What exactly is "homophobia"?

Alex Jelinić said:I’ll just stick to the ones the media actually obsessed over—since apparently, gay men are untouchable icons these days. And honestly, that religious jab stung... I belong to a community that has never murdered anyone, nor would we ever, and if you’re trying to point fingers at the Catholic Church, let's be real—it's full of gay people too.

Andrew Cunanan, a sadistic cinephile and a favorite among certain social circles, murdered the legendary fashion designer Gianni Versace back in '97. He didn't stop there, though; he took four other men with him.

Jeffrey Dahmer—a necrophiliac, psychopath, and cannibal. He murdered 17 boys and young men, luring them to his apartment only to drug them, kill them, and then commit unspeakable acts with their remains before consuming them.

John Wayne Gacy—the guy who played the "perfect husband and father" while being a sadistic pedophile and psychopath behind closed doors. He butchered 33 boys and men, hiding the remains in his basement while performing as Pogo the Clown to entertain kids right in front of his house.

I could easily dig up plenty of cases where a parent beat their children to death with baseball bats in the US, or instances in Mexico where a woman dismembered her partners and burned the remains... there are endless horrors out there that have absolutely nothing to do with sexual orientation, and everything to do with the twisted mind of the individual.

The mind and a conscience don't care about orientation, skin color, or religious affiliation...

Lisa Hernandez3 said:Yeah, we're all participating voluntarily, I suppose. And we have provided answers to your questions.

Could you perhaps explain how your take on public spaces and "appropriate behavior" relates at all to "what is homophobia," which—if I may call you a massive troll—is what you actually set as the topic in your opening post and thread title?

Why am I being called a troll? Because we're talking about how gay people act in public. My point is just that public places have certain standards, and not everything is appropriate out there in the open...

Brandon Rivera2 said:Everyone acts like they’re all about being tolerant and stuff, but honestly, if they saw someone eating a massive, messy burger with extra onions right next to them in a crowded place, they’d change their tune pretty fast...

well, a diner is definitely a public space...

placidwolf27 said:well, a diner is definitely a public space...

We're talking about eating burgers and onions out in the open, like on a downtown plaza or something similar, rather than inside an actual restaurant...

Brandon Rivera2 said:Why am I being called a troll? Because we're talking about how gay people act in public. My point is just that public places have certain standards, and not everything is appropriate out there in the open...

Let's look at this differently. This was your original opening post:

Brandon Rivera2 said:So, I'm trying to wrap my head around what "homophobia" actually means and what specifically falls under that umbrella...
Is it just thinking homosexuality is unnatural but then not really doing anything about it? Or is it being against things like marriage equality or adoption rights without being physically aggressive toward people? Basically, what specific traits does someone need to have to be labeled a "homophobe"... because the term gets thrown around all the time, but it feels like nobody's ever quite clear on what they actually mean by it...

You titled this whole thread "What is 'homophobia'"?

So, I suppose I have to ask—how does a discussion about public decency relate to your actual topic?

Brandon Rivera2 said:We're talking about eating burgers and onions out in the open, like on a downtown plaza or something similar, rather than inside an actual restaurant...

But honestly, does a designated public space even exist where two people can just share a hug or a kiss without being scrutinized?...

Lisa Hernandez3 said:Let's look at this differently. This was your original opening post:

You titled this whole thread "What is 'homophobia'"?

So, I suppose I have to ask—how does a discussion about public decency relate to your actual topic?

I mean, I can't really tell where the thread is heading or how to steer it, especially since someone else started the whole thing about public spaces...

Alex Jelinić said:I suppose I will just list a few individuals who have actually been covered by the press, given how much certain groups are treated as untouchable these days. As for the religious aspect, that part was somewhat upsetting to read. I belong to a community that has never committed murder, nor would we ever intend to. And if you are referring to the Catholic Church, it is also quite full of gay people.

Andrew Cunanan was a figure involved in some niche films and was a frequent companion in certain social circles. In 1997, he murdered the famous fashion designer Gianni Versace. Aside from him, he took the lives of four other men.

Jeffrey Dahmer was a necrophile, psychopath, and cannibal. He killed 17 boys and young men, whom he would lure to his apartment, drug, kill, and then engage in necrophilia and cannibalism.

