The anti-bigot message... delivered via homophobia?!

'Queer' was definitely used in the 1950s to refer to homosexuals, and homosexuality was almost always judged negatively--often even by homosexuals themselves. It doesn't matter what the dictionaries of that day included. They were generally pretty squeamish about sexual slang. What matters is how it was used in informal speech. So the comment would be completely appropriate to the fifties and not in the least ironic or even neutral.

But let's not fool ourselves into thinking that we are watching a historically realistic movie--or a realistic movie of any other sort. Look at the hairstyles and the age of the actors playing high school students. 'Queer' most definitely meant 'gay' in the 1980s, and it most definitely was an insult. It was also expected in small-town Southern society to be generally hateful toward gay people. (It still is.)

in a clinical context, phobia refers to an (irrational) fear of something that in many cases, poses no real threat.. but its definition has obviously evolved to include a strong dislike.. maybe a dislike that stems from fear.. not a fear that paralizes you or that makes you break down into tears.. but a fear nonetheless

like the old saying.. you fear what you don't understand.. so i think homophobia is a pretty apt term

I find it acceptable to refer to hatred of homosexuality and gay people as 'homophobia.' It is a fear that has morphed into hatred and is experienced mostly as hatred (although it may be motivated by fear of personal temptations). That is why I prefer the term 'gay-hatred' to homophobia. I think it is more direct and truer to the hater's experience and attitude.

BTW, I love your "some of my best friends are" excuse for your own feelings and beliefs. Let me let you in on a secret. Those gay people are not your friends.

I too have never gotten the whole misuse of the "phobia" either. I think it just sounded good so people used it, but it really is a bastardization of the word. People don't necessarily fear what they hate. The word often implies latent homosexuality as well. It's a bastardization of the language. I also thing the word "hate" is bandied around too easily when people really mean "dislike".

I think you have hate, you have dislike with and without tolerance. That is what really is going on. Sure there is genuine phobia too of homosexuality as well. I just think it's mis/overused as well. It's kind of dumbing us down, and turning up the volume control to 11 sometimes, especially with the word "hate" when it really is more at a 5-6 in volume. There are all levels.

As for the OP, I think in the 1950s and even in the early 80s, homosexuality didn't fit in the anti-bigotry vernacular. It was considered abnormal, though coming into acceptance in the 80s. America is a big place. People are different in NYC or LA than they are in Northern Florida. Tolerance, dislike, phobia, hate all were prevalent in society towards gay people to varying degrees. We've come a long way. You could have said, I'm not a bigot in 1980 and at the same time use a gay slur against the same person and not be called out as a hypocrite.

So who do you think produced this movie? The Foundation for a Better Life?

Don't look for morality in teenage oriented B-movies. Pass it on.



_______________
A dope trailer is no place for a kitty.

"Ohhhhh, whoaaaaa, the language on youse, U blow ya fadda with that mouth?"
Tony soprano come back line.

Spoiler alert for them spoil sports out there! Y'all like spoiled milk, stop crying over it!