Do you think that bronies will ever be accepted into society?

[11th Doctor Whooves 794]

@thegamingpony: Since this topic has to do with Bronies, I'm moving it to Sugarcube Corner.  In the future, remember that topics having to do with Bronies and MLP do not belong in the Everfree Forrest.

[~SadisticFluttershy~ 779]

Probably not.

 

We live in a world were its okay to judge and not care when they kill themselves or commit crimes.

^out of annoyance of today

 

As said. I doubt it. Even if it does, it'll be like 2035

[TenorSounds 831]

@@Windseeker, there's a difference between saying all Bronies need to be persecuted and understanding why someone would not have a high opinion of Bronies in general. For the record, I agree with @@SpaceOnion; there are elements of the fandom that are annoying, invasive, and generally not fun to interact with. For better or worse, they represent the fandom just as much as the next Brony. If someone has only had interactions with these types of Bronies (which totally happens, trust me), I wouldn't blame them for having a bad opinion.

 

Does that mean I think they should be hateful and go out of their way to mess with Bronies? Of course not. But just saying #notAllBronies and calling it a day isn't a very constructive way to look at the fandom as a whole.

Edited December 4, 2014 by TenorSounds

[zaqwert11 70]

well we are allready accepted as a fandom but we will never get to a point where there wouldnt be any haters

[Petrus 696]

Yes, and people are already kind of accepting us, and others probably just don't care. If anyone says your a faggot or gay because your a brony, get in their face stair directly into there eyes and say "F$%k off", then turn around and walk away

and like pink i don't care what people think about it either, it's a TV show...

[Guest]

Isn't it already accepted? Why does this need to be brought up? This is old news.

 

Yes, you have haters. You always will have. Yes, you have trolls. You always will have.

 

You can then choose to deal or not deal with said hater / troll.

 

My question is; why would you bother?

[Gernia 690]

I think we are generally accepted, at least for enjoying MLP. Maybe there's a few who feel uncomfortable and possibly will continue to feel that way, but they probably aren't very common, so I'll take what I can get.

 

There will be people who think they know a lot about us and think we enjoy porn and/or gore of the characters, and that this is some widespread thing the fandom does. Perhaps they feel we want to ruin the show for the little girls that enjoy it. They might think we are annoying about what we enjoy and won't calm down, perhaps victimize ourselves too much. Some of the detractors will likely obsess over these, or maybe some other items of minutiae because they think they know so much and are uncomfortable with things that don't seriously bother them. There will always be some people who are needlessly bitter and have a need to be so bitter about things, even if they are misinformed.

 

All I can say is that it takes time. We may never be fully accepted, but the dislike for us will go away after they realize we won't stop liking MLP and that plenty of us don't perform the acts that they accuse us of.

[chirox the pony 1,334]

Like we are quite literally the gayest people in the world (according to other people from the midlands) the people here aren't like accepting of boys who don't like typical boy things or boys that like things that are streotippicly for girls

Oh, I live close to there so I guess I won't be wearing a shirt any time soon (and that's if I could even find one).

[Jeric 46,834]

Well, there was some heated discussion in here apparently. Discuss these topics calmly please, it's not that difficult.

 

---

 

What society are we talking about? The society in which teens and young adults interact IRL, the society I interact with IRL, or the internet pseudo society? Are we talking about actually acceptance where people don't initially think adults watching MLP is weird, even if they harbor no ill will? A large net ye cast when we mention the all encompassing 'society'.

 

No offense, but you can't really make a large assumption on society based on limited interaction within it. In general ... society really is indifferent as to what entertainment people like. Yes they think it is odd, so what? I think people who watch too much reality TV are weird. No big deal.

 

While I don't talk Brony in the middle of a conference call about launching a CRM platform for a large client, anyone with a pair of eyes and has enough casual conversations with me knows I am a Brony. The number of people who have said one word to me about it ... zero. I understand that this would not be the case if I was a boy in Jr High or High School right now. Different societies and cultures. Should the fandom remain in 10 years, there will be far more inclined to not have an opinion either way. People mature and move on to more important things.