John Wayne Gacy appeared to be a decent husband and father, but in reality, he was a homosexual, sadistic pedophile, and psychopath. He murdered and dismembered 33 boys and adult men. He kept the remains of his victims in his basement, yet he would entertain children in front of that very house while dressed as the clown Pogo.

one
http://christianchildabuse.blogspot....religious.html

two
http://www.apologeticsindex.org/p21.html

three
http://www.srpska-mreza.com/library/...n-vatican.html

(Well, this one seems politically motivated, so I am a bit skeptical, but it fits well under number three)

four
http://christianchildabuse.blogspot....-domestic.html

five
http://home.comcast.net/~pobrien48/serial_killers.htm

But there are actually about fifteen cases here, which seem to show how the typical profile of a serial killer can be linked to repressed sexuality and religiosity.

As I write this, I find myself thinking of various forum members, and I feel a sense of unease 🤷

placidwolf27 said:But honestly, does a designated public space even exist where two people can just share a hug or a kiss without being scrutinized?...

Like, is smashing some greasy burgers and onions in the middle of Times Square really the vibe everyone's looking for?

placidwolf27 said:But honestly, does a designated public space even exist where two people can just share a hug or a kiss without being scrutinized?...

I mean, those are supposed to be private things... intimacy is basically the opposite of being out in public...

Brandon Rivera2 said:I mean, I can't really tell where the thread is heading or how to steer it, especially since someone else started the whole thing about public spaces...

Well, you were definitely participating in it yourself—quite enthusiastically, too.
I suppose if you could just answer the questions from the original post, then maybe we can get back to (your own) topic. So, what exactly is homophobia, Brandon Rivera2?

Lisa Hernandez3 said:Well, you were definitely participating in it yourself—quite enthusiastically, too.
I suppose if you could just answer the questions from the original post, then maybe we can get back to (your own) topic. So, what exactly is homophobia, Brandon Rivera2?

Just so I actually know, honestly, otherwise there'd be no point even starting this thread...

Brandon Rivera2 said:I mean, those are supposed to be private things... intimacy is basically the opposite of being out in public...

I hug and kiss my girlfriend in public, and honestly, the idea that I should feel the need to hide that seems entirely irrational to me.

Brandon Rivera2 said:Just so I actually know, honestly, otherwise there'd be no point even starting this thread...

But what do you think about all this?

Ryan Wood98 said:I hug and kiss my girlfriend in public, and honestly, the idea that I should feel the need to hide that seems entirely irrational to me.

Being intimate basically means nobody else is involved, so those aren't really private acts to begin with...

Lisa Hernandez3 said:But what do you think about all this?

Honestly, I don't think anyone has actually given a solid answer yet...

Brandon Rivera2 said:Like, is smashing some greasy burgers and onions in the middle of Times Square really the vibe everyone's looking for?

Look, I don’t know... it’s never really been a big deal to me—life is already exhausting enough without getting worked up because someone decided to grab a bite in a public square. People eat right next to me all the time, and frankly, I fail to see the issue here...

I think it’s worth questioning why you’re so fixated on this whole "eating burgers" thing—it’s pretty obvious that the mere sight of someone eating in public hits a nerve with you personally, and one has to wonder why exactly that is...

As for me, it doesn't bother me in the slightest—as long as the person isn't making a complete mess of things, like shoving food up their nose or doing something equally absurd...

So, who exactly are we talking about here?

Brandon Rivera2 said:Honestly, I don't think anyone has actually given a solid answer yet...

If you're so certain, how can you claim you don't have the answer either?

placidwolf27 said:Look, I don’t know... it’s never really been a big deal to me—life is already exhausting enough without getting worked up because someone decided to grab a bite in a public square. People eat right next to me all the time, and frankly, I fail to see the issue here...

I think it’s worth questioning why you’re so fixated on this whole "eating burgers" thing—it’s pretty obvious that the mere sight of someone eating in public hits a nerve with you personally, and one has to wonder why exactly that is...

As for me, it doesn't bother me in the slightest—as long as the person isn't making a complete mess of things, like shoving food up their nose or doing something equally absurd...

So, who exactly are we talking about here?

And honestly, who would actually care if someone shoved a burger up their nose?

Brandon Rivera2 said:Being intimate basically means nobody else is involved, so those aren't really private acts to begin with...

I suppose I don't kiss third parties; I kiss her. 🙄

Are you suggesting that kissing a girlfriend in a public place is somehow unacceptable?🙄