Does 'Heterophobia' exist?

[Ninastar]

Yes I know it sounds crazy because straight people have never faced 'oppression', but is it not just as bad to make fun of someone for being who they are, no matter what their 'kind' has faced in the bad?

I get the feeling that a lot of people believe that it's worse to discriminate against someone who is part of some sort of minority, rather than it being awful to discriminate at all.

I've seen so many comments (mainly on tumblr and here) saying things like 'LOL straight people', but if you changed it to something like 'LOL black people' or 'LOL Trannies', people would have an absolute fit.

Is it just me who thinks that there is a complete double standard when it comes to poking fun at people?

What I don't understand is when people praise equality, but then laugh at other people for being who they are, or they say that a person from X background isn't as important as another, because they haven't faced the same challenges...

IMO, we are all as awful/brilliant as each other. To tell someone they can't have an opinion on something because they are 'straight' or anything else that hasn't faced as much 'oppression' is just wrong and completely hypocritical. It's almost like saying they aren't worth an opinion.

[Daniel.]

Absolutely not.

[Pete.]

I don't believe it does tbh

[JoshBB]

I'm gonna repeat what I've said before - to discriminate, you need power, privilege, and prejudice.

Only straight people have privelege if you are speaking in terms of sexual orientation. So, no. It doesn't exist. Being discriminated against on a wide scale is not the same as "omg! susan said she doesnt like straight people". Nowhere in the world are straight people killed or arrested, let's put it at that.

[Ninastar]

I'm gonna repeat what I've said before - to discriminate, you need power, privilege, and prejudice.

Only straight people have privelege if you are speaking in terms of sexual orientation. So, no. It doesn't exist. Being discriminated against on a wide scale is not the same as "omg! susan said she doesnt like straight people". Nowhere in the world are straight people killed or arrested, let's put it at that.

So you think it's worse to hate someone for being gay, than being straight?

[Crimson Dynamo]

lets get one thing straight

If 95% of the population was gay

by golly would it exist

[JoshBB]

So you think it's worse to hate someone for being gay, than being straight?

Yes. Google 'false equivalency'.

[GLENN BILL BB7]

I don't think it exists as its considered 'Normal' to be straight.

[JoshBB]

lets get one thing straight

If 95% of the population was gay

by golly would it exist

If the straight people in this hypothetical scenario were the ones who could not reproduce, and were subject to criminalisation in aspects of the world, then yes.

[Lostie!]

I'm gonna repeat what I've said before - to discriminate, you need power, privilege, and prejudice.

Only straight people have privelege if you are speaking in terms of sexual orientation. So, no. It doesn't exist. Being discriminated against on a wide scale is not the same as "omg! susan said she doesnt like straight people". Nowhere in the world are straight people killed or arrested, let's put it at that.

But discrimination and bigotry aren't exclusively the same thing, people can hold prejudiced opinions against certain people without active discrimination coming into play.

And all corners of society can be the victim of bigoted views. Does widespread discrimination happen? No, it doesn't. But does the heterophobic mindset exist in some? I've no doubt that it absolutely does.

[Crimson Dynamo]

If the straight people in this hypothetical scenario were the ones who could not reproduce, and were subject to criminalisation in aspects of the world, then yes.

its the same scenario of blacks and whites changed over in USA


In school children naturally pick on the weak. Its wired into our genes

look at the animal world


Its a very human trait for the many to batter the few

[GLENN BILL BB7]

... So many Big words.

[Ninastar]

But discrimination and bigotry aren't exclusively the same thing, people can hold prejudiced opinions against certain people without active discrimination coming into play.

And all corners of society can be the victim of bigoted views. Does widespread discrimination happen? No, it doesn't. But does the heterophobic mindset exist in some? I've no doubt that it absolutely does.

Thank you. Very well said.

[Firewire]

I don't think it exists but I've never seen any cases of it that have made me think otherwise.

[RichardG]

I suppose it's not a 'thing' like homophobia is but to break down the word it would literally mean to be prejudice against heterosexual people and I'm sure there are some people out there who hold views like that. I guess individual people can be heterophobic but looking on a broader scale heterophobia doesn't exist In the same way homophobia does.

[Lostie!]

Yes. Google 'false equivalency'.

Put aside the history of homophobia for a moment, in this hypothetical situation that someone hated people simply for being straight, that would be no better or different than the opposite.

The fact that heterosexuals haven't had a history of oppression for their sexual orientation is irrelevant there, any instance of being prejudiced against someone for being either straight or gay should surely both equally be frowned upon.

Now if the discussion was simply about the experiences gay people and straight people have had in relation to this and the impact on society in general, then yes there is a big difference between the two. But there isn't a difference between someone simply disliking others based on their sexuality.

[Smithy]

No

[bots]

it will exist for sure given the correct circumstances. As to whether it is a widespread phenomenon, I would say no. Discrimination is always possible where there is a minority group

[Lostie!]

it will exist for sure given the correct circumstances. As to whether it is a widespread phenomenon, I would say no.

Precisely my thoughts, something not being a massive widespread issue doesn't mean it doesn't exist at all.

[Ninastar]

Precisely my thoughts, something not being a massive widespread issue doesn't mean it doesn't exist at all.

:clap1:

[Kyle]

Julie Bindel has some pretty interesting views on heterosexual men but I just find it hilariously sad.

But can't say I've ever faced any discrimination for my sexuality personally. I was called a CIS creep on Facebook once but I can't take issue with that. I am cisgendered and I am a creep :fan:

[Smithy]

Homophobia is based on a system of oppression, straight people have never been oppressed you can't be heterophobic it's dumb AF to think so :umm2:

Gay people are bullied, thrown out of their homes, attacked and murdered but who cares because they're making jokes about straight people on the internet

[Firewire]

You can hate straight people, sure, but why would you? I mean I can understand why people hate minority groups from the way they've been brought up and taught but in later life I don't think you can really be "heterophobic" because you can't really hate the entire straight group considering your parents must've been.

[user104658]

0o3F68LNgbY

Yaaaayyyy I've been looking for an excuse to post this since Wednesday!



Woowoowoo!

Also, yes it probably exists, and yes you can discriminate against non-minorities, and yes it is still bad. There is literally zero logic in any argument to the contrary. If any minority group thinks that "privileged" people possibly being discriminated against someone lessens their own struggle then,

A) They are wrong, and

B) I don't care.

[Jay.]

i have no idea it's not something i've really thought about before

[Lostie!]

Homophobia is based on a system of oppression, straight people have never been oppressed you can't be heterophobic it's dumb AF to think so :umm2:

Homophobia by it's most basic definition is hatred or aversion towards people based on their sexuality. The oppression gay people have suffered is discrimination at work, homophobic mindsets can absolutely exist without discrimination following. It's not "dumb AF" at all.

If somebody said that straight people have suffered in a similar way to gay people because of their sexuality, that would be pretty dumb, but that hasn't been said or even suggested.

If somebody has a prejudiced opinion on someone for being heterosexual (and who are we to say that there is nobody in the world who does?), then they are heterophobic.

Gay people are bullied, thrown out of their homes, attacked and murdered but who cares because they're making jokes about straight people on the internet

Yeah, nobody in here has said anything of the sort.

[Headie]

No, just like reverse racism doesn't exist tbh imo

[Smithy]

Can someone show me an actual documented example of heterophobia please?

[Tom4784]

I'm gonna repeat what I've said before - to discriminate, you need power, privilege, and prejudice.

Only straight people have privelege if you are speaking in terms of sexual orientation. So, no. It doesn't exist. Being discriminated against on a wide scale is not the same as "omg! susan said she doesnt like straight people". Nowhere in the world are straight people killed or arrested, let's put it at that.

Homophobia is based on a system of oppression, straight people have never been oppressed you can't be heterophobic it's dumb AF to think so :umm2:

Gay people are bullied, thrown out of their homes, attacked and murdered but who cares because they're making jokes about straight people on the internet

No, just like reverse racism doesn't exist tbh imo

Prett much this.

[Dollface]

It doesn't seem to exist on a large scale (infact i've never heard of someone being discriminated against for being straight) but surely out there somewhere, there are gay people that hate straight people? Just like there are black people that hate white people (as much as people like to dispute it) so yes I think it does exist, just not in the same way that homophobia seems to exists, if that makes sense

[Shaun]

Pretty bored of the "if it's not classic discrimination, or minority discrimination, it's not discrimination" argument spewed around and around all the time. Of course it's possible to be heterophobic lol.

[Daniel.]

When have straight people ever been bullied at school for being straight, not been given the right to marry, been thrown out of places, been look down upon for being straight, been killed in there country for being straight, being straight becoming a criminal offence...

Never!

[Shaun]

But no one's even comparing it to be nearly as endemic or problematic as homophobia though...

[Cal.]

Pretty bored of the "if it's not classic discrimination, or minority discrimination, it's not discrimination" argument spewed around and around all the time. Of course it's possible to be heterophobic lol.

Its not possible to be heterophobic, its possible to be an attention seeker though. How can you discriminate against your parents for example? Or discriminate against the way you were brought into the world? Flawed logic on the part of the Tumblr attention seekers!

[JoshBB]

Precisely my thoughts, something not being a massive widespread issue doesn't mean it doesn't exist at all.

But the whole concept of 'discrimination' is based upon widespread prejudice and actions being taken as a result of that, on a structural basis.

[kirklancaster]

It doesn't seem to exist on a large scale (infact i've never heard of someone being discriminated against for being straight) but surely out there somewhere, there are gay people that hate straight people? Just like there are black people that hate white people (as much as people like to dispute it) so yes I think it does exist, just not in the same way that homophobia seems to exists, if that makes sense

THIS - Exactly.

[Ninastar]

Can someone show me an actual documented example of heterophobia please?

Just go onto tumblr, there's plenty there. It happens anywhere on the internet. No one is saying that it's a huge issue. All I'm saying is that it can happen and that it's just as bad as hating a gay person for being who they are.

[Dollface]

Can someone show me an actual documented example of heterophobia please?

Like I said, i've never heard of someone being discriminated against for being straight. But I thought a phobia was a fear or dislike of something/someone, not an act. Just because people don't run around shouting "I hate straight people" doesn't mean there isn't anyone that has a hatred of straight people. I can see where you're coming from though, and in no way do I think heterophobia exists in the same way homophobia does.

[Ammi]

..I googled it and it is actually a thing and does exist as a phobia..this was how it was described...

Common Facts About Heterophobia

Although there are a few different causes for heterophobia, the most predominant reasons are a lash back against the straight community from gay or lesbian people. In most cases, the heterophobic person has been a victim of homophobic behavior in the past and is either lashing back at the straight community for their unfair treatment or is genuinely against heterosexuals, and feel that the straight community never has their best interest in mind. This term is often debated as it is very rarely a standard phobia that can attach itself to a person’s psyche. Still, it is a very real occurrence regardless of the actual origin of the problem.


...phobias themselves are irrational fears or something/and could be anything/of people of certain sexualities etc...but with discrimination/prejudice because of something someone is/who they are, like their sexuality..?..that doesn't have the same meaning as a phobia..but then if you have a phobia about something, a fear of that thing...wouldn't that then often lead to you holding prejudice, as in having a preconceived opinion../type thing...hmmmm...

[Crimson Dynamo]

Its hard to hate a heterosexual as they are so lovely

[Ashley.]

Aquaphobia is a fear of water. If we can have that, then we can have a word for fear of straight people.

[Firewire]

Aquaphobia is a fear of water. If we can have that, then we can have a word for fear of straight people.

Homophobia isn't necessarily a fear of gay people though

[Ashley.]

Homophobia isn't necessarily a fear of gay people though

:shrug:

I think a lot of homophobes are pressed because gay people scare them, rather than just hating them for being gay.

[Crimson Dynamo]

What about the gays hating women as they get 95%of all men?

[Firewire]

:shrug:

I think a lot of homophobes are pressed because gay people scare them, rather than just hating them for being gay.

Sure, but not all actually have a fear.

[Northern Monkey]

I have never experienced it and am not sure if it exists.I suppose it could idk.I have experienced racism and i'm white so i suppose 'heterophobia' could exist.Maybe it does'nt exist though because it's not a wide scale problem and there are hardly any if any at all cases.Tbh idk.Good question though :thumbs:

[Ashley.]

