Is homophobia EVER acceptable?
 

Basically there's a very messy situation with a guy in my year.

There's this guy in my year who was discovered to be Bisexual on the site tinder. However he doesn't know that everyone knows.

However, it surfaced that he'd previously 'came out' to one of my good friends anyway. The guy who is bi acts homophobic all the time, and I was saying to my friend that this made me lose respect for him as there's just no need.

My friend however said its ok because it's a defence mechanism. I was trying to say there shouldn't need to be any 'defence mechanism' yet my friends thinks that almost everyone is homophobic to a degree which I think is nonsense.

I personally don't believe homophobia should ever be condoned, especially in this situation.

I don't believe everyone is homophobic to agree at all

But I understand the bi guy's situation, I us to pretend to be annoyed with gays before I came out and became comfortable with my sexuality.

I don't believe everyone is homophobic to agree at all

But I understand the bi guy's situation, I us to pretend to be annoyed with gays before I came out and became comfortable with my sexuality..

How is he being homophobic? Like what does he do?

I mean, I didn't act like an asshole before I came out.. but I understand from when I was pretending to be straight how much it can become this huge secret that nobody can EVER know, so I guess it's not really acceptable but slightly excused.

I'm in the closet so to speak but I've not claimed to be straight since I was like 13. And I've NEVER been homophobic as a defence mechanism. It's just against my principle.

He's not so homophobic now but he used to say explicitly he was, now he says he's 'used to the whole gay thing'.

I still think its wrong to use homophobia as a defense mechanism, but obviously it's not in the same league as when a straight person deliberately goes out of their way to shame people for something they can't change.

It is wrong, but some people feel the need to do it.

What year are you in? Should they even be on Tinder if they're still in school? (or is this like college/uni stuff)

I don't think homophobia is ever acceptable, jut like racism isn't, sexism isn't etc. However it is quite common for gay people to pretend to be homophobic before they actually come out in order to deflect attention away from people realising they actually are gay. I guess it's just an insecurity issue that only goes away once you accept who you are.

We're in our final year at school (17/18). I don't know it had an age limit - I'm not on it.

I've no idea if it has an age limit, I was just curious how old they were when you said "year" because I'm not sure Tinder is suitable for 13/14 yr olds :laugh: 17/18 is fine I guess, although I don't really know much about Tinder other than it's a dating app.

I'm not homophobic and have never said anything homophobic, but when people say homophobic things about other people it doesn't really bother me. If that makes me homophobic too then welp.

I have never been homophobic, and will never be (especially since I started coming out). By the way, Tinder in the U.S. has an age limit of 17+.

NO - Homophobia is NEVER acceptable - Why should it ever be?

umm no?

I don't think it makes you homophobic, but it suggests you think is acceptable, which is wrong.

It seems like it's cathartic, the lad was struggling with his sexuality. When straight people are homophobic out of ignorance that's wrong, but when a homosexual/ bisexual is fighting feelings of confusion I wouldn't say it was no.

I think I'm just a bit selfish in that aspect... I don't really bother with things that don't involve me. I'm a bit of a Rachel Rice. Obviously I'd stick up for a homosexual as opposed to a homophobe if the situation of an argument ever arose, though.

Never acceptable, but sometimes understandable

A fair bit of agreement breaking out between you and I Kirk, I totally agree again with you on this.

I agree. Especially in relation to the defence mechanism argument.

I think everyone's a little bit homophobic.

Why would you think that?

I can only see it as we are always a bit scared of things that seen as against the norm or we don't fully understand.
I wouldn't necessarily call it homophobic mind, especially as not long ago we were told it was illegal... maybe it takes some longer than others to realise everyone has the right to be happy with who they are. Not saying that it's only the older generation who think this way mind.

It's never acceptable but I do have some sympathy for people who'll try to overcompensate with homophobia to hide their own sexuality, it must not be easy to live life like that.