Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Virex]

Anyhow, I've never quite understood this sort of "bad taste in your mouth" thing against gays and PDA in general.

It's not really something most of us have control over I'd say, which is exactly why I brought up spiders here, knowing that someone'd freak out at the thought of one alone (although we regularly have a few of them running around here. What's the deal with spiders anyway?). Whatever the reason, natural of social, that makes people react this way to gays it's not like there's a button in the back of our mind that we can push to make it go away, even if we know nothing is wrong. Again, only proper exposure can really do that, and I guess being an LGBT oneself would count as a very hefty form of exposure, hence the sometimes near-violent reactions of people who are themselves gay.

[Fenrir]

It's the same idea: It freaks you out and that's enough reason for many people to kill spiders (unless you live in Australia or something, then I guess you might kill them to avoid putting your shoe on with a poisonous spider inside), and for some it's enough reason to "marginalize gays in a rather painful way"

You are right, of course.

[Tyg13]

I'm uncomfortable with dudes kissing. Does that make me weird?

[Fenrir]

While I might find that puzzling do to your recent declaration of your own sexual tastes, the answer would depend upon the person that you ask, as “weird” is a completely subjective matter, and it probably does not make a difference anyway, unless you think it is weird.

[SalmonGod]

I was trying to get at the root source of that reaction, though, which is pretty easy to find with spiders.  They're occasionally poisonous and show up in unwelcome places.

Homosexuality... quite a bit more complex, I think.  How does fear spring from the knowledge of people indulging their own interests that are of no consequence to you?

[Fenrir]

Homosexuality... quite a bit more complex, I think.  How does fear spring from the knowledge of people indulging their own interests that are of no consequence to you?

I do not think Bauglir ever implied that he was afraid of them.

[Virex]

How does fear spring from the knowledge of people indulging their own interests that are of no consequence to you?

Deviant behavior combined with social stigma goes a long way. Just as with (the usually completely harmless and absolutely terrified of humans) spiders, homosexuality is strange and people don't like strange things, especially when it comes to sexuality. Try telling people you're into whips or furries and you'll get the same reaction.


A complementing factor may be that it's not only deviant and socially poorly accepted but also rare, at least in people's minds. To stay with the little creepers, arachnophobia is really common, while a cripling fear of mosquitos is far rarer (even though they are the top killers of the whole animal kingdom). Why? Probably because spiders are society's favorite creeper and because you see flying insects all the time, but spiders are far rarer and therefor even stranger.

[freeformschooler]

I don't really have a problem with PDA. If someone wants to display whatever affection they want regardless of sexuality, gender or blood type, it doesn't bother me. Same feeling as most men who are innately not into guys and are watching two guys make out on TV: who cares? It's not the same as if it was you.

Oh, I forgot to mention there are exceptions. For instance, I and a lot of guys would have less qualms with making out with Nathan Fillion. That's just how the world works

[scriver]

It's also threatening to their/our sexualities. And as men, we are taught by society that our sexuality is the most defining part of our identity. And that homosexuality is undesirable. Hence, homosexuality threatens on a deeply personal level.

Don't ask me how it threatens just by proximity, though. It's not rational in any way. Just a lot of insecurity. Not necessarily about one's own sexuality either, rather it's about one's person-worth.

[freeformschooler]

It's also threatening to their/our sexualities. And as men, we are taught by society that our sexuality is the most defining part of our identity. And that homosexuality is undesirable. Hence, homosexuality threatens on a deeply personal level.

That also is probably a good point. I don't really understand it personally but it very well might be part of the reason uncomfortableness moves up to bigotry.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

Eh, I'm straight and I don't care about PDA's, be they perpetrated by same-sex or opposite-sex couples. Why would I care in the slightest? I have more important things to do than be squicked by other people's lives.

[SalmonGod]

It's also threatening to their/our sexualities. And as men, we are taught by society that our sexuality is the most defining part of our identity. And that homosexuality is undesirable. Hence, homosexuality threatens on a deeply personal level.

This is exactly what I was getting at.  Hatred and repulsion almost always come from some sort of fear.  Sexuality is something that isn't a choice, but is also variable.  If someone can only accept themselves if they cling to a certain identity, then they will have a very deep-rooted aversion to anything that they might not have control over that could threaten that identity.

[Hiiri]

Spoiler: Off ze zubject (click to show/hide)

Call me "fucking stupid" if you like, but I am a mildly religious liberal.  So if you need someone to attack, come attack me.  Don't attack the people who are coming here to learn and find out what we have to say.

I apologize (to all). It was rude and unnecessary.

[Virex]

Eh, I'm straight and I don't care about PDA's

What does PDA even stand for. Because we'd better not be talking about these PDA's or else I'll probably insta-faill my sanity roll.

[SalmonGod]

Public Displays of Affection