So Gay

[talktooloose]

Question for discussion:

Is this entry and comments thread in corgipix homophobic or actually a sign that queer sexuality is becoming mainstreamed and therefore more accepted?

Comments

[rcornelius.livejournal.com]

i am not sure what makes him "a little gay", but the overtone is 'he's cute even though he looks like a fag dog in those clothes and stuff.'

I vote for homophobic.

[talktooloose.livejournal.com]

Thank you for voting.

[marquisdd.livejournal.com]

I vote that it's innocuous.

"Homophobic" is a rather harsh word in that it implies a fear, or phobia. Cutie-wootie doggy-woggy pix and subsequent human cooing over them doesn't seem too 'fearful' to me.

And, yes, dressing your pet up makes it a total fag. :-)

[corduroyarmy.livejournal.com]

I think it's a common assumption with people that those better dressed than they are gay. Maybe it's just that, maybe this dog just knows what's goin on and all the other dogs are making assumptions.

[mofic.livejournal.com]

I vote homophobic. Regardless of what makes the writer deem the dog "a little gay" (too much ornamentation? good taste in scarves?), the "So what if" implies being gay is negative. What works as a replacement (i.e. different meaning but works with that construction)?

- "So what if he's a little stupid"? Yes
- "So what if he's a little beautiful"? No
- "So what if he's a little poor"? Yes
- "So what if he's a little clumsy"? Yes
- "So what if he's a little obnoxious?" Yes
- "So what if he's a little smart?" No

I know. Now you're thinking "So what if she's a little pedantic...

[corduroyarmy.livejournal.com]

I'm going to be contrary and disagree with 'so what if' implying a negative. I think it could be taken as a statement against the negative implication- ie what's wrong with him being gay. The 'So What' is the important part of the sentence, not the gay part.

[talktooloose.livejournal.com]

You and I are so old-school.

[corduroyarmy.livejournal.com]

Here's a thought- is it homophobic to harbour a homosexual stereotype? Because for the most part that seems to be what's at work here. The dog is gay because he's wearing a fancy scarf. There doesn't appear to be any judgement. That's just a thought from me, someone from the other team- I'm curious to know what the POV is from those it might be directed at.