General Discussion

SaschaHM

(2,897 posts)

45. As a gay man, I think the joke straddles the line..

Thu May 4, 2017, 11:54 AM

May 2017

Did I find the joke hilarious? Yeah.
Do I give a fuck about the RWNJ's screaming "homophobia"? No
Was the joke homophobic and would I be reacting differently had the subjects been switched? Maybe and Yep.

At it's base level, jokes like this are used to demean heterosexual men by associating them w/ a homosexual act (oral sex between 2 men) a la "That's gay". It's not a direct assault, but the intention is usually to bring someone down with the connection. Had Mike Huckabee used this line, it would not have been because of a perceived domination of one man by the other. He would have been using it as an attack on someone by way of gay men. Heck, I've seen "c*cksucker" used on DU in a similar manner.

Colbert, in my opinion, straddles that line of making a political critique on Trump/Putin while appealing to the more baser instincts of the joke for the shock value. I'm not going to sign up for twitter and start tweeting because of it, but my mind will probably go to it if another incident occurs.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

140 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Colbert has no regrets: Late-night host defends controversial Trump Putin c*ck holster joke [View all] Rhiannon12866 May 2017 OP

Despite Republican attempts at gaslighting Warpy May 2017 #1

Jim Parsons was his guest tonight and brought it up - he had no problem with it. Rhiannon12866 May 2017 #2

If Putin was female, we'd not say it was a gay joke Pluvious May 2017 #76

George Takei seemed to be cool with it, too. Ken Burch May 2017 #118

It was also a gay "joke"... Orsino May 2017 #29

What a shame. Behind the Aegis May 2017 #3

Jim Parsons was on tonight and didn't see any homophobia - he brought it up. Rhiannon12866 May 2017 #4

So? Because one guy had no problem with it, it's fine? pnwmom May 2017 #6

Good for Jim. Behind the Aegis May 2017 #7

+1000. n/t pnwmom May 2017 #9

That confused me, too. Rhiannon12866 May 2017 #10

It isn't all about you. It can also be referred to in a hetro situation. OnDoutside May 2017 #12

Did I say or imply it was "all about me"? Behind the Aegis May 2017 #13

You took offence after all, at a phrase which you admit could be either, missing the point OnDoutside May 2017 #16

Oh, I see, as a gay man, I have to adhere to YOUR standards? Behind the Aegis May 2017 #17

As I don't have to adhere to YOUR standards of reading a false narrative into what he said. OnDoutside May 2017 #18

I didn't require you to adhere to my standards, that was implied by you to me. Behind the Aegis May 2017 #19

Not quite so ! OnDoutside May 2017 #22

Homophobia isn't history. It's still alive today -- and every time it is used or justified here, pnwmom May 2017 #60

You're on form today !!! 😊 OnDoutside May 2017 #65

So if Tucker Carlson said Obama uses his mouth as d**k holster for David Cameron, frankieallen May 2017 #40

We all heard a helluva lot worse about Obama from that crowd. BannonsLiver May 2017 #42

+1 OnDoutside May 2017 #50

And we objected. This is equally objectionable. n/t pnwmom May 2017 #61

Utterly ridiculous BannonsLiver May 2017 #98

Are you fine with calling DT the n word? He'd be insulted by that, too. nt pnwmom May 2017 #99

I'll tell you what I'm not fine with BannonsLiver May 2017 #101

I don't think Colbert is a homophobe, I think he made a mistake. And he realizes that. pnwmom May 2017 #103

I'd say it was inaccurate. It would be the other way round.... OnDoutside May 2017 #49

We would dislike it because we like Obama treestar May 2017 #134

If someone directed a racial slur at DT, would that be fine with you, too? pnwmom May 2017 #59

Actually, so many on the left have no problem calling OnDoutside May 2017 #63

You have just made an analogy comparing gay people to orangutans. Wow. pnwmom May 2017 #71

If someone directed a racial slur at DT OnDoutside May 2017 #75

Using a slur against DT that is commonly directed to a black person would be comparable pnwmom May 2017 #77

