Understanding Closet Bronies

[GenderIsAnIllusion 2,177]

I am so sorry man... that is just... terrible... I.. I really am at a loss for words.  My parents never thought I was gay, but my mom thought I SEEMED gay and would tell me to get my hand off my hip or not to wear such tight pants because girls don't like guys who do those things.  I'd always be like "Mick Jagger disproves you"  LMAO

 

Hee thinks so because i went and spoke at a small rally about gay marriage rights 2 years ago. But meh its ok. He donsent know just how many times me and my various GFs have "used" his bed, so i guess thats sorta my revenge

[Symph 103]

Hee thinks so because i went and spoke at a small rally about gay marriage rights 2 years ago. But meh its ok. He donsent know just how many times me and my various GFs have "used" his bed, so i guess thats sorta my revenge

OHHHHHHHH SNAP!!! Joke's on him then...  You soundril you!  hahahahahahaha I'll just.. keep hahaing till we're there hahahahahahahahahaa ok I can stop now.  

[Shanks 10,816]

He donsent know just how many times me and my various GFs have "used" his bed, so i guess thats sorta my revenge

LOL, that is pretty evil dude. My mother was the only person I ever hid my interest in ponies from not because I was afraid that she would judge me but because she is a bit of a worry wort and I was concerned that would give her one more thing to worry about. When she did find out by seeing this Applejack shirt hanging in my closet she reacted far better than I could have ever imagined, she actually thinks it is adorable.

[Symph 103]

LOL, that is pretty evil dude. My mother was the only person I ever hid my interest in ponies from not because I was afraid that she would judge me but because she is a bit of a worry wort and I was concerned that would give her one more thing to worry about. When she did find out by seeing this Applejack shirt hanging in my closet she reacted far better than I could have ever imagined, she actually thinks it is adorable.

your mom sounds like my mom.  It's not "no son of mine is gonna wear those tight pants and that girlie looking shirt act like a man!"  No it's more like "Chris chris!  Girls will think you're gay!! And then you'll never find a wife!! What if you meet someone who would have been perfect for you but they assume you're a homosexual!!  Please try to dress manlier!! PLEASE!!!"  It's.. cute in a weird way...

[Taviscratch 453]

My mother really disapproved at first, not because it's a girls show but because its a kids show. She was like "you're leaving home and you're too immature to get over kids shows?!" then she realised it was a girls show and was even more confused. I showed her a video on PBS Idea Channel about bronies challenging the current definition of masculinity. She finally understood but is still uneasy about it. As for the whole thing of using your dad's bed...that's just creepy. I'd much prefer to use my own.

[Symph 103]

My mother really disapproved at first, not because it's a girls show but because its a kids show. She was like "you're leaving home and you're too immature to get over kids shows?!" then she realised it was a girls show and was even more confused. I showed her a video on PBS Idea Channel about bronies challenging the current definition of masculinity. She finally understood but is still uneasy about it. As for the whole thing of using your dad's bed...that's just creepy. I'd much prefer to use my own.

his bed might be infested with mice or covered in gravy, you never know.  And that's my mom man, she has a very 50's mindset.  Men have short hair and are strong and big, they don't show emotions and take care and protect, women are house sitters who show their emotions and protect the children blah blah blah...  I blame her upbringing and the era she grew up in, it was drilled into her head from day one.  

[GenderIsAnIllusion 2,177]

his bed might be infested with mice or covered in gravy, you never know.  And that's my mom man, she has a very 50's mindset.  Men have short hair and are strong and big, they don't show emotions and take care and protect, women are house sitters who show their emotions and protect the children blah blah blah...  I blame her upbringing and the era she grew up in, it was drilled into her head from day one.  

 

 

My beds a small couch..... and im 6 feet 3 inches tall. i barely fit on it so...... yeah thats that.

 

 

My mother really disapproved at first, not because it's a girls show but because its a kids show. She was like "you're leaving home and you're too immature to get over kids shows?!" then she realised it was a girls show and was even more confused. I showed her a video on PBS Idea Channel about bronies challenging the current definition of masculinity. She finally understood but is still uneasy about it. As for the whole thing of using your dad's bed...that's just creepy. I'd much prefer to use my own.

 

Maybe i should show my dad that video.... got a link?

[Taviscratch 453]

Maybe i should show my dad that video.... got a link?

Eeyup. Here we go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Est3UNs-LIk

 

As for the couch thing...fair enough

 

And now I have to waste words because of the character limitation. There we go!

[Shanks 10,816]

No it's more like "Chris chris!  Girls will think you're gay!! And then you'll never find a wife!! 

Yep, you pretty much summed up how I thought my Mom would react, luckily for me she didn't. Seriously of all the reactions I thought she would have "that is so cute" wasn't one of them. If my Dad was still alive he probably would have laughed his ass off and trolled me a bit but probably wouldn't have cared. My Mom does tell me stuff like that sometimes not to boss me around or make me feel bad but because she does care about me but she never went so far as to say that "girl will think you are gay" or if I did this or didn't that "you'll never find a wife".