What about the gays hating women as they get 95%of all men?

Isn't disliking women the entire point of being gay tho

[Crimson Dynamo]

Isn't disliking women the entire point of being gay tho

Most straight blokes hate women too tbf

[Livia]

Most straight blokes hate women too tbf

You can't get enough of us, don't lie.

Wouldn't it be good if all these stupid pigeon holes and labels didn't exist? If I really don't like someone it's because they're generally a dick, race or sexual persuasion doesn't come into it. I really do wish everyone was judged on who they are, not what they are.

[kirklancaster]

You can't get enough of us, don't lie.

Wouldn't it be good if all these stupid pigeon holes and labels didn't exist? If I really don't like someone it's because they're generally a dick, race or sexual persuasion doesn't come into it. I really do wish everyone was judged on who they are, not what they are.

I could not agree more.

[Glenn.]

No it doesn't exist.

[Northern Monkey]

Tbh i could'nt imagine anyone being heterophobic since their own parents are straight.

[billy123]

Bad example, really.

I think gay bars should be inclusive to straight people as well but gay people are turned away from bars all the time (not so much in the UK).I dont understand the point you are making its not a competition who can be most discriminated against. The fact it happens to gay people in straight bars as well doesnt affect anything at all.
Its discrimination whichever way around it works. It is no different.

[Firewire]

I dont understand the point you are making its not a competition who can be most discriminated against. The fact it happens to gay people in straight bars as well doesnt affect anything at all.
Its discrimination.

I can understand why gay people wouldn't want straight people in their bar because they want it to be a haven for gay people as it's hard to find a place to be accepted. I think straight people should be allowed in, but I understand why you would be turned away as there are plenty straight bars you'd be welcome at that might not be the case for gay people.

It's not a competition and I don't understand why people are shouting "I've been discriminated against too!"

[billy123]

I can understand why gay people wouldn't want straight people in their bar because they want it to be a haven for gay people as it's hard to find a place to be accepted. I think straight people should be allowed in, but I understand why you would be turned away as there are plenty straight bars you'd be welcome at that might not be the case for gay people.

It's not a competition and I don't understand why people are shouting "I've been discriminated against too!"Just take a second to let that sink in. Now swap the words gay for straight in your post and look how ridiculous and bigoted that is.
Discrimination is discrimination

I can understand why straight people wouldn't want gay people in their bar because they want it to be a haven for straight people as it's hard to find a place to be accepted. I think gay people should be allowed in, but I understand why you would be turned away as there are plenty gay bars you'd be welcome at that might not be the case for straight people.

It's not a competition and I don't understand why people are shouting "I've been discriminated against too!"

[Locke.]

a lot of heterophobia present in this very thread

[Firewire]

Just takea second to let that sink in. Now swap the word gay for straight and look how ridiculous and bigoted that is.

It's bigoted because gay people are the minority. Replace gay with disabled people or black people. It's the same thing. I don't understand why it matters?

[billy123]

It's bigoted because gay people are the minority. Replace gay with disabled people or black people. It's the same thing. I don't understand why it matters?So i see.

[Smithy]

Just take a second to let that sink in. Now swap the words gay for straight in your post and look how ridiculous and bigoted that is.
Discrimination is discrimination

Sorry but what do straight people need a haven for? Are they attacked for being straight? Where do they find it being hard to be accepted when 90% of the world is straight? There literally aren't plenty of gay bars

DID YOU EVEN READ WHAT YOU CHANGED :laugh2:

[Jessica.]

No, I'm straight and I've never felt that I had any disadvantage in my life because of it. I've never seen discrimination or xenophobia towards another straight person either.

[Glenn.]

I have never heard of a straight person being discriminated against for being straight. I'm laughing out loud at the thought.

[Ninastar]

Thanks to whichever mod cleared this thread up. I think it's a good topic to debate about, as I like hear different opinions about stuff like this.

[Samuel.]

It absolutely can exist. I'm dumbfounded by the idea it couldn't. You can have irrational feelings and be prejudice towards anything or anyone. How can that be disputed?

I'm willing to bet someone out of the 7 billion odd on this planet has an irrational dislike and prejudice for straight people. It's incredibly close minded to rule out the possibility.

Same goes for "reverse racism".

[Ninastar]

It absolutely can exist. I'm dumbfounded by the idea it couldn't. You can have irrational feelings and be prejudice towards anything or anyone. How can that be disputed?

I'm willing to bet someone out of the 7 billion odd on this planet has an irrational dislike and prejudice for straight people. It's incredibly close minded to rule out the possibility.

Same goes for "reverse racism".

Thank you, I totally agree. Well said.

[Jessica.]

It absolutely can exist. I'm dumbfounded by the idea it couldn't. You can have irrational feelings and be prejudice towards anything or anyone. How can that be disputed?

I'm willing to bet someone out of the 7 billion odd on this planet has an irrational dislike and prejudice for straight people. It's incredibly close minded to rule out the possibility.

Same goes for "reverse racism".
Of course someone feels that way but it wouldn't be labelled as heterophobia, it's just an anomaly of the small minority of people. Heterophobia doesn't exist but there are obviously people who don't like straight people,just as there are people who don't like gays or have reservations about them who aren't homophobic. :)

[Mystic Mock]

Of course it can exist if the gay/lesbian/bisexual person has suffered on homophobia all of their lives by heterosexuals then I think that it can build resentment towards heterosexuals.

And as I've said in the past I think that you can be racist to your own skin colour or be homophobic when you're gay, so why can't people be heterophobic? Or hell even rarer than that and actually be a heterosexual that's heterophobic?

[Mystic Mock]

When have straight people ever been bullied at school for being straight, not been given the right to marry, been thrown out of places, been look down upon for being straight, been killed in there country for being straight, being straight becoming a criminal offence...

Never!

That's discrimination though, not prejudice.

[Ninastar]

Of course it can exist if the gay/lesbian/bisexual person has suffered on homophobia all of their lives by heterosexuals then I think that it can build resentment towards heterosexuals.

And as I've said in the past I think that you can be racist to your own skin colour or be homophobic when you're gay, so why can't people be heterophobic? Or hell even rarer than that and actually be a heterosexual that's heterophobic?

Wow, never thought I'd see the day where we agree on something.

[iRyan]

Homophobia is based on a system of oppression, straight people have never been oppressed you can't be heterophobic it's dumb AF to think so :umm2:

Gay people are bullied, thrown out of their homes, attacked and murdered but who cares because they're making jokes about straight people on the internet

This. Straight people are not oppressed and that's where this discussion ends.

The only reason gay people could be afraid of straight people is because of the way they have been treated by straight people.

[LukeB]

Does anyone actually unfavour straight peoples opinions or are straight people unfavourable and things like that? Straight people do not get bullied/attacked/disowned for being straight. I've never heard a story saying "i was beaten up for being straight" like iryan said gay people could fear/hate straight because of how they treat them.

[Ammi]

...bullying, attacking, dis-owning though Luke are extremes, not everyone who is homophobic would have those reactions, and probably not even the majority of homophobic people...


..yes I think it does exist, not nearly to the same extent though obviously as homophobia does and without any suppression ..I guess we wouldn't know to what extent because it's like the thread that Caitlin also made about whether young children's TV programmes should include more of a balance of gay character...it's what from a very early age we're absorbing and have been taught to absorb what is 'norm'...and heterosexual relationships are what we're given as that 'norm'...so there would always be less openly displayed heterophobia... I mean these homosexual people, they're not 'normal' are they, that's what homophobes feel and society has made it easy for them to feel that and display it much more negatively...

[Samuel.]

Of course someone feels that way but it wouldn't be labelled as heterophobia, it's just an anomaly of the small minority of people. Heterophobia doesn't exist but there are obviously people who don't like straight people,just as there are people who don't like gays or have reservations about them who aren't homophobic. :)

Why wouldn't it be labelled as that?

This. Straight people are not oppressed and that's where this discussion ends.

The only reason gay people could be afraid of straight people is because of the way they have been treated by straight people.

And neither have I seen a definition that says they have to be oppressed or a minority. And when we're talking about irrational prejudice it often doesn't involve any reasoning that is clear to you or me, but to the individual who it involves, so that statement is null.


If heterophobia is the opposite the homophobia:

homophobia
Dislike of or prejudice against homosexual people.

prejudice
Dislike, hostility, or unjust behaviour deriving from preconceived and unfounded opinions

discrimination
The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex

phobia
An extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something

- Oxford Dictionary

I'm not sure where this idea that it can't exist comes from. None of these definitions even mention oppression.

[Josy]

I agree with Sam

[kirklancaster]

Of course it exists. The argument that it does not, is really just semantics. If one solitary human contracted a new previously unknown disease, that disease would have a scientific name within minutes which would forever classify any future victims who show the same symptoms and ill-effects.

Numbers are unimportant, if just one person hates straight people, then 'Heterophobia' - if that is its name - exists. How can it not?

It does not have to be endemic or pandemic, it just has to 'be'.

[user104658]

This. Straight people are not oppressed and that's where this discussion ends.

The only reason gay people could be afraid of straight people is because of the way they have been treated by straight people.
Are bananas oppressed? Buttons? Balloons maybe?

Small spaces? Crowds?

Clowns? Are we in the midst of a terrible culture of clown oppression?

How about dogs, horses, spiders? Silk? Velcro?

The answer I'm looking for there is "no". And yet there are phobias for all of those things.

A phobia is an irrational fear. Nothing more, nothing less. It has nothing to do with oppression. It has nothing to do with how one responds to that fear.

If there are people in the world who are irrationally scared of people because they are straight - if there is even one person who can be described such - then yes, heterophobia exists.

[Ammi]

Are bananas oppressed? Buttons? Balloons maybe?

Small spaces? Crowds?

Clowns? Are we in the midst of a terrible culture of clown oppression?

How about dogs, horses, spiders? Silk? Velcro?

The answer I'm looking for there is "no". And yet there are phobias for all of those things.

A phobia is an irrational fear. Nothing more, nothing less. It has nothing to do with oppression. It has nothing to do with how one responds to that fear.

If there are people in the world who are irrationally scared of people because they are straight - if there is even one person who can be described such - then yes, heterophobia exists.

..I would oppress, supress, prejudice against and physically abuse any balloon that ever came into my space...

[user104658]

..I would oppress, supress, prejudice against and physically abuse any balloon that ever came into my space...
One of my workmates has a balloon phobia, so another blew one up and stuffed it in the safe one night knowing that the poor guy was going to be there, on his own, the next morning and would need to remove the offending balloon to get the money out. Hahaha.

Though that scenario would be quite worrying if the guy had hetero phobia instead...

[Ashley.]

Are bananas oppressed? Buttons? Balloons maybe?

Small spaces? Crowds?

Clowns? Are we in the midst of a terrible culture of clown oppression?

How about dogs, horses, spiders? Silk? Velcro?

The answer I'm looking for there is "no". And yet there are phobias for all of those things.

A phobia is an irrational fear. Nothing more, nothing less. It has nothing to do with oppression. It has nothing to do with how one responds to that fear.

If there are people in the world who are irrationally scared of people because they are straight - if there is even one person who can be described such - then yes, heterophobia exists.

I love this! Good wording, I agree. :)

[Ammi]

One of my workmates has a balloon phobia, so another blew one up and stuffed it in the safe one night knowing that the poor guy was going to be there, on his own, the next morning and would need to remove the offending balloon to get the money out. Hahaha.

Though that scenario would be quite worrying if the guy had hetero phobia instead...

..oh harsh..:laugh:..that would be quite an interesting experiment as well though with human against human phobias...homophobia/racist/heterophobia etc..rooms with one on one communication and for a length of time together/no escape...would they still come out with their phobias and prejudices..?.. would there be understanding so it all dissolved or would there be blood../not exactly that way but you know what I mean...

[Kizzy]

No I don't, I'm not aware of it must be a new thing.

[user104658]

..oh harsh..:laugh:..that would be quite an interesting experiment as well though with human against human phobias...homophobia/racist/heterophobia etc..rooms with one on one communication and for a length of time together/no escape...would they still come out with their phobias and prejudices..?.. would there be understanding so it all dissolved or would there be blood../not exactly that way but you know what I mean...

This is ringing bells... I'm pretty sure there was an ITV or Ch4 gameshow about facing phobias?

[Northern Monkey]

Just take a second to let that sink in. Now swap the words gay for straight in your post and look how ridiculous and bigoted that is.
Discrimination is discriminationSo true!

[Northern Monkey]

Are bananas oppressed? Buttons? Balloons maybe?

Small spaces? Crowds?

Clowns? Are we in the midst of a terrible culture of clown oppression?

How about dogs, horses, spiders? Silk? Velcro?

The answer I'm looking for there is "no". And yet there are phobias for all of those things.

A phobia is an irrational fear. Nothing more, nothing less. It has nothing to do with oppression. It has nothing to do with how one responds to that fear.

If there are people in the world who are irrationally scared of people because they are straight - if there is even one person who can be described such - then yes, heterophobia exists.Winner!

[Kizzy]

Of course it isn't a phobia it's fear and/or anger.

Phobias are also irrational, sufferers want to be cured of them, they don't relish in them and advocate having a phobia to others do they?

They don't call racists colourphobic do they, because that would be silly.

[user104658]

Of course it isn't a phobia it's fear and/or anger.

Phobias are also irrational, sufferers want to be cured of them, they don't relish in them and advocate having a phobia to others do they?

They don't call racists colourphobic do they, because that would be silly.
No but there is a related phobia (xenophobia) and it's different to racism. Racism tends to be based in believing that ones own race is somehow superior. There ARE people who are genuinely (and irrationally) scared of foreigners or anyone "different" to themselves.

[Kizzy]

No but there is a related phobia (xenophobia) and it's different to racism. Racism tends to be based in believing that ones own race is somehow superior. There ARE people who are genuinely (and irrationally) scared of foreigners or anyone "different" to themselves.

I just don't see that as a phobia per se... people with a phobia know it's irrational and they don't want it, xenophobes do, and they wish others felt as they do.

[Tom4784]

Like Reverse Racism, it's just a silly term made up by people who want to be oppressed.

[Smithy]

Are bananas oppressed? Buttons? Balloons maybe?

Small spaces? Crowds?

Clowns? Are we in the midst of a terrible culture of clown oppression?

How about dogs, horses, spiders? Silk? Velcro?

The answer I'm looking for there is "no". And yet there are phobias for all of those things.

A phobia is an irrational fear. Nothing more, nothing less. It has nothing to do with oppression. It has nothing to do with how one responds to that fear.

If there are people in the world who are irrationally scared of people because they are straight - if there is even one person who can be described such - then yes, heterophobia exists.

How you can compare those sorts of fears, it's ridiculous, homophobia is based on a system of oppression because being straight is seen as the norm. Comparing it to a fear of banana's is retarded

Homophobia and Heterosexism go hand in hand there isnt one without the other, Heterosexism is the belief that superiority of heterosexuality and, therefore, it’s right to dominance.

If you are homophobic you are heterosexist, you believe in the dominance of heterosexuals and therefore are oppressing any other person with a different sexual preference.

[JoshBB]

Like Reverse Racism, it's just a silly term made up by people who want to be oppressed.

:clap1:

I find it quite offensive tbh. Are straight people killed for being straight?? Do straight people have to lie about your sexuality for a while and worry about how your family might react? no. Do straight people have to limit their holidays so that they don't have to worry about being arrested or attacked?? no.

[Samuel.]

:clap1:

I find it quite offensive tbh. Are straight people killed for being straight?? Do straight people have to lie about your sexuality for a while and worry about how your family might react? no. Do straight people have to limit their holidays so that they don't have to worry about being arrested or attacked?? no.

Nobody is claiming any of this, and none of these have to happen for heterophobia to exist.

If heterophobia was a wide spread thing then perhaps but obviously it's not. That doesn't mean it doesn't or can't exist.

[JoshBB]

Nobody is claiming any of this, and none of these have to happen for heterophobia to exist.

Yes but these are all things that happen to gay people which contribute to the concept of 'homophobia' within society and the world. To suggest heterophobia, is to suggest these things also exist.

Homophobia isn't just "omg they called me straight hoe i hate that girl", it's a huge range of oppression and disadvantage that is widespread just as racism was, and in ways continues to be.

[Liam-]

I thought I had commented on this thread already but whatever, yes it can exist :hee:

[JoshBB]

I thought I had commented on this thread already but whatever, yes it can exist :hee:

On what do you base this though? Where are straight people oppressed?

[kirklancaster]

:clap1:

I find it quite offensive tbh. Are straight people killed for being straight?? Do straight people have to lie about your sexuality for a while and worry about how your family might react? no. Do straight people have to limit their holidays so that they don't have to worry about being arrested or attacked?? no.

I posted this earlier. Do you disagree? Or did you miss it?


Of course it exists. The argument that it does not, is really just semantics. If one solitary human contracted a new previously unknown disease, that disease would have a scientific name within minutes which would forever classify any future victims who show the same symptoms and ill-effects.

Numbers are unimportant, if just one person hates straight people, then 'Heterophobia' - if that is its name - exists. How can it not?

It does not have to be endemic or pandemic, it just has to 'be'.

[kirklancaster]

Nobody is claiming any of this, and none of these have to happen for heterophobia to exist.

If heterophobia was a wide spread thing then perhaps but obviously it's not. That doesn't mean it doesn't or can't exist.

Exactly Samuel.

[JoshBB]

I posted this earlier. Do you disagree? Or did you miss it?


Of course it exists. The argument that it does not, is really just semantics. If one solitary human contracted a new previously unknown disease, that disease would have a scientific name within minutes which would forever classify any future victims who show the same symptoms and ill-effects.

Numbers are unimportant, if just one person hates straight people, then 'Heterophobia' - if that is its name - exists. How can it not?

It does not have to be endemic or pandemic, it just has to 'be'.

False equivalency. I don't see how you can try to use your logic of disease-naming the same way for sexuality and oppression, it's just a blanket logic that really is not the same thing at all.

[Samuel.]

Yes but these are all things that happen to gay people which contribute to the concept of 'homophobia' within society and the world. To suggest heterophobia, is to suggest these things also exist.

Homophobia isn't just "omg they called me straight hoe i hate that girl", it's a huge range of oppression and disadvantage that is widespread just as racism was, and in ways continues to be.

It absolutely has zero to do with what homosexuals have faced from homophobes. Nobody is saying it is on that level, it's quite clearly not. That doesn't discount it from simply existing though.

[Raph]

I agree with JoshBB's points.

But i'll comment more later. Very interesting questions you've raised here, Caitlin.

[Ninastar]

I agree with JoshBB's points.

But i'll comment more later. Very interesting questions you've raised here, Caitlin.

Haha, thank you. I think a few people would have changed their minds after some of the comments that were posted here before everything got deleted.

I in absolutely no way, think the heterophobia is ANYWHERE near the scale or as common as homophobia. But I absolutely and 100% believe that there are people out there who hate on straight people for whatever reason. And I don't think that's right. If you hated on a person who was black, or gay or female, you'd be labelled with something 'phobic' or 'ist' or whatever. Just because that person you're hating on, hasn't faced something awful in their past, doesn't make it any less awful.

[Liam-]

On what do you base this though? Where are straight people oppressed?

It's not just about oppression, anyone can be prejudice against anybody, if you take the history of certain demographics away from the equation, which I understand is hard to do, then you'll see that not just the gays can be discriminated against.

Like I said in another thread recently, it's definitely not common and it's definitely not shown in mainstream media, but I do believe that there are certain situations where a person who isn't gay can be discriminated against because of their sexuality, imo to believe otherwise is a bit ignorant, especially coming from a 'community' which apparently stands for everyone to be equal.

[JoshBB]

Right..

I don't know how many times I have to repeat a phrase.. but FALSE EQUIVALENCY. Everyone claiming heterophobia and equating it with homophobia should do some serious research on the concept of that and then come back to the thread and see if you still think what you do.

[Ninastar]

It's not just about oppression, anyone can be prejudice against anybody, if you take the history of certain demographics away from the equation, which I understand is hard to do, then you'll see that not just the gays can be discriminated against.

Like I said in another thread recently, it's definitely not common and it's definitely not shown in mainstream media, but I do believe that there are certain situations where a person who isn't gay can be discriminated against because of their sexuality, imo to believe otherwise is a bit ignorant, especially coming from a 'community' which apparently stands for everyone to be equal.

Brilliantly well said.

There's a pyramid of who can have a valid opinion about what can and can't be said and it's so wrong. It's the complete opposite of equality :shrug:

[JoshBB]

]It's not just about oppression, anyone can be prejudice against anybody[/B], if you take the history of certain demographics away from the equation, which I understand is hard to do, then you'll see that not just the gays can be discriminated against.

Like I said in another thread recently, it's definitely not common and it's definitely not shown in mainstream media, but I do believe that there are certain situations where a person who isn't gay can be discriminated against because of their sexuality, imo to believe otherwise is a bit ignorant, especially coming from a 'community' which apparently stands for everyone to be equal.

In response to what is bolded:

True. But homophobia is a concept based on discrimination and not prejudice, the same with racism and sexism. They are all derived from prejudice but the actual thing itself is discrimination that is the biggest issue and that is the major determinator on whether or not something exists. It comes down to whether or not straight people are discriminated against - to which the answer is clearly they are not.

I apologise if this is poorly written but hopefully this is somewhat readable :laugh:

[Liam-]

Right..

I don't know how many times I have to repeat a phrase.. but FALSE EQUIVALENCY. Everyone claiming heterophobia and equating it with homophobia should do some serious research on the concept of that and then come back to the thread and see if you still think what you do.

I haven't seen anyone say that it's on the same level as homophobia, I have seen loads of people say the opposite though, there's not any need to be quite so patronising either, my belief that anyone can be prejudice against anyone and that anyone can be discriminated against will not be changed by 10 minutes on google, history does not give right to people to rule over everyone else unless you're the Queen (pardon the irony).

Brilliantly well said.

There's a pyramid of who can have a valid opinion about what can and can't be said and it's so wrong. It's the complete opposite of equality :shrug:

The world we live in today, there will never be equality, there will always be sections of the population striving for better treatment than everyone else, sadly it seems to be the gays turn right now.

[JoshBB]

I haven't seen anyone say that it's on the same level as homophobia, I have seen loads of people say the opposite though, there's not any need to be quite so patronising either, my belief that anyone can be prejudice against anyone and that anyone can be discriminated against will not be changed by 10 minutes on google, history does not give right to people to rule over everyone else unless you're the Queen (pardon the irony).


Sorry, I didn't mean to sound patronising.

I don't think straight people will ever be discriminated against because of biological 'superiority' or 'privilege' for lack of better words.. if heterosexuality was criminalised then I think you'll find that the whole world would die out :laugh:

Also don't forget that most gay people have straight parents too.. so it would be very difficult for prejudice to exist, if ever. Of course prejudice can exist against any group but that does not necessarily make it widespread and henceforth discrimination (heterophobia) does not exist.

[Ammi]

..I think it's because of what has always been conditioned to be 'norm' which is heterosexuality.. so homophobia is much more easily detectable and much more apparent..heterophobia would be harder to see and recognise and because heterosexuality is seen as the 'norm' by many, it can also be more easily dismissed as something else as well.../and not being something linked at all to discriminating against sexuality ..but for me it would be almost impossible for it not to exist to a far, far lesser extent than homophobia...

[kirklancaster]

..I think it's because of what has always been conditioned to be 'norm' which is heterosexuality.. so homophobia is much more easily detectable and much more apparent..heterophobia would be harder to see and recognise and because heterosexuality is seen as the 'norm' by many, it can also be more easily dismissed as something else as well.../and not being something linked at all to discriminating against sexuality ..but for me it would be almost impossible for it not to exist to a far, far lesser extent than homophobia...

:clap1::clap1::clap1:

[Crimson Dynamo]

to be honest i prefer homophobia

its more established and being nostalgic I prefer to stick to what I know

without homophobia it would be like the 70s never happened

[JoshBB]

to be honest i prefer homophobia

its more established and being nostalgic I prefer to stick to what I know

without homophobia it would be like the 70s never happened

:laugh:

As a gay guy, I don't know if I should be offended or laugh.. I'll just laugh.

[Smithy]

The world we live in today, there will never be equality, there will always be sections of the population striving for better treatment than everyone else, sadly it seems to be the gays turn right now.

