Bronies and Masculinity

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

I think a real man isn't worried about how people view his watching a show like mlp. Only someone confident in their masculinity would  express their love of the show in public, because they know that regardless of what other people think, they are just as masculine as the next guy.

[DoctorWhovian1902 596]

We get a bad reputation because we go against what society has told us to, so in their eyes we should be criticized. A friend of mine, a girl keep in mind, said that we bronies have "something wrong with us" if we like MLP. And no, I don't know if she's seen the G4 version, she said she has, but she also said she used to watch the show as a little girl, so it's possible that she saw something from the G1-G3.5 instead.

 

Same thing with another friend of mine. I was telling him about bronies because he said he respects all fandoms (he's a trekkie), and when I described bronies, he said he saw that show as a kid, and hated it. He then refused to listen to me explain that the show has been redone and it's awesome now. *Shakes head in disappointment* Ignorance these days... <_<

[Winona the Dog 1,984]

I think society doesn't understand the definition of the word "gay". Gay means to be attracted to the same sex since most bronies are men anyway and the main cast are essentially girls that doesn't even make sense. Instead society gives the word gay a more insulting force to it "stupid" if you will.

 

 

Masculinity is overrated anyways and you make a good point girls can watch things more oriented to boys and everybody is fine and dandy with it. But then when boys start watching something a little more "girly" everyone goes on a rampage as if it's the ultimate Tabuu or something. Heh society is really something isn't it?

Edited December 25, 2012 by ~Chaotic Harmony~

[Harmonic Revelations 8,835]

My entire father's men side of the family has served in the military and I would be too if not for my Diabetes, however, after opening up to my friends and family about being a brony, most of them have been accepting of it, I even discovered that one of my best friends is also a brony. I think people just insult what they don't understand, don't take it personally. 

 

I feel lucky to have an understanding family.

 

However, I feel some bronies will do it intentionally, for example, if you're flamboyant about it and make sure the whole world knows, you will anger some people. I personally can't stand bronies who make sure everyone in a ten mile radius knows that they like ponies. For the same reason I don't like flamboyant gays but I can stand normal gays.

Edited December 25, 2012 by Harmonic Revelations

[truemlp_fan98 20]

Man... True that to the poster of this thread!! This is one thing I sure can agree with. Masculinity isn't about beating up dweebs or benchpressing weights its about beeing happy with urself.

[hawkflame 3,310]

Ah yes. Masculinity and Bronies. I'm not very good at interpreting my thoughts on this, but I found a very positive video which does.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Est3UNs-LIk

 

Damn, I was going to post this video, but you beat me to it.  I think it's spot on. 

 

I think that in a society like ours that's  still somewhat male dominated, guy things are going to be considered "better" than girl things, and that even extends to behavior.  Look at the way we treat tomboys vs "sissies"- I mean, we don't even have a gender flipped version of "tomboy" that isn't an insult.  So while a girl liking guy things can be considered positive or acceptable, a guy liking something girly is a regression- liking something that's "beneath" them. 

 

And on top of that, MLP isn't just a show for females, it's a show for *little girls* and the gap of acceptability is even greater, to the point where society cannot comprehend the fact that Bronies genuinely love the show, unless they infer some ulterior motives or make other assumptions.  "They're perfectly normal people who actually like the show?  That's not possible!  Oh, I get it, They're sissies!  They're gay!  They're pedophiles!" And so on and so forth. 

 

And it pisses me off.  It's one thing to not get why someone else enjoys something you don't, it's another thing entirely to make assumptions on their character based on it. 

[SørenWolf 227]

I think one of the best (and potentially funniest) ways to answer someone calling you gay is to say, with a straight face; "Fantastic! Tell me why." I mean,  think about it. once someone in a debate (This situation isn't all that different) resorts to calling names, they really have no other support for their position. So ask them to support their position then watch them stutter as they try to think up a real reason.

