The term "Brony" and why I dislike it it.

[Modphase 1,271]

I totally agree with you so much. I absolutely hate it when fans won't shut up about how they watch My Little Pony. Seriously, it's actually not that big of a deal. Society is at the point where people are more tolerant of minority groups, and being a minority no longer makes you unique. Bronies are just another fandom of a show, there's nothing unique about us. Sure, we watch a show meant for little girls, but like I said, people no longer care as much what you do. And with the shirts, I absolutely hate shirts that say "Brony" on them, because their only purpose is to show the world you think you're a unique person. But don't get me wrong, shirts with ponies, and mentioning nothing about Bronies, are awesome, because it shows that you like the show without (hopefully) thinking you're special about it.

 

All in all, I think some Bronies seriously need to shut up, we're not that special. We're just another group of people that like another show.

[Here'sUrAmmoMan! 12]

I hate the term Bro in general. Its short for Brother and I do not want to be everyone's brother. Most the people who use Bro in real life are probably the type who hangs out with guy friends a lot and obeys the Bro Code, which in my opinion is a guideline for idiots.

Bro is like i get it, somewhat ghetto buy its not meant to be taken like "brother"....

Its like a new word for "Dude" and we all sounded like hippies saying that. And again, bro will sound like your ghetto and will end in like 10-17 years. Or like "Man, shut the hell up!" "Dude, Shut the hell up" or "Bro shut the hell up" xD Its all updated Ahahah!!!!

[thor9356 540]

You bring up a good point however I don't mind the term, "Brony" If anything I think its the definition of the term that make people angry. I know that the term, "Bro" has been used in shows like Jersey Shore but I don't think that's where part of the term came from because its been in use long before that.

 

As for the issue with the shirts that just say, "Brony". I can't say that i've run into a problem like that where people wear it and don't know anything about the show but claim that they do. However you do have a valid point on it that you should wear something from the show than the word itself. Probably like a cutie mark shirt for subtlety or a character shirt. Whichever suits your fancy.

[Arylett Charnoa 4,919]

;;Applause;;

 

This thread has my 100% approval, and I completely agree with all of your points. I have always found the term to be annoying, and confusing. Why is being a brony considered any more important than being a fan of something like Mario video games? I usually try to avoid the term in the first place because of the connotation it has, and just call everyone a "pony fan." Besides, before G4, there WERE male collectors of the previous gen ponies. And they did not give themselves a fancy name that implied some underground subculture. No. They just did their thang in the shadows and didn't really shove it in anyone's face.

 

The name brony implies that people take being a fan of the show far too seriously and as an entire part of who they are. I've noticed some people even use the term like how labels of sexuality are used. "I'm a closet brony," they say. I find that to be even more jarring because not telling people about liking ponies is completely different to not telling people about whether or not you're gay. It's not something as serious or something that could be judged as highly. Sure, you'll get ribbed and such for it, maybe some more hateful people calling you gay, thinking you're weird, etc. But liking ponies is merely an interest. Meanwhile, being gay is legitimately an important and significant part of someone that cannot be controlled, and is more likely to receive much more derision and scorn. It just irritates me.

 

And then there's the fact that people sometimes use it for females. It is for males outside of the target demographic. Why would an older female be a brony? She is not a "bro" in any way, and the term will never sound gender neutral. An older female is much more likely to be in the demographic than a male, meaning that she's not really technically outside of the norm. Nobody really cares if a woman likes MLP. I just find that extremely baffling.

 

Sadly, I have to use the phrase sometimes because it's just so commonly spread. But I never label or apply it to myself. All I am is a fan of ponies. A pony fan, a watcher of MLP. That's it.

Edited August 23, 2012 by Arylett Dawnsborough
Just changed a few wordings slightly to be more clear.

[Colon Leftbracket 971]

Bro is like i get it, somewhat ghetto buy its not meant to be taken like "brother"....

Its like a new word for "Dude" and we all sounded like hippies saying that. And again, bro will sound like your ghetto and will end in like 10-17 years. Or like "Man, shut the hell up!" "Dude, Shut the hell up" or "Bro shut the hell up" xD Its all updated Ahahah!!!!

 

I get that its slang that is hip and current and whatnot. I'm just saying that's a particular slang I do not like for various reasons.

Use it as you like, I will certainly avoid using it myself.

