Likewise, I used to hate the show when I was just browsing 4chan, but then I wondered what all the fuss was about since it was EVERYWHERE and gave it a shot, now I'm here...
And I'm not sure about the stuff being shoved down peoples throat, I mean, yes it's annoying, but did anyone of them ever ask you to stop? Atleast don't stop it when they where around? In my case, no, they haven't, Thus they have nothing to say about that matter.
We can't go around considering everyone else, when they don't consider us. You should be allowed to like what you like without being detested by all for it. I rarely talk about respect, as I think it is overrated, but I know a lot of people don't, and that's actually what this is all about.