#fandom problem 14368

[damnfandomproblems]

Fandom Problem #14,368:

I didn't used to believe heterophobia existed before I engaged in fandom, but now I absolutely do.

Now, before anyone bites my head off, I am not saying it exists in the real world the way homophobia does (in the sense that people disown their family members if they find out they're straight or entire countries banning straight marriage, though I have honestly come across people in fandom I would totally believe would love to live in a world like that, despite claiming how "inclusive" they are), I'm talking about exclusively in fandom. Heterophobes are those who feel completely at ease bashing and bullying m/f ships and people who ship them simply because they're straight, or even go as extreme as acting like shipping any m/f ship, even if it's canon (sometimes especially if it's canon, cause then you're supporting the heteronormative agenda) automatically makes you a homophobe and an evil person. And even if an m/f ship DOES somehow get popular among these people in fandom, it can never ever be seen as a straight ship, oh no; the characters are both bi or pan or (somehow) lesbians, or one or both of them are trans, or they're put in a polyship with the popular m/m ship, or they're queer platonic, or any other number of hoops to jump through just so that the ship is "okay" to ship. These people will do anything and everything to justify their liking for an m/f ship EXCEPT just admit they like a straight ship (and if they somehow do admit it as a straight ship they will then claim it is the ONLY example done right). They do what homophobes do and criticize anyone for daring to suggest romance between two characters that are just friends in canon, spouting "why can't a boy and a girl ever just have a platonic relationship?", and isolate fans who ship them. They write rants and essays about how an m/f ship is terrible and badly written, but endlessly gush about an m/m ship in the same fandom that's written exactly the same way.

Homophobes believe they are justified in their hatred because they think being queer is evil. The people who act as I have described above think they are justified in their behavior because they think being queer is the only thing stopping someone from being evil. So tell me, what term is a more accurate description for them than "heterophobe"?

[damnfandomproblems]

Response thread for Fandom Problem #14,368:

(Currently 9 replies)

Reply 1 - Anon

Ow boy, a second one? Good luck everyone. The LGBTQIA+ community is coming for your necks if you dare to agree that, discrimination based on someone's sexual when that person is straight, is wrong and a phobia. Nobody tell them that there are other forms of discrimination besides systemic discrimination. What also needs to be called out and destroyed. But it doesn't erase other forms of discrimination.

Reply 2 - Anon

General observation Lots of submissions atm complaining about how straight ships are bashed etc. Many might be ragebait, but the way y'all behave in the comments unfortunately shows that those people have a bit of a point. Being hateful doesn't help anyone's case...

Reply 3 - Anon

I don't fully agree with OP and also dislike the use of "heterophobia", but the amount of "Oh, so you think Hets suffer the same way as queer people do???" even as OP clarified that they DON'T think it's comparable to real life at all is annoying me. omg. Read the Problem!

Reply 4 - Anon

OP of problem #14368: I'll admit when I saw this posted my first thought was "oh no, here we go", cause after one of the problems posted a few days ago (by someone else, not me, but about a similar topic) and the absolute shitstorm that went up in the comments and replies of that one, I was bracing myself for the same thing happening here. But I'm honestly glad to see that's not been the case so far. Even the people who disagreed with my take or use of words ended up getting into very interesting and actually civil discussions with other commenters. It's nice to see people can communicate even after their initial kneejerk negative reactions, when someone actually talks to them out of genuine intent to share other perspectives rather than just spouting insults or being snarky and dismissive. And yes I'll admit this much: this whole problem is probably one that's only really apparent when you spend too much time online and among specific circles of fandom. I still think most fandoms in general have an irrational (but understandable) aversion to het ships, as I see people in non-fandom-specific poll blogs freely and even proudly claim to hate all het ships on principle or express disgust at straight people existing in fandom, BUT my personal experiences were mostly based on a certain circle in my fandom that I already knew I didn't agree with and disliked, and I've since blocked the users of that circle and avoided going near them since I sent this submission. It has made me a bit lonelier, as it's harder to find people in the fandom who are more chill about my opinions and ships and are also actually active, but it's definitely been better for my peace of mind and my enjoyment of the media.

Reply 5 - Anon

The sheer amount of people who stand up and claim with their full chest "why yes i am a raging asshole to perfectly innocent people 😘" lately is astounding

Reply 6 - Anon

"Ugh another bait post, hetrophobia doesn't exist, get over yourself!" I straight up got called a blight on humanity, was told to kill myself and got kicked from a server based on my OTP (which was m/m) because I'm in a het relationship with a cis guy (which also apparently meant I was lying about being pan and supported killing gay and trans kids???)

Reply 7 - Anon

I'm cranky and can't see more of this bullshit without speaking up. So here's the deal: Can't stand people calling you a "racist" if you make fun of white people? Calling you "heterophobic" if you make fun of straight people? Calling you "misandrist" if you make fun of men? Then you better get comfortable calling yourself "prejudiced" instead. There is no way, again, NO way, you can opt out of using a shitty label when you're being a shitty person. Your asshole behavior might not be systemic, but you're still an asshole. Get your heads out of your asses and stop being in such deep denial about it. Or maybe reflect on the fact that if you're denying it so damn much, maybe you know deep down that it's wrong, and that whatever funnies and entertainment you get out of it isn't actually worth it.

Reply 8 - Anon

Why do people even now, and who we know have seen people explain the problem with what they say loud and clear before, continue to insist on saying "just block them", like it somehow magically makes the problem that warrants the blocking in the first place go away? Think about it. Someone submits a post about how they get death threats. "Just block them." Great? Doesn't change the fact they still got death threats.

Reply 9 - Anon

OP: I blocked those people? Comments: "if you believe "hetrophobia exist just block people" ...... OP literally said that that is what they do?