[thor9356 540]

We should probably find a new word to use than, "Brony". Probably something to do with Stallions or Colts something along those lines seeing as how Brony describes the Male portion of the fandom. Pegasisters I have to admit is pretty clever so we need to come up with something equally as clever or better. Any ideas?

[Lady Rarity Pony 4,892]

I can agree that the usage of the word can be obnoxious at times, but this doesn't make a problem of the word itself. Except for maybe the convenience of the word.

 

You, personally, have "bro" associated with too many very negative examples.

 

Honestly, I don't find "bro" sexist. Not in any reasonable sense, at least. To call "bro" sexist is the same as calling "man" or "woman" sexist. It's a shorter word for "brother," much like "sis" is a shorter word for sissy "sister."

"Brony" isn't much worse either. Not every word needs to be gender inclusive. We say "mankind" to represent humanity. There's no need to start calling humans "woman and man (politically correct) kind."

 

Additionally the fandom does use the word "pegasis(ter)."

 

Whether or not that word is attractive is another question, but it's not like females are utterly oppressed in the fandom.

By having a term such as “Brony” many people use it as a label. “Oh, let’s see, I like video games, I’m straight, I’m a brony...” I see that sort of thing all the time.

Once again, I agree that the usage can be obnoxious or plain stupid, but I don't see why you'd get upset over someone using it in the manner of your example.

 

If you state "I'm a brony" along with a bunch of other details, then that's not making it 'all you are' as you claim.

 

Do people who enjoy the Mario series call themselves “Maribros”? No. Do fans of the Toxic Avenger series call themselves “Broxies”? No. Do fans of comics call themselves “Bromics”? Nope. Why can’t we just be fans of ponies? Or at least create a better name that doesn’t bring immature, spray-tanned jocks to mind? "Pony-speak" (Everypony, anypony, etc. etc.) is fine, unless it’s used in inappropriate places and/or forced on those who don’t want to hear it. I guess another thing I’m trying to say in this thread is: There’s a time and a place for everything.

No offense, but this is merely appealing to tradition.

 

As far as I'm aware, Metal bands and Mario don't have fandoms. Fan bases, yes. Fandoms, not that I know of.

 

As a fandom, there's no problem having a single word to represent the whole. If a Mario fandom chose to have a word to represent them, would that be a problem?

I don't know why you're saying "Mario-bros." The reason this fandom has "bro" in it's name is because of the circumstances it was created in.

 

---

 

It's just a word. It is at times used obnoxiously, but I have not seen any reason why the fandom should not have a word representing the whole.

Edited August 23, 2012 by Lady Rarity Pony

[shotoku 47]

To me Brony always meant "A fan of ponies", usually male, but I know some girls who like to be called bronies rather than pegasisters. So when I call myself a brony, I'm just using it as shorthand.

HOWEVER I too feel annoyed when somebody uses their fandoms to define themselves. If people DEFINE themselves as bronies, furries, twihards etc, then it becomes a little annoying. If they just use the term to say "I'm a fan of ____" then that's another story.

[Ron Jeremy 2,032]

I've noticed some people even use the term like how labels of sexuality are used. "I'm a closet brony," they say. I find that to be even more jarring because not telling people about liking ponies is completely different to not telling people about whether or not you're gay. It's not something as serious or something that could be judged. Because liking ponies is merely an interest. Meanwhile, being gay is legitimately a part of someone that cannot be controlled. It just irritates me.

 

This. This. So much.

 

That has always gotten to me, and I'm surprised I didn't bring it up in the OP. You worded it better than I would have as well. If brohoofing a single post multiple times were possible, I would totally do it for your post.

 

@@Lady Rarity Pony: I did not say the term itself is sexist. I said that it brings to mind a group of people who are sexist. Big difference there.

 

Also, I have no problem with there being a collective word for the fandom. I have a problem with the way that the collective word for the fandom is used. I think I made that point pretty well in the OP. I don't think if the Mario series fans gave themselves a collective name, they would make it out as if it's on the same level as a sexuality, like people tend to with "brony".

[Lady Rarity Pony 4,892]

I have a problem with the way that the collective word for the fandom is used.

 

No offense but you have your thread title and post entirely targeted at the word and its existence because of its usage.

 

If you only have a problem with the usage, then it changes the topic entirely.