Is this a ****ing joke? :joker::joker:

[Ninastar]

I haven't seen anyone say that it's on the same level as homophobia, I have seen loads of people say the opposite though, there's not any need to be quite so patronising either, my belief that anyone can be prejudice against anyone and that anyone can be discriminated against will not be changed by 10 minutes on google, history does not give right to people to rule over everyone else unless you're the Queen (pardon the irony).



The world we live in today, there will never be equality, there will always be sections of the population striving for better treatment than everyone else, sadly it seems to be the gays turn right now.

Once again, incredibly well said.

[Kizzy]

..I think it's because of what has always been conditioned to be 'norm' which is heterosexuality.. so homophobia is much more easily detectable and much more apparent..heterophobia would be harder to see and recognise and because heterosexuality is seen as the 'norm' by many, it can also be more easily dismissed as something else as well.../and not being something linked at all to discriminating against sexuality ..but for me it would be almost impossible for it not to exist to a far, far lesser extent than homophobia...

Because heterosexuality is the norm and homophobia exists it does not naturally follow that because homosexuality exists heterophobia must exist also.
There is no reason for the fear and confusion due to the unconventionality that is manifested in homophobia, if it did exist what would be the logic behind it?

[Tom4784]

This reminds me of school, when there's a kid with Asthma and you'll get some other kids that are all like 'I want an inhaler! If he can have one then why can't I have one too?'. They obviously didn't need an inhaler, they just want one because someone else had one. They don't understand that they are lucky enough not to be asthmatic and thought that the asthmatic kid was getting special privileges when he obviously wasn't.

It's not too different from the those idiotic people that are all like 'why don't we get a white history month? Why isn't there a Straight Pride? Where are the Straight Clubs? FEMINISM?! WHY NOT MENINISM? 10,000000 men suffer every day under the tyrannical rule of vagina people!' Et cetera.

They see the small bright sides but do not understand the discrimination that comes along with it. So no, Heterophobia does not exist.

Can gay people be prejudiced? Absolutely, anyone can be prejudiced but to equate that to homophobia is just phenomenally idiotic.

[kirklancaster]

Because heterosexuality is the norm and homophobia exists that does not naturally follow that because homosexuality exists that heterophobia must exist also.
There is no reason for the fear,confusiondue to the unconventionality that is manifested in homophobia, if it did exist what would be the logic behind it?

:shrug: Je ne comprends pas ce que vous dites.

[Glenn.]

This reminds me of school, when there's a kid with Asthma and you'll get some other kids that are all like 'I want an inhaler! If he can have one then why can't I have one too?'. They obviously didn't need an inhaler, they just want one because someone else had one. They don't understand that they are lucky enough not to be asthmatic and thought that the asthmatic kid was getting special privileges when he obviously wasn't.

It's not too different from the those idiotic people that are all like 'why don't we get a white history month? Why isn't there a Straight Pride? Where are the Straight Clubs? FEMINISM?! WHY NOT MENINISM? 10,000000 men suffer every day under the tyrannical rule of vagina people!' Et cetera.

They see the small bright sides but do not understand the discrimination that comes along with it. So no, Heterophobia does not exist.

Can gay people be prejudiced? Absolutely, anyone can be prejudiced but to equate that to homophobia is just phenomenally idiotic.

Slay a bit :clap1:

[Niamh.]

This reminds me of school, when there's a kid with Asthma and you'll get some other kids that are all like 'I want an inhaler! If he can have one then why can't I have one too?'. They obviously didn't need an inhaler, they just want one because someone else had one. They don't understand that they are lucky enough not to be asthmatic and thought that the asthmatic kid was getting special privileges when he obviously wasn't.

It's not too different from the those idiotic people that are all like 'why don't we get a white history month? Why isn't there a Straight Pride? Where are the Straight Clubs? FEMINISM?! WHY NOT MENINISM? 10,000000 men suffer every day under the tyrannical rule of vagina people!' Et cetera.

They see the small bright sides but do not understand the discrimination that comes along with it. So no, Heterophobia does not exist.

Can gay people be prejudiced? Absolutely, anyone can be prejudiced but to equate that to homophobia is just phenomenally idiotic.


I agree with this, although I have to say I never saw any kids that didn't have asthma looking for inhalers :fan:

[Smithy]

This reminds me of school, when there's a kid with Asthma and you'll get some other kids that are all like 'I want an inhaler! If he can have one then why can't I have one too?'. They obviously didn't need an inhaler, they just want one because someone else had one. They don't understand that they are lucky enough not to be asthmatic and thought that the asthmatic kid was getting special privileges when he obviously wasn't.

It's not too different from the those idiotic people that are all like 'why don't we get a white history month? Why isn't there a Straight Pride? Where are the Straight Clubs? FEMINISM?! WHY NOT MENINISM? 10,000000 men suffer every day under the tyrannical rule of vagina people!' Et cetera.

They see the small bright sides but do not understand the discrimination that comes along with it. So no, Heterophobia does not exist.

Can gay people be prejudiced? Absolutely, anyone can be prejudiced but to equate that to homophobia is just phenomenally idiotic.

agree with everything, especially the BIB :clap1:

[Samuel.]

This reminds me of school, when there's a kid with Asthma and you'll get some other kids that are all like 'I want an inhaler! If he can have one then why can't I have one too?'. They obviously didn't need an inhaler, they just want one because someone else had one. They don't understand that they are lucky enough not to be asthmatic and thought that the asthmatic kid was getting special privileges when he obviously wasn't.

It's not too different from the those idiotic people that are all like 'why don't we get a white history month? Why isn't there a Straight Pride? Where are the Straight Clubs? FEMINISM?! WHY NOT MENINISM? 10,000000 men suffer every day under the tyrannical rule of vagina people!' Et cetera.

They see the small bright sides but do not understand the discrimination that comes along with it. So no, Heterophobia does not exist.

Can gay people be prejudiced? Absolutely, anyone can be prejudiced but to equate that to homophobia is just phenomenally idiotic.

To equate the idiots who think they want to be oppressed and "special" to those arguing that heterophobia can exist in this thread is no less phenomenally idiotic.

[kirklancaster]

To equate the idiots who think they want to be oppressed and "special" to those arguing that heterophobia can exist in this thread is no less phenomenally idiotic.

Correct.

I know a gay couple who run a Guest House in Blackpool, and I have stayed there for years when I visit Blackpool. They advertise in GT and Pink and other mags but also in non-gay newspapers in high season. Now I don't think that either of them actually hate or fear 'straight people (whatever that means) but they are prejudiced against them when it comes to taking bookings - preferring gays only.

[Smithy]

Correct.

I know a gay couple who run a Guest House in Blackpool, and I have stayed there for years when I visit Blackpool. They advertise in GT and Pink and other mags but also in non-gay newspapers in high season. Now I don't think that either of them actually hate or fear 'straight people (whatever that means) but they are prejudiced against them when it comes to taking bookings - preferring gays only.

Or targeting a specific niche market that could be turned away by straight homophobic business owners?

I'm actually laughing because literally every hotel is accepting of straight people then you had a hotel which accepts straight people but targets it's self to gay people and you're ****ing complaining. Why does everything have to be about straight people?

[JoshBB]

This reminds me of school, when there's a kid with Asthma and you'll get some other kids that are all like 'I want an inhaler! If he can have one then why can't I have one too?'. They obviously didn't need an inhaler, they just want one because someone else had one. They don't understand that they are lucky enough not to be asthmatic and thought that the asthmatic kid was getting special privileges when he obviously wasn't.

It's not too different from the those idiotic people that are all like 'why don't we get a white history month? Why isn't there a Straight Pride? Where are the Straight Clubs? FEMINISM?! WHY NOT MENINISM? 10,000000 men suffer every day under the tyrannical rule of vagina people!' Et cetera.

They see the small bright sides but do not understand the discrimination that comes along with it. So no, Heterophobia does not exist.

Can gay people be prejudiced? Absolutely, anyone can be prejudiced but to equate that to homophobia is just phenomenally idiotic.

Amazingly put.

[Tom4784]

To equate the idiots who think they want to be oppressed and "special" to those arguing that heterophobia can exist in this thread is no less phenomenally idiotic.

If that's the conclusion you've drawn from my post then it's fairly obvious that you've completely missed the point.

Heterophobia doesn't exist and it's an imaginary construct made up by the types of people that think Meninism and Reverse Racism is a thing.

Gay people can be prejudiced against straight people, just like they can be prejudiced against themselves, transgendered people, bisexuals etc but that's not comparable to Homophobia. You are arguing that gay people can be prejudiced and that's true but heterophobia is not a thing.

[kirklancaster]

Or targeting a specific niche market that could be turned away by straight homophobic business owners?

Could be Smithy.

[Samuel.]

If that's the conclusion you've drawn from my post then it's fairly obvious that you've completely missed the point.

Heterophobia doesn't exist and it's an imaginary construct made up by the types of people that think Meninism and Reverse Racism is a thing.

Gay people can be prejudiced against straight people, just like they can be prejudiced against themselves, transgendered people, bisexuals etc but that's not comparable to Homophobia. You are arguing that gay people can be prejudiced and that's true but heterophobia is not a thing.

There was little in your post other than dismissive and patronising generalisations that don't actually relate to anyone in this thread.

Homophobia starts at an individual level. It's widespread nature is what makes it a major social issue. Quite clearly it isn't a major social issue for straight people, but there absolutely can be heterophobia at an individual level.

At some point this becomes a debate over a definition, in which case the actual word to describe the prejudice doesn't actually matter. It can and no doubt does exist, and whatever you call it isn't important.

[user104658]

I don't know, some people are so caught up in semantics and "buzz" terminology that they can't think logically when it comes to these topics, it seems.

If a phobia is an irrational fear of something (true) and there is such a thing in the world - anywhere in the world - as an irrational fear of heterosexuals (also true) then it MUST be true, by simple rules of logic, that Hetero phobia exists.

Where people seem to be getting all caught up is in the idea that "heterophobia" and "homophobia" must then be equivalent, in terms of severity and consequence.

That is not implied anywhere at all in the above logic, it arises purely from preconception so it's not really relevant. Heterophobia and Homophobia can exist without lessening the severity of homophobia and the damage it does to people's lives. Both can exist whilst acknowledging that one is far worse than the other.

This is also what applies with racism. Has a white individual ever found them self discriminated against, even killed, for the colour of their skin alone? Of course they have, it's indisputable, and it's indisputable that such a crime is a racist hate crime. Is that the same as denying that white people, in general, have a much easier ride than other ethnicities? Nope! You can, through the powers of elaboration, accept both as true.

Part of me wonders if this is all the fault of the twitter generation, having to communicate everything in a couple of words with catchy "hashtags" and therefore having to have individual words and terms that carry such a solid and inflexible definition (which is usually not even the dictionary definition, but rather, a hijacked social definition).

If people would just commit to using a few more words to explain themselves then maybe it wouldn't be as much of an issue.

[Kizzy]

I'll have a go at this logic thing...

If you are heterosexual and consider yourself homophobic it may be because you have never encountered gay people and have all the associated misconceptions, fear and prejudice.

Can that be applied to gay people that they have never had or observed a positive experience with heterosexual people, and that has manifested into heterophobia?

[Tom4784]

There was little in your post other than dismissive and patronising generalisations that don't actually relate to anyone in this thread.

Homophobia starts at an individual level. It's widespread nature is what makes it a major social issue. Quite clearly it isn't a major social issue for straight people, but there absolutely can be heterophobia at an individual level.

At some point this becomes a debate over a definition, in which case the actual word to describe the prejudice doesn't actually matter. It can and no doubt does exist, and whatever you call it isn't important.

Pray tell, when did I say that my post related to anyone in this thread? I didn't, you just assumed so. I'm just going to be as equally dismissive towards the rest of this post as you have been to mine. Heterophobia does not exist.

[Glenn.]

Nothing can manifest itself into heterophobia because it doesn't exist. I find it appalling that people can think it does.

Sorry straight people. Sorry you've had such a hard time being straight. I'll let the teenage boys and girls know your troubles after they've been discharged from hospital from the beatings they received for being who they are.

