Originally Posted By DAR I couldn't think of a better title so I apologize if that offends anyone. Last night on Survivor one of the contestants, a 19 year old Florida student named Spencer was talking to one of his female tribemates. She asked him if he had a girlfriend. He told her no. All she responded with is your young enough, you don't need to be in a relationship and he agreed. The camera then cuts to his interview and he reveals that he's gay. He states he's not going to tell his tribemates because he doesn't know how that will be perceived. One of the tribemates is a guy in his mid 20's named JT straight out of Alabama. The reason Spencer didn't say anything was especially because of JT. He thought because JT was a Southerner he wouldn't be very tolerant towards him. Look I can't pretend that to know what somebody like Spencer goes through, but isn't that a little presumptious on his part to assume that JT would be biogted towards him.
Originally Posted By mawnck >>isn't that a little presumptious on his part to assume that JT would be biogted towards him. << I'm not gay but I am a card-carrying Southerner. And no, I don't think it's presumptuous. There is such a thing as a tolerant redneck, but the odds that any given redneck is one are not good. But also keep in mind it's a reality show, and therefore the matter may have no basis in reality.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 If all he knew about JT was that he was southern, yes. But at that point didn't he interact with JT somewhat? (I don't watch the show, so I don't know how it works). He might have gotten a homophobic vibe from JT, or even heard him make a comment or something.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt The guy is 19, cut him some slack. Sure, it's a bit judgmental to assume that because JT is a southerner that he'll get make waves because Spencer is gay, but at his age Spencer probably is dealing with his own issues surrounding his sexuality. Gays can be homophobic too. On the other hand it may have just been a strategic move in order to stay in the game.
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Originally Posted By oc_dean What are these shows about anyway? They exploit weaknesses in people, and insult, humiliate, and put them down .. like the ultimate Bette Davis/Joan Crawford/Miranda Priestly/DonaldTrump diva fest!
Originally Posted By mawnck >>What are these shows about anyway?<< They're about filling an hour of airtime for a fraction of the cost of a "normal" show while pulling the same or better ratings.
Originally Posted By oc_dean And being cruel and mean-spirited to others is the way to higher ratings, right? Nice American value.
Originally Posted By oc_dean Sorry there Dar .. My intention was NOT to derail your topic. Hope you find some answers.
Originally Posted By mawnck >>And being cruel and mean-spirited to others is the way to higher ratings, right?<< Ask Rush L. and Ann C.
Originally Posted By BlueDevilSF >>Look I can't pretend that to know what somebody like Spencer goes through, but isn't that a little presumptious on his part to assume that JT would be biogted towards him.<< Sure, it's a little presumptuous, but it can't be denied that there is a valid basis for it. At 19, I don't imagine Spencer has developed the self-awareness and fortitude he needs to withstand people's prejudices.
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 <<Look I can't pretend that to know what somebody like Spencer goes through, but isn't that a little presumptious on his part to assume that JT would be biogted towards him.>> DAR, I really appreciate that you created this thread! [And no apology for the title is needed.] What a great opportunity for honest communication. Thanks for taking what felt like a risk. In response... I don't think that Spencer was being presumptuous. I think he was being careful. There's PC, and then there's the truth. The truth is that southerners are less likely to be informed about and comfortable with gay people than are northerners. The truth is that straight women are generally more open and non-judgemental of gay people than are straight men. The truth is that whites are generally more accepting than are blacks. Non-religious people are more accepting than religious folks. Younger people are more accepting than older folks. Sociological facts. Not prejudices.
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 Over the years, I have had a large number of straight people tell me they were pissed off that a gay friend of theirs didn't tell them (earlier) that s/he was gay. They feel insulted and hurt that the person didn't trust them enough to be honest with them. I get that. On the other side, I know LOTS of gay people who have been burned when they "came out" to people they thought would be accepting. It's scary enough to come out in the first place. On top of that natural anxiety there's the fact that, as a gay person, you hear stories from other people about how their coming out went unexpectedly, horribly wrong. "I told my best friend I was gay and he said that if any of our other friends ever found out about it, he would never be seen with me again." "Told me best friend, and she said that she could probably handle it, but I could never mention it to her again." "Told my brother, and he said I could never babysit for my nephews again." "Told my parents. They kicked me out of the house and told me that I no longer existed in their world." I'm not making any of those examples up. Those are experiences of people I know. I think it's healthy and freeing to be completely "out." But I never blame anyone for deciding not to take the risk. The risk is real.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt ^^Despite all that I still suspect that this kid is a bit of a homophobe. Apparently he also made some comments in the media that he was thankful that he isn't "gay" acting.
Originally Posted By disneydad109 now it seems that the only group that we are allowed to make fun of or think of as backwards is southen white guys.You can kiss my grits and stay the he!! out of the south all you yankees!
Originally Posted By mawnck >>now it seems that the only group that we are allowed to make fun of or think of as backwards is southen white guys.<< Or the Swiss. ;-)
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