hypochondriac

I see you have again refused to say what weekly homophobia you see? What sort of stuff is this that you see and which you think is homophobic? I'm genuinely interested. Where in my answer above have I offered a definition of homophobia? I simply asked what YOU considered to be homophobia, I didn't give my own definition. My suspicion is that whilst we both see the extreme stuff as homophobia, it's the milder things where we would disagree and I would argue that dependent on what that milder stuff is (taking into account what I said earlier about context etc), it does not necessarily support the opinion that homophobia is running rampant through British society.

really? I'm sure I read in a few articles that instance of transgender abuse were much more prevalent in society. I could be wrong though but I have heard a number of transgender campaigners complain that they have been lumped in with everyone else and that it is a very separate and distinct problem so not comparable with gay and lesbian groups. Where did I request that you provide evidence? I simply said that it's certainly not something I have encountered and definitely not on a weekly basis. I'd be interested to know the sort of weekly encounters you have since it would help me to see what you consider homophobic. Rather like when Kelvins right glove on here was saying that Britain is a racist and sexist society, I tend to believe that the vast majority are accepting and tolerant of others and that in many cases those who truly believe we are a racist, sexist and homophobic society are the ones who go out of their way to look for these things so that they can be offended. That's not to say there are some unenlightened groups of people who may shout abuse or beat up homosexuals because of who they are attracted to and I agree that never will have any place in society. We will never have a perfect society free of all prejudice due to human nature, but we've come a long way since the seventies and particularly when you see attitudes in countries such as Russia. I believe that in the main we are a tolerant nation who are generally accepting of others.

And I don't recognise the homophobia riddled Britain that you describe. Perhaps you hang around with the wrong sort of people. I'm genuinely astounded that you see homophobia on a weekly basis and I hope you challenge it when you do come across it. What sort of homophobia do you see on a monthly basis? What UK crime survey are you referring to?

I didn't say that and you know it. Pathetic from you as usual.

​I don't think it exists to anything like the level you are trying to build it up as. For what reason I can only guess.

Nothing openly homophobic that I would consider terms of homophobic abuse no. Shouting f*cking fag at someone for example. Never seen that. Maybe you would have a lower tolerance for something you would consider homophobic? How about when I joked with my mate that his black boyfriend had blowjob lips? Homophobic?

According to some it's rife in society but if it is then it's not something I've encountered in the past decade.

How do we know there are large numbers of gay people who want to come out but don't because of the backlash? We just don't do we.

Just as in some cases the media follow what is popular, the media also set the agenda. If they decide that it's a big deal and something of interest then suddenly that's what a lot of people will believe because they listen to what the media tells them. Opposition players will be sledged relentlessly regardless of their sexuality orientation. I would be extremely surprised if large sections of support abuse a gay man for being gay just as black men no longer gets reams of abuse for being black.

Yep. The sooner the better really.

It might be because of homophobia but my opinion is that there are quite a few other reasons rather than just that. I'm not sure anyone has said that fear of homophobia may not be a reason but in my opinion - and the opinion of others - it isn't as widespread as some would have us believe.

When did you stop?

The reason could be as I mentioned earlier that they feel it's not really anyone's business and they don't want the media nonsense that will inevitably follow. So nothing to do with homophobia in that case.

Why is anyone bothered? If they want to be openly gay then good for them. If they want to keep things as they are at the moment then that's OK too. It's none of my business and nor should it be.

How do you know what that reason is? Why are you talking on behalf of gay footballers?

That isn't true. The fact that no player is "out" could be for any number of reasons and doesn't necessarily indicate a problem. Maybe they just feel it isn't anyone else business and they don't want to have a big media sing and dance about it so choose to stay quiet. Fair enough.

Just watched the Simpson where Nelson Muntz said to Milhouse that the giant pumpkin was really gay. Homophobic???

Please read the thread. It was how Adam acted and what he said, not that he left hat annoyed people. It's been done to death.

What do you mean? As an aside to a friend? Or screamed at the top of their lungs from the stands? Because if you mean the latter, how often does that happen nowadays in English football? The skates got done for racism like that a few weeks back and it made the news because it is so rare. There would be no greater instances of homophobic against a gay man than there are instances of racism against a black man. In this country it's very rare now.

But that's why intent is important. Clearly the average football fan isn't intending to shout homophobic abuse at Brighton fans. It's why if someone did come out there would be a load of standing ovations and then everyone would just get on with their lives. Because the vast majority of football fans are not homophobic just like the vast majority are not racist just like the rest of society. Certainly in this country anyway.

You could use talent or no talent if you prefer.

I'm not saying that the average football fan is blessed with much intelligence tbf.

It's ribbing someone for where they live isn't it?

I always thought the chants towards Brighton are playing on the stereotype about them being a town full of gay people rather than mocking someone for being gay.

I know a lot of people who go to church and never seen homophobes except for one older lady. She was challenged about it as well.