Funny I haven't heard anyone running to the mountain on OnDoutside May 2017 #83

What is funny about it? pnwmom May 2017 #84

As in, oddly enough. OnDoutside May 2017 #113

I'm going to argue your point... Dorian Gray May 2017 #23

+1 treestar May 2017 #135

It was directed at two MEN, which made it a homophobic slur. It wasn't about hetero sex, pnwmom May 2017 #55

What if they'd said it about some Republican female treestar May 2017 #137

I would ask you to consider and answer these questions... Caliman73 May 2017 #64

Why is the idea of sex between men being used and viewed as the ultimate insult? This is just as pnwmom May 2017 #69

Because a lot of men are homophobic Caliman73 May 2017 #81

But did Stephen really mean it that way? treestar May 2017 #133

Intent is barely relevant. Behind the Aegis May 2017 #139

+1 BannonsLiver May 2017 #41

No, not when you are describing an act between two men. n/t pnwmom May 2017 #54

But they are two heteros, unless you have a scoop for us ? OnDoutside May 2017 #57

Doesn't matter. The slur involves language describing two men having sex. That makes it pnwmom May 2017 #67

But you are foisting you're judgement on two OnDoutside May 2017 #72

That's what you're doing when you say that we should use those terms because they'd be insulted. pnwmom May 2017 #74

And what you can't see is OnDoutside May 2017 #80

But it is being used here to describe TWO MEN. In that case it describes gay sex. pnwmom May 2017 #105

I disagree, the point is he is so friendly to Putin, OnDoutside May 2017 #114

And you are willing to attack Putin using slurs that hurt gay people. Got it. n/t pnwmom May 2017 #119

There you go again, reading into something that is not there. OnDoutside May 2017 #122

"It isn't all about you." Seriously? I think you need to sit down. Gravitycollapse May 2017 #124

Analingus would have been more contemporary and less homophobic HoneyBadger May 2017 #25

+1000, I could not agree more sir. Just because a gay slur is used against a homophobic ass****, frankieallen May 2017 #36

Spare me. I laughed and wasn't in the least bit offended. 6000eliot May 2017 #68

A lot of people on this board, and otherwise, disagree. frankieallen May 2017 #82

So you've got thick skin. That doesn't mean that straight people using homophobic slurs is ok.n/t pnwmom May 2017 #104

OK Ken Burch May 2017 #120

Jim Parsons is wrong, and quite frankly I would have alot more respect for him if he called out frankieallen May 2017 #37

This was my favorite part of tonight's show: :) Rhiannon12866 May 2017 #5

I'm with you on this. Just because the RW is screaming about this doesn't mean they're wrong. pnwmom May 2017 #8

But it does matter that they're being hypocritical. And they're calling for him to be fired. kcr May 2017 #51

I would like him to apologize. But hopefully he learned a lesson, unlike some people here. nt pnwmom May 2017 #53

I agree. it would be nice for him to apologize. kcr May 2017 #62

This message was self-deleted by its author OnDoutside May 2017 #11

yes it did... lame54 May 2017 #43

I'm gay too, and I say it WASN'T homophobia. 6000eliot May 2017 #46

I was struggling with this yesterday Orrex May 2017 #66

I have not been following groups on FB but I know actual gay people in real life pnwmom May 2017 #86

Ask 50 people and you'll likely get 50 answers Orrex May 2017 #87

Is that what you would say if someone was weaponizing slurs against black people pnwmom May 2017 #88

Obviously I will defer to the people on the front lines Orrex May 2017 #91

Pretty much my take on it as well. Bohunk68 May 2017 #107

It's an interesting rock on which to take a stand, to be sure Orrex May 2017 #110

Those of us in the community are not on one page on this as well. Bohunk68 May 2017 #123

I agree completely! Orrex May 2017 #132

I'm bi and I say it was. Want to fight about it? Gravitycollapse May 2017 #125

True. We need to be more creative with our insults. Caliman73 May 2017 #56

Has someone actually called you a cock-holster? I've never even heard that. NunnesBuznat May 2017 #85

