Why do we use the term closet brony

[TheMarkz0ne 962]

This is something I feel strongly about. Because I feel as if it's uneeded in the community. When you refer to someone as a closet brony, it's implying that they're ashamed of liking the show. They shouldn't be ashamed regardless, but you get the point. I am just asking why is the term around? where did it come from? Do you know closet bronies? I was once a closet case myself. But over time I jusrt began to hate the term.

Edited January 28, 2013 by TheMarkz0ne

[GuillermoGage 246]

I really dislike the phrase because it is a comparison to homosexuals in the closet.

 

No, we are not in the same situation, and I say that as a generally conservative-ish person. Give credit of legit hardship of keeping a secret where it is due. We male fans of this television cartoon are not going through the same thing as that.

Edited January 28, 2013 by GuillermoGage

[Shanks 10,816]

I think the term is used because there are a lot of bronies that while they may not all be ashamed that they like cartoon ponies don't want others knowing because they are afraid of being stigmatized for it. I have only been on this forum for a couple of months and of the most common topics I see come up is "my parents found out I am a brony and they don't like it" or "I get bullied at school because I am a brony" or some other variation thereof. While I don't go out of my way to tell everyone I don't really care who knows or how many people know and whether or not they approve of it.

[Fridge 382]

This is something I feel strongly about. Because I feel as if it's uneeded in the community. When you refer to someone as a closet brony, it'd implying that they're ashamed of liking the show. They shouldn't be ashamed regardless, but you get the point. I am just asking why is the term around? where did it come from? Do you know closet bronies? I was once a closet case myself. But over time I jusrt began to hate the term.

Well when I use it it's because use it in the same way that some people are 'closet gays' etc. because fatten people use terms like 'coming out' etc, its an easy analogy to make. Besides what other term can be used for someone into the show but is afraid of showing it?

[Alex0461 33]

Well when I use it it's because use it in the same way that some people are 'closet gays' etc. because fatten people use terms like 'coming out' etc, its an easy analogy to make. Besides what other term can be used for someone into the show but is afraid of showing it?

This pretty much explains it's use, it's not meant to be offensive toward anyone who's homosexual. It simply draws comparisons that you will face intolerance in letting others know you're a Brony, while the term was originally used to describe homosexuals it's now kind of spread out and is used in other places because of the convenient analogy. After all if you're a closet (insert anything here) it means you have some kind of attribute to you that you will face intolerance and be ostracized for by society. Is admitting to those around you you're a Brony going to bring the same level of hate upon you as telling the world you're gay? In most cases no, however it does invite a lot of it and in some cases people end up catching more flak than if they admitted to the world that they were openly gay. Such is the case between a few of my gay friends and myself where they've actively told me they'd rather be gay than a Brony as I catch more heat for it than they do for being gay, but I'm sure I'm in the minority. Either way it's used not because people are ashamed but rather they're afraid of the way they'll be judged by others and are afraid of the emotional pain undergoing that would cause them.

 

Just because the term originated with homosexuals doesn't mean that others facing hate can't use a comfortable term to describe being afraid of being judged unfairly by society. If anything thank the gays for giving the world a way to accurately and effectively convey a fear of intolerance from society for being different in such a short quick phrase.

[Scootalove 10,689]

I think we use that term for anyone that does not feel comfortable admitting that they are a brony.

I really don't have anything against that

[Gone Airbourne 21,977]

I don't like the term either and just sounds wrong :I. It just describes one who does not want others to know that they like the show. They are to wrapped up in what others will think of them, thus this term arose. 

[TheMarkz0ne 962]

This pretty much explains it's use, it's not meant to be offensive toward anyone who's homosexual. It simply draws comparisons that you will face intolerance in letting others know you're a Brony, while the term was originally used to describe homosexuals it's now kind of spread out and is used in other places because of the convenient analogy. After all if you're a closet (insert anything here) it means you have some kind of attribute to you that you will face intolerance and be ostracized for by society. Is admitting to those around you you're a Brony going to bring the same level of hate upon you as telling the world you're gay? In most cases no, however it does invite a lot of it and in some cases people end up catching more flak than if they admitted to the world that they were openly gay. Such is the case between a few of my gay friends and myself where they've actively told me they'd rather be gay than a Brony as I catch more heat for it than they do for being gay, but I'm sure I'm in the minority. Either way it's used not because people are ashamed but rather they're afraid of the way they'll be judged by others and are afraid of the emotional pain undergoing that would cause them.

 

Just because the term originated with homosexuals doesn't mean that others facing hate can't use a comfortable term to describe being afraid of being judged unfairly by society. If anything thank the gays for giving the world a way to accurately and effectively convey a fear of intolerance from society for being different in such a short quick phrase.

