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Striving for equality: Why Bulbagarden is taking a pro-LGBTQ stance

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fahru999

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I haven't been on this account in like ages, but I came back to wholeheartedly thank the bulba staff for this!
I'm not Gay or Bi, I consider myself more of a Pansexual. And I think it's fine that people don't like Homos.
I myself don't like anyone who thinks I'm wrong. As well as Whites and the Vatican.

Key word here is THINK. I can think about anything and everything I want, it's my mind. But as soon as I let these thoughts travel down from my brain and fly outta my mouth, I can't be upset when someone get's even more upset than I am.

It's perfectly fine to not like another group for reasons you think are wrong, what's not fine is making sure that group lives in fear and treated like a second-rate human. I personally may hate white people a lot, but it would be SUPER wrong of me to not give then the common respect a fellow human deserves.

Here's something my Mama thought me when I was a wee girl: "You can hate anybody and anything you want, just keep it to yourself and ignore them. Why waste time on something or someone you hate?"

But what do I know? If people really have problem with other folks having sex and loving someone of the same sex, then sex and love should totally be outlawed. No one should have sex/love anyone, ever. I think that would solve the homophobic's problem. LOL

With that said, thank bulba staff! I'm very glad you made this policy, no one should be engaging in the act of tormenting anyone else for whatever reason.

you got the point
this is what I wanted to say, but it's hard to put it in my mind
nor I having a problem with people like that....

and again, sorry if my post hurting most of you
maybe if we can meet eye-to-eye, we can more understanding each other :)
 

ZeldaFan13

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I'd be more in favor of your new policy if you ended it with the first paragraph: "...Bulbagarden, as a Pokémon fansite; shouldn't be taking [a] stance on political issues."

I, like many pokemon playing parents, use this site to stay competitive with (*ahem*, whup the stuffin out of) the neigborhood boys who play pokemon with my teenage daughters. It's great way to build relationships / assess character with the neighborhood kids.

Sexuality (of whatever stripe) is not an apropriate topic of discussion for a site which focuses on a video game marketed to early teens. I strongly urge bulba* staff to keep the site pokemon focused and sexually/politically silent. "Pro-whatever" is not apropriate for a children's game.

-Dad

Sexuality is exposed to Children Everyday. Heterosexuality is a sexual orientation too... And kids see that everyday. So Showing any other sexualities isn't any different. Unless you're closed minded and don't wanna teach your kids love and acceptance... -_-

-----

Let me see if I have this correct:

Pretty much nothing is actually going to change about the forums other than an increase in protection of people's rights. There's not going to be a massive movement to inform people about homosexuality nor will people be posting pictures of themselves with their partners in every thread. The forums will remain a Pokemon based forum with the same people that have been here all along. The only change will be a more inviting atmosphere for everyone.

This is all true, correct?

I must disagree to a certain degree: If the passing of this new policy were to be unannounced, we wouldn't be having this discussion right now and what you've said (that there would be a more inviting atmosphere for everyone) would be correct. However, some genius thought it'd be a good idea to broadcast the policy change on Bulbanews, so here we are.

So, are you saying that we should never even mention homosexuality on this forum? Even in the shipping threads, where heterosexual and homosexual shippings are discussed? Should we also just ignore a gay teen who makes a blog post saying that he's depressed, and possibly allow him or her to commit suicide instead?

Besides, what exactly is "the open act of homosexuality?" I'm kinda confused here. I didn't know that having feelings for someone of the same sex as you as opposed to the opposite sex was an "act."

Apart from the shipping section, where discussions are inevitable due to the romantic nature of the threads (and, I assume, threads are relatively separated and organized according to their natures), yes, homosexuality should remain unmentioned and wholly ignored. As for this blog of which you speak, I am one quite unacquainted with the medium and its relation to Bulbagarden Forums/ Bulbapedia, therefore please don't consider it as contextual to my statements.

As for your question: By "open act of homosexuality" I mean the obvious displayed actions associated strictly with the lifestyle (again, such as a male stating in a news article of his that he's attracted to another male). If I may be so technical, I'd like to remind you that "to have" and "to state" are verbs, and therefore, actions ("acts").

So it's perfectly fine to show kids Heterosexuality all the time? But simply speak of Homosexuality ONCE is bad? That's a very ignorant and hypocritical double standard. And I find it disgusting that you're such a bigot.
 
