Originally Posted by Deeferone:
“I have quite a few guy friends and I have been hearing pretty much word for word what CB said from them too for many years. I don't agree with their opinion but surely they must be allowed to have an opinion. I think when you are in the public eye it does put a different emphasis on your opinion obviously, so I feel you have to be very fair to both sides of the argument. I personally find it strange that some gay men do not accept that bisexual people are genuine and its not just people who are confused or don't want to take the final plunge, I find that quite arrogant. I like CB however when he made that statement he came across very arrogant and came across like he was stating a fact not an opinion, its not a fact.”
bib - I think you mean 'gay' friends Deefs?
I agree, he did come over as very arrogant and as if he was stating a fact rather than an opinion, although many people do that every day.
I do, however, disagree with one thing some FMs are saying - that BB should warn him about it.
I think it's important for people to be allowed to express their opinion on BB (or on here) however disagreeable it may be to others. The reason I think it's important and that conversation of that sort shouldn't be stifled, is because it's important to create discussion and dialogue rather than hide it away.
If homophobia had never been voiced and subsequently challenged, we would still be back in the dark ages - the same with racism or any view that seeks to marginalise or demonise sections of our society who are different to what is considered the 'norm' or mainstream.
If there's no dialogue, there can't be change.
In terms of Big Brother specifically, I agree with their decision not to challenge both Biggins and Marnie on their behaviour and to leave the housemates, as adults and a mini-society for the time they are in there, to deal with their own differences as much as possible. As Saira said to Ricky the other night, they are only going to learn if people stop making excuses for them and they are allowed to dig their own graves.
Biggins has started a conversation about bisexuality through what he said - not what he intended to do I'm sure - but surely that is a good thing, because dialogue is much more important than oppression. Telling somebody off for their opinion isn't going to change that opinion - it still exists and others still hold that opinion - challenging that opinion is the only way to change things, as has been the case throughout history.