[RichardG]

I might be wrong (correct me if I am) but reading through the thread it seems to me that not a single person has equated heterophobia to homophobia, pretended straight people are oppressed, pretended straight people are getting beat up and abandoned by families or made a big deal out of it at all. And I would agree with all of that. It is not at all a 'problem' in society, that much I'm sure we can all agree on. I don't think I ever would've even thought about it if this question wasn't posted. :laugh:

In my opinion I think that it's inevitable that some people somewhere out there will hold heterophobic/'anti straight' views, there's people who hate all sorts of people for all sorts of reasons and if even only a small number of people thought like that then on a technical level yes it must surely exist. It is however obviously an entirely different concept to the direct opposite and so in this specific case you could argue 'heterophobic' is the wrong word to use to describe this obscure "phobia"/whatever you want to call it.


At some point this becomes a debate over a definition, in which case the actual word to describe the prejudice doesn't actually matter. It can and no doubt does exist, and whatever you call it isn't important.

:clap1:

[lostalex]

The key is the word phobia i guess, which has been pointed out many times in this thread means IRRATIONAL fear.

Considering the history of straight people oppressing, raping, assaulting, murdering gay people, is it really irrational to fear it will happen to you? no, it's actually very rational because it happens all the time, every day on this planet. so it's not heterophobia, it's a totally justified fear of straight people.

For a straight person to fear gay people though, i can't think of any history of gay people forming large groups and oppressing, raping, assaulting, murdering lots of straight people/ so for a straight person to fear gay people is in fact Irrational, because it has no basis in reality. therefore it is rightly called a phobia, because it's irrational.

[Ammi]

..I was in the middle of making a post and then realised I don't have time ..:laugh:..so just think yourselves all lucky..:fist:...because it was going to be long I think...anyway, some great posts in the thread from opposing opinions... from TS, Dezzy, Sam and Liam especially...

[Northern Monkey]

The key is the word phobia i guess, which has been pointed out many times in this thread means IRRATIONAL fear.

Considering the history of straight people oppressing, raping, assaulting, murdering gay people, is it really irrational to fear it will happen to you? no, it's actually very rational because it happens all the time, every day on this planet. so it's not heterophobia, it's a totally justified fear of straight people.

For a straight person to fear gay people though, i can't think of any history of gay people forming large groups and oppressing, raping, assaulting, murdering lots of straight people/ so for a straight person to fear gay people is in fact Irrational, because it has no basis in reality. therefore it is rightly called a phobia, because it's irrational.Good point!

[bots]

What I see on this thread are views where people put down the concept of heterophobia as ridiculous, but only seem to be doing so because they believe by acknowledging that it could possibly exist it is in some way devaluing homophobia. The amusing thing to me is the outrage that would ensue if I were to say that in a similar vein homophobia did not exist.

What harm does it do to anyone to acknowledge the possibility that heterophobia could exist? To me there seems to be an irrational fear that it could exist as a concept.

[kirklancaster]

What I see on this thread are views where people put down the concept of heterophobia as ridiculous, but only seem to be doing so because they believe by acknowledging that it could possibly exist it is in some way devaluing homophobia. The amusing thing to me is the outrage that would ensue if I were to say that in a similar vein homophobia did not exist.

What harm does it do to anyone to acknowledge the possibility that heterophobia could exist? To me there seems to be an irrational fear that it could exist as a concept.

Superbly written BitOnTheSlide and true. I agree totally because that's exactly what it's beginning to look like.

[user104658]

Having given it some additional thought, I have realised that I think part of the problem is the use of the word "homophobia" in the first place. It's a bit of a misnomer. Most serious discrimination against homosexuals comes from a place of anger and righteousness, not fear at all (although the certain fears are embedded in there often, that's true) and so when people talk about the widespread and sometimes systemic abuse that homosexuals have experienced - that goes far beyond a "phobia" in the strictest sense of the word.

The worry seems to be that acknowledging hetero phobia takes something away from "homophobia" but it's simply probably the other way around: the word homophobia doesn't do enough to describe the issues that homosexuals individuals and couples face in the first place.

[kirklancaster]

Having given it some additional thought, I have realised that I think part of the problem is the use of the word "homophobia" in the first place. It's a bit of a misnomer. Most serious discrimination against homosexuals comes from a place of anger and righteousness, not fear at all (although the certain fears are embedded in there often, that's true) and so when people talk about the widespread and sometimes systemic abuse that homosexuals have experienced - that goes far beyond a "phobia" in the strictest sense of the word.

The worry seems to be that acknowledging hetero phobia takes something away from "homophobia" but it's simply probably the other way around: the word homophobia doesn't do enough to describe the issues that homosexuals individuals and couples face in the first place.

:clap1::clap1::clap1: Your posts are actually the best ones on here T.S - which is why I have not written at length, because it would virtually duplicate what you have said.

[lostalex]

What I see on this thread are views where people put down the concept of heterophobia as ridiculous, but only seem to be doing so because they believe by acknowledging that it could possibly exist it is in some way devaluing homophobia. The amusing thing to me is the outrage that would ensue if I were to say that in a similar vein homophobia did not exist.

What harm does it do to anyone to acknowledge the possibility that heterophobia could exist? To me there seems to be an irrational fear that it could exist as a concept.

but how could it exist? gay people have totally justified reasons for fearing heterosexuals, so there's nothing irrational about that.

There is absolutely nothing in history to give straight people a rational reason to fear homosexuals. some would say religion, but religion itself is irrational.

what is an irrational fear of straight people? that they will round you up and kill you? rape you? torture you? it's not irrational because it happens every single day all around the world.

[user104658]

but how could it exist? gay people have totally justified reasons for fearing heterosexuals, so there's nothing irrational about that.

There is absolutely nothing in history to give straight people a rational reason to fear homosexuals. some would say religion, but religion itself is irrational.

what is an irrational fear of straight people? that they will round you up and kill you? rape you? torture you? it's not irrational because it happens every single day all around the world.
Phobias almost always have a root cause or trauma, though. They don't just appear out of thin air. I guess the mistake here is in thinking that "irrational" and "unfounded" mean the same thing, when they don't.

Fearing Gentle Bob The Straight Guy Who Wouldn't Harm a Fly because there is a history of widespread discrimination and violence against homosexuals in the world is not unfounded - it's even understandable - however that doesn't make it rational (i.e. Based in logic).

[Kizzy]

Having given it some additional thought, I have realised that I think part of the problem is the use of the word "homophobia" in the first place. It's a bit of a misnomer. Most serious discrimination against homosexuals comes from a place of anger and righteousness, not fear at all (although the certain fears are embedded in there often, that's true) and so when people talk about the widespread and sometimes systemic abuse that homosexuals have experienced - that goes far beyond a "phobia" in the strictest sense of the word.

The worry seems to be that acknowledging hetero phobia takes something away from "homophobia" but it's simply probably the other way around: the word homophobia doesn't do enough to describe the issues that homosexuals individuals and couples face in the first place.

I agree but I flipped the fear and the anger, homophobia is for me based on fear and righteousness. the hetero phobia that many describe is borne from anger at the prejudice faced.
Again not that I feel either is a true 'phobia' a phobia of balloons isn't triggered by ignorance to the lives of balloons or the fact you don't have any balloon friends.

[MTVN]

I find the whole concept of 'heterophobia' pretty bizarre really. How can someone possibly be bigoted against the sexuality of the vast majority of the world's population, against what always has been and always will be by far the largest group in society. Unlike racial or religious demographics, heterosexuality's dominance is something that will never wane.

Ok so you might get 1 in 10,000,000 who do genuinely have a burning loathing of straight people. But I think the reason people are pretty resistant to the concept is that it comes across as whiny heterosexuals who are resentful of gay rights movements and feel the need to say 'but we can be discriminated against too!!' when the reality is that 99.99% of straight people have never and will never face any sort of hatred for their sexuality. I'm not saying anyone on this thread is being like that but that seems to be the context in which 'heterophobia' is usually complained about.

[Niamh.]

I find the whole concept of 'heterophobia' pretty bizarre really. How can someone possibly be bigoted against the sexuality of the vast majority of the world's population, against what always has been and always will be by far the largest group in society. Unlike racial or religious demographics, heterosexuality's dominance is something that will never wane.

Ok so you might get 1 in 10,000,000 who do genuinely have a burning loathing of straight people. But I think the reason people are pretty resistant to the concept is that it comes across as whiny heterosexuals who are resentful of gay rights movements and feel the need to say 'but we can be discriminated against too!!' when the reality is that 99.99% of straight people have never and will never face any sort of hatred for their sexuality. I'm not saying anyone on this thread is being like that but that seems to be the context in which 'heterophobia' is usually complained about.

Yup spot on Matthew

[user104658]

I find the whole concept of 'heterophobia' pretty bizarre really. How can someone possibly be bigoted against the sexuality of the vast majority of the world's population, against what always has been and always will be by far the largest group in society. Unlike racial or religious demographics, heterosexuality's dominance is something that will never wane.

Ok so you might get 1 in 10,000,000 who do genuinely have a burning loathing of straight people. But I think the reason people are pretty resistant to the concept is that it comes across as whiny heterosexuals who are resentful of gay rights movements and feel the need to say 'but we can be discriminated against too!!' when the reality is that 99.99% of straight people have never and will never face any sort of hatred for their sexuality. I'm not saying anyone on this thread is being like that but that seems to be the context in which 'heterophobia' is usually complained about.

Again, a phobia has nothing (absolutely nothing, zero, nil) to do with bigotry, prejudice or discrimination.

There is a lot of prejudice, bigotry and discrimination as a result of far too widespread homophobia. There is very little or none alongside heterophobia because heterophobia would, realistically, be limited to a very small and isolated number of individuals.

It is the context that "heterophobia" is being complained about but it's a snap-response based on a misconception... the misconception being that people who are saying "Yes, logically speaking, heterophobia is a thing" are somehow saying that it's equivalent to homophobia or results in the same outcomes. That is in no way implied, it's 100% a projected meaning borne of defensiveness.

[Niamh.]

The thread itself though is taking the words Homophobia and Hetrophobia to mean discrimination etc and I thin k most people on here are arguing based on that
and (no offence Caitlin) it does sound a bit silly. Like when would "lol straighty" ever be offensive to a straight person? It just wouldn't be, it would be funny and ridiculous. What you're arguing about is not what the actual subject of the thread seems to be (eventhough I do get what you're saying as well)

[user104658]

The thread itself though is taking the words Homophobia and Hetrophobia to mean discrimination etc and I think most people on here are arguing based on that
and (no offence Caitlin) it does sound a bit silly. Like when would "lol straighty" ever be offensive to a straight person? It just wouldn't be, it would be funny and ridiculous. What you're arguing about is not what the actual subject of the thread seems to be (eventhough I do get what you're saying as well)

Just because most people are doing it doesn't mean we should all do it Niamh :nono:. Most people do all sorts of stupid ****.

[Livia]

Did this whole discussion start because I joked with JoshBB that he had made a "heterophobic" comment? Does anyone really believe it exists? I find it hard to believe...

[MTVN]

Again, a phobia has nothing (absolutely nothing, zero, nil) to do with bigotry, prejudice or discrimination.

There is a lot of prejudice, bigotry and discrimination as a result of far too widespread homophobia. There is very little or none alongside heterophobia because heterophobia would, realistically, be limited to a very small and isolated number of individuals.

It is the context that "heterophobia" is being complained about but it's a snap-response based on a misconception... the misconception being that people who are saying "Yes, logically speaking, heterophobia is a thing" are somehow saying that it's equivalent to homophobia or results in the same outcomes. That is in no way implied, it's 100% a projected meaning borne of defensiveness.

But in the context of religion, sexuality and other issues, phobias are inextricably associated with bigotry: homophobia is prejudice against homesexuals, Islamophobia is prejudice against Muslims, transphobia is prejudice against transsexuals etc. It is not the same as being scared of clowns. Maybe you're right that that is a problem with the term 'homophobia' itself but that is accepted terminology nevertheless.

People react like you talk about in the last paragraph because those who complain about heterophobia are normally doing so as a backlash against the LGBT movements. As Dezzy talked about, its like when people complain about not being able to have 'straight pride'. Take this article for instance: http://www.rooshv.com/the-rise-of-heterophobia

A new psychological disorder called heterophobia is infecting America. Promoting a heterosexual or traditional family lifestyle is becoming increasingly shamed while criticism of homosexual lifestyle is no longer allowed. Our culture is making it clear that when it comes to sex, only heterosexuality can be ridiculed, especially when it is practiced by men.

