(08 Dec 2015, 7:10 pm)GMitchelhill wrote I'm sitting here thinking why it wasn't like this when I was younger, but then I remember that facebook didn't exsist back then.
But a word of advice to anyone who uses homophobic abuse. You never know who you could offend when using it. You may never realise if a close friend to you is actually homosexual / bi-sexual etc. and those comments could end up hurting them as well as the person you intended it for.
I have seen mentionings of back stabbings but I've not looked into it. But it needs to stop now before someone does something to themselves or someone else that they may later regret.
I'm inclined to agree that the increased use of Social Media plays a big part in enthusiasts bickering more and more - this coming from someone who, not long after joining the bus enthusiast community, caused quite a few ructions on Social Media! After I deleted most bus enthusiasts on Social Media and 'left' Facebook groups, I found that I was bickering with people a lot less. Very few people have said things to my face, but I've been called all sorts over the Internet.
The societal attitude towards homosexuality has changed vastly changed in the past ten to twenty years. Younger people are usually brought up to be accepting of people who aren't heterosexual, and I think this attitude has led to a greater number of people 'coming out' (which, in years gone by, they wouldn't have). As being homosexual is more accepted these days, I can't see many (younger) people using homophobic abuse towards others. I do think that some people are far too quick to play the "homophobic" card, and this isn't right at all. In my opinion; the definition of "homophobia" has been misconstrued, as a lot of people seem to forget that it means that this person is scared of, or hates, homosexuals. Maybe these people are just a little too sensitive?
For the past few years, I've had so much stick for being "pro-GNE", and I think that Lee (as well as others) is getting the same for thinking the sun shines out of Trent Barton's arse. I have to say that - generally speaking - I agreed with what Tommy said. Perhaps Tommy could have made his point without using certain words, but the content of his posts was not homophobic at all. At the end of the day, Lee can post what he likes on Social Media, and if anyone doesn't like what he is posting, the right thing to do is just to delete them. It takes seconds.