 

Edit: You've also posted a great deal as to why the fandom shouldn't have the word. It shouldn't be very surprising for someone to interpret that as you targeting the word and not merely it's usage.

Edited August 23, 2012 by Lady Rarity Pony

[AnonBrony 1,468]

I have pony stuff. But I totally get what you're sayin'.

 

 

 

 

You bring up some interesting points. However, here's the thing: If you don't want to wear a shirt because you enjoy the art that is on the shirt, but just want to wear a shirt that says "Brony" on it, then you are only wearing that shirt to declare that you enjoy the show. The only purpose the shirt serves at that point is to say "Hey! Look at me!". At which point, you're not wearing the shirt for artwork, you're wearing the shirt for responses. And you'll get them, both "Hey! I like that show too!" and "Go die in a fire, brony freak!". If you're wearing a shirt with a pony design, sure, you'll get attention from haters, but at least the shirt will also serve a purpose beyond just getting that attention.

 

Don't cha think ur uhhh over analyzin' this a bit? maybe those people who were the brony shirts were them not to get attention but to show they are proud to be a fan of the show. The reason they have to be proud is well face it... Likin' Mlp isn't considered" socially acceptable"

Also u are proclaiming this to be a totally bad thing. To show off u like somethin'. Personally, i don't like showing off what i like and tend to keep to myself. Which is what i believe u prefer too? II don't see it as extremely bad but the thing is... thast the problem with teenagers this time. Look at Facebook. Thats all it is. Showing off what u like to get some kind of reaction from people.

We had a dicussion like this in class. The problem with todays society... is that theres not much privacy anymore. With things like Facebook and Twitter u are basically proclaiming to the world what ur doing, what u like, who u are.

This is practically the same thing. People like showing off that they like the show. Whether its pride or like how u put it, people just wantin' attention, is guess it doesn't really matter. Its What ALL teens do and thats what 80% of the fandom is heheh.

 

Lastly, does it even matter? All that matters is that we all like the show, have fun together, and actuallly do love and tolerate. Does it matter what we call ourselves? Cuz in the end. We are all just fans, whether crazed or in the closet, of a wonderful TV show. I think thats all that matters.

Edited August 23, 2012 by AnonBrony

[Colon Leftbracket 971]

The name brony implies that people take being a fan of the show far too seriously and as an entire part of who they are. I've noticed some people even use the term like how labels of sexuality are used. "I'm a closet brony," they say. I find that to be even more jarring because not telling people about liking ponies is completely different to not telling people about whether or not you're gay. It's not something as serious or something that could be judged. Because liking ponies is merely an interest. Meanwhile, being gay is legitimately a part of someone that cannot be controlled. It just irritates me.

 

And then there's the fact that people sometimes use it for females. It is for males outside of the target demographic. Why would an older female be a brony? She is not a "bro" in any way, and the term will never sound gender neutral. An older female is much more likely to be in the demographic than a male, meaning that she's not really technically outside of the norm. Nobody really cares if a woman likes MLP. I just find that extremely baffling.

 

Sadly, I have to use the phrase sometimes because it's just so commonly spread. But I never label or apply it to myself. All I am is a fan of ponies. A pony fan, a watcher of MLP. That's it.

 

*Applauds and flies up into the sun*

 

Arylett, good freakin' point! People seem to have taken being a Brony as similar to having a different sexuality. Which is COMPLETELY WRONG!

 

Yes when one wants to keep Ponies to themselves it can be stressful when people are on the verge of finding out. Even I know that since I used to keep it secret.

But its nothing compared to "closet sexuality"! I'm a "closet pansexual" (attracted to all gender identifications) which is extremely stressful living under a Conservative Catholic Anti-Gay Bigot Father. Having to hide something as big as your sexuality from your loved ones and virtually everybody is so much worse! I fear everyday that if I even try to be open my father will find out and I really don't want to know what that entails.

 

I guess some straight Bronies use terms like "closet brony" because they don't understand what having a closet sexuality is like.

 

---

 

And then the next part about Brony females is also correct. Brony is NOT a gender neutral term. Most people use it because no one has came up with a female equivalent that is as catchy. "Pegasister" is closest we got I guess and even that doesn't work because it limits them under one race of Pony and it just sounds silly and forced.

[Ron Jeremy 2,032]

No offense but you have your thread title and post entirely targeted at the word and its existence because of its usage.