[Symph 103]

Yep, you pretty much summed up how I thought my Mom would react, luckily for me she didn't. Seriously of all the reactions I thought she would have "that is so cute" wasn't one of them. If my Dad was still alive he probably would have laughed his ass off and trolled me a bit but probably wouldn't have cared. My Mom does tell me stuff like that sometimes not to boss me around or make me feel bad but because she does care about me but she never went so far as to say that "girl will think you are gay" or if I did this or didn't that "you'll never find a wife".

If worrying was a super power, my mother would be wonder woman.  Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh OH COME ON IT ACTUALLY DETECTS WHEN YOU'RE JUST REPEATING A LETTER SO YOU CAN'T CHEAT... this is... God I like everything about this forum except the character limits are RIDONKULOUS!!!!!!  

[Thrashy 2,800]

I do understand the mindset. I was actually one myself; the thought of anyone finding out, especially my family, was downright terrifying to me at one point. I guess it just had to do with the fact that no one would ever think a guy like me would ever be into such a thing.

 

...But in the end, it was that very thought that kind of made me flip my stance. "Huh. I don't look like someone who'd be into a show about technicolor horsies, now do I?" After all, I'm a pretty scary looking dude. Who would honestly fuck with the scowling, long-haired guy in a pony tee and camo pants who looks like a Slayer roadie who's killed a man before?

 

Point is, I stopped keeping it a secret because I realized that, for me, it was pretty pointless to do so. But other bronies don't have the intimidation factor going for them that I do, and will most definitely encounter some degree of ridicule for openly displaying their love for the show. And as someone who was bullied as a kid, "just ignore them" is a whole helluva lot easier said than done.

 

I will say this, though. The whole point of this fandom, at least to me, is to simply enjoy the show / fan material / etc. and just have fun with it. Honestly, as long as you're having a good time, it really doesn't matter whether or not you want anyone else to know about it. Hell, for some people, the whole secrecy business may just be part of the whole thrill. Whatever tickles yer pickle, right?

 

But, if in concealing your love for the show you are finding that you're not having as much fun as you should be, then maybe the shroud of secrecy isn't the best thing for you. Just a bit o' food for the mind.

[Shanks 10,816]

"Huh. I don't look like someone who'd be into a show about technicolor horsies, now do I?" After all, I'm a pretty scary looking dude. Who would honestly fuck with the scowling, long-haired guy in a pony tee and camo pants who looks like a Slayer roadie who's killed a man before?

I don't either, I am a 6 foot 350 pound tank that looks more like a star quarterback than the pasty faced, effeminate basement dwelling nerd stereotype that haters and trolls have of us. That is not to say that I don't have an inner nerd or a feminine side but I can be as intimidating or gentle as I want to be, it all depends. It has gotten me some rather interesting reactions when I wear my Applejack shirt in public, nobody cares with my Discord shirt because it is usually only other bronies who recognize him but it is really obvious who Applejack is even if you don't watch the show.

 

One of my favorite reactions was from this bus driver after I caught the bus back home after seeing Equestria Girls, he didn't say anything but his face said it all he was probably thinking (what the hell is this guy wearing?) I wasn't angry at him because to be completely honest if I was in his place and didn't know anything about the show I would have done the same thing. Don't get me wrong, when I first found out about the fandom I did have the same WTF reaction that that bus driver did but after that passed I judged it as unusual yet harmless. Even if I don't completely blame him, I still thought the look on his face was hilarious.

[Zygen 6,066]

I am a closet brony myself, and I can agree with a good bit of what you said.

 

I can't say I really have felt insulted by being told I shouldn't be a closet brony, most are only trying to help.

 

Anyways the reason I'm a closet brony is a couple but mostly because I'm already at the bottom of the social totem pole or close to it, and I really don't want it to be even harder to have any aquantinces.

 

Id also like to say i don't care what others think, but honestly I do. I have to work on it, but regardless It wouldn't make me come out of the closet.

 

Most of the reason I'm still a closet brony is because I doubt my parents would approve, and if they did they'd bug me about it and stuff, my stepdad is also very stubborn and doesn't change his thoughts on things typically, and never admits when he's wrong, and I'd rather not have to fight with him.

 

My parents are also not trusting of the people of the Internet at all really.

 

Sure there is benifits to it, but I just don't want to make things more difficult between my family. I just can't see them being ok with me being a brony. Expecially if I buy merch and stuff.

 

Besides I really don't like people to know what I'm doing anyways, regardless of what I'm doing, it's not like I'm doing things bad, I just don't like people knowing what I'm doing most of the time.

 

So a lot of the stuff I do as a closet brony is normal to what I do to get my mosey parents and brother away from my private life.

 

So yeah, I highly highly doubt I'll ever purposely come out of the closet, the benifits just aren't there enough and it's just to risky I think. It could totally screw up my life. Sure it could turn out fine, but I'd rather not try my luck given the chances I have currently.