 

I know the term "closet case" orginated from homosexuals. But I feel as if the word is just unneeded. I have been called a closet brony many times by some of my IRL brony friends. I still love my friends, but the term just got on my nerves is all. If people want to use the word, I have nothing against that. But it's insulting because a majority of the bronies in the world are heterosexuals. Many people don't want to be called gay if they're are not gay to begin with. Because you have ignorant people. Like those guys in the brony documentary who smashed that kid alex's car for having celestia and luna on it. Calling him gay and girly. I can't stand anti gay anything. Closet brony just to me is just a word that insults the person who likes the show, but doesn't want anyone else to know.

Edited January 28, 2013 by TheMarkz0ne

[~Vallo~ 409]

This is something I feel strongly about. Because I feel as if it's uneeded in the community. When you refer to someone as a closet brony, it's implying that they're ashamed of liking the show. They shouldn't be ashamed regardless, but you get the point. I am just asking why is the term around? where did it come from? Do you know closet bronies? I was once a closet case myself. But over time I jusrt began to hate the term.

It's used to describe people who are "ashamed" of liking it. Which is pretty irrational since it's stupid to tell anyone your a brony anyway. And I'm not even a brony, so..

Edited October 18, 2013 by ~Vallo~

[TheMarkz0ne 962]

I'm not ashamed to like the show, but I'm afraid that my reputation at school would be destroyed if people found out. And no, it's not implying that I'm ashamed to like the show. After all, it's just a show. It's not some cult or huge religion that I need everyone to know that I'm a part of.

 

Catch my drift?

I get what your saying. I just wish we didn't live in a world where we had to hide ourselves. I am a hiprocrite because I hide who I am to avoid being made fun of. But I wish I had the strength to overcome that. Someday I will.

[Alex0461 33]

I know the term "closet case" orginated from homosexuals. But I feel as if the word is just unneeded. I have been called a closet brony many times by some of my IRL brony friends. I still love my friends, but the term just got on my nerves is all.

I think the main reason it's used is because it's become so comfortable to say, I'm sure people could figure out a different way to word it that says exactly what they mean but the problem is it's such a quick phrase. After all if I were to say "I still haven't admitted to everyone around me that I'm a Brony because I'm afraid of the kind of judgement I'll get" you know exactlly what I mean, however if I say "I'm a closet Brony" I've said the same thing but more quickly. 

 

The term just kind of got stuck in Brony culture to describe those of us who haven't admitted to everyone they like the show (even when typing this I wanted to say both "came out" and "become open" which goes to show how ingrained they are) It's one of those things that doesn't look like it's going to change any time soon. :/

[IamSanchO 19]

This is something I feel strongly about. Because I feel as if it's uneeded in the community. When you refer to someone as a closet brony, it's implying that they're ashamed of liking the show. They shouldn't be ashamed regardless, but you get the point. I am just asking why is the term around? where did it come from? Do you know closet bronies? I was once a closet case myself. But over time I jusrt began to hate the term.

I would say that I am a closet brony, I do not really feel very comfortable publicly expressing how much I enjoy ponies. I am happy remaining anonymous on forums and other similar website, no one needs to know...

 

I am content with the term, I'll own it until the day comes when I no longer need to hide my pony love

[Alex0461 33]

I know the term "closet case" orginated from homosexuals. But I feel as if the word is just unneeded. I have been called a closet brony many times by some of my IRL brony friends. I still love my friends, but the term just got on my nerves is all. If people want to use the word, I have nothing against that. But it's insulting because a majority of the bronies in the world are heterosexuals. Many people don't want to be called gay if they're are not gay to begin with. Because you have ignorant people. Like those guys in the brony documentary who smashed that kid alex's car for having celestia and luna on it. Calling him gay and girly. I can't stand anti gay anything. Closet brony just to me is just a word that insults the person who likes the show, but doesn't want anyone else to know.

I did not see the rest of that.   Ninja edit lol. Being called gay just comes with the territory unfortunately a lot of really insensitive people out there dishing out hate on those who are different, but they're the minority. I don't believe closet Brony was ever meant to be an insult, after all we kind of gave the term to ourselves because it described the situation those of us in hiding (better way to put it) were in. And Bronies insulting each other?! Now that's just wrong in every way imaginable, goes against what we stand for.

[TheMarkz0ne 962]

I did not see the rest of that.   Ninja edit lol. Being called gay just comes with the territory unfortunately a lot of really insensitive people out there dishing out hate on those who are different, but they're the minority. I don't believe closet Brony was ever meant to be an insult, after all we kind of gave the term to ourselves because it described the situation those of us in hiding (better way to put it) were in. And Bronies insulting each other?! Now that's just wrong in every way imaginable, goes against what we stand for.

Oh I have never been made fun of by another brony. My friends just like to bust my balls and everything. I think the brony community is to mature to mak fun of one another.