 

If you only have a problem with the usage, then it changes the topic entirely.

 

Well, I specified myself because you said...

 

You, personally, have "bro" associated with too many very negative examples.

So I responded as such. I'm not the only one who has a problem with the term "Brony" and the way it's used. I'm pretty sure a lot of the responses to this thread prove that.

[Lady Rarity Pony 4,892]

Well, I specified myself because you said...

 

 

 

So I responded as such. I'm not the only one who has a problem with the term "Brony" and the way it's used. I'm pretty sure a lot of the responses to this thread prove that.

 

What? I don't think we're understanding each other.

 

I didn't say you were the only one. I even agreed with you on the bad usage of the word.

 

It just looked like your reply (or mention in this case) was changing gears from "it's used badly and it shouldn't exist" to "it's used badly; nothing more."

[IHazTommyWiseau 84]

I have to be honest, I never hated the term Brony but rather the people who gave the title a bad name (and even then it was never true hate but rather just discomfort at the thought of being self associated without being able to define it by my own terms).

 

Regardless of the term and its various definitions, I don't see the whole Bro thing as a negative or needing to have any relation to gender. I just consider it a name for this fandom that I am apart of and nothing more.

[Colon Leftbracket 971]

As far as I'm aware, Metal bands and Mario don't have fandoms. Fan bases, yes. Fandoms, not that I know of.

 

 

I see a few pop up every once in a while. Lady Gaga fans call themselves Little Monsters, Bieber fans are Beliebers, One Direction fans are Directioners, Black Veil Brides fans are the BvB Army, Metallica fans are the Metal Militia, and I'm sure there's more.

I'm apparently a "Child of the Fence" since I am a huge Coheed and Cambria fan, though that fandom is a bit more than just a band, but also comic books and a novel for the Amory Wars storyline. Though I hate the term "Children of the Fence" because it sounds like a creepy cult.

 

EDIT: Also may I remind you of the Juggalo fandom!

Edited August 23, 2012 by Colon Leftbracket

[Ron Jeremy 2,032]

Don't cha think ur uhhh over analyzin' this a bit? maybe those people who were the brony shirts were them not to get attention but to show they are proud to be a fan of the show. The reason they have to be proud is well face it... Likin' Mlp isn't considered" socially acceptable"

Also u are proclaiming this to be a totally bad thing. To show off u like somethin'. Personally, i don't like showing off what i like and tend to keep to myself. Which is what i believe u prefer too? Well ya see... tahst the problem with teenagers this time. Look at Facebook. Thats all it is. showing off what u like to get some kind of reaction from people.

We had a dicussion like this in class. The problem with todays society... is that theres not much privacy anymore. With things like Facebook and Twitter u are basically proclaiming to the world what ur doing, what u like, who u are.

This is practically the same thing. People like showing off that they like the show. Whether its pride or like how u put it, people just want attention, is guess it doesn't really matter. Its What ALL teens do and thats what 80% of the fandom is heheh.

 

Lastly, does its even matter. All that matters is that we all like the show, have fun together, and actuallly do love and tolerate. Does it ammetr what we call ourselves? Cuz in the end. We are all just fans, whether crazed or in the closet, of a wonderful TV show. I think thats all that matters.

 

Wearing a shirt that says "Brony" declares yourself a fan of the show just as wearing a shirt with, say, Twilight Sparkle on it. Both are equally "socially unacceptable". That excuse really doesn't work.

 

And people just being a part of the fandom for attention is a problem. It's obnoxious, for lack of a better word.

 

What? I don't think we're understanding each other.

 

I didn't say you were the only one. I even agreed with you on the bad usage of the word.

 

It just looked like your reply (or mention in this case) was changing gears from "it's used badly and it shouldn't exist" to "it's used badly; nothing more."

 

Heh, I guess I might've misunderstood you. Reading so many posts within a short time frame's doing it to me, probably. I think you get what I mean, though, right?

[Modphase 1,271]

Just a little thought here about the name. Perhaps the simpletons who came up with the name "Brony", thought that the name, with the word "bro" in it, would counter the My Little Pony fans are gay stereotype. Just think of your average bro, and how manly and not gay they think they are. Just thought I would add this thought, because of a funny thing my friend did. He would play on gmod rp servers by the name of "GAY_4_THE_GABEN". People on the servers thought he was legitimately gay, so he changed his name simply to "bro", to counter that thought.