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Rapps

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I don't really post here, I just use the wiki a lot for reference, but I had to post just to express my gratitude.

I'm gay, but I don't allow it to define me. I'm normal just like anyone else, and the fact that I like other guys shouldn't mean I deserve to be excluded from anything, much less a fandom that I adore. Thank you so much for supporting myself and others like me, you have no idea how much little things like this help us.
 

sonic10158

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I a not homosexual, bisexual, etc. but I support them 100%. It is stupid to think that anyone who is "different" should not be treated equally. Nothing makes me angrier than to see things like this happen, whether it be someone denying someone else something based on sexuality, race, religion, etc or someone simply stereotyping (like, since I am a Southern Christian, some people like to look down on me). It also makes me angry to see someone use 'gay' as a derogatory term (like when someone says that '_____ is gay' when what they mean is that something is bad).

I wish that we could all get along, from Religious people and Non-religious people, from the straight crowd to the LGBT-crowd. We are all human.


:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: Bulbagarden!!
 

Haruhist

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That is why I am againsts homosexuALITY, but not against homosexuALS. Everyone needs love, and it is only in God's hands to judge, NOT OUR OWN. I will allow others to live their lives, fighting only with prayer.
"IlovethesinnerbutIhatethesin" is such a pathetic way of trying to justify the pogrom of homosexuals and hide bigotry, also towards so many other groups that are unwanted in some way, but homosexuals are target one.
Let's play with that argument a little; How about if a neo-nazi were to say "I love the human but I hate Judaism and black skin".
Not very convincing, is it?
Also cut the "God wants" already; It's the most pathetic excuse of an argument. I could just claim that Haruhi Suzumiya wants gay marriages and it'd be as good agrument as that. And pleading to religion and moral perceptions that are thousands of years old is irresponsible, naive and immoral.
 

Giovanni Sakaki

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Love cannot tolerate what does harm to those they love. Therefore, if I love the world, I must hate what would do the world harm, even if it costs me my own life.

i do not like how you just completely ruin my wonderful statement by adding your bigoted opinions. please, if you will, keep your mouth shut and debate your opinions elsewhere.


Lady Lucifer, try and understand Nuvakat's statement before you shut her down like that. I am all for Bulbagarden's stance and LGBT rights too, but it will help no-one and tear all of us apart if we cannot learn to place ourselves in another person's shoes and try to see 'where they are coming from' when we engage in debate.

Nuvakat's statement, which you so rudely refused to address (you just told her to shut up) , was politely and elegantly articulated. It seemed to be born out of a desire that you might be able to understand her opinion.

If you are determined to espouse a position, then you must be prepared to debate it politely and with compassionate integrity. If you really want equal rights for all, you must be prepared to tolerate people you disagree with.

I wish that we could all get along, from Religious people and Non-religious people, from the straight crowd to the LGBT-crowd. We are all human.


:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: Bulbagarden!!

^_^ Yes exactly, we should try and respect each other.
 
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D

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Love cannot tolerate what does harm to those they love. Therefore, if I love the world, I must hate what would do the world harm, even if it costs me my own life.
i do not like how you just completely ruin my wonderful statement by adding your bigoted opinions. please, if you will, keep your mouth shut and debate your opinions elsewhere.
Lady Lucifer, try and understand Nuvakat's statement before you shut her down like that. I am all for Bulbagarden's stance and LGBT rights too, but it will help no-one and tear all of us apart if we cannot learn to place ourselves in another person's shoes and try to see 'where they are coming from' when we engage in debate.
Nuvakat's statement, which you so rudely refused to address (you just told her to shut up) , was politely and elegantly articulated. It seemed to be born out of a desire that you might be able to understand her opinion.
If you are determined to espouse a position, then you must be prepared to debate it politely and with compassionate integrity. If you really want equal rights for all, you must be prepared to tolerate people you disagree with.
I wish that we could all get along, from Religious people and Non-religious people, from the straight crowd to the LGBT-crowd. We are all human.
:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: Bulbagarden!!
^_^ Yes exactly, we should try and respect each other.