Edited January 28, 2013 by TheMarkz0ne

[Soviet Spy 31]

Like was said before, the term is used because of the analogy and because they're hiding the fact that they like the show. Most people don't use the term in any reference to homosexuals. Besides, the only term I use is "Brony." To me, Bronies are just people that like the show, nothing else.

 

Also, people will call you gay and every other similar word as well because they don't understand us. One way to think about it is that us male bronies are so confident in our masculinity that we can like a "girl's show," and (for some of us) admit it. Fact is, we're more manly than they are.

[Alex0461 33]

Oh I have never beem=n made fun of by another brony. My friends just like to bust my balls and everything. I think the brony community is to mature to mak fun of one another.

 

I don't think I've ever heard of a case of a Brony making fun of a Brony lol, it just doesn't really happen often. And yeah friends'll do that, mine do the same thing.

 

 And you're avatar is creeping me out she just keeps staring at me while I type...lol 

 

Like was said before, the term is used because of the analogy and because they're hiding the fact that they like the show. Most people don't use the term in any reference to homosexuals. Besides, the only term I use is "Brony." To me, Bronies are just people that like the show, nothing else.

 

Also, people will call you gay and every other similar word as well because they don't understand us. One way to think about it is that us male bronies are so confident in our masculinity that we can like a "girl's show," and (for some of us) admit it. Fact is, we're more manly than they are.

That's pretty much how I look at it, I'm comfortable enough with my masculinity to not be phased by being called girly. And as for being called gay? Well I'm comfortable enough with my sexuality to not be phased by that either.

 

Most of the hate we catch is dished out I think because the haters are so uncomfortable with the prospect of being seen as unmanly or having their sexual preference called into question. Pity the hater who lives in fear my friends.

[PoniesPlease 365]

I really dislike the phrase because it is a comparison to homosexuals in the closet.

 

No, we are not in the same situation, and I say that as a generally conservative-ish person. Give credit of legit hardship of keeping a secret where it is due. We male fans of this television cartoon are not going through the same thing as that.

I agree, discriminating against bronies is worlds apart from discriminating against people of another sexuality/race, and i think some bronies need to learn from that.

[Bendy 1,821]

I'm not a closet Brony, but at the same time I'm not gonna burst into a bar and shout "I LOVE MY LITTLE PONY!"

 

The reason there are closet Bronies, because they will get bullied and shunned by people. They think you're a Clopper automatically. Which in itself isn't bad cause at least Cloppers find a sapient being hot.

Edited January 28, 2013 by Rush

[Concord 1,982]

Hello!

 

From the many depictions of a "Closet brony", i must confess, that i am somewhat one.

 

A closet brony, is someone, who stays quiet about his liking for the show, the fandom. Nothing more. 

 

There are many people that fit into a "Closet Brony" Standart, thus, people started calling them - Closet Bronies.

[Fhaolan 4,483]

I know the term "closet case" orginated from homosexuals.

 

Teeeechnically, the term is an extension of the older phrase 'Skeleton in a Closet' meaning a shameful secret. It's an Americanization of the 'Skeleton in a Cupboard' British phrase that's even older. Using it as part of 'Closet Brony' brings it back full circle.

 

Not saying this is in any way relevant to your point. I'm just being persnickety for some reason.

[Thundaa 1]

I like the idea of it but not the term it's self. Like others have said, it almost means that it might have something to do with homosexuality (I have nothing against homosexuality) and could be used against people.

[cuteycindyhoney 13,307]

I really dislike the phrase because it is a comparison to homosexuals in the closet.

 

No, we are not in the same situation, and I say that as a generally conservative-ish person. Give credit of legit hardship of keeping a secret where it is due. We male fans of this television cartoon are not going through the same thing as that.

 

I just wanted to thank you for a very insightful comment. This is exactly how I feel about it. I find it pretty much distasteful to compare admitting that you like a 22 minute CARTOON, to the emotional life changing trauma entailed by "Coming out" as gay or lesbian.   

[Snowdream 221]

i am a closet brony because i live in your closet.... no wait thats slightly creepy. I think i should leave before i say anything else weird, but first!.. i dont think that closet brony means your nesiserily ashamed... just not sure if others will accept you being different... iDK

[Soviet Spy 31]

Speaking of telling people about being a Brony...

 

I do it all the time. I don't go out my way to tell everyone, but once in a while I'll talk about ponies or mention them. I also wear my Fluttershy saying yay shirt at school. Also, at the intros at the beggining of the year I told of my being a Brony. I even wrote a paper on it for Honors English and got a few of my teachers to watch the show  .

 

I don't take much crap except from my dad and some people at school, and even then it's not bullying, it's just poking fun. I deflect most bullies with my IDGAF attitude.

[DoctorWhovian1902 596]

Closet bronies exist because many people hate us and some don't want to experience that.

 

As for if I know any closet bronies, long story short, I used to be one, but I gained some confidence and admitted it to my friends and family. Nearly no one accepts it. End of story.