To clarify what I mean here: There are many individuals who do not have animosity towards gays, but who sincerely believe that certain values should be promoted. For example, many Americans feel that marriage should be between individuals of the opposite sex. While certainly some, maybe even many, who hold onto these views have feelings of animosity towards gays in general, it would be unfair and naive to claim that all who are against so-called "gay marriage" are also "anti-gay". And certainly it is true that not all who are pro-gay or have the belief that gays should equally share in the benefits of things like gay marriage must necessarily lack cultural values.
The gist of my question goes to the issue that we're facing today: Can a person still be against gay marriage, or gays in the military, and other similar issues, and not be a "homophobe" per se?
Why, for example, must many who do not approve of gay marriage be lumped together with racists, bigots, and lowlifes? If a gay person flamboyantly displays his or her sexual attitudes, and portrays a promiscuous lifestyle, is it "anti-gay" for someone to denounce that? Not all gays are flamboyant or promiscuous, of course, and the mistake is on those who use people who are like that to generalize to all gays. But it is also a mistake to consider an issues-oriented disagreement such as disapproval of gay marriage or gays in the military as an example of bigotry and narrow mindedness, is it not?
The gist of my question goes to the issue that we're facing today: Can a person still be against gay marriage, or gays in the military, and other similar issues, and not be a "homophobe" per se?
Why, for example, must many who do not approve of gay marriage be lumped together with racists, bigots, and lowlifes? If a gay person flamboyantly displays his or her sexual attitudes, and portrays a promiscuous lifestyle, is it "anti-gay" for someone to denounce that? Not all gays are flamboyant or promiscuous, of course, and the mistake is on those who use people who are like that to generalize to all gays. But it is also a mistake to consider an issues-oriented disagreement such as disapproval of gay marriage or gays in the military as an example of bigotry and narrow mindedness, is it not?