Quote:
Originally posted by aloirt
The topic of Anti-Lesbian attitudes in this board occasionally is brought up from time to time, but I never feel like anyone has ever actually tried to tackle it head on.
Starting off, I'm a Lesbian. I came out to my parents just last year and always felt like ATRL was a community that I can truly be myself without the fear of being insulted or ashamed. There is a large gay community in this site and for the most part, I felt like the community as a whole tried everything they could to stop homophobia, especially on this site. There are always news articles shredding those who have anti-gay views and we're usually quick to point out any discrimination in the news.
However, on the topic on Lesbians, I feel like a lot of ATRL's, especially gay males, like to make easy yet pathetic jokes or digs against Lesbians. Any time there is a P!nk thread, there has always been people to call her a "d***", and not in a funny way, but as a serious "meant to hurt" insult. Also, people insult her masculinity, her image and her sexuality. This is very hurtful to any women out there who act more tomboyish then most females. It's the automatic assumption that if you're somewhat masculine, you can't possibly be straight, which is definitely not the case.
I'm always floored when I see people making those comments as we have all faced or knew of someone who has been affected by homophobic insults. I feel as though we all should have the maturity to not make such comments and know that these insults hurt not only the person they meant to target, but a community as a whole. Just know that even if you make these comments in jest, it still hurts and still perpetuates the stereotypes and homophobia. The people who don't say anything and let the comments continue are just as bad. It is not funny rather it is downright bullying.
I want the ATRL community to stop allowing these comments to go on. We should reprimand those who make such comments. Going into that P!nk thread felt like a straight up tirade against Lesbians and masculine females and honestly, made me feel like people were insulting me personally. I'm just disappointed by certain member's mentality and shocked by the ignorance, even on ATRL with one of the biggest gay communities.
Just know that if you make these comments, you are essentially preventing progress to be made. Changes in society will happen once more people in society stand up to fight for what is right. I am truly disappointed with some of you members.
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WOW! Coincidentally, we just had THE EXACT SAME discussion in the P!nk base.
I'm also a lesbian and I feel the EXACT SAME way as you!
Let me post a few excerpts of my ranting post from the P!nk base:
Oh god...
My friends, I just read through the whole Miley thread. I really had a lump in my throat and it hurt me so bad to read so much hate.
I'm starting to think that the P!nk base here is the only thread I can comfortably say that I'm a lesbian (Some Cher fans/stans seem to be quite nice too, I just need to get to know them a bit better). The thing most people don't get is:
There is a HUGE difference between homophobia towards gay men and lesbophobia.
I'm a lesbian, a gay girl, and a proud one. I love, respect and support ALL the colours of the rainbow, if it's gay men, bisexual men and women, transgendered people, transsexual people, queer people etc. and not only the lesbian community. I mean, why wouldn't I? We are ALL sitting in the SAME DAMN BOAT.
Sometimes I cut my hair short, because I like it. Sometimes I let it grow longer if I feel like it. Sometimes I do dress androgynously, sometimes I like to be feminine, and from my character I would say I am more feminine, although I hate that black and white bull****. What's feminine and what's masculine anyway? I hate gender binary and sexism. What I do love are PEOPLE. I think I'm a loving person and I like to put some positivity and loving words out there because there is too much hate and negativity in this world. I smile at strangers. I think my posts are well thought of and I think, that although English isn't my native language that I can get my points across in a fair and respectful way.
What I find so sad is, that I actually LOVE gay men to death, and reading posts from some dudes who ARE gay themselves on here makes me think that all the gays on here are mean. I know they aren't all the same, - I just REALLY NEED to find the good in some pressed people outside of the P!nk base.
Moreover, why this particular thing should be off-limits to joking when this place is pretty ruthless toward other stars about much more significant/hurtful things on a daily basis is beyond me.