I actually thought that might have been satire at first but apparently not.

[Tom4784]

What I see on this thread are views where people put down the concept of heterophobia as ridiculous, but only seem to be doing so because they believe by acknowledging that it could possibly exist it is in some way devaluing homophobia. The amusing thing to me is the outrage that would ensue if I were to say that in a similar vein homophobia did not exist.

What harm does it do to anyone to acknowledge the possibility that heterophobia could exist? To me there seems to be an irrational fear that it could exist as a concept.

Not really, I just find the concept of straight people complaining about 'Heterophobia' ridiculous when they're considered the norm and they've never had to fight for equal rights and have never been at risk for simply being who they are. I think it was said earlier in the thread somewhere but someone made a good point about the fact that Racism and Homophobia is linked to a sense of superiority and disliking what isn't considered the norm which doesn't really equate to the idea of heterophobia.

At best, it's prejudice but heterophobia does not exist.

[user104658]

Regardless of terminology though, would the simplest course of action not be just to say "OK so none of us should ridicule or dislike anyone else without actually getting to know them as an individual, for any reason"?

Wouldn't that make "other considerations" - rightly - unimportant?

What justifies the backlash to the backlash? "It's OK for me to mock you or something intrinsic about you, because you're in the majority so I can say what I want, and you can't have a problem with it, because history and society". Can we all just... not? At all?

[lostalex]

I find the whole concept of 'heterophobia' pretty bizarre really. How can someone possibly be bigoted against the sexuality of the vast majority of the world's population, against what always has been and always will be by far the largest group in society. Unlike racial or religious demographics, heterosexuality's dominance is something that will never wane.

Ok so you might get 1 in 10,000,000 who do genuinely have a burning loathing of straight people. But I think the reason people are pretty resistant to the concept is that it comes across as whiny heterosexuals who are resentful of gay rights movements and feel the need to say 'but we can be discriminated against too!!' when the reality is that 99.99% of straight people have never and will never face any sort of hatred for their sexuality. I'm not saying anyone on this thread is being like that but that seems to be the context in which 'heterophobia' is usually complained about.

yea, i agree. i can't imagine a situation where a straight person is always in fear of being the victim of a gay majority. i can't imagine a place or a time when gay people have enough power and majority to cause that kind of paranoia and fear in straight people.

it's very unique for gay people in that way, because when it comes to race or religion, there are plenty of places in the world where black people, or asian people or muslim people, or even jewish people can find a place in the world where they have political power and are a majority. there is no such place for gay people.

even though the homophobes love to say they want to put us all on an island, i wish they would, so we could finally have a gay nation, but of course it's ridiculous and will never happen.

[Northern Monkey]

Tbh i think this topic is so confusing because some people are arguing that the literal definition of the word 'heterophobia' as a phobia can and probably does exist and some are arguing on the premise of homophobia and heterophobia being comparable.
I think obviously heterosexuals have'nt on a large scale experienced hate like homosexuals have but that does'nt mean that the literal definition of heterophobia does'nt exist because as TS said,if just one gay person in the world hates through fear somebody for being straight then it does exist.Nobody is saying that straights have it as bad as gays,Nobody thinks that because it is ridiculous.
The word 'homophobia' is a poor descriptor anyway imo for what is basically hatred for gay people.
Maybe the word 'homophobia' should just be replaced with 'gay hate'.

[Crimson Dynamo]

is hating on a gay gay for being a hetrophobe considered as homophobia

[Ashley.]

is hating on a gay gay for being a hetrophobe considered as homophobia

:laugh:

is hating homophobes, homophobiaphobia? :D


---


On the topic though, I don't think it needs to be "socially accepted" to be a phobia. There probably is someone in the world who hates straight people. We might as well make a name for it :shrug:

[Ninastar]

Basically gonna be one of my last posts in this thread, because it's basically just going backwards and forwards now.

I think the main issue is the word 'Heterophobia' which I think is pretty understandable. It makes it sounds like it's a huge issue, which it totally isn't. I don't think one person in this thread has said it. But when I speak of 'Heterophobia' I mean people taking the piss out of straight people, whether they are joking or not, or when someone states that someone can't have an opinion about 'X' because they are straight, or even puts someone down, because they haven't 'had it as badly as them'. I've seen all of these things happen and if it had been the other way around, then people would go crazy.

Yeah, some people might have an issue with the word 'heterophobic' but to dismiss this and call it something else like 'false equivalency' or 'prejudice' is just wrong IMO. It makes it seem like it's not as important/insulting. Yeah, I'll 100% agree with those who say it isn't as big of an issue as homophobia... But it still happens.

My biggest issue with this is the fact that people believe that different issues stand on different platforms. Which is a thread of it's own I guess. I just view everyone equally and I think there's a point where history doesn't necessarily come into things and it doesn't need to. We've come so far as a world (well, the UK has anyway) and I feel like when people constantly bring up the past, nothing will change. Obviously I'm not saying that we should totes forget how badly gay people have been treated, I'm just saying that there are times where that doesn't matter.

I find the results interesting. It's pretty much split in half and some people voted completely differently to what I expected.

I'm glad that the second time this was opened, people mostly were able to debate without silly name calling. One of my biggest hates about serious debates is when people think it's okay to laugh or make fun of someones views. It's just an opinion, you don't need to call someone a name for it :shrug:

[billy123]

Basically gonna be one of my last posts in this thread, because it's basically just going backwards and forwards now.

I think the main issue is the word 'Heterophobia' which I think is pretty understandable. It makes it sounds like it's a huge issue, which it totally isn't. I don't think one person in this thread has said it. But when I speak of 'Heterophobia' I mean people taking the piss out of straight people, whether they are joking or not, or when someone states that someone can't have an opinion about 'X' because they are straight, or even puts someone down, because they haven't 'had it as badly as them'. I've seen all of these things happen and if it had been the other way around, then people would go crazy.

Yeah, some people might have an issue with the word 'heterophobic' but to dismiss this and call it something else like 'false equivalency' or 'prejudice' is just wrong IMO. It makes it seem like it's not as important/insulting. Yeah, I'll 100% agree with those who say it isn't as big of an issue as homophobia... But it still happens.

My biggest issue with this is the fact that people believe that different issues stand on different platforms. Which is a thread of it's own I guess. I just view everyone equally and I think there's a point where history doesn't necessarily come into things and it doesn't need to. We've come so far as a world (well, the UK has anyway) and I feel like when people constantly bring up the past, nothing will change. Obviously I'm not saying that we should totes forget how badly gay people have been treated, I'm just saying that there are times where that doesn't matter.

I find the results interesting. It's pretty much split in half and some people voted completely differently to what I expected.

I'm glad that the second time this was opened, people mostly were able to debate without silly name calling. One of my biggest hates about serious debates is when people think it's okay to laugh or make fun of someones views. It's just an opinion, you don't need to call someone a name for it :shrug:
Lovely post and well summed up. Unfortunately i had to step away from the thread after the last attempt turned into what it did and i ended up having to delete death threats from my personal facebook account which i regret ever posting here over a year ago.
A very strange reaction i have no idea why some felt threatened by the idea or why a couple of them were so dim to feel threatened by it (one of them called george apparently)
Im done here this has finished it off for me. Too many idiots.

[Liam-]

Lovely post and well summed up. Unfortunately i had to step away from the thread after the last attempt turned into what it did and i ended up having to delete death threats from my personal facebook account which i regret ever posting here over a year ago.
A very strange reaction i have no idea why some felt threatened by the idea or why a couple of them were so dim to feel threatened by it (one of them called george apparently)
Im done here this has finished it off for me.

:omgno:

[Smithy]

*would just like to say George didn't post on bobnots Facebook if that's what he's implying*

[bots]

*would just like to say George didn't post on bobnots Facebook if that's what he's implying*

well having been told do die on that same thread myself, i tend to believe Bob

[kirklancaster]

Lovely post and well summed up. Unfortunately i had to step away from the thread after the last attempt turned into what it did and i ended up having to delete death threats from my personal facebook account which i regret ever posting here over a year ago.
A very strange reaction i have no idea why some felt threatened by the idea or why a couple of them were so dim to feel threatened by it (one of them called george apparently)
Im done here this has finished it off for me. Too many idiots.

What the hell has gone off Bob - I must have missed something. Please don't leave the forum if that's what you mean.

[kirklancaster]

well having been told do die on that same thread myself, i tend to believe Bob

When did all this happen?

[Smithy]

well having been told do die on that same thread myself, i tend to believe Bob

He was trolling the forum it wasn't as serious as to go out of his way to post on someone's Facebook wall, a wall which would have probably taken ages to find considering it wasn't posted someone that's viewed a lot on the site

Like idk where he posted it, I know George won't have :shrug:

[armand.kay]

lmao @ the concept...

[Ninastar]

Lovely post and well summed up. Unfortunately i had to step away from the thread after the last attempt turned into what it did and i ended up having to delete death threats from my personal facebook account which i regret ever posting here over a year ago.
A very strange reaction i have no idea why some felt threatened by the idea or why a couple of them were so dim to feel threatened by it (one of them called george apparently)
Im done here this has finished it off for me. Too many idiots.

What the actual ****??? Jesus, sorry to hear that. Have you thought about telling one of the mods? That's disgusting.

[user104658]

See, it's for reasons like this that I have never in 16 years of regular forum use, posted my real details or a picture of myself or anything like that other than in PM's to people I trust.

It's utterly ridiculous that someone has tracked down a Facebook page to post threats but I completely believe it... I've heard of worse happening (for example, people contacting people's friends and family members and saying things like that they are a thief, a rapist or a paedophile. Seriously.)

To be honest, if I was you I'd be contacting forum staff for IP deets.

[kirklancaster]

See, it's for reasons like this that I have never in 16 years of regular forum use, posted my real details or a picture of myself or anything like that other than in PM's to people I trust.

It's utterly ridiculous that someone has tracked down a Facebook page to post threats but I completely believe it... I've heard of worse happening (for example, people contacting people's friends and family members and saying things like that they are a thief, a rapist or a paedophile. Seriously.)

To be honest, if I was you I'd be contacting forum staff for IP deets.

It is truly shocking and fecking terrible. Like you that is just why I am so careful with personal details.

[Josy]

Lovely post and well summed up. Unfortunately i had to step away from the thread after the last attempt turned into what it did and i ended up having to delete death threats from my personal facebook account which i regret ever posting here over a year ago.
A very strange reaction i have no idea why some felt threatened by the idea or why a couple of them were so dim to feel threatened by it (one of them called george apparently)
Im done here this has finished it off for me. Too many idiots.
This is the first I've heard of this but I'm looking into it and I'm going to message you but I will say we can check if anyone has searched on here for your info

[Jessica.]

Bobnot, why would you specifically mention that you deleted the threats and why would you delete them at all if you could get something done about it? :umm2:

[Ammi]

..Bob, I'm so sorry..:hug:..you said in a thread about your experiences but I hadn't realised exactly what you meant ..I understand how you must feel right now but I truly hope that you do keep posting and stay with us.. :hug:..

[Smithy]

Bobnot, why would you specifically mention that you deleted the threats and why would you delete them at all if you could get something done about it? :umm2:

Exactly, why not tell admin straight away or even report it to Facebook? I'm sure I can take a pretty good guess but whatever :idc: it'll be interesting to see what Josy finds out

[Ammi]

..seriously, someone whose Facebook account has been searched out and used to attack and to make threats against them is now somehow in the wrong because their instinct was to delete something so awful and upsetting...so 'victim blaming'../and I'm sure that we would all think that victim blaming was awful if it was a topic/a story involving people we don't even know and have empathy..and yet so often on the forum, no such empathy or understanding for people we interact with daily....who are part of this forum community...

[kirklancaster]

..seriously, someone whose Facebook account has been searched out and used to attack and to make threats against them is now somehow in the wrong because their instinct was to delete something so awful and upsetting...so 'victim blaming'../and I'm sure that we would all think that victim blaming was awful if it was a topic/a story involving people we don't even know and have empathy..and yet so often on the forum, no such empathy or understanding for people we interact with daily....who are part of this forum community...

Another balanced and brilliant post Ammi.

I really feel for Bob and hope that he doesn't quit the forum because he is a valued member and it would be a great, great shame.

