Was it Homophobic?

[Stasisesque]

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.

 

[DatCracker]

It's not a disease to feel uncomfortable, though I hardly see a reason why anyone should be uncomfortable, but hey, not everyone was raised to adore transvestites. :3

Calling Homophobia a disease is just rude. It's the same thing as calling homosexuality a disease. It's not something you can control, it's a feeling. And feeling uncomfortable about sexuality, especially if it differs from your own, is common.

 

[Dags90]

Simple. People who don't have a good understanding of what the term 'social disease' means in a modern context will only catch the 'disease' part, and perhaps equate 'social disease' to 'mental illness'.

If they interpret it the old-fashioned way to mean STD, they'll probably just be confused..

Well I don't think the advertisers should be blamed for people misinterpreting their ads. I really don't see how someone would come to that unless their brain shut off at the mention of "disease".

Just once I'd like to see a thread on the Escapists where minorities aren't eventally blamed for being "confrontational" and that doesn't reek of "minorities need to quit bitching because I'm a white male and my life isn't perfect, therefore equality exists".

 

[thirdsonsaburo]

Homophobia is a plague on society.

 

[Olrod]

What if one of the people in that poster was a woman, or they were BOTH women instead of men?

If you'd feel *just* as uncomfortable, then congratulations - you're not homophobic!

 

[xdom125x]

Is it ironic that this poster defending homosexuality is saying that people are diseased for feeling differently than them?

 

[icame]

I'm not homophobic, I honestly don't give a damn what you like to do in your bed. I judge you based on the quality of your character. I tell you this so that small amount of people that actually get offended at what some random person said over the internet will not put on their keyboard warrior bandana's.

These types of things don't tick me off to much. My problem is with the idiots who think that anything negative you say about them, or anything I could possibly have a problem with, MUST have to do with the fact that your a homosexual. OFCOURSE! Then they proceed to yell at me for being homophobic. I know that they are discriminated against a lot, but give me a break. I don't have to deal with this kind of crap from you just because some kids on the corner call you mean names.

Oh and no, its fine to feel uncomfortable. Trust me if I saw that poster I'd probably gag. I don't handle that kind of stuff well.

 

[sinsfire]

homophobia is like racism, yeah you can be homophobic but its pretty unacceptable. This isn't saying you are diseased if you don't like gay people. Its saying that hating them is not an idea that should be tolerated by a civil and social society.

You don't have to have gay friends, but it shouldn't be socially acceptable to "Hate" anyone just because of who they are. I'm not talking about people with designs to kill like terrorists, I'm talking about people who want to contribute to and be active in their community and help people. You don't hate them just because they chose to love differently then you.

 

[Cid Silverwing]

Homophobia is a sin.

Reject the Book of Leviticus.

 

[Macgyvercas]

Being uncomfortable with the idea of homosexuality while still being able to interact with homosexuals = not homophobic

Avoiding interaction with homosexuals and making it very well known you disapprove of them = homophobic

Going far out of one's way to avoid any and all contact with homosexuals for fear of catching "the gay" = VERY homophobic

In short, it's perfectly acceptable to be uncomftable with the idea. I have several friends, both here and irl, who are either gay/lesbian or bisexual and while I believe that what they do is there own business, I'm still slightly uncomfortable on very rare occasions (we're talking like 0.0000000000001% of the time, so scientifically speaking, a negligable amount). I have come across one or two gay men who I absolutely hated, but that wasn't due to homophobia...itwas due to them being massive jerks.

So, to sum up, hating someone based on sexual orientation is a not good. Hating someone based on how they treat others is perfectly legit.

I think I may have gone slightly off topic here. My apologies. It's late and I just finished watching Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (awesome film, BTW).

 

[JJMUG]

Its a buzzword, just a word to describe prejudice or discrimination. Just to cause a stir and make an analogy with the very real disease. It is used non-clinically to describe a group of people. It is a word no different then Ephebiphobia(fear of youth), Chemophobia(fear of artificial substances, or Xenophobia. Until it gains a Clinical definition all it will be ever is a buzzword.

 

[ecyor0]

Well I don't think the advertisers should be blamed for people misinterpreting their ads. I really don't see how someone would come to that unless their brain shut off at the mention of "disease".

Just once I'd like to see a thread on the Escapists where minorities aren't eventally blamed for being "confrontational" and that doesn't reek of "minorities need to quit bitching because I'm a white male and my life isn't perfect, therefore equality exists".

What? Intelligent, non-confrontational debate about touchy subjects on an internet forum? What strange, perverse notions you have.

 

[ischmalud]

ok i cant believe i got suckered into this but i actually registerd just so i could answer to this statment

It's human instinct to fear what isn't normal. .

According to your statment I as a straight fella am normal just CUZ......well if I am normal this world is in trouble besides i think the idea that gays are abnormal in some sence is quite scary - believe it or not but there is tons of gays in the animal kingdom as usual it wasnt us great humans who came up with it. somehow im pretty sure your statment already got falmed later in the treat but at some stage the discussion seemed to go in circles and i couldnt be bothered to read it all (sorry if i missed some gems). question is why homosexuality makes u uncomfortable - having moved to sydney the self proclaimed gay captital of the world when i was 18 i had to deal with that.

fuck this turned out to be waaay longer than it ment to be anyway think about if u really want an answer to your questions since i doubt anyone here besides u can give it to u

isch

 

[Twilight_guy]

If I saw a poster with a guy and girl making out I'd think its inappropriate, same thing for two guys (unless its a warning about mono I guess).

 

[Dags90]

What? Intelligent, non-confrontational debate about touchy subjects on an internet forum? What strange, perverse notions you have.

A man can dream, though. A man can dream...

I'm just glad I haven't been called a "bleeding heart" yet though. You know, because caring about other people is what leads to communism! Aaah!

 

[Julianking93]

Omni?

Omnisexual. Another word for 'pansexual'
It's like being bisexual only no real preference one way or another.
Those who are omni have the ability to love everyone romantically regardless of what's between their legs

 

[Agayek]

Tolerance doesn't mean you have to like anything, you just put up with it in a "live, let live" situation.

This guy got it 100% right.

Tolerance does not mean you have to like it, just that you have to put up with it.

That said, I would likely just tear the stupid thing down because it accomplishes nothing. It's kinda like the whole "we're here, we're queer" chant/gay-pride-parade mentality (though admittedly for the opposite viewpoint). No matter your stance, you're not going to change your mind because someone started yelling at you about it. That poster does precisely nothing in influencing anyone's opinion. The best it could hope for is to annoy people, which if anything will make them disagree with the poster's idea out of spite.

 

[ecyor0]

I'm just glad I haven't been called a "bleeding heart" yet though. You know, because caring about other people is what leads to communism! Aaah!

No no, Smurfs lead to communism! And anti-semistism; it is from Germany after all...