A Brief Rant About Homophobia In The Car Community

27 Jul 2017

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.

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.

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.

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.

Comments

[COMMENT DELETED]

No kidding I can’t stand all that straight propaganda being paraded around and being shoved in my face all the time. I mean we get it, your breeders, but you don’t have to go flaunting your disgusting lifestyle down our throats all the time.

IDK is like there isn’t a poorly made piss beer add with big chested women and instead is a man in a jock strap with a quality stout it’s an immediate offense to a whole group of people.

See how silly you sound?

So, you got all worked up over a few burnouts and quips by three blokes who’ve built their recent careers on being firmly un-PC? Call me apathetic, but I’d rather save my rants for something more substantial than a few brief happenings that could be interpreted as an insult (only if one was determined to be offended). If nothing else, it’d be nice if we kept politics away from an online car community, and left it to political sites.

The thing is, there is nothing wrong with them being homosexual, but I do not understand this whole thing. Just live as normal people, do things that normal people do. Don’t paint sidewalks and go in fricking parades.
We, straight people, don’t go on parades telling everyone that. They need to chill a bit. And those jokes are funny, I’m sure they are not really meant to offend the actual homosexual people lol.

In most cases like this offence is not given but taken

U done with virtue signaling yet?

I think ppl need to tell the difference between calling some is straight gay and being homophobic. Ik some ppl may not be able to tell the difference but there is one. Im sure most ppl reading this have uses the word “gay” as in insult, myself included, but 99% of ppl who have have never directed it towards a gay person. I’ve never actually seen someone put down a gay person for being gay.

What is wrong with this world. It used to be so simple. It wasn’t about being straight or gay or whatever you are it. It was just being human. Boys liked girls and vice versa. Human anatomy disagrees with everything going on nowadays.

I have to say that this has been the most pleasant read of the day. You sir…have your head on right.

Nothing brings out the self righteousness of the heterosexual community than the issue of gay “rights.” No one chooses his or her sexuality. Think about that. Around the world laws have been enacted to forbid homosexuals from any number of activities that heterosexuals take for granted: hospital visitation, financial benefits, military service and yes, marriage. The list goes on. If the gay community seems a little sensitive to a burnout in a rainbow colored crosswalk, it’s because they’ve suffered a millennia of subtle and not-so subtle discrimination, harassment, physical violence and death due to their sexuality. Many claim they have no issue with gays “as long as they keep it to themselves.” Many gays would agree. Indeed, the world would be a much calmer, kinder place if everyone minded their own adult, consensual, sexual business. The problem lies with the governments and the religious extremists who share a disturbing compulsion to dictate morality to a very specific minority. Even more disturbing is the belief that they have an obligation to do so. So, yeah, if the gay community seems to be overreacting to a burnout in a crosswalk, it’s because history shows that silence equals discrimination, detention and death. The gay community has never sought “special” rights, just equality and, more specifically, equal protection under the law. I consider myself a proud, gay petrolhead. It shouldn’t be necessary to have to make such a declaration. In light of some of the “enlightened” comments made here, it seems sadly and absolutely required. Homosexuality is normal, it’s just not common.