A Brief Rant About Homophobia In The Car Community

Last month, during the celebration of Pride Month, my hometown decided to paint a few downtown crosswalks in the colours of the Pride flag. It was supposed to be a symbol of support and solidarity towards the LGBTQ+ community.

A Brief Rant About Homophobia In The Car Community

Last month, during the celebration of Pride Month, my hometown decided to paint a few downtown crosswalks in the colours of the Pride flag. It was supposed to be a symbol of support and solidarity towards the LGBTQ+ community. But, thanks to one misguided individual, it ended up putting a literal black mark on the reputation of the car community.

Simply put, someone did a burnout on the painted crosswalk and left tire marks all over it. Although the kid that did this didn’t know that the rainbow crosswalk was a symbol of Pride, it was seen as an act of hatred towards the LGBTQ2+ community. Since the population at large tends to associate burnouts with car enthusiasts, this gave local petrolheads a bad name for quite some time.

A Brief Rant About Homophobia In The Car Community

I’d like to say that it was an isolated incident, but it isn’t. In fact, these acts of vandalism have occurred across the world with much more malicious intent. Obviously, this is not representative of the majority of people within the car community. Yet, it’s not the only way in which petrolheads have been associated with homophobia.

A Brief Rant About Homophobia In The Car Community

It’s no secret that a few superstars of the car world have made statements that many in the LGBTQ2+ community have taken objection to. Whether it be the above prank played on Jeremy Clarkson while he slept on an airplane, or Richard Hammond’s confusing statement of avoiding ice cream because he wasn’t gay, some of the world’s most popular car enthusiasts have made comments that could be interpreted as homophobic.

I’m not trying to be self-righteous, but I am disappointed with the amount of homophobia that I have experienced within the car community. I’ve really noticed this after buying my NA MX-5, as if someone thought that it would be an insult to call me gay because I drive a Miata. In fact, it’s common for people to express contempt towards certain vehicles (and their owners) by trying to attach them to homosexuality.

Sometimes, the hate is even more blatant. On many occasions, I have been told by car fans that they do not feel comfortable with being a part of the car community because of their sexuality. These people don’t make a dog-and-pony show of their orientation, but are legitimately fearful for the safety of themselves and their cars should they ever be outed at a car meet.

A Brief Rant About Homophobia In The Car Community

At Car Throttle, we have made it very clear that homophobia will not be tolerated in our community. It is my personal view that everyone should be able to feel safe in the car community, both online and at the local Cars and Coffee. I don’t care what car you drive, what colour your skin is, what your gender is, or who you want to love. Everyone deserves the chance to be welcomed, accepted, and respected. We’re all friends because we share a common interest—cars. We are not a community of jerks and bigots, and we need to make sure that the rest of the world sees us in that same way.

So here’s something that I think we can all do to make a real difference to both the automotive and LGBTQ2+ communities. Before you show up to the car meet or log on to an online forum, leave your prejudices at the door. Leave all the hate there, too. It’s as simple as treating everyone with respect. If you’re like me, the car community is more than just a group of people who like cars. It’s a group of people who share a common understanding and a way of life. Many of us know what it’s like to be alienated, for one reason or another, and it’s not very fun. Let’s do our best to make sure that no other petrolhead feels that way.

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Comments

Sarove (Crown Vic)

This should apply to everyone and everything, not just the LGBTQ community. As car enthusiasts, we should treat each other equally because we all have the same passion.

07/28/2017 - 02:51 |
24 | 0

Except ricers - just sayin’

07/28/2017 - 03:27 |
4 | 26

except for idiots who endanger people

07/28/2017 - 06:03 |
14 | 0

THAT is the best comment I’ve seen so far.

07/28/2017 - 10:32 |
0 | 0
Seth 3

Well I certainly have feelings against gays and such in real life, but I dont feel the need to share those feelings on CT.

07/28/2017 - 02:52 |
24 | 14

“I dont feel the need to share those feelings on CT.”
he said while sharing those feelings on CT ;-)

07/28/2017 - 02:56 |
48 | 8
Anonymous

In reply to by Seth 3

I’m bi, whachu gonna do?