As much as i empathize with the need for polite and understanding discussion, i must (for lack of better words) disagree with your statements.
I disagree on the matter because, while sure, there are two or more sides to every issue, on the topic of gay rights or the acceptance of homosexuality, the "anti" side is not only wrong, but also detrimental to society. The "Love the sinner, hate the sin" and "Well i feel it's wrong and that's my opinion and that's okay" mentality are the sparks that have been the cause of countless gay hate crimes, restriction of rights, suicides by gay people, and even laws in many countries where being gay, being perceived as gay, or even supporting gay rights can legally land you in jail or a death sentence. The issue of gay rights and accepting homosexuality is so much less about politics, and more about the humanity of a specified minority group of the world. I don't think that people opposed to gay marriage or who feel that homosexuality is a negative understand just how destructive their opinions and stances are to people and society as a whole, also because they have no logical reasoning behind it. In the end, thinking homosexuality is unhealthy or immoral is the equivalent of racism and sexism. all of which have no positive influence in society and should be discouraged in all forms. This is why this pro-LGBTQ stance is so important. Thinking that homosexuality is immoral is not something to be respected.
 

Satoshi-chan

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Nuvakat's statement, which you so rudely refused to address (you just told her to shut up) , was politely and elegantly articulated. It seemed to be born out of a desire that you might be able to understand her opinion.

Yeah, because linking to a website that uses the phrase "homosexual/gay agenda" multiple times is polite. A same article that opens with a mention of a press release from a known anti-gay hate group. An article that also says that the life expectancy of gay men is around 40, because of HIV/AIDS (as taken from the hate group's report). That's as polite and elegant as urinating in your town's water supply. That would be like saying in a Christian-support thread "oh, I worry about you Christians," and posting a link to a "facts about Christians" article hosted on an anti-Christian site that was written and complied by Al Qaeda members.
 
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skinst

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Had to sign up and comment on this when I saw it.

Thank you.

I am a massive supporter of gay rights (although not gay myself) and a hater of discrimination. This was a fantastic thing to read, especially on my birthday.

Kudos to you all.
 

Takoto

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As an openly bisexual/leaning towards women girl with gender dysphoria, this addition to the rules, I think, is wonderful. It means anyone can now be themselves on here if they wish and not worry about being discriminated or insulted because of who they are. U wU

More forums should take this stance in my opinion. Homophobia and Transphobia is a big problem in society today, even in very liberal cities and countries there is still a lot of homophobic and transphobic-related bullying to young people (and even older people, in the work place, and such- there isn't less of it, it's just less reported on), both IRL and on the internet.
 

TeraDyne

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I applaud and thank Bulbagarden for taking such a stance. As someone who's omnisexual (read: "attraction to others despite any classification of gender") and identifies as unisexed, this is a great thing to see. … However, I do have to admit that the wording of the announcement and everything irked me a little. I think it would have been better to say "We at Bulbagarden are taking a heavy anti-discrimination/anti-bullying/anti-hate stance", and then listing off some of the ways which people are discriminated against. The way it is now feels like you're saying "believe what you want, but unless you agree with us, keep your mouth shut outside of specific areas." Yes, that is what I've gotten out of both of the topics.

I'm glad you took a stand against what's going on, but generalizing the message would have been much better in the long haul (and might have resulted in less drama). On other sites, I've seen people attacked for more petty things, and who have been attacked for other aspects of their being. For example, I myself had been attacked numerous times on YouTube for being dragonkin (prior to shutting down my original channel), and a few friends of mine have been attacked on other forums for things that I won't post here out of respect for them. Does that make it any different from being bullied for my gender or sexual orientation? Not really.

Hate is hate, and I don't see how dragging out a specific type of hate to prove a point is a good thing. That's just me, though. Take it as you will.

(So that no one is confused: Identifying as Otherkin is not a choice. Like with sexual orientation, it's something that the individuals come to realize and understand about themselves. It defines part of who and what we are.)
 

The Eleventh

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I felt I had to join solely to say thanks. I don't frequent these forums, but I'm a regular reader of Bulbapedia and Bulbanews. This announcement is really heartening. I hope that other websites (and the world!) follow in your wonderful example. This is so brilliant to see.
 

an illegible mess.

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Lady Lucifer, try and understand Nuvakat's statement before you shut her down like that. I am all for Bulbagarden's stance and LGBT rights too, but it will help no-one and tear all of us apart if we cannot learn to place ourselves in another person's shoes and try to see 'where they are coming from' when we engage in debate.

Nuvakat's statement, which you so rudely refused to address (you just told her to shut up) , was politely and elegantly articulated. It seemed to be born out of a desire that you might be able to understand her opinion.

