Gays and Bigotry

big·ot - a person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance


I hear this term thrown around a lot in regards to people who don't support gay marriage or gay lifestyles.  It's a cop-out by people who can't have a reasonable conversation and reduce themselves to name calling.  A bigot, according to the Marriam-Webster dictionary, is someone who treats members of a group of people with hatred or intolerance.  This does NOT describe the anti-gay marriage groups that I know.  There are several types of anti-gay marriage people that I know...

1. Supports the gay lifestyle, but thinks marriage is between a man and a woman.
2. Believes that the gay lifestyle is wrong and unnatural, but supports their rights as individuals to live their life the way they want to.
3. Doesn't support homosexuality and thinks it is wrong and damaging to society.
4. Hates homosexuality and anyone who supports it.

For the most part, the people that I know are #1 and #2.  I am aware of some #3s, but none of these are technically 'bigots'.  The only people that can be classified as bigots in the list above are #4s.  These people refuse to listen to reason, as the definition states, and choose to hate.

So next time someone says that they don't support gay marriage, try to listen to their reason for it instead of reducing yourself to childish name calling.  It shows your ignorance.