 

And simply because I can here is a fun link; http://artofmanliness.com/

[John 793]

Because a true man doesn't let outside forces influence his masculine being!  A true man can watch the show without questioning his sexuality or denouncing his manliness.  A true man also has a sense when someone is trolling at the movies.

[hawkflame 3,310]

I think one of the best (and potentially funniest) ways to answer someone calling you gay is to say, with a straight face; "Fantastic! Tell me why." I mean,  think about it. once someone in a debate (This situation isn't all that different) resorts to calling names, they really have no other support for their position. So ask them to support their position then watch them stutter as they try to think up a real reason.

 

And simply because I can here is a fun link; http://artofmanliness.com/

And another thing you can do is call them out on the inherent homophobia in using "gay" as an insult.

 

"You like MLP?  Hah!  What are you, gay?"

 

"Well I'm not gay, but even if I were, why would that be a bad thing?  Do you have a problem with gay people or something?"

 

"No, but-"

 

"Well why did you use "gay" as an insult then?  Unless you're a homophobe..."

 

And so on.

[Jessper 735]

And another thing you can do is call them out on the inherent homophobia in using "gay" as an insult.

 

"You like MLP?  Hah!  What are you, gay?"

 

"Well I'm not gay, but even if I were, why would that be a bad thing?  Do you have a problem with gay people or something?"

 

"No, but-"

 

"Well why did you use "gay" as an insult then?  Unless you're a homophobe..."

 

And so on.

 

Gee, where exactly you guys meet those reasonable trolls?

I never met any that looked like the type of people who know big words like debate, logic, intelligence or argument.

 

Also asking "Do you have a problem with gay people or something?" seems like a bad idea when you are talking to someone who uses "gay" as an insult, because the answer might be something that will wake you from you sleep the next week.

 

I think I'll stick with *ignore* or "Shut up or I'l beat up you with my purse.".

[Scootalove 10,689]

I can tell our society has went to the point that when you like something that people don't, they automatically think your gay. People think we masturbate over the female ponies, I just think people are so ignorant these days that you just want to punch them in the face. The point is, masculinity has a lot of meanings but when someone talks shit about you liking a girls show and can't back it up, they are too cowardly to say anything back especially when you threaten the person that's talking crap out of their mouth.

[ZLTavs 87]

Well I would never be at a Transformers Movie, those are terrible, but I would say, "A true man doesn't pussy out and do what everyone else does all the time, a true man is tough enough to do his own thing and make his own way in life, no matter what others think. And if you can do the "manly" Hasbro stuff, we should be able to do the "so called girly" Hasbro stuff"

[RockinRarity 1,605]

We live in a crazy messed-up world when it comes to sexual and gender identity.

 

There are so many things that are mixed-up about this subject. I have mentioned some of my thoughts in another thread, but I will go into more detail here.

 

On the one hand:

The media tells us that men have to drink beer, shoot guns, play video games, get pussy, play football, be tall & muscular, etc.

The media tells us that women have to have boobs and ass, wear makeup, be trendy, find love through giving into a man's sexual desires, we have to have a boyfriend in order to be complete in life, etc.

 

Now, most of these things are not bad things. The problem is that they are all very superficial and they do not tell us who we are as men and women. For example, something like wearing makeup or getting your nails done is an outward expression of femininity, but it does not define femininity, just like playing football is an outward expression of masculinity even though it does not define who you are as a man.

 

In short, society thinks that the above characteristics define masculinity or femininity. The truth is that those things that are not bad are outward expressions of what is masculinity and femininity. The things that are bad (ie getting pussy and being a sexual object for a man) are twisted versions of the truth that is masculinity and femininity. Yes, men like sex, and they are more easily sexually turned on. That does not excuse anyone of lusting after a woman's body parts. And yes, a woman should have the desire to please her man, but that should not be engraved into her identity, nor should she be willing to throw herself at any man who gives her a compliment.

 

And yet, on the other hand...