 

Of course that last sentence sounds odd coming from a 37 year old guy who moved on to Ponies ... heh ... more important things indeed.

[Lunia 332]

Well all I have to say is Yes, one day we will be accepted into the society. Maybe in a VERY long time like 2040 or even farther, but I think it will happen at least one day. 

[Rainboom Dash 1,055]

I think most bronies are already accepted, as we're one of the biggest fandoms around.

[ShintX 180]

Just as people who likes games or movies. But if one gets annoying then that's the draw i guess. But people like different things, so i don't see why. I don't think there have been any brony riots, just like there are not Leonardo Dicaprio fan riots

[Justin_Case001 4,855]

I want to say no (speaking from a U.S. perspective)

Its possible, but it will be much harder than the star trek fans.

With the star trek fans, they were just "weird". With bronies, we're weird plus we watch a show intended for females.

In the U.S. there is a double standard when it comes to breaking gender roles.

It's much easier for females than males.

 

For example, a mother writes in a blog (and this is real), that when her daughter plays sports or plays pretend doctor instead of nurse, she gets nods of approval for allowing her daughter to transcend her gender roles.

When her son wanted a doll for Christmas or when he asks to get his nails painted, other parents warn that she'll "turn him gay". The mother also refuses to get him a pink, floral bike helmet because she worries he'll get bullied. When was the last time a girl was bullied for wearing jeans, a traditionally male attire?

 

It may seem as if men are the victim, but just the opposite.

In the U.S., we live in a patriarchy. The general idea has always been "men are superior, women are inferior".

Bronies are at a disadvantage because we "moved down" whereas when women watch something for men they're "being cool. She watches dragon ball z". In other words, she "moved up". Like one of the teens said in those teen react videos on bronies, no one criticized her for liking buzz lightyear. Why must that be?

 

So while I hope that bronies will be accepted someday, from my years as a Mass Media student, I think it will take more than time, but rather a big reform in the general public's idea of femininity.

This is it exactly.  When I first became a brony, in March of 2014, I wrote an essay regarding my theories as to why it's so controversial.  I essentially said the same thing as you've said here, but I just devled into it in greater detail.  It's this whole, ridiculous double standard that it's more socially acceptable for females to like/do/wear masculine things than vice versa.  I won't bother reiterating it again--you covered it pretty well.  It's a ludicrous social construct that desperately need changing.  Not just changing, erasing.  But I think we're on our way.  It's starting to change.  I wear dresses that I made for myself, and I get loads of compliments, and no negative responses yet.

[Green Precision 421]

Yes, you are right, there is nothing wrong with us, however, in society, we are going to be forever hated. There is nothing that will change the hate that we will get.

 

I like to think of it as..

 

We are too adventurous, curious, and 20% cooler for them, so they hate us. :3

[TubeSock2018 325]

This is it exactly. When I first became a brony, in March of 2014, I wrote an essay regarding my theories as to why it's so controversial. I essentially said the same thing as you've said here, but I just devled into it in greater detail. It's this whole, ridiculous double standard that it's more socially acceptable for females to like/do/wear masculine things than vice versa. I won't bother reiterating it again--you covered it pretty well. It's a ludicrous social construct that desperately need changing. Not just changing, erasing. But I think we're on our way. It's starting to change. I wear dresses that I made for myself, and I get loads of compliments, and no negative responses yet.

according to one of my professors, he claims that our generation is by far the most tolerating he has ever seen. So yes, I would agree we're on our way.

I change my mind. Society will accept bronies someday.

Edited December 6, 2014 by pollo20x6

[hkamihail 1]

Hard to say! It will take time but eventually it is posible.  

[Maze 100]

Um, I have to suppose that we probably never will be, and if we will, it probably won't happen in a very long time.

That depends of course.. We might get 'accepted' by other fandoms, who knows? BUT, probably not generally in our society.

Bronies have so many prejudices to them, to name a pretty big one; Cloppers. People can't melt that thought, not even some of the actual bronies do.