If you are determined to espouse a position, then you must be prepared to debate it politely and with compassionate integrity. If you really want equal rights for all, you must be prepared to tolerate people you disagree with.

while i appreciate your concern on this subject, i have already had much more discrimination than that. and, to be honest, i think you're be hypocritical saying you stand up for lgbt rights yet support someone who's homophobic. i agree with satoshi-kun and sunshinebuddy.

i DO understand their side. i understand it as a cruel choice that they made because of what they believed in. there is a choice between religion and sticking to the holy scriptures that you are given to read, or there is another choice where you can branch off from that religious group and go to another religion that approves of your beliefs. some christian branches don't mind homosexuality; take the episcopal branch for example. for the longest time i was in that branch of christianity before feeling it was not my place and discovering laveyan satanism. i now consider myself a laveyan satanist.

but, i digress. maybe i was a bit too harsh.
 

Sith Droideka

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I think it's bizarre that a Pokémon fansite is taking a stance on political matters, but whatever, I approve. As far as I'm concerned, hate is not something the world needs more of, and as little as this forum can really do, maybe it'll affect some teenager's thought processes (and I speak somewhat from experience).

And to the religious guys: I sympathize, but just let it go. There are far worse things in the world to be concerned about, and LGBTQ concerns isn't one of them. It doesn't matter if you think they're in the right or just making noise; fundies and radicals are even worse for all religions, and I think anyone that knows about history would agree with me.

So congrats Archaic and co. But just a little reminder: just because Romney claims he's anti-LGBTQ, remember he's a flip-floppy politician. Using a good thing to support a political party solely because of their social platform is very slimy and somewhat unwise (as in worse than Romney and the Republicans).
 

Reshiram Lv. 9 and under

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I just feel the need to say on behalf of all Christians, right-wingers, etc. that while I'm not "pro-LGBTP", I'm wholeheartedly against the discrimination thereof.
I may disapprove of their actions, but those actions can't stop them from being fundamentally good people. Also, keeping them from getting married won't discourage those actions. I think there's a compromise that needs to be reached on this issue.
Moreover, childishly discriminating against them can only hurt; it can't "convert" them or whatever. Evil only begets more evil.
More lightly, does anyone mind if I use my own quote (that last sentence) in my sig? That was a pretty solid quote.
 

Fig

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I think it's bizarre that a Pokémon fansite is taking a stance on political matters, but whatever, I approve. As far as I'm concerned, hate is not something the world needs more of, and as little as this forum can really do, maybe it'll affect some teenager's thought processes (and I speak somewhat from experience).

And to the religious guys: I sympathize, but just let it go. There are far worse things in the world to be concerned about, and LGBTQ concerns isn't one of them. It doesn't matter if you think they're in the right or just making noise; fundies and radicals are even worse for all religions, and I think anyone that knows about history would agree with me.

So congrats Archaic and co. But just a little reminder: just because Romney claims he's anti-LGBTQ, remember he's a flip-floppy politician. Using a good thing to support a political party solely because of their social platform is very slimy and somewhat unwise (as in worse than Romney and the Republicans).

The stance we are taking is not about Romney or Obama. A man or another will win the election, and he will take the decisions he will.

It's about giving teenagers who got a rough deal out of life and society one place where they can be themselves - all of themselves.

It's about doing a little bit of good in this world.
 

jman21

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I am so tempted to say what i'm thinking right now, but i know that everybody on here will eat me alive. So ya'll have fun with this.
 

Garren

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For example, I myself had been attacked numerous times on YouTube for being dragonkin (prior to shutting down my original channel), and a few friends of mine have been attacked on other forums for things that I won't post here out of respect for them. Does that make it any different from being bullied for my gender or sexual orientation? Not really.

No, don't compare being homosexual or transsexual to being part-dragon. :/

Because dragons don't exist, and there's no way you were born a dragon in a human's body, sorry.
 

Eevee

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I may disapprove of their actions, but those actions can't stop them from being fundamentally good people. Also, keeping them from getting married won't discourage those actions. I think there's a compromise that needs to be reached on this issue.
Why is anyone's choice of partner an "issue" that requires your approval or compromise? Why do you even feel the need to proactively announce your judgment of who other people should be dating? Fairly presumptuous of you.

I have a list of criteria a prospective girlfriend of yours must meet for me to approve of the relationship, if you'd care to hear it.

Because dragons don't exist, and there's no way you were born a dragon in a human's body, sorry.
Granted, but if this thread is about anything, it's that this is probably not worth making a big deal over either.
 
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