The problems arise becuase people may interprete the word 'tolerance' differently.
I think that's exactly right. I've gotten used to characters whose "tolerance" for people who are different is little different from my "tolerance" for George W. Bush: I find him completely ignorant, loathsome and repugnant and sincerely wish I didn't have to deal with him, but I respect his right to exist. That's it. I've also found that the kind of bigotry that bothers me most doesn't come from people like members of the KKK. It comes from the people who see themselves as open-minded, but don't realize how prejudiced they really are. People who KNOW they have bigoted views are easier to educate than the ones who simply refuse to see it. Therefore, I'm a bit suspicious of those who feel the need to prove to me how "tolerant" they are of people like me while, at the same time, saying/doing ignorant things.
It is also a fact that especially many heterosexual males who don't care about religious moralism nevertheless are æsthetically turned off by homosexuality...
*g* And somewhat paradoxically, the vast majority of these same men would be downright tickled to watch me make out with a woman. Go figure.
When we're talking about stupid expressions, I think the most absurd is "gay lifestyle." What, pray tell, is that?
Beats the heck out of me. If homosexuality is just about sex, then why, praytell, am I still a virgin?
*Rochelle the Eternally Perplexed.
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"Most men complacently accept 'knowledge' as 'truth'. They are sheep, ruled by fear."
-- Sydney Losstarot, "Vagrant Story."