 

Also, there are so many stereotypes where about's and as very many social experiments have proved at this rate... Society won't accept anything abnormal without a lot of work and time. Tradition is almost never to be changed, that's apparently not okay. Tradition in this case is that men are supposed to be tough, like cars and all that stereotypical stuff. For men to like ponies and girly stuff, even CARTOON.. Nope, people won't accept that easily, "they're probably gay or mental". It's a pretty damn sad society we live in when it comes to many certain things.

 

It's basically the same thing as with homosexuals, they will probably never be fully accepted by society either, and especially not for every individual. It's too much dumb stereotypes and "this is how it's supposed to be"-crap.

 

It makes me very sad to think the way I do about this. People have too many opinions and all that for me to believe in world-wide acceptance. 

However, I'll ALWAYS be hoping, fighting and waiting for such a positive change in the world. I do not believe in it, cause I'm being way too realistic to. If it does though, it will be in many years! Let's still hope for it though! Let's be positive here! 

Edited December 6, 2014 by rosenflickan

[EtherealIneffability 18]

Depends. It's never going to be acceptable for men (or male-bodied individuals) to openly have feminine interests or express themselves as feminine in any way until we, as a society, realize that femininity is not inferior and does not threaten masculinity or make men lesser somehow.

Basically, I highly doubt that it will be acceptable for a man to openly state that they are a huge fan of a show called "my little pony" to anyone in society until the ridiculous amount of hate crimes against other heteronormativity-transgressing individuals such as gay men and transwomen cease and the fear surrounding potential threats to general manly manhood goes away.

However, I do believe it's possible for it to be accepted by parts or most of society soon, with work.

[EtherealIneffability 18]

And yes, there are problems with the fandom, so I wouldn't exactly blame someone for hating it.

This is another important point to consider. A lot of people I know don't have any problems with men who like feminine things (in fact, they applaud them), but they dislike the brony fandom specifically because some of its loudest members are sexist, racist, and generally gross.

 

There is a bad habit among the loudest members of the brony fandom to somehow make themselves seem more acceptable not by fighting the oppressive system which sees them as inferior or strange, but by "masculinifying" the show (and actively putting down femininity in the process) in order to conform to the traditional ideal (in other words, "have their cake and eat it too"). For example: "I don't see the mane six as female characters. They're genderless to me!" or "Hasbro is ignoring their target audience! MLP isn't meant for little girls!"

 

This creates an unfriendly atmosphere where some bronies feel entitled to the show, rather than privileged to enjoy it, to the point where they are specifically hostile towards the idea that the show was created originally for little girls and that little girls still enjoy it. A perfect example: When Stellar Eclipse was introduced, since he is a Make a Wish pony, the creators of the show kindly asked that the fandom refrain from making porn of just this one pony, since it was the wish of a kid with Spinal Muscular Atrophy type III. 

 

How does the fandom respond?

 

By immediately making creating porn of this character a game of some kind.

 

It's sickening.

 

I think that, with work, the part of the fandom that actually represents its morals - Friendship, honesty, generosity, loyalty, kindness, ect - will be accepted someday.

 

But the part of the fandom that feels so entitled to the show that they warp it so as to make the fandom hostile to other members and disgusting to outsiders?

 

Never.

 

And they never should be accepted.

Edited December 6, 2014 by EtherealIneffability

[Dark Qiviut 22,170]

This is another important point to consider. A lot of people I know don't have any problems with men who like feminine things (in fact, they applaud How does the fandom respond?

 

By immediately making creating porn of this character a game of some kind.

 

It's sickening.

Uh, no. In fact, you're completely misinformed about this.

 

There wasn't a lot of porn about Stellar Eclipse. There were two images, both by the same artist, who had no idea about the background of Stellar Eclipse. He took them down after he realized the situation.