[Twi Rubix 726]

I'm a closet brony for the most part, so I can't really say from experience how insults would feel, but I do agree with you that when other commit suicide because of excessive insults/bullying, that's just wrong.

 

Bronies do have it hard. Some get picked on, and never catch a break. I actually know a friend like that. It just comes to show when people see something out of the ordinary, they immediately reject it.

[Symph 103]

I'm kind of the opposite of the two "intimidating male bronies" who just posted.  I think it was easy for me to let it out because I've been rocking girlie things my whole life LOL.  I've owned care bears t-shirts, was into powerpuff girls in my 20's, I cry easily and don't even TRY to fight it, like, if something is touching to me and I start to tear up I'll just acknowledge it before anyone else does like saying through my tears "omg... it's too beautiful!!!"  In fact when I first learned that guys would try to make me feel weird for crying at the touching moments in movies, I decided instead I'd try to make them feel weird for NOT.  as soon as a really powerful moment comes and that tear jerk reaction comes I'd be like "What is wrong with you dudes are you made of STONE??"  hahaha to which they usually still make fun of me, but laugh at how unashamed I am about it.  I guess even if you're not intimidating, if you are SO just.. YOU, you know like, soooo comfortable in your skin that nothing gets to you, people usually find no joy in mocking you.  

 

So since I've been used to being a sensitive androgynous dude all my life, the brony thing wasn't really too outside my comfort zone, it was more right up my alley.  Though I still have to admit, I was weirded out that OTHER men were into it.  I'm used to being the odd man out, not finding out there's a huge movement of guys into something like this, which is why I thought there must be some perverse aspect to it at first.  But as soon as I realized that for the MOST part (there IS clopping...) it's not anything weird, but just the way I am, a love of cute things and happy love vibes, I was like "well... this just might be for me" 

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 41,956]

What I get out of this is, be afraid of the opinions of others, just, because, even if their opinion is INCREDIBLY STUPID. My view on it is this: Be yourself. Yes, I have the mentality of 'f*ck what others think' because, if people are really this stupid to judge you over a great show, then their opinion is not worth respecting. 

[Misty Rose 3,216]

I agree. I personally haven't been bullied about liking the show but I've heard of many people who have. My cousins don't really pick on me or tease me about being a brony, but they always give me weird looks when I'm watching the show or singing along to the music. It's pretty sad to see how people overreact and terrorize people over a TV show. Just let people do their own thing, if they like something you don't deal with it. There's no need to pick on someone regarding their interests. It's just stupid!

[Scrumpy 159]

And you know you're being a hypocrite when you say these people shouldn't care what others think, yet you voice your opinions and tell them what YOU think. I'm sorry (not really) but that is a bit hypocritical.

 

So yeah, I'm done with my rant. And this isn't just a rant. I'm trying to defend closet bronies. Or at least those who feel the same way I do.

 

Would you agree with the points I made?

Um yeah I agree, but it kinda is true and people shouldn't care about what others think of them, but don't get me twisted, I DO understand it's not as easy as simply not caring. And it probably isn't only me that says this from a recovering state of depression, but I say that to people because having been to the brink of suicide myself and put it behind me I "know better" than to care what other people think now, or rather I've developed the psychological tools that allow me to not care what people think too much. So yeah ok so maybe I'm a hypocrite, but I genuinely be the hypocrite out of good intentions and trying to be helpful. If I fail to be helpful that's kinda a seperate issue. I like to think most peoples hearts are in the right place even if they don't always show it well.

Edited July 5, 2013 by Scrumpy

[Hyper Tumble 1,483]

With me, it's not a problem about random people in public, or even people in my grade. Buck 'em, right? It's the opinions of my family and close friends, because I have to see them almost every day, so I'd rather not complicate it and make it awkward. Only my brother knows, because he walked in and I couldn't change the channel fast enough.

[Metemponychosis 1,262]

Interesting. Because I used to be one of these that believed that you just have to "ignore" what everyone else was saying.

That's how my parents raised me and it was only in college that I realized how much it it hurts when people say stuff just to hit your morale.

 

Well, I can only agree with you.

[Shanks 10,816]

YOU, you know like, soooo comfortable in your skin that nothing gets to you, people usually find no joy in mocking you.  

That is exactly the message I am trying to get across, bullying and trolling is no fun if you don't let it effect you. The mesage of "I don't give a damn" still rings loud and clear even if you deliver it in a different manner than I do.

[Flutterdasher 116]

I think I'm agreeing with a lot of others above me, but, I don't think that people who say you shouldn't worry what other people think are being hypocritical. Bullies will hammer a point over and over again and in the meanest way possible, even in some cases violent. The ones giving advice are trying to be helpful and nice, boost moral and give a goal. Their not shoving their opinion down your throat in anyway possible, just trying to help make a difficult situation a little brighter. At least that is my personal intent when I say some such thing.