[Mystic Mock]

Don't worry Bob, I'm sure that Josy and the rest of the Admins will find something out.:)

[GypsyGoth]

Not liking breeders and not wanting to hang out with them because they're straight, sure does exist.

[Niamh.]

Breeders :laugh:

[bots]

..seriously, someone whose Facebook account has been searched out and used to attack and to make threats against them is now somehow in the wrong because their instinct was to delete something so awful and upsetting...so 'victim blaming'../and I'm sure that we would all think that victim blaming was awful if it was a topic/a story involving people we don't even know and have empathy..and yet so often on the forum, no such empathy or understanding for people we interact with daily....who are part of this forum community...

i do wonder myself why people support and defend those who wish death on other forum members, but I shouldn't be surprised as I remember clearly the attitudes and the posters involved during the incident in question.

[user104658]

Not liking breeders and not wanting to hang out with them because they're straight, sure does exist.

This is highly offensive to straight people who are unable to produce children. Check your privilege; Stop fertility shaming.

[kirklancaster]

This is highly offensive to straight people who are unable to produce children. Check your privilege; Stop fertility shaming.

Come on T.S - I'm sure Claudia meant no offense.

[Black Dagger]

I do hate most straight men tbf, they won't let me suck their dicks :idc: (but then gays don't either so I hate people in general)

[kirklancaster]

I do hate most straight men tbf, they won't let me suck their dicks :idc: (but then gays don't either so I hate people in general)

:laugh:

[Niamh.]

Come on T.S - I'm sure Claudia meant no offense.

I'm willing to bet that TS was taking the piss there Kirk :laugh:

[kirklancaster]

I'm willing to bet that TS was taking the piss there Kirk :laugh:

:laugh: Do you know Niamh - I thought that as soon as I'd posted, but I confess that with T.S. I just never know. :laugh:

[user104658]

I'm willing to bet that TS was taking the piss there Kirk :laugh:

This is highly offensive to people who have difficulty passing urine, Niamh. Check your privilege; stop prostate shaming.

[Niamh.]

This is highly offensive to people who have difficulty passing urine, Niamh. Check your privilege; stop prostate shaming.

:laugh:

[Ross.]

I do hate most straight men tbf, they won't let me suck their dicks :idc: (but then gays don't either so I hate people in general)

:joker:

[kirklancaster]

This is highly offensive to people who have difficulty passing urine, Niamh. Check your privilege; stop prostate shaming.

:laugh: You do REALISE your from the planet Zog -- Right T.S? :hehe:

[user104658]

:laugh: You do REALISE your from the planet Zog -- Right T.S? :hehe:

Wubba lubba dub duuub

[Smithy]

..seriously, someone whose Facebook account has been searched out and used to attack and to make threats against them is now somehow in the wrong because their instinct was to delete something so awful and upsetting...so 'victim blaming'../and I'm sure that we would all think that victim blaming was awful if it was a topic/a story involving people we don't even know and have empathy..and yet so often on the forum, no such empathy or understanding for people we interact with daily....who are part of this forum community...

Apparently searched out and threats made, there's been no proof posted :shrug:

[user104658]

Apparently searched out and threats made, there's been no proof posted :shrug:
Yeah but everyone saw the posts in this thread going full weetodd so it's pretty easy to accept the suggestion as probably being true. Circumstantial evidence is more than enough for me. Guilty! I am the law.

[kirklancaster]

I must have missed it all somehow. :shrug:

[Kizzy]

Josy said she'd check so why would he need to post proof, someone's jittery.

[Glenn.]

Because he could be making it up completely.

[Jessica.]

I don't think anyone deserves death threats for anything they have said in this thread but bobnot doesn't exactly have a reputation for being reliable either. :worry: I just think the way he went about it doesn't seem realistic at all. :shrug: It's open for discussion and debate if he decided to post his "experience" here for all to see.

[Kizzy]

Because he could be making it up completely.

In which case Josy will be able to clarify I guess.

[bots]

I don't think anyone deserves death threats for anything they have said in this thread but bobnot doesn't exactly have a reputation for being reliable either. :worry: I just think the way he went about it doesn't seem realistic at all. :shrug: It's open for discussion and debate if he decided to post his "experience" here for all to see.

the point is that there were many posts made on this thread that were disgusting. Bob was one targeted in that, as was I, and I can assure you the statement "die breeder" was most definitely made toward me. If Bob says he was further targeted, I see no reason not to believe him

[Smithy]

Personally if something like this happened to me, I'd have printscreened it, reported it to Facebook and then admin, not deleted it and made a throwaway comment about it in the thread looking for attention

But hey, that's just me I guess :)

[Kizzy]

Calm down, it'll all be sorted don't worry.... hey it's made serious debates more interesting, you'll be happy about that :laugh:

[Glenn.]

Oh kizzy let's not get ahead of ourselves

[Kizzy]

Well watching the stampede over from C&G to defend the troll's been interesting :idc:

[Glenn.]

If there was a troll

[Ashley.]

this thread

makes me feel like i've just run an entire marathon

and lost

[kirklancaster]

this thread

makes me feel like i've just run an entire marathon

and lost

:laugh: You're on form today Ash with the picturesque speech. A bit of welcome light relief anyway.

[user104658]

Personally if something like this happened to me, I'd have printscreened it, reported it to Facebook and then admin, not deleted it and made a throwaway comment about it in the thread looking for attention

But hey, that's just me I guess :)

Probably is just you, I'd just delete it too.

Actually, no, I'd be like...

http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/hand-gestures/rubbing-hands-in-excitement-smiley-emoticon.gif

...but I think that IS just me :hehe:

[Samuel.]

:clap1:

I find it quite offensive tbh. Are straight people killed for being straight?? Do straight people have to lie about your sexuality for a while and worry about how your family might react? no. Do straight people have to limit their holidays so that they don't have to worry about being arrested or attacked?? no.

You just had to go tempt fate

[Ninastar]

You just had to go tempt fate

Why what's happened? Is this cause of the death threats?

[Glenn.]

We don't know for sure there has been death threats tbf

[Samuel.]

Why what's happened? Is this cause of the death threats?

Yes, I'm joking :laugh:

[Ninastar]

Yes, I'm joking :laugh:

oh okay, LOL.

But yeah, kinda goes to show that stuff like this does happen, because he had an opinion someone didn't like... Disgusting really.

[Glenn.]

I just googled and this was literally the first thing that came back

Heterophobia is one of those ridiculous terms that gets thrown around like “reverse racism” or “trans privilege” that make anyone with any grasp of reality face/palm into a coma.22 Sep 2013

[JoshBB]

I just googled and this was literally the first thing that came back

Heterophobia is one of those ridiculous terms that gets thrown around like “reverse racism” or “trans privilege” that make anyone with any grasp of reality face/palm into a coma.22 Sep 2013

lmao

[Ammi]

Lovely post and well summed up. Unfortunately i had to step away from the thread after the last attempt turned into what it did and i ended up having to delete death threats from my personal facebook account which i regret ever posting here over a year ago.
A very strange reaction i have no idea why some felt threatened by the idea or why a couple of them were so dim to feel threatened by it (one of them called george apparently)
Im done here this has finished it off for me. Too many idiots.

*would just like to say George didn't post on bobnots Facebook if that's what he's implying*



..just one last post because I think it's all becoming a little silly and really shouldn't be..

..(if it's what I'm thinking of..)..Bob made a thread quite a while ago and it was something lovely he was doing for his grand daughter...to be able to do this lovely thing, he asked for help from forum members who had Facebook accounts/access and obviously had to post his details in the thread..anyway it all turned out as he'd hoped with support from TiBB and one of those great times and heart-warming things of 'community TiBB'...so ironic and awful for him that now such a lovely thing and 'love' thing has been used for 'hate'...but if it is what I'm thinking..(how his Facebook was 'searched'..)..then as it's a public thread, it wouldn't have to be a member at all or anyone involved it the thread, it could really be anyone 'offline', couldn't it..which obviously makes it more difficult for Admin as well...

...but if certain terminology was used in the thread that wasn't good at all, then it would be the obvious thought that it was someone in the thread also../an obvious conclusion to make because the 'hate' seemed directly linked to the thread/posters for Bob.../you know...and obviously I understand why people are taking offence as well as they know there is no involvement from them...so all getting a little silly really and just think about it and how it's escalating ..when no one probably can be faulted here...


..I do believe Bob has had this happen to him and I personally believe there was no involvement from anyone in this thread and including George in that as well....

[kirklancaster]

..just one last post because I think it's all becoming a little silly and really shouldn't be..

..(if it's what I'm thinking of..)..Bob made a thread quite a while ago and it was something lovely he was doing for his grand daughter...to be able to do this lovely thing, he asked for help from forum members who had Facebook accounts/access and obviously had to post his details in the thread..anyway it all turned out as he'd hoped with support from TiBB and one of those great times and heart-warming things of 'community TiBB'...so ironic and awful for him that now such a lovely thing and 'love' thing has been used for 'hate'...but if it is what I'm thinking..(how his Facebook was 'searched'..)..then as it's a public thread, it wouldn't have to be a member at all or anyone involved it the thread, it could really be anyone 'offline', couldn't it..which obviously makes it more difficult for Admin as well...

...but if certain terminology was used in the thread that wasn't good at all, then it would be the obvious thought that it was someone in the thread also../an obvious conclusion to make because the 'hate' seemed directly linked to the thread/posters for Bob.../you know...and obviously I understand why people are taking offence as well as they know there is no involvement from them...so all getting a little silly really and just think about it and how it's escalating ..when no one probably can be faulted here...


..I do believe Bob has had this happen to him and I personal believe there was no involvement from anyone in this thread and including George in that as well....

Thank you Ammi - I understand a little better now. I have expressed my sympathy for Bob, and it is extended to anyone who suffered vitriol during the posts which I missed.

I know better than most what that can feel like.

[Ashley.]

It's been going round in circles for days. It is, as I've said numerous times, ridiculous to think such a thing exists in society because in my opinion it doesn't and its offensive to anybody that has suffered abuse because of who they are but I'm merely stating my opinion like those have been who are in agreement with such a thing.

Yes but phobias aren't a "society" thing, it's not about equality or about straight people having more rights than gays, it's just a phobia of straight people which I'm sorry for disagreeing with you, but I'm sure is something that people experience?

[Glenn.]

Yes but phobias aren't a "society" thing, it's not about equality or about straight people having more rights than gays, it's just a phobia of straight people which I'm sorry for disagreeing with you, but I'm sure is something that people experience?

It's laughable

[Cherie]

Breeders :laugh:

Isn't this a prime example though, the fact that straight people can be referred to in this way and it's funny, turn that around and call a gay couple "unable or breed without help" and all hell would break loose :laugh:

[the truth]

Isn't this a prime example though, the fact that straight people can be referred to in this way and it's funny, turn that around and call a gay couple "unable or breed without help" and all hell would break loose :laugh:

yep endless hypocrisy and double standards from people who demanded we get rid of double standards and hypocrisy, its a joke

[Jessica.]

How is being called a breeder offensive?

[AnnieK]

Had I been called a breeder a few years ago whilst going through unexplained infertility I would have been personally offended. It's like anything else...its not the word but the intimation that's offensive. If it's said in a derogatory manner it is meant to offend therefore is offensive

[Ashley.]

I'd also like some people to realise that Heterophobia and Discrimination of Straight People are not the same thing. True, you can't discriminate a straight person because they aren't a minority, but can you hate them/fear them? Yes.

[Cherie]

How is being called a breeder offensive?

The same way as any derogatory name levelled at someone's race or sexuality is offensive. It's "only" a word but then so are other words which cannot be used when describing people

[Cherie]

I'd also like some people to realise that Heterophobia and Discrimination of Straight People are not the same thing. True, you can't discriminate a straight person because they aren't a minority, but can you hate them/fear them? Yes.

The two are not mutually exclusive imo

[Tom4784]

Isn't this a prime example though, the fact that straight people can be referred to in this way and it's funny, turn that around and call a gay couple "unable or breed without help" and all hell would break loose :laugh:

Because an LGBT person living in the same circumstances as you will inevitably lead a lesser quality of life. You will never have to face the same judgement or persecution so complaining about things like being called a 'breeder' is ridiculous, you would crumble if you had to lead the life of an LGBT person if you're complaining about being called a 'breeder'.

