MovieChat Forums > The Boys in the Band (1970) Discussion > The word 'homophobic'.

The word 'homophobic'.

posted 16 years ago by MrPie7
15 replies | jump to latest

The implication is, that those labeled as "homophobic" are somehow afraid of gays or homosexuality. Phobia being the Greek (how appropriate) word for fear. I, like many people who have been thoughlessly called this, resent the implication that we are either afraid of homosexuality or, to be more Freudian, that we are frightened that we may have these tendancies. Utter psycho-babel nonsense. To oppose the legalization of gay marriage or "special" legal protection for gays does not make anyone a bigot- which is what this epithet implies. How does rejecting the ridiculous notion of adding years to someones prison sentence because it's been determinded as a "hate crime", equate to "fear of homosexuality". Find a new, term and apply it to those who are true gay haters! It's like idiots who call mysogynists "chauvinists" without understanding that the word means an uncritical supporter. It actually means NOTHING unless a CAUSE is included in the phrase. Like MALE chauvanist or CHRISTIAN chauvanist. Fortunately, it has been largely replaced by the more accurate word "sexist".
Like many conservatives, I oppose efforts made to undermine concepts like justice and equality for the convenience and economic gain of gay people. I think I'm entitled to hold those views without being tarred as some kind of hate monger. I bear gays ABSOLUTELY no malice. AND, the only gays I "fear" are those who are armed and angry.

[–] Sox575 16 years ago

I bear gays ABSOLUTELY no malice.

Please! You bear no malice and yet you oppose same-sex marriage? Oppose legal protection?

How would you like it if someone beat your head in with a bat because you were a "conservative"? Or better yet, you couldn't get married and therefore have the same legal rights and responsibilities as other couples because you were a "conservative"?

Not very fair is it? I'm not trying to pass laws saying that YOU CANNOT BE A CONSERVATIVE, so I would appreciate it if you extend me the same.

But'cha Y'Are, Blanche! Y'Are In That Chair!

[–] MrPie7 16 years ago

"Oppose legal protection?"

"SPECIAL" legal protection ie "Hate crime" nonsense.

"I'm not trying to pass laws saying that YOU CANNOT BE A CONSERVATIVE,"

Since when is being gay a political affiliation? Or a set of convictions? Or anything other than a lifestyle? But, my point, which you seem to ignore is, I fear neither gays OR homosexuality. I believe that the word "homophobic" should be replaced by something that is more accurate, like "gay hater" or "anti-gay". I'm not advocating ANY legislation prohibiting homosexuality, I'm merely against legal recognition of gay marriage and hate crime laws.

[–] Sox575 16 years ago

I'm not advocating ANY legislation prohibiting homosexuality, I'm merely against legal recognition of gay marriage and hate crime laws.

Nice try. It's the same difference. Being against same-sex marriage is denying homosexual couples legal rights that heterosexual couples receive.

Hate crime laws are in place because that's what the victims were murdered or attacked for. Be it race, religion or sexual orientation, people have been physically attacked solely on those basis.

Have you every heard of lynchings? How about bashings? Basically the same things.
Not "SPECIAL" protection.

I don't care if you don't like gays, and I don't really care what you people refer to yourselves as...but don't try and deny my rights just because you don't like homosexuals. That's all I'm saying. If I want to get married then I should be able to, and have the LAW recognize it just like any other marriage. Isn't that fair and just?

But'cha Y'Are, Blanche! Y'Are In That Chair!

[–] MrPie7 16 years ago

"I don't care if you don't like gays, and I don't really care what you people refer to yourselves as"

I am speaking of gay people calling straight people "homophobic" simply because of a philosophical or political disagreement. Never heard of ANYONE refer to THEMSELVES as homophobic. If labels don't matter why do gays hate the "f" tag?

Anyone who lynches or bashes someone else should receive the appropriate penalty for murder or assault. If I get involved in an altercation with a black person or gay person, (not that I'm pugnacious by nature) I should not have to face a more severe penalty just because the other person's family feels I deliberately attacked them because of race or sexual preference. Or some prosecutor wants to score points with a special interest group. It's an imperfect world and I absolutely guarantee that some people have gotten harsher sentences where there was no other agenda going on, merely two or more people that were intoxicated or in a bad mood or some misunderstanding. One crime: one punishment. Everybody equal under the law. "Isn't that fair and just?"

[–] Sox575 16 years ago

One crime: one punishment. Everybody equal under the law. "Isn't that fair and just?"

Was Mathew Shepard's murder just some random act? What about Jame Bryd, Jr., the black man who was chained to the back of a truck and then dragged to his death? You think those are run-of-the-mill altercations? Please!

In all murder cases there are degrees and mitigating circumstances, so there isn't "murder is murder" under the eyes of the law. I don't hear you complaining about that.

And when I talk about labels, I'm only speaking for myself and not the whole gay community. And why do gays take offense with the "f" tag? For the same reason that blacks take offense at the "n" tag. Those words have a LONG history of being used to deride and dehumanize people, so that they are no longer considered human. And when you don't regard your fellow man as another human, you can treat them in the most atrocious way.

But'cha Y'Are, Blanche! Y'Are In That Chair!

[–] MrPie7 16 years ago

In the cases of these particularly vicious attacks, more punishment can be meted out because of their heinous nature. The judge can sentence these maniacs to the maximum sentence. What I despise is the adding on of extra punishment because of WHO the victim was. Suppose a white man was dragged behind a pick-up truck? Should the perpetrator receive a less severe punishment than Byrd's attacker? Is the white victim's life and suffering worth LESS? That's the implication when you start creating classes of victims.

