# Has the board turned into a bigot magnet? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 31, 2003, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-board-turned-into-a-bigot-magnet/192076 "2003-07-31T06:15:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-board-turned-into-a-bigot-magnet/192076/61 "2003-08-01T06:50:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by iampunha \* > \*\ ***Cicada** , rather than trying to group a bunch of people with the word “lifestyle”, why not examine them as individuals? \*\* 'Cuz people with “lifestyles” aren’t individuals. Sorta by definition. They’re following a script. ---
**Author:** ![3trew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/13edae/32.png) [@3trew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3trew)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-board-turned-into-a-bigot-magnet/192076/62 "2003-08-01T06:53:13Z")
Damnit, I didn’t get the script. This is intolerable. I demand to speak to the Stage Manager! ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-board-turned-into-a-bigot-magnet/192076/63 "2003-08-01T06:59:25Z")
Directions for speaking to the Stage Manager are in the script. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-board-turned-into-a-bigot-magnet/192076/64 "2003-08-01T06:59:50Z")
The Stage Manager is out enjoying his Stage Manager Lifestyle… ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-board-turned-into-a-bigot-magnet/192076/65 "2003-08-01T07:43:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mockingbird \* > \*\*No. But you can tell us what it is like to be a complete asshole. \*\* You mean like an “Ask the Asshole” thread? But I’ve always been like this. I don’t know how to be any other way. It was instinctive. I certainly couldn’t tell anyone else how to be like this. Otherwise I’d start “The Asshole Lifestyle” magazine. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-board-turned-into-a-bigot-magnet/192076/66 "2003-08-01T07:51:17Z")
Verily I say to thee Lord God, Almighty Cecil (and **jdavis** , too), “Thine :rolleyes: hath not adequate size for this one!” ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-board-turned-into-a-bigot-magnet/192076/67 "2003-08-01T12:30:51Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by 2trew_ > **Damnit, I didn’t get the script. This is intolerable. I demand to speak to the Stage Manager!** > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by iampunha \* > \*\*Directions for speaking to the Stage Manager are in the script. \*\* **iampunhha** , that’s Kafkaesque… 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-board-turned-into-a-bigot-magnet/192076/68 "2003-08-01T12:46:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by \*\*\*dalovindj \*\* > > The gay lifestyle is wide and varying, encompassing people from all walks of life, with all manners of hobbies, and with all manners of views and opinions. > > The above sentence would be proper usage as far as I can tell. Well said, **dj**! I don’t get it. I just don’t get it. The word lifestyle does not have negative connotations, but the vocal gays on this board immediately brand anyone who uses the phrase “gay lifestyle” as a bigot while embracing historically negative words like queer. I don’t use the phrase “gay lifestyle” because there is the subtle implication that we have more in common than we actually do, but I don’t find it offensive. You need to consider context. From what I’ve seen, most of the time the usage is innocuous. ---
**Author:** ![hilltopper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c68b51/32.png) [@hilltopper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hilltopper)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-board-turned-into-a-bigot-magnet/192076/69 "2003-08-01T13:14:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DrMatrix \* > \*\*…the vocal gays on this board immediately brand anyone who uses the phrase “gay lifestyle” as a bigot… \*\* Amen brother! ---
**Author:** ![kputt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f475e1/32.png) [@kputt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kputt)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-board-turned-into-a-bigot-magnet/192076/70 "2003-08-01T13:18:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mockingbird \* > \*\*Especially since SCOTUS overturned the sodomy laws, I have had the perception that more and more new posters were registering and posting mostly in the threads about homosexuality. Posting to the negative, and in the pit especially, delighting it seems in being as hateful as they can be. > > In GD they seem to parrot the same terms over and over again: > > [ul] > [li]lifestyle[/li][li]choice[/li][li]mental illness[/li][/ul] > > It is tiring. I can only imagine what it must be like for the mods, and they have my sincerest condolences for how this adds to a workload they recieve no compensation for. > > I am damn tired of this new bigot posse. Too tired at this point for even a slightly creative bit of vitriol. > > Fuck 'em. \*\* People don’t understand what a lifestlye is. ALso, just because a person doesn’t believe in homosexuality being a biological thing doesn’t make them a bigot. Well, you don’t see other people with mental illnesses get this upset when someone tells them they have a mental illness and needs help. ---
**Author:** ![kputt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f475e1/32.png) [@kputt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kputt)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-board-turned-into-a-bigot-magnet/192076/71 "2003-08-01T13:21:42Z")
And just because a person doesn’t believe, “I can’t help it” stuff doesn’t mean they hate gays or treat them as second class citizens. Why are you so sensitive. It makes me mad when someone with schizo or something says she heard voices telling her to kill her 5 children also. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-board-turned-into-a-bigot-magnet/192076/72 "2003-08-01T13:26:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by \*\*\*kputt \*\* > > Well, you don’t see other people with mental illnesses get this upset when someone tells them they have a mental illness and needs help. I am gay. I do _not_ have a mental illness and I don’t need help. Homosexuality is _not_ a mental illness. ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-board-turned-into-a-bigot-magnet/192076/73 "2003-08-01T13:29:13Z")
