Homophobia-The perspective of a gay fan

[El Presidente]

To the tune of 'Your supposed to be at home'.

Thanks for the recognition of that as an offensive term. It is only used in hatefulness in my experience. Someone has used it in the last 24 hours on here but I think in youthfull ignorance that's why I didn't want to make anything of it.

I went to a Placebo gig once and the lead singer Brian Molko used it on more than one occasion. Given that he is bisexual and the bass player Stefan Oldsal is gay then in those circumstances it was no homophobic in nature.

If someone uses such language in a derogatory way, and it is reported to us (we cannot as mods read every thread and post), then we will certainly look into the matter.

In the meantime, I am still...........

 

[Foster House]

Interesting, I've had people chasing after me at Watford, HUddersfield, Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday, Cardiff, Southampton... To name a few, after the game, shouting "im going to smash your face in you f***ing gay ****" and similar. Are you saying that's not homophobia, or have I just been unlucky? The only thing I can possibly have to provoke this, by the way, is wear an Albion shirt.

The keys words to your question are 'Albion shirt' as opposed to your sexual preference. I would suggest that they may have picked upon some other regional 'abnormality' had your shirt been a different colour, but when a bunch of guys with clenched fists and faces contorted in hatred chase you down the street yelling 'gay c**t' I can understand that you may not assume it is to provoke a debate upon the morality of same sex unions

 

[Notters]

Never ever been subjected to this myself. Sounds like you're a bit of a target and not just because of being a Brighton fan.

Knew someone would come out with that. If so I can only think it's because I'm well-spoken. I rarely drink much at away matches (usually drive) and certainly don't give any lip.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

That, to my mind at least, is definitely homophobia.

Agreed. But there is at least one poster on NSC who seems to think it's not a problem:-

Why the fuc$ do people complain about homophobic abuse,christ if you was a faggot then fair enough,surely straight people should not be offended?

And that, I think is the mentality of some of the away fans that we are talking about. I also fear that it is the mentality of more Albion fans than those of us who bask in the tolerance of our city are prepared to admit.

 

[Notters]

The keys words to your question are 'Albion shirt' as opposed to your sexual preference. I would suggest that they may have picked upon some other regional 'abnormality' had your shirt been a different colour, but when a bunch of guys with clenched fists and faces contorted in hatred chase you down the street yelling 'gay c**t' I can understand that you may not assume it is to provoke a debate upon the morality of same sex unions

But surely they're holding a homophobic view to think that sexuality is an issue that they can use as an excuse for a fight? I realise there's no easy answer to this!

 

[The Merry Prankster]

shouting "im going to smash your face in you f***ing gay ****" and similar. Are you saying that's not homophobia, or have I just been unlucky? The only thing I can possibly have to provoke this, by the way, is wear an Albion shirt.

The word "black" is not offensive in itself,

Where it becomes an issue is if it's used in an unpleasant context, as Terry is ALLEGED to have done. He supposedly used the term "black c*nt", which is highlighting Ferdinand's ethnicity in an attempt to insult him. Why even raise his colour? Why not just call him a c*nt if that's the way he feels? No need to bring his ethnicity into it at all.

THAT is the issue here, not the word black in a general context.

Asked and answered, my Lord.

 

[Notters]

Agreed. But there is at least one poster on NSC who seems to think it's not a problem:-



And that, I think is the mentality of some of the away fans that we are talking about. I also fear that it is the mentality of more Albion fans than those of us who bask in the tolerance of our city are prepared to admit.

Is Berwick part of Brighton and Hove now?

Seriously though, it's a very good point and though raised time and time again, people seem to assume that only certain people can be offended by certain actions.

 

[Foster House]

I went to a Placebo gig once and the lead singer Brian Molko used it on more than one occasion. Given that he is bisexual and the bass player Stefan Oldsal is gay then in those circumstances it was no homophobic in nature.

If someone uses such language in a derogatory way, and it is reported to us (we cannot as mods read every thread and post), then we will certainly look into the matter.

In the meantime, I am still........