Edited August 23, 2012 by Lil' Tokyo

[Dark Qiviut 22,396]

Where I live, the word "bro," in actuality, has good connotations. When they refer to others as "bro," they mean a good male friend or a good friend in general. It's a relaxed, friendly, informal term, and it doesn't represent sexism at all. Now, I couldn't care less about Jersey Shore, and I live in New York City, but the term "bro" isn't really all that bad here, and I've heard people use it long before the show exists. I have never heard of one female get insulted by the usage of that word, either; sometimes, I've heard females use it to others themselves in the correct, friendly context.

 

And echoing Red on this, "bro" also indicates a sign of a close trust or friendship. I hear this all the time in my city.

 

As for the term "Brony," there's one reason and one reason only people use it: to describe themselves as a fan of this current generation of My Little Pony. Initially used to describe the male fandom (because it combines "bro" and "pony" into one), it's now become synonymous for being a fan regardless of gender. It's a really good term to describe myself, because:

• I am a fan of this show and proud of it.

• Where I live, the usage of the word "bro" is nowhere near insulting nor sexist.

And wearing anything that says "BRONY" is factually not bad and does NOT mean they're shoving it into someone's face. Wearing a shirt that says "BRONY" on it is equivalent to wearing a cap, shirt, jacket, or jersey that has a team's nickname or logo on it. Wearing the "BRONY" shirt itself is nowhere near to being bad, and thinking otherwise is shortsighted. The problem is using it as a means to taunt individuals. Thus far, I haven't seen one brony use a brony shirt as a means to taunt an individual. If the brony-bashers see a person who's just wearing a brony shirt as troublesome, then that's the basher's problem, not the brony.

 

And the following is a response to you and Arylett here:

I've noticed some people even use the term like how labels of sexuality are used. "I'm a closet brony," they say. I find that to be even more jarring because not telling people about liking ponies is completely different to not telling people about whether or not you're gay. It's not something as serious or something that could be judged as highly.

Actually, depending on where you live, you can be seriously judged if they find out if you're a fan of the show. Previous generations, most notably the second and third, were targeted to girls and ONLY girls, and the franchise was bashed as a shallow series targeted to the little pre-schooled girls. MLP:FIM is gathering fans of all ages and all genders, and the media is embracing the culture more nowadays.

 

However, while the media is embracing the fandom, there are people who aren't familiar with the fandom and have very short-sighted, opinionated viewpoints of the brony fandom. Because of MLP's previous rep, when they hear that a male in their teens and up enjoy it, then some of their immediate impressions come out as:

• This person is gay or bi.

• This person is a pedophile-in-training.

There was a thread here recently about a fan buying stuff at a Walmart, and a mother spewed homophobia at his or her direction. And some bronies live in towns or have very religious families where they see these fans as the spawn of the devil, as sad as it is.

 

Coming out as gay is a legitimate worry, and I completely agree with you on this. Yet, there's a reason why some people here describes themselves as "closet bronies," and for a good reason, too, because it can create these chains of reaction and these speculations that these dudes are what I described above. Even in this day in age, this stereotype is unfortunately still out there, and it's very disheartening.

Edited August 23, 2012 by Dark Qiviut

[Evilshy 5,090]

I like having a term that differentiates the fandom from simple fans. Just because you like the show doesn't mean you make pony related art, or use pony forums, or watch pony fan videos. Just as watching and enjoying a few seasons of Star Trek doesn't make you a Trekkie.

 

I can see why some people may not like the specific term "brony", because "bro" has kinda been ruined by idiots who use it too much to refer to other idiots. I don't see why people say it's not gender neutral, because the word "brony" is not used to exclude females. Yes, early in the days of the fandom, it was used to refer to male fans of MLP, but it's grown to refer to the fandom in general, which quite obviously includes females as well. I guess you say that "bro" is short for "brother", which refers to males, but arguing semantics is stupid :/

 

I totally agree that people take being a brony waaaaaaaay to seriously, though. I mean, yeah it's not really socially acceptable, but it's not a huge deal. For example, plenty of people think anime and manga are stupid, but you don't "come out of the closet" and admit that you actively keep up with 8 series and have read/watched many more. I guess it's just the new thing that's cool because it's not :/

 

 

So, in short, while "brony" might not be the best term, I think a term is needed. And people need to stop taking their bronyness so damn seriously.

