why even bother?

Question

Ok! All my GLBT, gay friendly sisters and brothers I need you to step up to the plate and really answer this question from your heart.
Why do all you great folks even bother answering those off the wall questions posted by people that are out to hurt you? (Iadmit I have thrown in my 2 cents too.)
Sticks & stones etc. but folks-words do hurt and that applies to everyone.
I joined this site to ask & answer questions from my extended family not have to deal with this other stuff.
If we just ignore them they will go away-hopefully.

so far the answers are outstanding-proves a point - my sisters and brothers have compassion.

Answer 1

Sometimes it's just amusing, but we keeps me doing it is the minimal hope that someday just once one of them will know and UNDERSTAND. Yes, it's a shot in the dark. But you have to give trust to get trust. Tolerance should be a virtue. I am old enough now that their words do not hurt me nor seldom get me angry--only annoyed. I know who I am and where I stand and need to prove this to no one who really knows me, but talking to a world behind a computer is a small attempt to think globally and act locally.

Answer 2

Sometimes I resist being snippy back at them and give them an answer they least expect. To this day, however, I've never received any ten points from them for a best answer. They reserve that for one of their friends who gives them a canned, phobic answer that they like.

There are some non-LGBT people on here who ask honest, forthright questions. If their questions sound rather odd, they say so. And I suppose sometime I don't differentiate right away if the person is homophobic or not and so I try to be polite, try to teach them a little something they may not have known.

Still, I have to admit, sometimes I see postings from the religious zealots and the like and I just ignore them. I really like to enjoy myself in here, learn a little, and teach a little -- I don't really need my time online to be ruined by people who seem to enjoy making fun of others who are different than themselves.

Answer 3

I guess the hateful questions hurt and we had to post answers to defend ourselves, I have also thrown in my 2 cents, but am passed that now. You are right, they are off the wall questions. I have stepped up to the plate. I agree that if we just ignore them they will go away. But unfortunately, there are always going to be others. I am just proud of who I am and thankful I can still be loving and positive in this world. Peace.

Answer 4

I answer a lot of them because I know there are some young people out there who have really come to this sight with some needs. They are uncertain of their place in this world, and how being LGBT makes them different from or similar to other people around them. I think if we let those hateful questions stand without defense, those young people who are seeking light might be overwhelmed by the strength of the crap that is tossed at them! So while I know my answers won't do a thing to change the mind of the asker, I hope that they might help others to feel ok about the fact that some jerk asked the question, and they can survive it.

Answer 5

I've thrown in a couple of sassy and campy reponses as well. Personally, I feel that if we allow people with hateful and bigoted responses to go unanswered by the LGBT community and those who love us, then they win. I refuse to let anyone disrepect us as a whole. It makes me furious when a lot of these folks spew harmful and hurtful language about a culture that they don't understand or refuse to accept. Everyone's entitled to their opinion, but when it becomes vile, rude, and insensitive, then it's time to strike back.

Answer 6

I've always felt that the kind of people to which you refer were only trying to offend and insult to provoke a reaction, a reaction they find funny, and that the best way to deal with it was to deny them what they wanted. Reading the answers to your question, however, I see several valid reasons why people would choose to respond. The ability to disagree and maintain mutual respect is basis of true co-existence. Just one question: when are gays going to stop acting just like those people when it comes to bis and the bdsm community?

Answer 7

I answer some when I'm pretty sure that it's by someone genuinely looking for understanding but does not know how to word the question without seeming ignorant. Otherwise, I usually ignore them or ignore them and report them - they're just looking for attention and I'd rather not give it to them.

Answer 8

Because it makes me so angry sometimes i can't keep it inside,like Brad suggestion that gay molest boy's i wanted to bite of his head spit it on the ground then ran over it with the car then feed it to a bunch of hungry street cat's.I've i just ignore it,it would feel as i did nothing to defend myself!But your right let's just hope he got so much reported that he will never be let on this site again!

Answer 9

It depends on my mood. When I see something really crass, I might find a really snarly reply and post it. It's just self-defence really. They poke you with a stick and if you don't react they just keeping poking. Sometimes I hope the poison gets in their eyes.

Answer 10

You may just have the answer that changes someones mind about being gay