How very dare you, just because an Albion fan grooms up well and blushes everytime Vicente warms up in front of him you assume that he plays for the other team!!! 35 years I've been watching the Albion and never have I been so insulted. Come along Leonard, we're off to watch Lewes....

 

[DerbyGull]

Knew someone would come out with that. If so I can only think it's because I'm well-spoken. I rarely drink much at away matches (usually drive) and certainly don't give any lip.

I was more implying that as you've been the target of such a long list then perhaps you just fit the bill 'appearance-wise' for the bullies. I've been going for years all over the country but perhaps cos i'm big and look like i can handle myself i'm not a target.

 

[albion68]

I personally think that homophobic chants are just as bad as racist chants not happy about it at all ,its good ammunition for opposing teams fans we know but makes me think less of them as football fans ,dont think chanting that your town or city is a dump is as bad as this ,it would be interesting to know if Albion fans would sing homophobic chants if say Southampton was gay capitol and is football the only sport where crowds do it ?

 

[Notters]

Asked and answered, my Lord.

The difference there being that Ferdinand is from an ethnic minority, whereas they'd have had no way of knowing whether I was gay or not.

 

[Foster House]

But surely they're holding a homophobic view to think that sexuality is an issue that they can use as an excuse for a fight? I realise there's no easy answer to this!

I agree, they are. But if you weren't from Brighton they would have still chased you anyway. I think what I'm saying is that a pre-supposition of sexuality was not the primary motive and therefore it is not a homophobic attack as such.

'Gay c**t' is deeply offensive though and these low lives would probably use someones sexuality as an excuse for a few slaps.

 

[JamesAndTheGiantHead]

Insightful, poignant, honest post on NSC?

*looks at bottle of wine, throws it away*

 

[The Merry Prankster]

The difference there being that Ferdinand is from an ethnic minority, whereas they'd have had no way of knowing whether I was gay or not.

Yes but his use of wanker, **** after the word gayor whatever makes the use of "gay" homophobic. As opposed to its use in "Graham Norton is a gay man".

 

[Brownstuff]

Interesting, I've had people chasing after me at Watford, HUddersfield, Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday, Cardiff, Southampton... To name a few, after the game, shouting "im going to smash your face in you f***ing gay ****" and similar. Are you saying that's not homophobia, or have I just been unlucky? The only thing I can possibly have to provoke this, by the way, is wear an Albion shirt.

Do you have Chase Me, Chase Me on the back of your Brighton shirt by any chance?

 

[El Presidente]

I was more implying that as you've been the target of such a long list then perhaps you just fit the bill 'appearance-wise' for the bullies. I've been going for years all over the country but perhaps cos i'm big and look like i can handle myself i'm not a target.

Nah, the thugs know that you have GOD looking after you

 

[El Presidente]

I agree, they are. But if you weren't from Brighton they would have still chased you anyway. I think what I'm saying is that a pre-supposition of sexuality was not the primary motive and therefore it is not a homophobic attack as such.

'Gay c**t' is deeply offensive though and these low lives would probably use someones sexuality as an excuse for a few slaps.

I suspect that if they were playing a London team it would have been 'Cockney C*nt', or a Liverpool team 'Scouse C*nt'. There are some people who just want a scrap and are always looking for an excuse for one.

 

[slimes]

very good thread!

Tho i think i must be naive..

I think the goverment should tell the normal bloke what is right to say or what is wrong..

I didnt realise faggot was not allowed? queer..since queer as folk tv show was on ,i thought was ok to say ?

when it comes to race...

a black bloke at poker lost a hand to me , and he asked me ,"is it because im black?" is that racism on his part suggesting i was rascist? so I said no(quite upset with his remark) its because your a c**t

 

[DerbyGull]

Nah, the thugs know that you have GOD looking after you

Always the dependable one.

 

[Perkino]

I don't think it's an insult Dougal. That suggests that to be gay is somehow offensive. Think about your attitude towards the words being said rather than the words themselves.

As a teacher, it is still the most used word that pupils use to put each other down. They consider the word gay as a form of mocking each other and is treated as a big insult