Edited August 23, 2012 by Evilshy and His Own Ego

[Flying Whales 311]

Yeah, personally if someone asks me I just say "I’m a pony" I like that better personally. I don’t mind the term "brony" but the shirts that simply say “brony” are a bit annoying in my opinion. I can’t understand why someone would want to associate themselves with a whole fandom they are not really interested in just to be different, It’s just annoying, also people who go out of their way to let everyone know they are into ponies just seems like you are screaming for attention and you’re more interested in people’s reaction and arguing then the actual show. I feel like the term “brony” is an enabler for that, it is just another label like jock, or emo, or nerd, it makes us seem cliquey which is just not the case. In short I don’t mind the term it makes it easy when you’re talking to someone or if it somehow comes up in conversation, but it does make us seem a bit cliquey in my opinion.

[AnonBrony 1,468]

Wearing a shirt that says "Brony" declares yourself a fan of the show just as wearing a shirt with, say, Twilight Sparkle on it. Both are equally "socially unacceptable". That excuse really doesn't work.

 

And people just being a part of the fandom for attention is a problem. It's obnoxious, for lack of a better word.

 

 

That wasn't the excuse. The excuse was that, showing off what u like, showing who u are, is something all teens do. Regaurdless of wanting attention or not. They do it. We do it.

 

But what i really want u to read is this: Just cuz... some Bronies... err fans... use the term for attention and stuff... Doesn't mean that when u do, u are as bad as them. Meaning that when u use the term, it doesnt mean u are being obnoxious. U don't have to use it like that. The term Brony, means a fan of MLP:FIM. A Brony is someone who likes the show. Thats all u have to use it for. Just cuz they use it for attention doesn't mean u do. U can be a Brony and still be quiet about it. U don't have to flaunt it. And just cuz u are a Brony doesn't mean u DO flaunt it. Flauntin' someting mean rubbin' it in their face. Just saying u like the show and ur a brony aint flauntin' it. Hell, my names AnonBrony on Youtube as well. And i would prefer people don't care. I wouldn't mind of a Brony come up and give a nice brohoof, but I wouldn't want a lot of attention. My Philosophy is, if ur a fan, and ur outside the demographic, ur a Brony. And just cuz u are one, doens't mean u flaunt it off or means u are as bad as the ones who flaunt it.

 

One more thing... u sayin' were a shirt with a pony on it is ok, but wereing one with the word Brony on it isn't? Do u not realize how contradicting that is? They BOTH basically say u like the show. which is ok in my standards. But according to you showing that u like it is obnoxious. Cuz accorrding to you one will draw attention. But in reality, BOTH will draw attention. Mainly cuz u don't expect someone to wear that shirt. So is wearing the shirts bad or not? cuz i don't think it is at all.

[Arylett Charnoa 4,919]

And the following is a response to you and Arylett here:

Actually, depending on where you live, you can be seriously judged if they find out if you're a fan of the show. Previous generations, most notably the second and third, were targeted to girls and ONLY girls, and the franchise was bashed as a shallow series targeted to the little pre-schooled girls. MLP:FIM is gathering fans of all ages and all genders, and the media is embracing the culture more nowadays.

 

However, while the media is embracing the fandom, there are people who aren't familiar with the fandom and have very short-sighted, opinionated viewpoints of the brony fandom. Because of MLP's previous rep, when they hear that a male in their teens and up enjoy it, then some of their immediate impressions come out as:

• This person is gay or bi.

• This person is a pedophile-in-training.

There was a thread here recently about a fan buying stuff at a Walmart, and a mother spewed homophobia at his or her direction. And some bronies live in towns or have very religious families where they see these fans as the spawn of the devil, as sad as it is.

 

Coming out as gay is a legitimate worry, but there's a reason why some people here describes themselves as "closet bronies," and for a good reason, too, because it can create these chains of reaction. Even in this day in age, this stereotype is still out there, and it's very disheartening.

 

There are various other things that people can be judged for liking, and I'm sure in just as intense a manner of reactions. I don't see those things being equated to sexuality. The point isn't that being a male fan of the ponies isn't something that will get you scorn and derision and ribbing, because it is. This can be hurtful, and such, but I think one needs to reconsider their priorities when they consider liking a show as important as their own sexuality. The fact that it is compared to such is just... over the top, in my opinion.

