Nobody is every going to take this community seriously. I don't take it seriously even though it's basically the main thing my life.
Anyone who does any research about MLP is going to find out about Cupcakes and the r34 ponies. There are plenty of tactless noobs in the community too, since bronies are almost all socially awkward teenagers.
I love it all though. Reasonable people realize that most bronies are just nice people, but most people in the world aren't even remotely reasonable, so there will always be haters.
This community has always been and will always be controversial, but that's part of what makes it fun.