The feminist movement has done everything that it can to shun patriarchy. Feminists were tired of men taking charge of everything, so they wanted to 180 our social standards so that women could be in charge instead.

 

So this is what has happened. Women are now expected to be like men in every way. Feminists want an equal number of men and women in fields like engineering, which has usually had more men than women, otherwise we are "discriminating." Likewise, feminists are upset that so many women go to beauty school, which is something that very few men do. Being a stay-at-home mom is considered to be detrimental towards the advancement of an equal society, encouraging the "barefoot and pregnant with twelve kids" stereotype. And speaking of pregnancy, it is nowadays considered a disease to carry a baby in the womb. The Obama administration has decided that birth control pills, which take away a woman's ability to get pregnant, are a necessity to women's health, and that all women, if they so choose, should have free reign in fixing a part of their bodies that is not broken, and that all forms of birth control and abortion pills should be free.

 

Because it is simply demoralizing to get pregnant. Men can't get pregnant, so women shouldn't have to get pregnant, either.

 

AND YET, because of the feminists' hate for patriarchy, men are now being told to not take charge and to be softer and more wishy-washy. It is the feminist's job to suppress the male inclination to be a good, strong leader, because unfortunately, enough men have misused their power for their own selfishness rather than using it for the sake of those around them.

 

So.

 

What does this have to do with Bronies?

 

Well, in short, the feminist movement really is not a feminist movement at all. Rather, it is a movement to get women to be more like men for the sake of equality.

 

This means that everything that is superficially feminine is bad, but all that is superficially masculine is good.

 

This is why it is taboo for a man to watch My Little Pony, but it is perfectly OK for a woman to watch Transformers.

 

Also, I understand that there are some exaggerations in my descriptions, and that, unfortunately, not everything that I have typed parallels so nicely. There are many more layers of this subject that I'm not really ready to describe in a forum post just yet.

 

I have not yet decided how to explain, in this context, why it is OK for bronies to be bronies. It may have to do with the fact that the show is only feminine on a superficial level, although you have to take into account that it has feminist ties due to the fact that they live in a matriarchal society. But perhaps men enjoy the nature of the matriarchal society in the particular universe that is Equestria because they, as men, have the desire to be like the characters in the show despite them being women. If that makes any sense.

 

But I have to be honest. I am not 100% comfortable with the brony community. I enjoy bronies as individuals, and I enjoyed Bronycon and getting together with bronies of all types, but the main thing that I have a problem with is that they use the show itself to define who they are, and that reflects upon the community as a whole. As a Catholic Christian, I believe that identity is found in God, not through a TV show. It is OK to attach the brony name as one of the parts that makes you you, but it should not be the most central part of it. I think that most bronies are good about making sure that their priorities are set straight to the best of their abilities and they don't make the show the center of their lives, but I know that there are a few bronies who define who they are within the show, and that actually takes away from their masculinity. It doesn't make the person gay, but it robs the individual of becoming something greater than themselves. If that makes any sense, too.

 

This whole post is actually kind of a vomit of thoughts that have been lingering through my head for a while. I have never articulated most of this before as I have found it difficult to do so in the past. I am not even sure if it came out the way I wanted it to this time around, but I'm posting it anyways.

[Yourmomsponies 444]

I personally dont take any offense when someone calls me 'gay' or a 'pussy' for watching MLP.

I dont feel the need to go flaunting my manhood everywhere. 

I think the fact that some people see others so secure kind of brings out their insecurities and they react by making fun of us bronies.

 

 

 

[SkyGust 71]

Its just the way how society is sadly. People aren't used to men watching shows that is supposedly only for girls, since they do not understand what is going on, they are automatically going to assume someone is gay. On the other hand, a girl who is watching something like Transformers would be acceptable by people. Like I said, its just how society is, and that is how people are going to think.

[PoniesPlease 365]

You're all making highly valid opinions, but that's just it. They're opinions. The girl's opinion is that you could be gay; fair enough. 

