A thread here got me thinking-
I know this is a taboo subject but I think the word 'Homophobic' is being used almost to bully people.
I think it should be alright for people to say if they feel uncomfortable with homosexual displays. Wait, wait a minute, let me explain..
If you are not used to homosexuality being displayed - lets face it, its still relatively new as an 'accepted' sexuality- all the civil partnership legalities are still, comparatively new. And in some cultures, it is still very much taboo.
In the same way I am a bit uncomfortable when I see someone with lots of piercings or goths (personally, I don't particularly like either- but if i got to know & like someone before seeing the tatoos/piercings etc, it wouldn't affect the way I feel about them. I feel the same about public homosexual displays- Does that make me 'homophobic?
I certainly don't think so. Its just not what I am used to. I most certainly wouldn't want to beat them up or attack them or treat them less favourably. Isn't that what homophobia really is? Treating someone less favourably because of their sexuality?
I feel physically sick when I hear of people attacking a homosexual person or calling them names or refusing to serve them. I think that goes again human decency, I don' regard a homosexual person as any less human than me. I just am not used to the way of life and my religion says it's not right.
Yet these day, if you even suggest you don't like the thought of homosexual acts, due to religion or upbringing, the term 'homophobe' is immediately slung around.
And for that reason, I've never mentioned or discussed this.
I feel its a free world, we shouldn't be made to feel guilty for feeling a bit uncomfortable about things that rub against what we are used to or what we may or may not feel is morally right.
This is a call for people to think of it from the other point of view- for debate.
Not a call for offensive or insulting comments.