07/28/2017 - 09:45 |
2 | 0
David 27

watching the comments someone is downvoting everything. you opened a wasp nest

07/28/2017 - 03:22 |
2 | 4

bzzzz

07/28/2017 - 04:59 |
4 | 4
Dat Incredible Chadkake

In reply to by David 27

Well, the whole LGBT thing is a pretty controversial subject…

07/28/2017 - 06:10 |
6 | 0
Drew Holt

Way I see it is that due to my religion I personally do not agree with the act you could say, but I fully support the people because the great thing about America is that you have personal freedoms to decide what you want to do with your body or who you think you are. So I fully support the people and community but it’s not my personal preference. As for TGTs comments I really believe it’s just jokes and most of the stuff they say shouldn’t be taken seriously. Also you’re going to find people who believe differently than you do anywhere so just don’t take that stuff too hard, could just be someone having a bad day that vents in the wrong way.

07/28/2017 - 03:31 |
12 | 4
Bring a Caterham To MARS

In reply to by Drew Holt

Hum… What’s your religion?

07/28/2017 - 18:55 |
2 | 2
Bragg426(R35ISNTGODZILLA)(MOPARSQUAD)(EVOSQUAD)

Let’s be honest though that was a pretty sick burnout

07/28/2017 - 03:52 |
18 | 20

That was a weak burnout, rainbow crosswalk or not.

07/28/2017 - 06:15 |
14 | 2

That was a weak burnout, rainbow crosswalk or not.

07/28/2017 - 06:15 |
4 | 2
Jia the Supra Fanboy

You don’t have to agree with a group of people’s life choices in order to respect them. Even if we can’t all be friends, doesn’t mean we should all be enemies. We can try and convince anyone that they’re wrong and we’re right; that’s a matter of persuasion. But nobody ever has the right to impose their beliefs and on others, especially through public acts of shaming and discrimination.

Then again, petrolheads across the world are always accused of being obnoxious, old-fashioned, and difficult to talk to/understand. With good reason too; just look at all the angsty crap that happens on this website alone! Let alone all the obnoxious car enthusiasts you’ll find on Facebook and other social media; CT “haters” are vanilla compared to those.

07/28/2017 - 03:57 |
20 | 0

even on CT there is the problem already and you can’t deny it

07/28/2017 - 03:59 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

LGBTQRSTUV23+$?

07/28/2017 - 04:22 |
80 | 4
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

just making sure to include everybody

07/28/2017 - 04:23 |
12 | 2
Vanos-TEC

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

You forgot 2×7=14BBQ+

07/28/2017 - 07:04 |
36 | 2
DL🏁

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Why are you excluding my gender from this?! I demand you add AH for Attack Helicopter

07/28/2017 - 07:27 |
62 | 4
momo (LGBTQ) (bisexual)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

LQBTQ2AP+ is the official term lmao

07/28/2017 - 09:55 |
4 | 18
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Sounds like a Chinese car.

07/28/2017 - 10:45 |
38 | 2
Puppy The Cat (lazy squad)

You know , as a bisexual , i can say i would really be mad if someone insulted me or damaged my car because of that , BUT i dont care about a burnout on a crosswalks (maybe it wasnt even made on purpose) or richard hammond making a joke ( considering top gear make joke about everything , including nazi)
People REALLY need to grow up and stop being offended by everything

07/28/2017 - 04:46 |
100 | 0

There is a logical connection between “crosswalks” and “burnouts” and that is… wait for it… “The traffic light”! But there would be no conflict, so the rainbow must have been the reason for the burnout.

07/28/2017 - 08:27 |
22 | 0

Of course you don’t care about it, because you think it had no offensive purpose (as I do).
But if you really can’t see why someone who thinks it did should be mad, that’s quite bad.

07/28/2017 - 18:43 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

[DELETED]

07/28/2017 - 05:07 |
0 | 0
Dat Incredible Chadkake

That must be difficult to drive around as a car enthusiast in your town after some hooligan decided to do a burnout on the rainbow sidewalk, bet you got some dirty looks

07/28/2017 - 06:01 |
8 | 0