 

During the controversy, Sylvain Portlance's mother was incensed, but Sylvain himself had a completely different reaction. In fact, the eighteen-year-old's completely okay with it:

"As an artist, I respect and appreciate all forms of art and regardless of my personal feelings towards its content. I do not believe that artists should be censored or restricted in their creative work. I think it would be nice to see some more family friendly art of my character that everyone can enjoy. However, I am perfectly fine with seeing any form, so you (clop artists) need not feel oppressed. I would also like to express how honored I am that others artists would take the time to draw my character. I must say, from what I have seen so far, that there are some really nice and fantastic pieces of work out there, and would like to also thank everyone for this lovely art!"

 

After Sylvain's response, his mom apologized for her reaction.

Edited December 6, 2014 by Dark Qiviut

[EtherealIneffability 18]

Uh, no. In fact, you're completely misinformed about this.

 

There wasn't a lot of porn about Stellar Eclipse. There were two images, both by the same artist, who had no idea about the background of Stellar Eclipse. He took them down after he realized the situation.

 

During the controversy, Sylvain Portlance's mother was incensed, but Sylvain himself had a completely different reaction. In fact, the eighteen-year-old's completely okay with it:

 

After Sylvain's response, his mom apologized for her reaction.

I apologize and retract my statement, then. But that was merely one example among many.

 

One example of a meme that I know for a fact is undeniably very much in the eyes of outsiders of the fandom which misrepresents us horribly:

 

"Princess Molestia".

http://t.qkme.me/3posfw.jpg

 

(this is not to say that the brony fandom at large supports things such as rape and pedophilia. The problem here is simply that the fans who DO are disproportionally represented, and thus it is understandable as to why some people would not have a good view of the fandom because of them.)

Edited December 6, 2014 by EtherealIneffability

[Everleaf 541]

Knowing the internet...sadly likely not

everything will have haters, and for the fandom to be so unusual compared to Trekkies Pokémon fans (and as I call Pokepeople) and others

 

it is not expected for a show first created for little girls, but instead to have a larger fanbase of teenagers and adults don't mind many male!

 

this could be considered odd... and unless people change...I can't see the acceptance changing...

 

 

I suppose we will find out in the future however... 

[skbl17 199]

I think it depends on the type of brony you're referring to. The bronies who don't make a big deal out of the show outside of fan sites and conventions and don't constantly wave the show in other people's faces will do just fine in society. It's the more "extreme" bronies - the ones who wear the Rainbow Dash shirts while carrying around three dolls for each member of the mane six - who may have trouble being accepted into society.

[[NULL] 906]

I apologize and retract my statement, then. But that was merely one example among many.

 

One example of a meme that I know for a fact is undeniably very much in the eyes of outsiders of the fandom which misrepresents us horribly:

 

"Princess Molestia".

http://t.qkme.me/3posfw.jpg

 

(this is not to say that the brony fandom at large supports things such as rape and pedophilia. The problem here is simply that the fans who DO are disproportionally represented, and thus it is understandable as to why some people would not have a good view of the fandom because of them.)

Uh, you know that parodying the character Celestia, and supporting rape and pedophilia are two different things, right?

 

I also never said that making MLP-themed NSFW content was one of the problems with the fandom. I don't think it's right to dictate what people can or cannot make, based on whether or not we like it.

Edited December 6, 2014 by SpaceOnion

[EtherealIneffability 18]

Uh, you know that parodying the character Celestia, and supporting rape and pedophilia are two different things, right?

 

I also never said that making MLP-themed NSFW content was one of the problems with the fandom. I don't think it's right to dictate what people can or cannot make, based on whether or not we like it.

Parodying a character is fine. THIS is not:

 

youtube . com/watch?v=FdQvj6bNS-Y

 

(breaking the link because even though nothing in that is explicitly vulgar I am not sure that the theme of rape is allowed)

 

I already retracted what I said about Stellar Eclipse. My problem is not that NSFW art exists, that is unavoidable for literally anything in existence. Rule 34 and all that. My problem is when pornographic material is introduced into supposedly safe spaces because that's what SOME bronies think the fandom is about. My problem specifically with Stellar Eclipse was that I was under the impression that more pornographic art was made than other characters within the same time frame, simply to send a "we can do what we want" message. This has since been proven wrong.

Edited December 6, 2014 by EtherealIneffability