[Cherie]

:blush:Because an LGBT person living in the same circumstances as you will inevitably lead a lesser quality of life. You will never have to face the same judgement or persecution so complaining about things like being called a 'breeder' is ridiculous, you would crumble if you had to lead the life of an LGBT person.

You know nothing about my life so are not in a position to judge.

[AnnieK]

Because an LGBT person living in the same circumstances as you will inevitably lead a lesser quality of life. You will never have to face the same judgement or persecution so complaining about things like being called a 'breeder' is ridiculous, you would crumble if you had to lead the life of an LGBT person if you're complaining about being called a 'breeder'.

Still doesn't make it acceptable though or non offensive to some people. Whilst facing infertility I wouldn't have thought, **** people are calling me a breeder when I would give my life for a child. But I can't have one...ah well it could be worse I could be judged more if I were LGBT? It's about perspective really.

[Tom4784]

:blush:

You know nothing about my life so are not in a position to judge.

Well, considering you're complaining over essentially nothing it's only natural for me to assume that you wouldn't cope with the struggles that LGBT people face.

[Tom4784]

Still doesn't make it acceptable though or non offensive to some people. Whilst facing infertility I wouldn't have thought, **** people are calling me a breeder when I would give my life for a child. But I can't have one...ah well it could be worse I could be judged more if I were LGBT? It's about perspective really.

Yeah but that's not really the issue here. A few idiots doesn't make Heterophobia a thing.

[Shaun]

Yeah but that's not really the issue here. A few idiots doesn't make Heterophobia a thing.

The main problem with everyone saying no is they have got hung up on the idea that because it isn't a big thing it isn't a thing at all.

[kirklancaster]

The main problem with everyone saying no is they have got hung up on the idea that because it isn't a big thing it isn't a thing at all.

I could not put it better Shaun. So true.

[Tom4784]

The main problem with everyone saying no is they have got hung up on the idea that because it isn't a big thing it isn't a thing at all.

Like I said since the start, I think gay people can be prejudiced against straight people, that can definitely be a thing but using the term 'heterophobia' will always be an issue since it will always draw comparisons to homophobia and, obviously, straight people will never have to suffer anything like that since they will always be the majority.

You can't use that term without the comparisons. If this topic was called 'Can gay people be prejudiced against straight people' then I'd definitely say yes but I just don't believe heterophobia is a thing.

[kirklancaster]

If someone in real life called me a 'breeder' you can bet I'd take offence.

[Ammi]

..I think I understand what Dezzy means, because it's nowhere near to the same extent as homophobia, not even remotely.. it's like giving power to it to a similar type of prejudice..?..

[Cherie]

Well, considering you're complaining over essentially nothing it's only natural for me to assume that you wouldn't cope with the struggles that LGBT people face.

If you read my post correctly you will see I consider being called a breeder funny, but I can understand why it could be deemed offensive.

[kirklancaster]

The OP asks:

"Does 'Heterophobia' exist?"

The dictionary defines the word 'Phobia' as:

states phobia
ˈfəʊbɪə/Submit
noun
an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something.

It only takes ONE solitary person to have an irrational fear or aversion to straight people and "Heterophobia" EXISTS.

It is totally stupid to assume that there is not one solitary gay person in this world who is not averse to straight people for no reason other than the fact that they are straight, and who 'shun' and 'avoid' their company for no valid reason. What is more, I actually know at least a couple of gay people who do just this - avoid and shun straight people for no other reason than that they are not gay.

This fact does not alter the fact that 'Gay' people are persecuted, ostracised, discriminated against and victimised, whereas straight people are not, because one fact does not negate the other.

I really do not understand - given the meaning of the opening question - just why this is still being argued and just why this thread has descended into the appalling personal 'slag-fest' which it has.

There is no need.

[Cherie]

The OP asks:

"Does 'Heterophobia' exist?"

The dictionary defines the word 'Phobia' as:

states phobia
ˈfəʊbɪə/Submit
noun
an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something.

It only takes ONE solitary person to have an irrational fear or aversion to straight people and "Heterophobia" EXISTS.

It is totally stupid to assume that there is not one solitary gay person in this world who is not averse to straight people for no reason other than the fact that they are straight, and who 'shun' and 'avoid' their company for no valid reason. What is more, I actually know at least a couple of gay people who do just this - avoid and shun straight people for no other reason than that they are not gay.

This fact does not alter the fact that 'Gay' people are persecuted, ostracised, discriminated against and victimised, whereas straight people are not, because one fact does not negate the other.

I really do not understand - given the meaning of the opening question - just why this is still being argued and just why this thread has descended into the appalling personal 'slag-fest' which it has.

There is no need.


Great post Kirk and I concur with your final comment as well

[Liam-]

The OP asks:

"Does 'Heterophobia' exist?"

The dictionary defines the word 'Phobia' as:

states phobia
ˈfəʊbɪə/Submit
noun
an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something.

It only takes ONE solitary person to have an irrational fear or aversion to straight people and "Heterophobia" EXISTS.

It is totally stupid to assume that there is not one solitary gay person in this world who is not averse to straight people for no reason other than the fact that they are straight, and who 'shun' and 'avoid' their company for no valid reason. What is more, I actually know at least a couple of gay people who do just this - avoid and shun straight people for no other reason than that they are not gay.

This fact does not alter the fact that 'Gay' people are persecuted, ostracised, discriminated against and victimised, whereas straight people are not, because one fact does not negate the other.

I really do not understand - given the meaning of the opening question - just why this is still being argued and just why this thread has descended into the appalling personal 'slag-fest' which it has.

There is no need.

:clap1:

[Tom4784]

The OP asks:

"Does 'Heterophobia' exist?"

The dictionary defines the word 'Phobia' as:

states phobia
ˈfəʊbɪə/Submit
noun
an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something.

It only takes ONE solitary person to have an irrational fear or aversion to straight people and "Heterophobia" EXISTS.

It is totally stupid to assume that there is not one solitary gay person in this world who is not averse to straight people for no reason other than the fact that they are straight, and who 'shun' and 'avoid' their company for no valid reason. What is more, I actually know at least a couple of gay people who do just this - avoid and shun straight people for no other reason than that they are not gay.

This fact does not alter the fact that 'Gay' people are persecuted, ostracised, discriminated against and victimised, whereas straight people are not, because one fact does not negate the other.

I really do not understand - given the meaning of the opening question - just why this is still being argued and just why this thread has descended into the appalling personal 'slag-fest' which it has.

There is no need.

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/39200202/images/1428451366388.png


A pedantic definition is meaningless in all but theory. Gay people can be prejudiced but that's it as, at the end of the day, heterosexuality will always be the majority because biologically speaking, gay people will never outnumber heterosexuals. That's why the idea of heterophobia is ridiculous. When it comes to social issues like this, A majority cannot suffer in the same way that a minority will, that's why they are the majority.

I refuse the idea of Heterophobia as nothing more than false equivalence and I always will. I will not concede on this.

[Ashley.]

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/39200202/images/1428451366388.png


A pedantic definition is meaningless in all but theory. Gay people can be prejudiced but that's it as, at the end of the day, heterosexuality will always be the majority because biologically speaking, gay people will never outnumber heterosexuals. That's why the idea of heterophobia is ridiculous. When it comes to social issues like this, A majority cannot suffer in the same way that a minority will, that's why they are the majority.

I refuse the idea of Heterophobia as nothing more than false equivalence and I always will. I will not concede on this.

More people like water than those who don't but aquaphobia still exists? :shrug:

[kirklancaster]

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/39200202/images/1428451366388.png


A pedantic definition is meaningless in all but theory. Gay people can be prejudiced but that's it as, at the end of the day, heterosexuality will always be the majority because biologically speaking, gay people will never outnumber heterosexuals. That's why the idea of heterophobia is ridiculous. When it comes to social issues like this, A majority cannot suffer in the same way that a minority will, that's why they are the majority.

I refuse the idea of Heterophobia as nothing more than false equivalence and I always will. I will not concede on this.

But you are BEING pedantic and by moving your argument OUTSIDE the parameters of the original question, so you are using 'Strawman' as well. This is NOT 'False Equivalency'.

[Cherie]

More people like water than those who don't but aquaphobia still exists? :shrug:

Great analogy

[Black Dagger]

Oop at yes winning x

[Kizzy]

Tories 'won' doesn't make them right :idc:

[Ashley.]

Tories 'won' doesn't make them right :idc:

You're not the only person who votes in elections. Clearly people like them and think they are right since they won the election. Don't mistake opinions with facts. The same applies for this thread.

[kirklancaster]

Tories 'won' doesn't make them right :idc:

It does in the eyes of the voters - the only ones who count. Much like the result of this poll.

"A win by any other name would be as sweet" :hehe:

[Kizzy]

You're not the only person who votes in elections. Clearly people like them and think they are right since they won the election. Don't mistake opinions with facts. The same applies for this thread.

Only 37% were 'right' I haven't mistaken anything thank you.

[Kizzy]

It does in the eyes of the voters - the only ones who count. Much like the result of this poll.

"A win by any other name would be as sweet" :hehe:

Hmmm a forum poll yes that denotes the feeling of the nation :laugh:
It's pretty much a split decision I'm happy with others having a differing opinion to me, I wouldn't put down anyone for their views.

[Ashley.]

Only 37% were 'right' I haven't mistaken anything thank you.

There's no such thing as right and wrong opinions.

[Tom4784]

More people like water than those who don't but aquaphobia still exists? :shrug:

Bad analogy. People aren't scared of the gays, you're not gonna get anyone that will shriek and run away at the sight of Dale Winton. Water isn't exactly being persecuted for being water either. Social phobias and actual fear based phobias aren't really comparable.

But you are BEING pedantic and by moving your argument OUTSIDE the parameters of the original question, so you are using 'Strawman' as well. This is NOT 'False Equivalency'.

How am I being pedantic? You're literally just saying random words and hoping they stick. It's pedantic to quote a definition and be smug about it even though it doesn't really work as an example anywhere but in writing.

I'm not saying anything that can be construed as 'Strawman' either. The breeder thing is a perfect example of an actual Strawman argument.

[Tom4784]

A majority of people voted the Nazis into power so that was obviously the right choice because the majority wanted it amirite?

[Ammi]

...(I'm getting a little confused..)..but I think I'm with Dezzy on this now in the way that he's expressed his views through the thread..I personally don't feel that a heterosexual can be ostracised because heterosexual is seen as the 'norm of society' and it's society that ostracises...I don't think that heterosexuals can be discriminated against as such either because they're not a minority section of society...they could be or feel victimised by individuals or even in a collective, they could be bullied even..and yes, if it was a 'hetero' thing then it would be because of their sexuality...but if 'heterophobia' was a thing, to me that would be like giving it an equality with homophobia.../both the same and equal pegging but just applying to different sexualities/regardless of numbers or statistics/type thing...and no matter what gay laws are in the here and now, it's still a long way from how gay people are often viewed and treated by some sections of society...so yeah, it's pretty certain that some straight people will have been subjected to some bad stuff because of their sexuality at some points and some straight people will have been subjected to some pretty bad stuff for other things about them and other things that people have judged them for as well...because there are some pretty awful people who will do that and it's so wrong ...but I'm just not sure that it should have a 'label' though...


..anyways, quite tired and still a little fuzzled with this so maybe Dezzy and I will sit on the front porch and have a long chat about it some day/put it all to rights, as they say..:laugh:.....

[Kizzy]

There's no such thing as right and wrong opinions.

I meant 'right' as in the right in fairness, I know there's no right and wrong opinions :)
I simply can't buy into the concept of 'heterophobes' that's just what we need in the world more accepted intolerance and 'labels' :/

[Cherie]

I meant 'right' as in the right in fairness, I know there's no right and wrong opinions :)
I simply can't buy into the concept of 'heterophobes' that's just what we need in the world more accepted intolerance and 'labels' :/

I agree there are no right or wrong opinions, but if over 50 per cent of the contributors to the poll agree that it is a "thing" it has to be called something for that section of society at least!

I'm ignoring the undecided when doing the maths before anyone jumps on me :D:

[Firewire]

I agree there are no right or wrong opinions, but if over 50 per cent of the contributors to the poll agree that it is a "thing" it has to be called something for that section of society at least!

Actually only 47.54% believe it is a thing on here.