.

@OP welcome the the escapist.

 

[Blood_Lined]

It depends on if they're are "showy" and obvious about it, otherwise I don't mind.

 

[Scarecrow38]

People do still care. Society has softened alot but not fully.

 

[A Raging Emo]

Sadly a lot of people still do.

EDIT: welcome to the escapist.

This.

 

[McMo0^]

Course they do. I find now I'm older there aren't as many of the coverty gays than there was at say college. Course at college I was busy trying to convert everyone to metal so I don't really have room to talk. I've only ever been bothered about people trying to change me, but that goes for everything, and to be fair I can't say I've not tried to change people into liking the things I do. I'm going no-where with this again, doesn't bother me, but it blatantly bothers a lot of people.