I WILL Delete Hateful Homophobic Comments

Like most Gather members ~ especially those who write about political and/or religious issues ~ I've received my fair share of nasty personal attacks. Some comments have been so beyond the pale that other Gather members have taken it upon themselves to report them. My policy has always been to leave the comments up to show the rest of Gather just what kind of jackholes we are dealing with here, unless the comment contains profanity and is on an article that is not properly flagged to accommodate profanity.

However, as I had to do last night, I will delete hateful homophobic remarks that are directed at the entire LGBT community. In the last couple of years there has been an epidemic of suicides among LGBT teens and young adults because of verbal and physical bullying. If a victim of bullying comes across my articles they will not be subjected to remarks intended to make them feel guilty and ashamed about who they are and how they were born or remarks that ignorantly blame all of the world's problems on homosexuality.

Comments: 20

Gail Mountain Jul 14, 2011, 11:10am UTC

Good for you, Holly! There are many ways to talk about all kinds of different viewpoints without having to be insensitive to the pain that can be caused. Rock on!

Holly~Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History~ C. Jul 14, 2011, 12:55pm UTC

I try :)

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Jim G. Jul 14, 2011, 11:25am UTC

Ditto.

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David C. Jul 14, 2011, 11:34am UTC

It is so unfortunate that today there is still so much hate. This hate is born from ignorance. You can see it regarding sexual orientation, race, religion, politics, pretty much anyplace where two people believe differently. It's amazing that any good can ever be accomplished.

Holly~Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History~ C. Jul 14, 2011, 11:41am UTC

Fortunately there are still a few rational people out there who view human beings as human beings despite any differences.

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Peter Joseph Swanson Jul 14, 2011, 11:38am UTC

It's okay to ban bigotry!

Holly~Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History~ C. Jul 14, 2011, 11:40am UTC

yep!

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Robin G. Jul 14, 2011, 12:26pm UTC

At first, I was saying that you should leave them up so the rest of the world can see that there are still idiots out there, but I totally agree with your reasoning.

Holly~Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History~ C. Jul 14, 2011, 12:39pm UTC

Oh if the remarks are aimed at me personally I will leave them up and let the idiots be idiots for the world to see ~ sticks and stones and all that. However I do know that there are people out there who are genuinely hurting and under a constant barrage of bigoted attacks and the less of that they see and hear, the better.

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Lori F. Jul 14, 2011, 12:35pm UTC

Doesnt matter what they say about you or too you Gather has become a safe haven for the homophobic rabid rightwing.

I was told I kill babies...doesnt matter....I was called a child molester supporter...doesnt matter...I was told on numerous occassions that I do illegal drugs doesnt matter.

GAther will do nothing about the slander that is thrown at the sane people here so yes you are best to delete it.

Holly~Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History~ C. Jul 14, 2011, 12:47pm UTC

What kills me is that the very people who call others such horrible names are the same right wing extremists who block people from commenting on their posts because they can dish it out but they can't take it. I was called a baby killing racist by one such member who is notorious for only allowing comments by his fellow extremists.

I've received rape and death threats ~ usually from self-proclaimed "Christians", you gotta love that ~ but I refuse to block comments whole sale the way that extremist does. They can say whatever they want about me because I'm able to defend myself but when it comes to hurting those for whom the pain is just too much to bear then darn right it's best to delete it.

Lori F. Jul 14, 2011, 12:54pm UTC

Yep I have seen the same type of comments from the same type of people. They want to slit the throat of that Casey Anthony and the jury too.

I just saw a post where they are talking about assasinating the POTUS..how a second term could be bad for his health.

As I said gather has become a safe haven for those types.

Holly~Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History~ C. Jul 14, 2011, 1:00pm UTC

Yikes! The question is why has gather become a haven for those types? Who's really pulling the strings here at gather?

Lori F. Jul 14, 2011, 1:02pm UTC

Who knows who is pulling the strings here.

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Kasey Klein Jul 14, 2011, 2:57pm UTC

Quote: "In the last couple of years there has been an epidemic of suicides among LGBT teens and young adults because of verbal and physical bullying."

I think in most cases it's more complex than this, though this is often a factor.

I like to see hate speech stand, so everyone can see how ignore and stupid it is. We cannot dispel hate by prohibiting its expression. We can only dispel hate by bringing it into the light.

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