"Those words have a LONG history of being used to deride and dehumanize people"

So "homophobic" has a SHORT "history of being used to deride and dehumanize people". Is a new insult or slander somehow less harmful than an old one? The purpose of the word "homophobic" is to demonize those whose beliefs differ from that of the gay community. Tell me how this word is an unbiased discription of those who views differ from the person who employs this term.

Read George Orwell's book "Animal Farm". There you will find the sentiment "All animals are equal. But some animals are MORE EQUAL than others."

[–] Sox575 16 years ago

Suppose a white man was dragged behind a pick-up truck? Should the perpetrator receive a less severe punishment than Byrd's attacker? Is the white victim's life and suffering worth LESS? That's the implication when you start creating classes of victims.

Of course not.

But in those two cases the victims were targeted, don't you get that? They were killed because one was GAY and the other one was BLACK.

The term homophobic is an insult? What's the difference if you call it "homophobic" or "homosexual hater" the result is the same isn't it? And don't tell me you don't hate gays otherwise you wouldn't spend so much time obsessing about us.

And I have read Animal Farm.

But'cha Y'Are, Blanche! Y'Are In That Chair!

[–] MrPie7 16 years ago

"But in those two cases the victims were targeted, don't you get that?"

Yes I "get it". What I don't get is why it should make a difference. Would you be happier if Byrd was killed for money? Is he any more DEAD because he was targeted? Criminal law is about INDIVIDUALS, not protected groups. If a group of idiots targets gays or blacks, charge them with conspiracy too. I have no problem with THAT.

"And don't tell me you don't hate gays otherwise you wouldn't spend so much time obsessing about us."

Can't STAND it when someone calls YOU a bigot, but you sure imply that about every person you call "homophobic".

"And don't tell me you don't hate gays otherwise you wouldn't spend so much time obsessing about us."

I absolutely do not obsess over gays, but I heard that term one too many times applied to people who merely have a difference of opinion. What are you clairvoyant? You can tell not only that I "hate gays" but "obsess" about them too?. What else do you "know"? In your head, I goose step around my basement all night, over the bill of rights! In your circle of liberals and gays, your views are not merely opinions, but absolute TRUTHS. So to you and your crowd, it seems like I am flying in the face of "reality" and it angers you. Well it's not MY reality. Typical liberal "tolerance". You tolerate every opinion as long as agrees with yours. Show me where I have attacked you personally. I have merely stated my contrary opinion. You are the one losing his temper and making accusations based on your own biases.

[–] Sox575 16 years ago

I am flying in the face of "reality" and it angers you.

I'm not angry with you nor am I making accusations. YOU are the one who stated that gays don't need "special protection" or "marriage" and I am merely saying why it is NOT special or privileged rules.

In the past, homosexuals have been arrested (for being HOMOSEXUALS), fired from jobs, beaten and murdered, thrown in asylums and basically denied civil rights. And there's a certain portion of this country that still believe that gays should be dead. That's why we have hate crime legislation, because unfortunately people are still being targeted for XYZ.

Would you be happier if Byrd was killed for money? Is he any more DEAD because he was targeted?

No, I would not be happy if Byrd or Shepard were killed for money. HOWEVER, if they were killed in a robbery attempt they more than likely would not have murdered in such a BRUTAL fashion.

I absolutely do not obsess over gays

Of course you don't, you just happen to be perusing the "Boys In The Band" message board on IMDB and decided to express your concern over the media and others calling people "homophobic." Fine.

You know, MrPie7, I'm in Calif and we are facing a Proposition (Prop 8) that's coming up for vote in November, which would amend the Calif Constitution to only recognize marriages as being between one man and one woman. Those who are for Prop 8 have raised over $25-Million to spread the word, prompting those who are opposed to raise over $16-Million to try and counter them.

That's over $40-Million dollars that could have housed and fed many of the homeless people living in Calif. And all for what?

I'm not getting married in the near future, but I want the option. Those who aren't homosexual aren't going to marry someone of their gender, so basically nothing changes. Or am I missing something here?

But'cha Y'Are, Blanche! Y'Are In That Chair!

[–] MrPie7 16 years ago

Well never mind that I am VERY active on IMDB and have made comments on a hundred different subjects. I'm OBSESSED with gays. I couldn't just be interested in BITB just because it's an early gay film and I am someting of a film historian for my own enjoyment. Nope I joined IMDb 6 years ago and made a thousand posts there JUST as a prelude to my REAL agenda: gay baiting. Yup ya found me out. 6 years down the drain! Now I have to obess on fat people and why they won't buy a second ticket on a plane flght. "Curses, foiled AGAIN!"

[–] Sox575 16 years ago

I figured as much. Now let's have a piece of pie!

But'cha Y'Are, Blanche! Y'Are In That Chair!

[–] Spoogefest 16 years ago

Me thinks the lady doth protest~~~too much.

"I'll tell you two things about me: I'm very rich~~~~~and I'm very wealthy." BlackWidow

[–] MrPie7 16 years ago

Obviously, because I'm more gay than Clay Aiken on estrogen.

[–] TheLurkingFox 15 years ago

Is this supposed to suggest that gay men have more estrogen than straight men?

You sir, are clearly misinformed. Gay men have exactly the same hormon levels as straight men, on average.

*****
With the newspaper strike on, I wouldn't consider dying! /Bette Davis/

[–] Tommen_Forever 7 years ago

That's like saying you bear no malice towards black people but don't want them to have the "special privilege" of voting rights. You clearly perceive homosexuals as inferior who don't deserve equal treatment, and the fact that you think equality equates to special treatment shows just how blind you are to your precious heterosexual privilege. Can you imagine not being allowed to marry because of who you like to f-ck? Can you possibly pull your head out of your bigoted ass long imagine to imagine yourself in that situation and try to have some f-cking empathy?

Twat

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