elaboration in the comments

I am all for fighting for LGBTQ+ rights and protection people from harm in the real world and on the internet. But you won't convince them that they're idiots, you won't make them shut up, and you won't make this stream or imgflip a better place by engaging in comment wars and raiding each others' streams. All it will do is keep the fight going and more and more people will get sucked into this.

If someone posts a hurtful comment or meme in this stream, flag it - the mods will delete it and nobody needs to be offended by it any more. That's what mods are for. If you go to their streams and retaliate don't be surprised to get backlash. Like I said, they will not gain new insights or realize they were wrong. They too are only fueled by how much interaction they're getting and having an "enemy" they can target their built up hate at. Don't go looking for them. If they come here, let the mods deal with it. I will work bloody overtime to keep this a safe place. But with language like "fight back", "destroy them", "kill them in the comments",... you're only adding to their narrative of being under attack. Don't give them the tiniest reason to feel like the victim.

Again, I completely understand the instinct to snap back when someone insults you or - even worse - someone you love. But this is the internet. They can't punch you, they can't kick you, they can't even spit in your general direction. All they can do is fling insults at you and hope they stick. Don't give them the satisfaction of their strategy working. The internet is as safe a space as you let it be. We're here to celebrate all the colorful aspects of life and not hide behind camouflage and play war.

Tl;dr — arguing over stupid crap isn’t important. Arguing over important crap is. And there’s nothing more important than human rights. Nothing.

We are causing “good trouble” here on ImgFlip in our own small way and I am proud to be a part of it.

I’m not convinced there’s a difference between online and the “real world,” really. Beliefs formed online carry over when people log off. Hateful sites radicalize people and lead to mass shootings. Less dramatically, people vote after reading up on candidates and issues online.

Well, that's basically my point. If it could achieve something it's worth being loud. I still don't think personal attacks are a way to do it but I know it's tough staying calm when the person opposite you is using homophobic slurs all the time.

And, yes, there is a difference between online and the real world. I know the internet is a place where radical people get together and radicalize even more. But it is also your own choice how involved you get personally. In the real world you sometimes don't have that choice. If someone hits you in the face it's definitely personal. If someone insults you online you can choose not to take it personal and stay calm.

Again, I never said you shouldn't get involved with people of different "opinions" at all. That probably will result in even more radicalization and then it will boil over into the real world as is already happening in some countries. I'm just saying when both sides fight with blind hatred the fight will only end when there's only one side left standing.

Well said, by both you and Kamikaze. This is my take on it.

Fighting fire with fire is a risky endeavor, and there are many situations where it's not the right choice. Instead, bring out the extinguisher: appeal to logic before emotion, when you can.

Spamming isn't a good strategy, neither is retaliatory harassment. Instead, you should try to seek a debate when possible. Needless to say this can be very difficult: there are plenty of people who are so deeply entrenched that you couldn't possibly change their views with even the best logic. Often they don't want to even attempt a reasonable discussion. And hey, I'm definitely not perfect, everyone is susceptible to hatred and irrationality.

Now personally, I don't have the time to engage everyone with a logical argument, and who the hell does? So sometimes you just have ignore them, and I know how hard that can be but sometimes it's the best option; just let the mods sort it out. They're there for a reason.

Thanks for your input. Your approach seems very reasonable. I try to do the same. I'm not perfect and I have gotten caught in unproductive "discussions" before but I'm trying to get better. Together we can do it. 😉

Buuuuuuuuuuut

Counterpoint:

—We didn’t attempt “warring” with homophobes initially. We attempted education, and pleading with the Mods of other streams for better modding.

—A homophobe ran for ImgFlip President and was being very loud about it. We are told he has “no chance” but I think LGBTQ people know better. Even if the likelihood is low, he could still win by dividing and conquering the pro-LGBTQ vote. It would be lovely for a pro-LGBTQ person to deliver him a thumping defeat, but it is also degrading to compete in an election against someone who doesn’t even recognize you or your friends. Tl;dr — We’re justifiably upset a popular stream is being ruined through his shenanigans. I believe that’s what touched this all off.

—I think most of us are aware the deepest homophobes are never going to change their minds. But, arguing with them anyway is a great way to expose their hateful beliefs to a broader audience, including the other conservatives that they’d ordinarily have a home with. Over the past few days, we have gotten some shocking admissions out of the homophobe-in-chief. That’s valuable.

—I believe all of this will either inspire IMGFLIP_PRESIDENTS to wake up to this and reform, or it will serve as the genesis of a new roleplay government stream where bigotry is simply not allowed and ‘Flippers can compete in relative peace. Maybe both! imgflip.com/m/Government

He plans on getting his friends from politics, which is 100 something people

I might get doxxed. I need to hire a bodygaurd on the dark web or something

I was too lazy to read it, But i'm pretty sure it was reasonable

I think the other problem is were attacking them I'm the wrong streams
If homophobes say something homophobic in a non political steam or just randomly in comments then I think we can say something or just downvote or flag it. but if they're posting homophobic stuff in the politics stream then we should just leave them alone because that stream is for conservatives anyway.
I've also noticed that we attack homophobic people that say they don't believe in it because "god told them it was wrong"
I know being christian shouldn't be an excuse for homophobia but even though I'm an atheist I still believe we should respect other people's religions.

Yeah, I tried reasoning with the politics stream once and my heartrate made me stop. I'm not quite sure about the Think_Tank but at least there is some hope left.

There’s some validity to that, however:

I believe we should fight for an ImgFlip where LGBTQ people should feel safe and welcomed and be themselves EVERYWHERE. Every. Stream. Certainly not just in this stream, although of course it is and shall always be the lifeblood of the LGBTQ community on ImgFlip.

Segregation is not the answer. Universal acceptance is. I’ll fight until that happens.

We are building streams for just that.

See: imgflip.com/i/4g5a60

And

imgflip.com/m/Government

you aren't wrong

Honestly, At this point, I just ignore 'em,
In the end, People will hate THEM, Not us,
No one likes homophobes or any kind of bullies,

I wise man I knew once said "The best response to ignorance, Is Silence."

👍

Yeah. I know that what they says hurts, but oh well. It doesn’t pertain to my away from screen life so whatever.

Toddlers stop their tantrums when they don’t get attention

Yeah

Yeah. They want us to fight them back. We give them what they want by being aggressive. Ignoring them will probably make them leave us alone.

I don't know if it will actually make them leave us alone completely. Some will probably try to provoke us every once in a while. But ignoring their attacks is definitely better for your heart. 😉

Yeah, the last guy I fought invalidated me in every comment which hurt a lot.

They definitely will try and provoke us but if we don’t respond they will leave on their own

I think the same.

Bubble: I have an idea!
Let's commit murde-

Burst: N o