[lostalex]

Originally Posted by Ammi

..just out of interest and off topic Alex..(and I'll read your reply later because I have to go to work now..)....with the friends that made the homophobic comments..?...did you feel as though knowing you made them rethink what they said/thought at all...just that I think that's a good thing to kind of re-educate people with extreme views rather than attack them etc..I don't mean physically attack lol..you know what I mean....

Most of the homophobic comments would be things like saying "that's so gay" about something they didn't like, or just telling generic gay jokes. It was never anything directed at me. If i ever felt like someone was disrespecting me personally or being homophobic towards me, obviously i'd never tolerate that.

As far as knowing me and being friends with me, absolutely i think having exposure to gay people is a good thing and reduces homophobia. the same friends that would make homophobic comments or jokes, would also defend me to other people that were making much more homophobic statements, and would also talk about supporting gay marriage and stuff. and they'd try to set me up with other gay guys.

It was really the casual homophobia i was talking about, nothing really malicious.

I think there is a difference between casual homophobia and racism and real HATRED. It's hard to explain it exactly, and the line between them can be very blurry sometimes. But there is a difference between people who really are cruel and hateful, and people who are just a bit ignorant.