Colleague said something homophobic

That's why I don't deal with them because of the intolerant behavior but they will say that I'm intolerant

That's why I don't deal with them because of the intolerant behavior but they will say that I'm intolerant

Go on then, humour me; tell me your arguments and I'll happily take apart each one.

Why should I tolerate you? When you're disagreement help contribute towards unnecessary pain and suffering?

You insult me to try and make me stop voicing my opinion and you hypocrites pretend you are for free speech

another homophobe spotted

Yes I am a homophobe because I defended someone's right to an opinion without others slapping an incorrect label on it. I already highlighted the difference between what real homophobes say and what the lady said. If you have a different definition, good for you.

I noticed a few people talking about how this balloon lady is discriminating... strange, there was no mention in OP's post about the lady treating gay people differently whenever she comes into contact with them. People just... assumed that was happening because that's what assumptions the labelling promotes, even though we've no idea if that's true or not. Weird.

That's not homophobia. That's her opinion and she's entitled to it. Stop trying to label people's opinions. Just because you disagree with her doesn't make her opinion any less valid than yours. Homophobia would be if she said she hates gay people, wanted to kill them because they were gay etc.

At work today, we have a woman who is in our store every saturday morning, we pay her to make balloons and facepaint for customers with little kids. I talked to her for the first time today and she said something homophobic to me ("it's just wrong to be gay" I wanted to smack her... I do not tolerate homophobia at all and especially not at work.

What should I do? She is not a normal employee she is almost like a 'contractor' person I guess.

Who said I am for free speech? Stop considering us as a homogeneous group. I never even clarified that.

I'm happy for you to voice your opinions over a forum, like this one, right now, but by all means am I going to criticise it.

Now do you, or do you not, contribute to the stigma surrounding homosexuality in society, or this world even, which consequently increases depression and suicide rates? I want an answer here.

Do you contribute to the stigma then?

You insult me to try and make me stop voicing my opinion

Thank you for putting one more homophobe on my ignore list

Inform her that homosexuality is not a choice and present in many animal species, therefore not wrong.

Tell her that discriminating on the basis of someone's sexual preferences is what's wrong.

Gonna play devil's advocate here, but I remember reading something like the estimate number of gay people as a percentage of global population is like 1.5%, which statistically makes it more akin to a disease or defect than "perfectly natural".

Gonna play devil's advocate here, but I remember reading something like the estimated number of gay people as a percentage of global population is like 1.5%, which statistically makes it more akin to a disease or defect than "perfectly natural".

Oh please, if someone said, "it's just wrong to be black" there would be outrage, they would be branded a racist and probably fired if it occurred in the workplace.

If she is hurling it at you, unwarrented, unprovoked, as harrasment: report her to your boss.

If the lady just spoke her opinion as part of conversation: tut, shake your head, and continue with your life. Debate her even; do anything that doesn't equate to you punishing her for having an alternative view.

Move on with your life.

How is that homophobic? That is her opinion and she's entitled to it. I agree with her.

If you're going to take issue with every idiot you encounter in your life, you're going to lead a miserable existence

how did that come up into the conversation?

Gonna play devil's advocate here, but I remember reading something like the estimated number of gay people as a percentage of global population is like 1.5%, which statistically makes it more akin to a disease or defect than "perfectly natural".

At work today, we have a woman who is in our store every saturday morning, we pay her to make balloons and facepaint for customers with little kids. I talked to her for the first time today and she said something homophobic to me ("it's just wrong to be gay") I wanted to smack her... I do not tolerate homophobia at all and especially not at work.

What should I do? She is not a normal employee she is almost like a 'contractor' person I guess.

The same way that you'd confront any views that you think you can find holes in- challenge it. The only way for humans to develop as a collective of individuals is to challenge each other's views- so that we can develop. By ignoring or reporting your colleague, you aren't helping the bigger picture. Honestly- I'd see this as an opportunity to help someone, to see why they think what they think- and if you think you can prove her wrong, then do it. Of course, make sure you do this professionally and appropriately so you don't lose your job.