something that worried me

[Tabernacle]

I'd tend to agree with Supaspeed, i have nothing against gay people and fuckin hate moronic homophobes, who'd rather bash people different from them than try to understand and accept them. This being said i occasionally use derogretory gay words, poof or butt bandit, to insult my heterosexual friends, because it gets under their skin. When i say these things there is no implied angst towards gay people, it's always in the pursuit of humour.
BTW From Meet the Parents: Gaylord Fokker, BWHAHAHAHAH LOL.

 

[Macksta]

I often enjoy talking to gay male friends more than I do hetero friends.
Generally I find them to be more in touch with their feelings, and they definitely don't have that emotionless defensive wall of machismo that a lot of hetero guys draw around themselves.
A lot like talking to a chick really

 

[anfalicious]

I must admit that I use gay as a derogitory term a lot... It's wierd, it's just a word I use... I won't call someone gay, trying to offend them by questioning their sexuality, it's just a word. It's like calling someone a wanker, really, everyone is a wanker, if you're not and you're a guy, then you're in denial, and if you're a chick, then you're a prude
From hereon in, if I use the word gay, I'm using ghey, not gay ~
As for pashing in public, PDA's are OK, but pashing, come on, no one wants to see it, get a room

 

[tHeRiDdLeR]

hmmm... i really havent noticed any real anti gay sentiment in the valley, i mean you get your "footy" type blow-ins and what not from the city but i dont think anyone really likes their company.... id say theyre the ones who'd get looked at funny for any anti gay comments or what not, just my slant on it.

 

[Andromeda]

I hear you on that one supaspeed, Brisbane is ultra conservative, which makes for alot of annoying ANNOYING ideals among the general populus.
But its been a long time since ive seen any gay bashing in the valley, i guess its cos no1 likes to show it, just incase some bogan decides they feel like picking a fight.
id understand someone being scared tho, we have way too many dickheads in brisbane (though there are probably just as many in other cities too) that would spare no time in giving another man/woman a show of their MANhood.
*sigh* thats life, but it shouldnt be that way!
Andromeda

 

[up all night]

I think homophobia is still evident...just not as blatant as it once was.
I find that people can be homophobic on a more general level, that is, say 'gays' and 'poofs' make them uncomfortable or are disgusting or whatever.
But when it comes down to individual people who are gay, people are much more accepting. I don't know many people who would shun someone just because of their sexuality. Once you get to know someone, their sexual orientation takes such a backseat to other parts of their personality.
It's such a cliche but many of my best guy friends are gay. When I introduce them to my other friends, some of the guys are a bit wary at first (especially with one friend who is very camp) but after a while it doesn't matter at all.
Saying that, I saw one gay guy almost get attacked at Macquarie Uni's Conception Day last year. A drunk guy started yelling at a student who was walking past (who was very obviously gay) he then smashed his beer bottle on the ground and started chasing after him saying that he was a 'fucking faggot who deserved to die'. Luckily security stepped in. I couldn't believe that people still thought like that. Culture shock and a half.
I don't blame your friend for being wary....you never really know how someone is going to react.

 

[Samadhi]

As andromeda said, the cases of "gay-bashing" are getting more few and far-between as time goes on, especially in Fortitude Valley.
Having said that, homophobia, ignorance and bigotry still run rampant in the 'burbs...take for instance that poor fellow down near Wellington point that, due to him allowing a mate to put his arm round him because he was upset, was picked for a "fag", was beaten sensless and died from horrific injuries...leaving behind a girlfriend and a 2 year old little girl...
Absolutely disgusting.
On the subject of people using the term gay, etc to joke around...how many times have we all read a reply that says " gay, ghey, gh3y, etc" in response to a stupid, pointless thread...?
[ 08 April 2002: Message edited by: samadhi ]