Congrats! Behind the Aegis May 2017 #89

I'm showing you how easy it is to be offended by nothing. NunnesBuznat May 2017 #111

Quite the rationalization you got going. Behind the Aegis May 2017 #112

It can't be? Gay people are logical paradigms? I don't understand what you're saying NunnesBuznat May 2017 #116

Wow! Behind the Aegis May 2017 #117

The description was of 2 MEN, with one the "cock-holster." That's what makes the listener think pnwmom May 2017 #131

Using the term "cocksucker" or other gay slurs as a general insult is as offensive as pnwmom May 2017 #130

Agreed. Straw Man May 2017 #138

yes, I am just a cock holster as well. nt m-lekktor May 2017 #96

Limbaugh gets a free pass as an entertainer jeanmarc May 2017 #14

lighten up, francis. pansypoo53219 May 2017 #15

The current President was all over network and cable TV accusing the malaise May 2017 #20

You make a good point. Rhiannon12866 May 2017 #21

Well said malaise May 2017 #26

No one here is arguing that it isn't right and good to insult DT. pnwmom May 2017 #94

I was thrilled that he did not apoloigize amuse bouche May 2017 #24

How many trump voters will lose Turbineguy May 2017 #27

I stand with Stephen Colbert Gothmog May 2017 #28

Republican party enabled trump. $ome Republicans joined in-helped Putin RAPE our democracy. Sunlei May 2017 #30

that headline is actually false he didn't defend that joke dsc May 2017 #31

You're right - he's not defending this. i think he learned something, pnwmom May 2017 #95

I was a bit surprised by that joke. GoCubsGo May 2017 #32

Seems I'm destined to jump into all of these threads Saviolo May 2017 #33

You're doing a great job IMHO of helping us allies... moriah May 2017 #38

Thanks for listening and learning Saviolo May 2017 #39

I'm gay and I disagree. It was a joke. 6000eliot May 2017 #47

Then you don't disagree Saviolo May 2017 #52

I have better things to worry about, such as fascists in the White House. 6000eliot May 2017 #58

The fact that you weren't personally hurt doesn't mean it wasn't a homophobic slur. pnwmom May 2017 #92

Plus a million. And for the connection to "that's so gay' -- a phrase that "allies" also used to try pnwmom May 2017 #90

Easily the most rational take on this issue so far BannonsLiver May 2017 #106

Thanks for reading it Saviolo May 2017 #108

You had me at "in the context". BannonsLiver May 2017 #109

Did he change your mind then or did you not read his whole post? n/t pnwmom May 2017 #121

As a part-time "cock-holster", I didn't interpret the joke as a slur. Coventina May 2017 #34

Oh NOW the right wing is butthurt over homophobia. backscatter712 May 2017 #35

All this faux RW outrage Mendocino May 2017 #44

As a gay man, I think the joke straddles the line.. SaschaHM May 2017 #45

Remarkably well put. Orrex May 2017 #100

Good for him. WoonTars May 2017 #48

This will be interesting to recall, the next time DU praises Bill Maher for his brilliance Orrex May 2017 #70

Really shows you how far we still have to go for the LGBT acceptance if even progressives here can't inwiththenew May 2017 #73

+1000. nt pnwmom May 2017 #78

This thread is getting ridiculous. Who cares? 6000eliot May 2017 #79

I care. If you don't, take a seat. Let the rest of us take care of this. Gravitycollapse May 2017 #126

Good for him. It wasn't homophobic. nt Kirkwood May 2017 #93

All hail the new late night king! pressbox69 May 2017 #97

I stand with Stephen Colbert Gothmog May 2017 #102

of course not; he's a manly-man late night "comedian;" so it's all good... not. nt TheFrenchRazor May 2017 #115

Good. BlueStater May 2017 #127

This Mother's Day could be interesting jeanmarc May 2017 #128

I'm very sorry. I had similar issues with my mother. Rhiannon12866 May 2017 #129

Sorry to hear it jeanmarc May 2017 #140

Hmm, that is harsh what he said Catherine Vincent May 2017 #136