Homophobic morons who just can't help sounding stupid.

[terrya]

Last night, I was watching "Chicago Tonight" a show on our local PBS station. They were talking about Massachusetts legalizing gay marriage and how that would impact Illinois. One of the guests was homophobe Peter La Barbera, who is spearheading a drive to ratify an amendment to the Illinois Constitution similar to the Federal Marriage Amendment. Mr. La Barbara at one point was whining about how opponents of gay marriage are labelled as bigots and homophobes...and then a few moments later, right on cue, comes the "ex-gay" crap out of La Barbera's mouth. These homophobes all do it...peddle the "ex-gay" stuff. Just like snake oil salesmen. Peddling a "cure" for a non-existant illness. I was practically shouting at the screen about how this "ex-gay" nonsense is predicated on hate. The homophobes decided that being gay is "sick" and so a "cure" must be found to help these "poor, abnormal" people. Never mind that you can't "cure" being gay (and the people who run these "ex-gay" groups will even admit in private that their success rate is between 1% and 3%. Hardly a success). I so wished there was a way to call into the show...I would have made these same points.

The phobes just don't get it. We're NOT a "menace" or a "threat". We're human beings who want what they have...the right to acknowledge our love and lifetime committment to the dear people in our lives who make us happy. Man, sometimes trying to talk to these phobes is like talking to a brick wall.

Thanks for letting me rant.
Terry

[cleofus1]

1. people are cruel stupid and selfish...

It takes a great amount of effort to rise above our natural instincts to be assholes. I personally fight this battle on a daily basis.

[Don_G]

2. Rant On

I'm straight but Hitler felt the same way.

About Gays, Jews, Communists, Christians, Poles, anyone that didn't belong to the NASDP....

[Catch22Dem]

3. Yeah, I used to know this ex-white dude

Who was always bringing out his ex-black friends. We all saw through it. Finally, one of my ex-Jewish friends called him on it. Now, me, I'm ex-Irish and ex-Cherokee. Thank god I got over all that, because it really helped me with my drinkin' and fightin'.

Yeah, you're right. It does make you a moron when you say stupid shit like that. ;)

[Don_G]

4. I Can't Help Being A Cherokee

With the copper hair to prove it but I can prove that I'm not a moronic dumb ass with every breath I take and every opinion I have to offer.

[truthspeaker]

13. It doesn't bother me if you're Irish in the privacy of your own home

But do you have to flaunt your Irishness in public, around impressionable children?

I also don't think kids need to see Irishness on TV or learn it in school, at least when they're young.

[Beer Snob-50]

5. I was talking to my sister in law the other night

and mentioned how I was taking my boy scout troop to cape cod this weekend. She looked at me and in a stern voice asked me if with what is going on here in Mass. she hoped I wasn't planning on going to Provincetown (for those not in the know, this is a known gay haven). I said to her that yes, we plan on stopping by there. She wasn't happy with me.

[Don_G]

6. Like Boy Scouts Don't Need Food

Candy bars and a trip to the hardware store?

[Beer Snob-50]

7. So true!! (sarcasm!!)

But in her defense, if these impressionable youth see two guys holding hands they could suddenly decide to change teams! (you know, gay men get a toaster oven if they change 5 boys!! it's true!!)

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

8. Who pays for the toaster ovens?

The European Union, George Soros, Fidel Castro, or Al Qaeda? :evilgrin:

[Beer Snob-50]

9. Silly!!!

Everyone knows the Clintons are the evil ones in this country. They do!!

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

10. (Smacks forehead) D'oh. Of course. (nt)

[RandomKoolzip]

11. The recidivism rate for those "ex-gay" people is unsuprisingly high.

As is the suicide rate. Just one more incidence of organized religion playing benevolent and conducting the next Spanish Inquisition under the table at the same time. Forcing people to live in denial, I hope, is not going to be one of those infamous Faith-based Initiatives of which Bush speaks so fondly.


As a straight dude, sometimes I have to gape in horror at my fellow straight dude's malevolence. I apologize for the behavior of these shitheads.

I gotta feed my ex-cat now.

[felonious thunk]

12. Homophobes are a dying breed, Terry

Everyday more Americans become more understanding of homosexuality, and as they understand more, they become reasonable about it. As soon as they get to know some gay people they realize that all the old stereotypes they'd heard are ridiculous, and their stance changes.

Change is slow in coming, but look at now vs. 10 or 15 years ago. Imagine what it's going to be like for you in 10 or 15 more years. People are changing, and realizing that gay people aren't a threat, aren't immoral, and are just like everyone else trying to get by in the world.

Take heart, great strides have been made and more and more Americans reach a better understanding every day.

[tjwash]

14. I got into an argument with a pal of mine on the subject...

...and his big hangup was that you could not say anything about gay folks without being branded a homophobe. I simply responded that if you don't wish to be called a bigot and a homophobe, don't say anything bigoted or homophobic. I mean come on, if you need to start a sentence off with "I have nothing against homosexuals, BUT...."

[terrya]

15. Yeah, that's a clue right there.

When you feel the need to qualify your tolerance with a "yes, BUT", that's not saying much.