 

At the end of the day, you define your own masculinity, not other people. Go out there and be the manliest, most bad-assed pony lover there is. Because you're you, and you sir, and all people in this thread, this forum, and this fandom, are bad-asses.

[Rocco 567]

hi my name is brandon

 

-im a business owner

-car lover

-competitive shooter of 7 years

-father

-husband

-gunsmith (in my spare time)

 

 

i can shoot a 8.94 inch group at 1000 yards in a 20 shot string on a calm wind day with no vice

 

AND IM A BRONY!

 

hey if the mormons can do it.......

 

 

 

 

i dont read to much into the masculinity thing, just one more thing that society like to lord over us to make us conform to what they contrive as normal. dont get me wrong, im not going all hipster and saying its bad to conform and hate everything mainstream. but sometimes it can be bad for your mental health and drive you crazy trying to fit in. i am who i am and this is all i will ever be and if you dont like it that just fine with me, but please take a chapter from the brony book and dont go out of your way to hurt my feelings......it wont get you far....

Edited January 7, 2013 by dash blast

[hawkflame 3,310]

Gee, where exactly you guys meet those reasonable trolls?

I never met any that looked like the type of people who know big words like debate, logic, intelligence or argument.

 

Also asking "Do you have a problem with gay people or something?" seems like a bad idea when you are talking to someone who uses "gay" as an insult, because the answer might be something that will wake you from you sleep the next week.

 

I think I'll stick with *ignore* or "Shut up or I'l beat up you with my purse.".

 

I think that most people who use "gay" as an insult do so without really thinking about it.  Putting them on the defensive by labeling them a homophobe isn't the worst idea. 

[Kamil 315]

So wait...

What you're saying is...

A girl speaks to me of her own accord?

 

I'm having trouble finding this situation realistic.

 

More seriously, I wouldn't notice someone was talking to me unless they were really determined to inform me of my sexuality for some reason. I dunno, maybe she's taking a "Gay identification" class and her teacher is awful. I'm not all too concerned with other people's opinions so they have to make it very clear when they're concerned with making me know them.

[Jessper 735]

I think that most people who use "gay" as an insult do so without really thinking about it.  Putting them on the defensive by labeling them a homophobe isn't the worst idea. 

I don't know. When you consider homosexuality to be an insult, chances are you are a homophobe or too ignorant to care. 

 

It just seems to me that this enlightening debate with trolls leads to really awkward situations that actually makes bronies look just as bad. I'd really say ignoring or a joke is the best response. Unless it's in person. Then the best response would be beating them up and going "You just got your ass served by a gay who loves ponies!".

 

Umm, sorry, have a very stupid mood today.

[Rainbow Tech 5]

Glad to see that most bronies have outgrown the disease that has plauged the world for years that is "gender roles" and "masculinity"

[DR Leper Lupinstein 410]

idk it's that gender stereotype crap. I'm a bronie, but does that mean i go to bars and drink appletinis or daquiris... NO! infact, i'm  pretty much a beer and whiskey drinker. but, people are programmed to believe that if you like something like ponies, then you're fruity. thing is, i could care less what this society thinks of me because: a) i'm pretty secure with myself. and b: i'm just wierd. as a brony and as a punk i use that hand in hand as a sort of outcry against this macho, frat-boyish facade that these people put on while everything that walks that isn't them is gay. just goes to show how secure they are with themselves.

Edited January 12, 2013 by zombronie

[kain17 88]

i'm a in the closet brony but not because i don't think its not masculine or gay. i have talk to some of my friends about it but i just don't have any brony friends irl so i just keep it online and i'm just starting to do this too. if some one tells me that liking ponys is weird or gay ill just say that i dont care. who are they to tell me who or what i should like. everyone is entitled to their own likes and dislike but i didnt ask for yours so dont be mad if i dont agree with you. thats just my thought about it.