Wow. That was quick.

[lightningandsnow]

I posted a facebook event for my school's Day of Silence, and soon enough, some homophobic moran jumped on it. Here's what he wrote:

"This murder was unfortunate, but don't events like this just incite more bigotry? I've always thought the best thing that the gay community could do is simply to behave normally and not flaunt their sexuality all the time. Really, a lot of the prejudice around gay people these days is based around the way they choose to portray themselves, and not because of the inherent belief that loving the same sex is "wrong".

It's the same with most "pride" events, ANY kind of pride. Many people find it irritating rather than enlightening, so the stigma and prejudice never disappears, it only changes. One could argue that they aren't trying to impress anyone, but then what? What kind of message are they trying to send to the general public? That all gay people are flamboyant, overtly feminine (or masculine for some lesbians), and generally NOT NORMAL?

This boy was shot because people have this image of the gay community in their heads, and they find it disturbing, so they want to get rid of it. In order to stop the stigma, all stereotypes have to be removed from the picture. When a community that demands respect continually chooses to cater to its own prejudices, it makes me wonder what their idea of equality is.

Obviously, I am not talking about ALL gay people, as I'm sure that many of them aren't like this. I don't think Lawrence King was like this. As most pride parades happen in large, famous cities that are not as backward as some others, I believe that they're not setting a good example for the way the gay community is being portrayed.

When you have the power to make a difference, don't take advantage of it. "

Umm, what? I have no idea how to respond to this because it's so WRONG. Should I tell him off, or just delete the comments?

[demwing]

1. Do what your heart tells you, BUT...

The more you feed this beastie, the hungrier it will get. There's no winning in this argument, just endless argument. These do not seem to be the words of a person looking for illumination, just conflagration.

The way you react to this is your best refutation. IMO--delete, and move on.

[begin_within]

2. As if straight people never flaunt their sexuality...

[MuseRider]

3. Well, if you have several hours

you could point out all that is wrong here but it will take much time and more anger control than I could ever muster.

Good luck. Let us know how you deal and what happens.

[NMMNG]

4. Be good little gays and go back in your closets.

Wrong. That's how people keep believing the lies about us rather than the truth. Things like the DOS help get out the truth--that we're ordinary people just like everyone else, as well as the need the reality of stigma, hate-crimes and the need for equality.

Show Mr. Bigot this video Lance Bass did for the DOS.

You could also tell him his argument that people target gays for being too visible and open is bull. Would it be ok to beat up people for wearing crucifixes or stars of David around their neck? Should people be targeted because they choose to follow one religion or another then flaunt it? Is it acceptable to kick somebody's a$$ because they talk about their latest girlfriend/boyfriend or who they're taking to the prom (you know, their sexuality). And how about the ones who parade the fruits of their unprotected sex down the street in strollers--should we beat them too?




This boy was shot because people have this image of the gay community in their heads, and they find it disturbing, so they want to get rid of it.

Funny, I have an image of the fundaloon bigot community in my head, and I find it incredibly disturbing. But I'm not going to go out shooting all of the bigots I come across. I guess that's what makes me different from those sick f*cks.

[lightningandsnow]

9. Funny you should show that video.

I have a friend who was in that PSA. For real! She's the one with glasses, wearing the green shirt.

And you are 100% right.

[NMMNG]

10. Cool!

Don't let the a$$hats get you down. That's what they want to do with their hate and bull, so show them up and keep up with the good fight.

[hulklogan]

5. I'd say delete it, block the confused straight if you can, and move on.

Responding to that message would require the use of emotional energy that could be better spent elsewhere.

[soothsayer]

7. yup

[Fearless]

12. Not to be divisive but...

to insult his sexuality, even if he's a bigot, is still wrong. It adds fuel to the fire. It's the same thing as saying that GLBTQ people are just "confused" too.

[Vincardog]

6. Agree with the fool " all stereotypes have to be removed from the picture" starting with stupid

crackers bigots. Then block their address.

[lightningandsnow]

8. And we have yet another winner!

Look at what someone else wrote.

"Maybe the dude did something beyond asking the guy out, something that really pissed him off the the point where he decided to kill him.

Just because one is a victim it doesn't always mean that they are innocent. I am NOT trying to say that his flaw was that he was gay, no not at all. But he probably did something more than we know about.

And as for silence?

The only silence I pay is to those who give their lives in the middle east so our fucked up society over at North America can continue being fucked up.

Also, I agree 100% with (name of original troll)."

The amount of stupid is killing me.

[Fearless]

11. Flaunting sexuality is a symptom of the greater problem for both sides.

Both straight and GLBTQ people do flaunt their sexuality. But, for different reasons. Straight people tend to do so to prove that they are straight. This is bigotry of the highest order. And GLBTQ people flaunt their sexuality as a means to normalize what should be a normal activity.

Both sides can go overboard at times. But it is in the eye of the beholder what overboard is. Unfortunately, even if we all just acted "normal" the problem wouldn't go away as he claimed. Flaunting is, on both sides, a response to the issue and to forcibly deny it is to justify bigotry.


Edit: Spelling.

[and-justice-for-all]

13. Oh what a message that is...

he could of shortened it to "If you just stop being yourself, everything would be just fine."

I think the person who wrote that is in the closet and embarrassed by what some people think about the Gay community. So, instead of coming out and just being Gay, he would rather stay in the closet because of stupid stereotypes.

Overall, that is remarkably descent comment. It could have been a lot worse, with the usual Nazi-homophobic rants.

[Toasterlad]

14. Your Call, But Deleting Ignorance Does Nothing to Counter-Act Ignorance.

That jackass' message could spur someone else to post an eloquent coutner-argument that could change still another person's mind. Or some ignorant person could read it, realize how stupid an argument is, and begin to change his/her mind on the issue.

Throwing dirt on ignorance and hate only gives it food to grow.

[LeftHander]

15. Tell him that his idea of how to look and behave is universal...

Tell him that if he is going to make some LGBT people conform to what he perceives as his definition and standard of appearance and behavior for all Americans he needs to first look in the mirror.

America, last time I looked, is still a free country and what he does'nt approve of when it comes to how members of the LGBT community then he needs to also change all the other "folks" he doesn't approve of either. Based on his response I am sure has a long laundry list. Women who wear to short of skirts, young urban kids who wear their pants low, Straight couples that partake in fetish role play openly.

While he is at it he should also apply his "stereotypes" to blacks, poor southern whites, hispanics, Jews, Amish, Hudderites, Native Americas, Irish, Catholics, Germans etc.etc.etc.....

I want to put my arm around my partner, dance and show peole I am proud to be a HUMAN BEING. If that guy has some kind of problem with that...THAT IS HIS PROBLEM not ours. Tell him to STFU and deal. Because no one cares about what he thinks.