Saying that homosexuality is a mental illness is bigotry, though. Perhaps you should actually consult the experts. [American Psychological Association](http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbc/policy/statements.html), > [@](#): > > _from the American Psychological Association_ > \*\*Homosexuality per se implies no impairment in judgement, stability, reliability, or general social and vocational capabilities; Further, the American Psychological Association urges all mental health professionals to take the lead in removing the stigma of mental illness that has long been associated with homosexual orientations. > \*\* the [American Psychiatric Association](http://www.psych.org/pnews/98-07-17/dsm.html) > [@](#): > > _from the American Psychiatric Association_ > **In December 1973, the American Psychiatric Association’s Board of Trustees deleted homosexuality from its official nomenclature of mental disorders, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Second Edition (DSMII). The action was taken following a review of the scientific literature and consultation with experts in the field. For a mental condition to be considered a psychiatric disorder, it should either regularly cause emotional distress or regularly be associated with clinically significant impairment of social functioning. These experts found that homosexuality does not meet these criteria.** and [researchers](http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/rainbow/html/facts_mental_health.html). > [@](#): > > _from the Psychology Department at UC Davis_ > \*\*In a review of published studies comparing homosexual and heterosexual samples on psychological tests, Gonsiorek (1982) found that, although some differences have been observed in test results between homosexuals and heterosexuals, both groups consistently score within the normal range. Gonsiorek concluded that “Homosexuality in and of itself is unrelated to psychological disturbance or maladjustment. Homosexuals as a group are not more psychologically disturbed on account of their homosexuality” (Gonsiorek, 1982, p. 74; see also reviews by Gonsiorek, 1991; Hart, Roback, Tittler, Weitz, Walston & McKee, 1978; Reiss, 1980). \*\* Education is a _good_ thing. ---
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-board-turned-into-a-bigot-magnet/192076/74 "2003-08-01T14:04:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kputt \* > \*\*People don’t understand what a lifestlye is. ALso, just because a person doesn’t believe in homosexuality being a biological thing doesn’t make them a bigot. > Well, you don’t see other people with mental illnesses get this upset when someone tells them they have a mental illness and needs help. \*\* No, your posts make you a bigot. > [@](#): > > And just because a person doesn’t believe, “I can’t help it” stuff doesn’t mean they hate gays or treat them as second class citizens. Why are you so sensitive. > It makes me mad when someone with schizo or something says she heard voices telling her to kill her 5 children also. [Yoda] Much ignorance I sense in this one, the dumb side is strong- pulling him ever closer [/Yoda] Honestly **kputt** before advising anyone to seek professional help in this thread, you ought to look in the mirror first. Maybe they could help you with your _issues_. ---
**Author:** ![kputt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f475e1/32.png) [@kputt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kputt)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-board-turned-into-a-bigot-magnet/192076/75 "2003-08-01T14:15:36Z")
whatever. [Yoda] Much ignorance I sense in this one, the dumb side is strong- pulling him ever closer [/Yoda] On your side. Fine, if you want to believe in what you want to believe. I believe that you are very ignorant in your views. Calling other people ignorant because they don’t agree with you is the biggest thing of ignorance there is. AND I AM NOT A BIGOT!!! A BIGOT IS A PERSON WHO IS PREJUDICE!!! I AM NOT PREJUDICE BECAUSE I BELIEVE CERTAIN THINGS!!! I AM NOT A BIGOT BECAUSE I DON"T THINK OF GAY PEOPLE ANY LESS THAN ANYONE ELSE!!! SO, GO TAKE YOUR CRYBABY RANTINGS ELSEWHERE!!! AND IT DOESN"T EVEN MATTER WHAT YOU CALL ME BECAUSE I KNOW THE **TRUTH ABOUT ME** AND YOU WILL NEVER KNOW IT BECAUSE YOU WANT TO BE BLIND AND CALL EVERYONE WHO DOESN’T AGREE WITH YOU IGNORANT OR A BIGOT!!! SHUT UP!!! ---
**Author:** ![kputt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f475e1/32.png) [@kputt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kputt)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-board-turned-into-a-bigot-magnet/192076/76 "2003-08-01T14:18:06Z")
MENTAL ILLNESS\< DISORDER, SAME THING!!! EXCUSE ME FOR CALLING SOMETHING THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM THE NORM A DISORDER. THAT’S WHAT A STINKING DISORDER IS!!! OR ARE YOU TOO PIGHEADED TO SEE THAT? ---
**Author:** ![kputt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f475e1/32.png) [@kputt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kputt)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-board-turned-into-a-bigot-magnet/192076/77 "2003-08-01T14:20:47Z")
I WAS WRONG FOR SAYING MENTAL ILLNESS. WRONG WORD. HEY, I’M NOT ATTRACTED TO EITHER GENDER AND YOU DON’T SEE ME BEING ALL PROUD OF IT. ---
**Author:** ![kputt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f475e1/32.png) [@kputt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kputt)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-board-turned-into-a-bigot-magnet/192076/78 "2003-08-01T14:24:44Z")
sorry folks. It makes me mad when someone calls me something that I’m not because I feel a certain way about things. It’s hard for me to understand Gay. I used to have respect for Rosie O’Donnel until she supposedly came out of the closet. But maybe I should get that back. Sorry, it’s not a lifestlye, a mental illness, or a choice. ---
**Author:** ![FaerieBeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e95f7d/32.png) [@FaerieBeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FaerieBeth)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-board-turned-into-a-bigot-magnet/192076/79 "2003-08-01T14:27:24Z")
I believe the CapsLock button is wrong. I don’t agree with the use of CapsLock. Although all qwerty keyboards are born with CapLock buttons (and, lo, can do nothing to remove their button), I find it vaguely ‘urky’ to know that they have one. To me, the CapsLock Lifestyle speaks of hopping mad people flinging spittle at their monitor. ---
**Author:** ![kputt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f475e1/32.png) [@kputt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kputt)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-board-turned-into-a-bigot-magnet/192076/80 "2003-08-01T14:33:47Z")
I’m done ranting. Just don’t be calling me a bigot or ignorant anymore. I was just trying to offer ideas why people might be calling what they do, but that it doesn’t make them a bigot or ignorant. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-board-turned-into-a-bigot-magnet/192076.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-board-turned-into-a-bigot-magnet/192076.md?page=5)