 

My point wasn't that hiding your like of the ponies is something that you shouldn't do. Because by all means, hide whatever you want to hide if people will judge. I hide plenty of things.

 

However, I find it that something like an interest being taken so serious to just... be extremely confusing. It shouldn't be equated as a sexuality. It should just be more like a guilty pleasure - something that society thinks you shouldn't like, so you hide it. Calling it being in the brony closet implies that it's like a sexuality, and that's just not true. You can control the things you get into. You can't control your sexuality. Sexuality is something that is far more known, and far more treated with scorn and discriminated against. Coming out of the closet and being gay to your parents can sometimes get people kicked out of their own homes, and disowned. I don't think I've heard of a case where being a brony has done this. If there is, then it must be one of those rare isolated incidents. Because I doubt that usually happens.

[I Have Left MLP Forums 100]

 

You see, the term “Bro” has negative connotations. When many of us hear “Bro”, we think of sexism, idiocy, materialism, selfishness. We think of crap like “Jersey Shore”. Bros. You know who I’m talking about. I know a lot of the hate our fandom receives is from what many of the fans call themselves.

 

By having a term such as “Brony” many people use it as a label. “Oh, let’s see, I like video games, I’m straight, I’m a brony...” I see that sort of thing all the time. Now, while nothing seems wrong at first, in reality, it’s probably the second worst aspect of our fandom: People thinking that enjoyment of a series equals who they are as a person.

 

A huge example of this is some of the shirts I see, and if you read the comic that I post here, you may notice I have parodied it: Shirts that exist only to announce you are a fan of My Little Pony. Now, shirts that say, have a picture of a pony on them are fine. It’s fine to wear clothing that show your interests. But I have seen shirts that have no characters, nothing related to ponies, other than just, bluntly, the word “Brony”. Do you see metal fans wear shirts that just say “Metalhead”? No. You see them wearing band shirts, with artwork, etc. When people are simply walking around with hats/shirts that just say “Brony” they are a part of the fandom for the wrong reasons.

 

When it comes to the point where people simply declare themselves “Bronies” at that point, they’re pretty much hipsters under a different name, not displaying the characters or artwork they enjoy, but simply declaring their involvement in the fandom as a means to make themselves look different. “Hey, look at me! I watch My Little Pony! I’m such a card!” This is one of the things that really makes our fandom look bad: Fans who shove their enjoyment of the show on others as a means to gain attention.

 

 

We should just enjoy what we enjoy about the show and its fandom, but not have it become who we are. Do people who enjoy the Mario series call themselves “Maribros”? No. Do fans of the Toxic Avenger series call themselves “Broxies”? No. Do fans of comics call themselves “Bromics”? Nope. Why can’t we just be fans of ponies? Or at least create a better name that doesn’t bring immature, spray-tanned jocks to mind? "Pony-speak" (Everypony, anypony, etc. etc.) is fine, unless it’s used in inappropriate places and/or forced on those who don’t want to hear it. I guess another thing I’m trying to say in this thread is: There’s a time and a place for everything.

 

Ok, I disagree with your post, and before we let the hate mail come in, please read this.

I believe first off 'bro' is a word that relates to team work honestly. That's the first thing that comes to my head, and I'm sure many others can agree with me on this.

 

Second, It's fine IMO to use brony as a label. It's who we are, it's what we believe in. It's more or less like a religion, we have our own sayings (pony speak). It's a word that describes our feeling on that males (and females) shouldn't be judged on what they watch or do.

 

Third, yes we see people wearing one word shirts saying what they are passionate about all the time. I've seen ones that are black and say 'DUBSTEP' in red. I've seen ones that say 'ROCKER', I've seen other one or two word shirts like 'GAY RIGHTS' and what not. This isn't an issue. People wear these shirts to show support for their beliefs... it's like a christian wearing a shirt that says 'Jesus' on it.

 

Brony's aren't hipsters. We don't do what we do to 'be different' or 'be out of the 'main stream'. We do what we do because we believe we shouldn't be judged for what we like, or what we like to do. There are trolls out there posing as bronies destroying our fandom, they are to blame.

