A request from the GLBT members of DU

[meegbear]

With the Mark Foley story going full steam, it appears it's going to be in the headlines at least through the elections. With that in mind, it would be most appreciative if you would cut back on the gay jokes/remarks.

Yes, it's topical and yes, there are plenty of gaffaws that can be made from this, but the constant barage of them is starting to border on insulting on the GLBT community as a whole. I've made my initial jokes about this too, but I've stopped and intend to stay that way.

When the George Allen did his macaca thing or fessed up to his Jewish heritage, I don't recall too many jokes about minorities or Jews. But with this scandal going on, it seems like "all bets are off". That, gentle reader, ain't cool. So please, ease up on this and think of your fellow DU'ers when you post.

I thank you.

[rurallib]

1. Well put

:think:

[NNN0LHI]

2. cut back on the gay jokes/remarks?

How about just stopping it completely. Thats what I think should be done. K&R.

Don

[BlueEyedSon]

14. I haven't seen 1, and I read a lot of DU. Never the Lounge though....

Would you give a pass to the guy who coined "Masturgate"? (i wasn't me, but it's cute)

[Lost-in-FL]

18. .

Masturgate? :rofl: :rofl: :spray:

[BlueEyedSon]

19. I guess self-sex is neither hetero- nor homo- sexual, right?

[Blue-Jay]

29. Hello!

:hi:

[BlueEyedSon]

31. Hey Blue, what's shakin'?

[Ian David]

3. I'll try to behave. Feel free to call me on it if I don't. n/t

[TechBear_Seattle]

4. Thank you for speaking

I've been feeling the same way. :hi:

[Sapphocrat]

5. Thank you, mb. n/t

[LonelyLRLiberal]

6. K&R

Good point.

[Pacifist Patriot]

7. Quite happy to K & R

[Hugin]

8. I can honestly say I haven't made a single GLBT joke...

I intend to stay that way.

[Pacifist Patriot]

11. Same here. And I'm not a prude by any stretch, but...

the GOP logo with the mounting elephant is in poor taste in my opinion.

[uppityperson]

9. indeed. Any sex remarks from me are general sex remarks.

nothing to do with being GLBT, just sex in general.

[supernova]

10. I'm sick of them

and I'm straight.

[evilkumquat]

12. It's the Whole 50's "Gay=Pedophile" Fear Films' Fault

If the Baby-Boomer generation had not been reared on those cheesy black and white propaganda films of the 1950's where gays were equated with pedophilia, we would probably all be enjoying more NAMBLA humor right about now instead of gay jokes.

Evil Kumquat

[davidinalameda]

13. K&R

thank you once again

[libodem]

15. And since there are so many readers and lurkers

I imagine we would be held to a higher standard of 'our' liberalness. We are supposed to be the party of acceptance, tolerance and loving one another. Granted that doesn't mean condoning predatory grooming of potential victims for abuse of their innocence. I think gayness and child predators of either persuasion are wholly separate practices. Don't bunch sexual preference in with child molesters. This whole nasty business gives all of us a chance to be philosophical and teach and learn from each other.

[Lost-in-FL]

16. BRAVO!!! K&R

This should be posted at the main DU page.

:yourock:

I have not posted jokes about this issue because I have to admit that at times I make jokes but they don't come out right. It is not done with bad intentions, I am just a dumbass like that.

[The Count]

17. Just listening to Randi Rhodes who clearly makes the difference

between pedofilia and being gay on her show - over and over. It's sad that this is necessary - but in the present climate it's a public service.

[we can do it]

22. Agreed - Thanks To Randi - I Think She Helps All of Us

[TygrBright]

20. The difficulty for many who unintentionally offend is...

...distinguishing between "gay jokes" and "hypocrisy about gay" jokes. I think that many who are outraged about the spectacle of a Party that's built its power by rimjobbing homophobes, covering up for the crimes of a closeted gay Party member. In which case, rubbing their smarmy hypocritical noses in the brown stuff they've been spewing for many years now is so bloody irresistable that we don't always carefully consider just what aspect of the situation we are ridiculing.

Point very well taken, however, and I for one will refrain from adapting hoary old chestnuts like "How many Congressional Pages can fit on a bar stool in the GOP House Caucus room." OK, after getting that one off my chest I will.

In one respect, though, I think there may be a silver lining in the long run-- the GOPpies have to make a choice now between winning back their homophobe nutjob "base," by conducting a bloody intraparty purge, or losing the nutjobs altogether. Either way, America wins.

penitently,
Bright

[Change has come]

21. Great post

These jokes are also disrespectful of the Pages. :patriot:

[ThomCat]

23. Nice point and well said.

:hi:

[seabeyond]

24. totally respect that. i have had no desire whatsoever to find the humor

because foley is gay. i would warrant a guess that the percentage is significantly higher of heterosexuals sexually exploiting the young.

[Jack Rabbit]

25. Well said

I don't think I've said anything off color, but if I have said anything the least bit offensive, then I offer my sincere apologies.

[William769]

26. meegbear...

Right as usual.

[Arugula Latte]

27. The only way that Foley's homosexuality is relevant is

in the context of the hypocrisy of the Republican party.

[oxymoron]

28. K&R

[Blue-Jay]

30. It's not about homosexuality, it's about hypocrisy.

And it's about an internet predator engaging in the same activities that he (publicly) abhorred. The only people who think that homosexuality is the issue are the same ones who have a problem with GLBT to begin with. You know the not-liberals.

[mondo joe]

32. Sorry - did we gays vote on a request like this? I missed my ballot.

Personally, I haven't had any problem with jokes or remarks on DU regarding this matter.

[Jed Dilligan]

34. I was about to say...

Do y'all have a secret caucus or something?

I don't disagree with the OP but it's a little presumptuous. What if I posted something "on behalf of the straight community"?

[shadowknows69]

33. Hear hear

as far as I'm concerned Foley's orientation is a moot point. This is a sexual harrassment issue pure and simple. A person in power making potentially unwanted advances to a subordinate.

[LeftHander]

35. K&R - Here HEre....nt

[cwydro]

36. No offense to anyone

but I am gay and have not been offended by any jokes I've seen here....would that include the "bookmark" joke? My gay friends thought it was hysterical. I guess I missed the secret caucus.:shrug: