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dsc

(52,789 posts) Mon Jul 10, 2017, 06:52 PM Jul 2017

Calling Trump gay is homophobic [View all]

The joke is not that old, but it feels ancient. The Lithuanian mural atop Bruni’s piece of Trump and Putin kissing went viral over a year ago; Trump smooched a shirtless Putin on Saturday Night Live in November; and Stephen Colbert was assailed for calling Trump Putin’s “cock holster” in May. In the press, where it’s generally untoward to tease a president in explicitly sexual terms, Trump is said to have many “bromances”—attempted, “budding,” ongoing, and failed: with Tom Brady, with James Comey, with Rodrigo Duterte, with Andrew Jackson (d. 1845), with Morning Joe, with Kim Jong-un, with Narendra Modi (actually a romance, no b), with Rupert Murdoch, with Elon Musk, with Benjamin Netanyahu, with Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, with Xi Jinping. And with Qatar Airways CEO Akbar El-Baker. And, of course, with Putin. (Trump has not, according to the press, had a ro- or bromance with Peter Thiel, who is gay and just his “tech pal.”) These references occur regularly in straight news coverage as ostensibly neutral descriptions. They’re also very, very popular with political cartoonists.

The trope is deployed not because it is novel but because it is not. It is hammered like a schoolyard taunt, with a smug assurance that Trump has been duly “trolled.” Like a lot of liberal comedy right now, it serves a fantasy of resistance through snark. (Think of Seth Rogen’s dumb Twitter messages to Donald Jr., recently glorified on Colbert’s show, or the news—ecstatically received in February and then chronicled as legend only three months later—that Melissa McCarthy had humiliated Sean Spicer.) Sexual politics aside, our glee in calling Trump gay says more about us than it does about him.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2017/07/10/jokes_about_trump_being_gay_draw_on_deep_rooted_stereotypes_about_gay_men.html

I know Trump drives us all insane but that doesn't excuse this behavior. LGBT citizens are one of the last groups it is publicly OK to admit you discriminate against. Recently on the View was the Colorado baker who refuses to sell cakes to gay couples. Now, let's be blunt here, if this baker refused to sell cakes to interracial couples against Colorado law he wouldn't be on the View. When you say gay is bad, which is what falsely calling Trump gay says, you give aid and comfort to those who think it is OK to discriminate against us. It is that simple.

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137 replies

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Highlight:

Calling Trump gay is homophobic [View all] dsc Jul 2017 OP

What is it called when you talk about his penis? Not Ruth Jul 2017 #1

Well what do you call it when.... sheshe2 Jul 2017 #4

Yep, I watched that very exchange during the debates. classof56 Jul 2017 #40

Hellooooooooooooo class! sheshe2 Jul 2017 #56

Sexism Major Nikon Jul 2017 #57

Message auto-removed Name removed Jul 2017 #60

Apparently homophobic, transphobic, anti-Semitic, racist and misogynistic comments are ok... demmiblue Jul 2017 #2

The thing is he can be ridiculed for so many different things that will offend someone out there. BigmanPigman Jul 2017 #6

It's fine to associate DT with bestiality, pnwmom Jul 2017 #22

Agreed Fatemah2774 Jul 2017 #96

I'm sorry there are people even here who don't get it. Welcome to DU, Fatemah2774! n/t pnwmom Jul 2017 #97

Not really. There's no such race as orange people. And he is a pig for sure. bettyellen Jul 2017 #26

And no pig's feelings would be hurt if he's mocked as a pig lover. n/t pnwmom Jul 2017 #68

Winner! Behind the Aegis Jul 2017 #8

Bingo. cwydro Jul 2017 #72

Don't forget fat shaming. nt HopeAgain Jul 2017 #47

I think you're making a great point. lapucelle Jul 2017 #61

Thanks for the post and reminder to keep our childish instincts under control nt populistdriven Jul 2017 #3

As a member of the "gay" community blur256 Jul 2017 #5

Calling Trump gay enrages the homophobic! yallerdawg Jul 2017 #7

So, using homophobia is OK because the ends justify the means. Behind the Aegis Jul 2017 #9

Homosexual images and references disturbs the hell out of homophobes! yallerdawg Jul 2017 #12

And I am telling you, it is using homoseuality as the BUTT of the joke. Behind the Aegis Jul 2017 #13

It's NOT a joke! yallerdawg Jul 2017 #15

If you want to provoke him, then show him kissing a warthog or a goat. pnwmom Jul 2017 #19

Or maybe 'the joke' ... is that Trump & Putin REALLY REALLY LIKE EACH OTHER ... mr_lebowski Jul 2017 #33

You don't intend disrespect but the effect is still to denigrate the LGBT community. pnwmom Jul 2017 #48

no; anybody that doesn't get that this is insulting either doesn't want to get it, or just doesn't c TheFrenchRazor Jul 2017 #58

This exactly obamanut2012 Jul 2017 #78

It's childish and bigoted. Grow up mythology Jul 2017 #31

No, it is a joke, and it is mocking and degrading us -- STOP IT obamanut2012 Jul 2017 #77

We are not going to win this argument HAB911 Jul 2017 #89

It's bigoted. It's puerile. cwydro Jul 2017 #125

I just had this conversation twice HAB911 Jul 2017 #88

YOU ARE MOCKING AND DEGRADING OUR COMMUNITY WHEN YOU DO THAT obamanut2012 Jul 2017 #76

This is very similar to how my son explained it to me when I asked his opinion... NurseJackie Jul 2017 #94

exactly; it's the end justifies the means; thing is, there are so many legitimate means to insult TheFrenchRazor Jul 2017 #38

. demmiblue Jul 2017 #11

"Remember how appalled we all were when we heard. . . " You must be straight or you wouldn't pnwmom Jul 2017 #16

If you are sarisataka Jul 2017 #17

I know the answer to that! demmiblue Jul 2017 #21

I see where you are going with this, but there are better ways of doing all of these things. Gore1FL Jul 2017 #24

Who is the "we" appalled by "We're here! We're queer! Get used to it!" ? uppityperson Jul 2017 #25

I wondered that too. cwydro Jul 2017 #116

Oh great, so it's okay to degrade our community to hurt the RW obamanut2012 Jul 2017 #75

Being Pro-LGBTQ seems to only be a means to an end to some LostOne4Ever Jul 2017 #10

What the FUCK are you talking about?? tRump is homophobic, but in no way is he gay madinmaryland Jul 2017 #14

Please reread the OP. DSC is saying we shouldn't be using homophobic slurs against DT, pnwmom Jul 2017 #18

tRump is hurtful to population at large.. HipChick Jul 2017 #23

Which is part of why calling him gay to slur him is fucked up. bettyellen Jul 2017 #27

Quit attacking DSC who is, you know GAY and is tired of people mocking our community obamanut2012 Jul 2017 #79

K and R! m-lekktor Jul 2017 #20

My son and his husband think it's okay... NurseJackie Jul 2017 #28

If a black person thought it was OK to call Carson the n word dsc Jul 2017 #29

One black person does not represent all black people HipChick Jul 2017 #32

but apparently in your mind one or two gay people represent all of us dsc Jul 2017 #37

There you go again... HipChick Jul 2017 #41

so you would accept calling Carson the n word? dsc Jul 2017 #45

But most gay people are hurt and offended by gay photos or slurs. So it's not worth hurting pnwmom Jul 2017 #53

I'd trust my family..... HipChick Jul 2017 #30

There is the fact that it's a bigoted slur that hurts many here mythology Jul 2017 #35

Thank you. NurseJackie Jul 2017 #49

If your family thought racist jokes were okay would that make them fine, too? pnwmom Jul 2017 #51

So it's perfectly OK with you if I freely use the N word as an insult? Ms. Toad Jul 2017 #64

A significant number of gay people would be hurt and offended. Is it worth the risk pnwmom Jul 2017 #50

I wouldn't say that they are homophobic, but as a gay man myself... SaschaHM Jul 2017 #55

Nash,it means that for whatever reason they're not that offended by slurs... bettyellen Jul 2017 #69

I think they're beyond wanting to appear to be "cool". NurseJackie Jul 2017 #86

By cool I meant socially acceptable. Slurs create a hostile atmosphere and it can bettyellen Jul 2017 #87

Imagine how your son might have felt at age 10 or 12, coming to terms with being gay, pnwmom Jul 2017 #98

See this... NurseJackie Jul 2017 #99

I understand what you're saying. The point I'm trying to get across is that young people pnwmom Jul 2017 #101

I believe you already know the answer to your question. AtheistCrusader Jul 2017 #91

Yes, but I can sure call him a big dick! Kablooie Jul 2017 #34

When the intention is to shock Egnever Jul 2017 #36

I disagree. LaydeeBug Jul 2017 #39

Interestingly...my mother has said the same thing from Day 1... HipChick Jul 2017 #43

Of course dsc Jul 2017 #46

Post removed Post removed Jul 2017 #62

His perversion? You're calling someone you just say you think is bi or gay Heddi Jul 2017 #100

Excellent post. cwydro Jul 2017 #103

Hell no it wasn't answered Heddi Jul 2017 #104

Thank you. cwydro Jul 2017 #110

So nice to see you aagin, even if under these circumstances. Behind the Aegis Jul 2017 #118

but but but Heddi Jul 2017 #121

Outstanding post. beam me up scottie Jul 2017 #107

Post removed Post removed Jul 2017 #128

You certainly are tethering that chicken... demmiblue Jul 2017 #130

! beam me up scottie Jul 2017 #131

Well thank you, bmus. demmiblue Jul 2017 #133

Nice try. No dice. LaydeeBug Jul 2017 #132

I will proceed. Will you? demmiblue Jul 2017 #134

Ha melman Jul 2017 #135

DU should have a "upvote" for posts in threads! Voltaire2 Jan 2018 #137

Just stop -- this is so insulting to us obamanut2012 Jul 2017 #80

Is that so? melman Jul 2017 #85

The pot calling the kettle black Croney Jul 2017 #42

If I thought the word "gay" was an insult, then I would probably use it Victor_c3 Jul 2017 #44

Calling him human is an insult to the species. n/t rzemanfl Jul 2017 #52

I don't think trump is gay Marthe48 Jul 2017 #54

And some right here think it's perfectly ok. cwydro Jul 2017 #59

Well, some say they have a gay relative who thinks it's funny obamanut2012 Jul 2017 #81

I absolutely find it extremely difficult to believe a gay person would use gay slurs. cwydro Jul 2017 #84

I think it's a case of... Heddi Jul 2017 #113

You got it. cwydro Jul 2017 #117

Frustrating loyalsister Jul 2017 #92

He would be LUCKY MFM008 Jul 2017 #63

And dumb. Dude is offensively hetero. Barack_America Jul 2017 #65

Agreed. DemocraticWing Jul 2017 #66

I'm sad that so many otherwise thoughtful people disagree with you. pnwmom Jul 2017 #67

There is certainly a contingent on DU who delight in using these slurs. cwydro Jul 2017 #73

I'm gay, and I'm not offended. The penis size suspicions though... Ezior Jul 2017 #70

Love this response. moda253 Jul 2017 #114

Referring to someone as a "cock holster" is the definition of homophobia. Gravitycollapse Jul 2017 #115

Sorry. I'll keep ridiculing the asshole any way I want. BlueStater Jul 2017 #71

So, it's okay for you to demean and insult and mock the LGBT community obamanut2012 Jul 2017 #82

I'm completley crushed. BlueStater Jul 2017 #95

Demeaned by inferring he is gay... cwydro Jul 2017 #123

Cosign this -- am tired to death of this obamanut2012 Jul 2017 #74

An insult often plays on the sensitivities of the target, rather than those of the insulter Orrex Jul 2017 #83

If Gay Guys/Gals Said the Shit Straight People Say... HAB911 Jul 2017 #90

Omg this is fantastic. cwydro Jul 2017 #105

Rec. nt LexVegas Jul 2017 #93

This message was self-deleted by its author ImpeachTheGOP Jul 2017 #102

HA HA HA PRISON RAPE IS FUNNY Heddi Jul 2017 #106

This message was self-deleted by its author ImpeachTheGOP Jul 2017 #108

You calld him a Prag Heddi Jul 2017 #109

You literally referenced a homophobic slur that comes from prison rape. Gravitycollapse Jul 2017 #112

You know what? Forget it. I'm sorry. ImpeachTheGOP Jul 2017 #124

Prison rape is a horrific crime that isn't funny in the slightest. Slut shaming isn't funny either. Gravitycollapse Jul 2017 #111

It's discouraging to see this shit here, but it's simultaneously encouraging to see people stand up AtheistCrusader Jul 2017 #119

Never thought it would need to be said here, but... Behind the Aegis Jul 2017 #120

It is sad it has to be said here Heddi Jul 2017 #122

Agreed, we're supposed to be better than this. beam me up scottie Jul 2017 #126

thank you. Voltaire2 Jul 2017 #127

Malcolm Gladwell's Revisionist History has a segment on... bagelsforbreakfast Jul 2017 #129

. demmiblue Jul 2017 #136