 

The term brony does bring some bad things to mind. The term brings to mind (to haters) "a bunch of fags with no life that watch girl shows". What we need to do is get the word out about who we are and what we do. We need to eliminate the trolls that are ruining the name.

Also, I believe people who like dubstep are referred as 'wubbers' or 'dubbies' right?

 

I agree, there is a time and place for everything, but we need to spread our word and get people to know who we are so there is no question, there is no disrespect or anything, but in the end...

This is impossible. The hate toward bronies won't change. There will always be antigays and antibronies. History repeats.

 

This war will go on forever, so the least we can do is try to get the right messages out to others and get the rage/hate level as far down as we can.

[Ron Jeremy 2,032]

One more thing... u sayin' were a shirt with a pony on it is ok, but wereing one with the word Brony on it isn't? Do u not realize how contradicting that is? They BOTH basically say u like the show. which is ok in my standards. But according to you showing that u like it is obnoxious. Cuz accorrding to you one will draw attention. But in reality, BOTH will draw attention. Mainly cuz u don't expect someone to wear that shirt. So is wearing the shirts bad or not? cuz i don't think it is at all.

 

No. I am not contradicting myself. You are misunderstanding me.

 

Wearing a shirt with pony artwork declares you are a fan, just as wearing a shirt that just says "BRONY" on tit will. However, if the shirt has artwork on it, it serves the purpose of showing the artwork, and being visually appealing. Wearing a shirt that just says "BRONY" on it, and has nothing to do with MLP itself, serves no real purpose. All it does is draw attention, pretty much just a sign that says "LOOK AT ME LOOK AT ME I'M DIFFERENT". Wearing the artwork can do this as well, but that isn't its only purpose.

 

Ok, I disagree with your post, and before we let the hate mail come in, please read this.

I believe first off 'bro' is a word that relates to team work honestly. That's the first thing that comes to my head, and I'm sure many others can agree with me on this.

 

Second, It's fine IMO to use brony as a label. It's who we are, it's what we believe in. It's more or less like a religion, we have our own sayings (pony speak). It's a word that describes our feeling on that males (and females) shouldn't be judged on what they watch or do.

 

Third, yes we see people wearing one word shirts saying what they are passionate about all the time. I've seen ones that are black and say 'DUBSTEP' in red. I've seen ones that say 'ROCKER', I've seen other one or two word shirts like 'GAY RIGHTS' and what not. This isn't an issue. People wear these shirts to show support for their beliefs... it's like a christian wearing a shirt that says 'Jesus' on it.

 

Brony's aren't hipsters. We don't do what we do to 'be different' or 'be out of the 'main stream'. We do what we do because we believe we shouldn't be judged for what we like, or what we like to do. There are trolls out there posing as bronies destroying our fandom, they are to blame.

 

The term brony does bring some bad things to mind. The term brings to mind (to haters) "a bunch of fags with no life that watch girl shows". What we need to do is get the word out about who we are and what we do. We need to eliminate the trolls that are ruining the name.

Also, I believe people who like dubstep are referred as 'wubbers' or 'dubbies' right?

 

I agree, there is a time and place for everything, but we need to spread our word and get people to know who we are so there is no question, there is no disrespect or anything, but in the end...

This is impossible. The hate toward bronies won't change. There will always be antigays and antibronies. History repeats.

 

This war will go on forever, so the least we can do is try to get the right messages out to others and get the rage/hate level as far down as we can.

 

1: Equating MLP to a religion means that the person is taking it way too far. Enough said.

 

2: Just because other people do it doesn't make it okay. And with gay rights, that's an actual issue. My Little Pony is a TV series, not activism against discrimination.

 

3: About the "spreading the word to prevent hate" thing. Just... just wow. I have to say it. Most of the reason people are hating the fans is because they are pushing it everywhere. If people would just be chill about the fact they watch a cartoon, a lot of people wouldn't care. But when it is constantly brought up, and fans jump too urgently to bring up their "pride" it gets on peoples' nerves mighty quick.

 

"There will always be hate for antigays and antibronies." Really? Being a "brony" is being a fan of a cartoon. It is not as important an issue as a sexuality. Those who are gay are born the way they are, they cannot help it. A brony is a fan of a cartoon, and much of the hate brought on them by the fandom making a much bigger deal out of it than it needs to be. Honestly, I'm offended by that line. And I'm not gay.