Yahoo comments

[Rhonda Jean]

Just about all of us would agree that we encounter little if any serious negativity in public. Maybe we just don't notice, maybe people are just polite, maybe we choose our venues to increase the likelihood of a positive experience. I've only recently stated using Yahoo. I'm sure I checked some box that indicated I'm interested in LGBTQ issues, so I see new ones every day, and I usually read some of the comments. Despite my own personal belief that we've made a lot of progress toward acceptance, that's certainly not what's indicated in those comments. They're nearly 100% extremely anti-gay, anti-trans. I'm aware that there are very identifiable individuals, groups, settings where we'd likely get some negative reaction or worse, but the overwhelming hate in these comments is surprising and worrisome.

Another thing. Just as I must have clicked some box indicating that I wanted to see LGBTQ content, I suppose these people did, too. They wanted to see this content so they could get mad about it and comment on it. Are people that motivated to keep their level of hatred continuously stoked? I've often thought that the people who hate the loudest and the men who are violent toward women are actually gay, and scared to death that somebody will know. They lash out violently as an outlet, and to try to prove what a righteous bad ass they are.

I go out a lot either full fem or some mixture (usually a mixture). I think about it a little more and am a little more aware since I started reading those comments.

[Sidney]

Sadly in this world we live in hate is becoming the new norm. It is not just the LGBT group that is having hate directed to it. Your hated by some for you religious beliefs, your political beliefs, racially motivated hate. The list can go on and on.

Fortunately hate is not something we are born with. Unfortunately hate is something that some people are taught.

If everyone would treat others the way they want to be treated the world would be a beautiful place to live in.

[Krisi]

I don't think "hate is becoming the new norm", I think society has always frowned on people who don't fit the norm like gay and lesbians, crossdressers, transexuals, etc. The difference is that with social media, people can hide behind their keyboards and post comments that they wouldn't normally say in public. Also, there is a lot more awareness because some of these people are publicizing their behavior.

It's a shame, for sure, but times change and we have to live with the changes.

[alwayshave]

Comment sections on web sites draw the most extreme of people on both sides of the political spectrum. I usually discount them.

[Micki_Finn]

“Conversion therapy” tortures kids into saying they’re straight and you’re surprised about vitriol on the internet?

Look, the internet doesn’t amplify the most common voices, it amplifies the most extreme. What you see there is NOT reflective of real life.

[Robertacd]

Don't take "comments" on stories seriously. The anonymity posting provides lets people be rude a-holes just to be rude. In fact just don't bother reading them unless you WANT to get upset.

[Suranne]

Back in the day, before social media we used to meet in person, in bars and places like that. There someone might say something daft, hurtful even, at which point they'd suffer a tirade from the group as to how wrong-headed they were being. And they'd think, yeah, I am daft aren't I. Nowadays, with social media, that social element has gone, so people, in the privacy of their own screen, say what they think and instead of being cast down, someone pops up and agrees with them, and so a viscious circle ensues. The easiest way to deal with it all is simply rise above it and ignore it.

[Stephanie47]

I rarely read the comments below any article. I noticed several years ago many news outlets stopped the comment page. Many times I am asked to offer a review of a product which is published after it is reviewed. It's easy for a person to hide behind a computer screen. This site and others my wife and I peruse do have moderators to delete crap.

These people will also make hurtful comments towards others in person. I have a tendency to let people ramble on and on when he or she directs hostility towards others. If you do not immediately say something to the contrary, they believe you believe as they do. I sort of let them hang themselves, and, then hammer them. I do not want them in my circle of friends.

[Rhonda Jean]

“Conversion therapy” tortures kids into saying they’re straight and you’re surprised about vitriol on the internet?

I don't see the correlation. Yes, I am surprised about the vitriol, or at least the near-unanimous nature of it.

[Tracii G]

Keep in mind not all the hate is coming from the straight people out there.
Trans people can be just as bad.

[Teresa]

Tracii,
I don't believe it is all straight people making the comments more like screwed up people motivated by so many odd reasons . It's why I don't visit social media sites , it might be called social but most are very anti-social , over the years one or two have infiltrated the forum thankfully they're not around long .

Being faceless means they can also be gutless , it's very sad really .

[Aunt Kelly]

“Conversion therapy” tortures kids into saying they’re straight and you’re surprised about vitriol on the internet?

Look, the internet doesn’t amplify the most common voices, it amplifies the most extreme. What you see there is NOT reflective of real life.

Quite so. I manage the Facebook page for a trans advocacy/education group. It attracts haters on a daily basis. Some demonstrate how pathetic they are by posting comments. The rest you can get by viewing their own pages. As I say, most are pathetic, but a few are scary. Even so, there are nowhere near enough of them to demonstrate a significant portion of society as a whole. I ban the worst of them, but just ignore the majority.

[kimdl93]

Not so long I was listening to a podcast...think it was TechNation, in which a person managed to track down and confront a particularly cruel troll. The troll was mortified to be confronted with the person he sought to abuse. He (isn?t it always a he) proved to be a predictably spineless creature, venting his own life frustrations through his vile conduct.

[kimdl93]

I would never place much stock in what people post in on-line comment sections. Trolls are there for one purpose, and that is their own amusement. They seek reactions. So, as the saying goes, dont feed the trolls.

[cdinmd206]

No matter how hard we try not everyone is going to welcome us with open arms. There will always be those who think anyone that is different from them are perverts and lots of other derogatory things. Just remember that all the laws that have been passed only say they can not discriminate against us. The laws do not say they have to like us. If someone does not like you that is their problem. Walk away with your head held high.

[Pumped]

I would like to believe that, in general, people are more accepting that they have been in the past. The problem with the internet is everyone is fairly anonymous so you get more than you bargain for. Also there is so much information and connections available. Thirty years ago you were in you own little word, so to speak. Today we have the whole world at our finger tips.

Thirty years ago if you made a comment just one or two, or maybe a few people heard it. Today you post on the internet and it is read buy hundreds or thousands of people.

[Paulie Birmingham]

We are a pretty divided country with people making hateful comments on every side of a argument. I stopped reading most comments.

I don't put bumper stickers on my vehicles because there will be some Jack who will disagree and damage my vehicle.