I lit up one of my graduate students...

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I would consider the dude a prick (maybe not a bigot) if he handed that candy to a single friend as a joking Valentines Day thing. Using the phrase "no homo" in any setting immediately calls into question your judgement.

The fact that he did this in so public a way makes him idiotic for sure.

I'm not disagreeing with his Idiot-ness.
 
I would consider the dude a prick (maybe not a bigot) if he handed that candy to a single friend as a joking Valentines Day thing. Using the phrase "no homo" in any setting immediately calls into question your judgement.

The fact that he did this in so public a way makes him idiotic for sure.

The more innocent way of using such a phrase would be to say it after a double entendre or saying something in a manner which you didn't intend.

The problem with this example is that it seems planned, which takes away the innocent joke angle somewhat. That said, I think it's a stretch to label him homophobic or a bigot - ill judged and idiotic as you say, yes.
 
I don't see anything wrong with what the guy did to be honest.
I don't know what's more annoying - the fact that he thought it would be okay to hand this shit out in class
Seriously dude? I don't know what things are like in the US (I assume that's where OP is from), but in Australia I could hand out chocolates in class if I wanted to without fear of punishment. It isn't primary school anymore - everyone in the class is an adult.

I also don't consider 'no-homo' hate speech. I've never actually used the term myself, but the times I have heard others do so it's always been tongue-in-cheek...and in this case with the chocolates it definitely appears to not have been intentionally offensive...
 
I don't see anything wrong with what the guy did to be honest.

Seriously dude? I don't know what things are like in the US (I assume that's where OP is from), but in Australia I could hand out chocolates in class if I wanted to without fear of punishment. It isn't primary school anymore - everyone in the class is an adult.

I also don't consider 'no-homo' hate speech. I've never actually used the term myself, but the times I have heard others do so it's always been tongue-in-cheek...and in this case with the chocolates it definitely appears to not have been intentionally offensive...

Oh well if he wasn't being intentionally offensive then he's in the clear.
 
I read page one thinking it was an overreaction to consider it a homophobic statement, as I've only ever seen it used in comedic context. Along with "Pause", it's never been anything more to me than a one-time popular joke that takes phrases and turns them into double entendres.

Then I jump to page five and find that "That's what she said" coming under the same fire! It's an entirely harmless joke that is the same thing - turning things into double entendres. I've made the joke around females and seen females use it in conversation. The same applies to "That's what he said". It implies nothing about either gender whatsoever.

If I received one of those chocolates, I would laugh. A free chocolate and a reference to a joke I'd forgotten about? Not a problem.

Having said that, I'm saying this as someone who would give everyone the chocolates and purposely tell the lads I work with I love them and I can't infer anyone else's reason for using the phrase, and I've also never been in a graduate student setting, so I don't know what the vibe is like in those sorts of classes.
 
I don't see anything wrong with what the guy did to be honest.

Seriously dude? I don't know what things are like in the US (I assume that's where OP is from), but in Australia I could hand out chocolates in class if I wanted to without fear of punishment. It isn't primary school anymore - everyone in the class is an adult.

I also don't consider 'no-homo' hate speech. I've never actually used the term myself, but the times I have heard others do so it's always been tongue-in-cheek...and in this case with the chocolates it definitely appears to not have been intentionally offensive...

And if you did that in a workplace setting here in the US, you're setting yourself up for a harassment lawsuit, which I believe is what bish was taking the opportunity to teach to a class hoping to work in the game industry,
 
I don't see anything wrong with what the guy did to be honest.

Seriously dude? I don't know what things are like in the US (I assume that's where OP is from), but in Australia I could hand out chocolates in class if I wanted to without fear of punishment. It isn't primary school anymore - everyone in the class is an adult.

I also don't consider 'no-homo' hate speech. I've never actually used the term myself, but the times I have heard others do so it's always been tongue-in-cheek...and in this case with the chocolates it definitely appears to not have been intentionally offensive...

Dude, it wasn't the handing out of candy that got him flagged. No one cares about the candy.

Also, no one would have thought he was gay for handing out candy, so it was an unnecessary statement.
 
Handing them out so freely to everyone was a bit of an idiotic move, but OP blowing up at him for it is a little really? to me.

I can understand.

Reading from the OP it seems that he does classes for people that are going to the industry.

If you don't have the common sense to know that is not appropriate to do that kind of joke in that kind of setting. It would be irresponsible for the OP not to address it.
 
If the candy-man didn't have the social tact to know what is and isn't appropriate he sure does now.

If it was disruptive to Bish's class that is one thing, but I'm not so sure it was his place to blast a student in front of his peers like that. He could have pulled him aside.
 
Handing them out so freely to everyone was a bit of an idiotic move, but OP blowing up at him for it is a little really? to me.

Part of the problem with this type of phrasing is that it's insidious. It may on the surface seem like a harmless joke, but it works as a constant reminder for people who casually use it or have it used around them that men cannot show affection and if they show affection without explicitly declaring it not gay then they have to question their sexuality. It also assumes the stance that being 'homo' is something that should be avoided, so anytime there is affection shown one has to make sure to avoid being accused of 'homo'.

It's a joke, but it carries with it decades of male sexual repression and homosexual bigotry.
 
If it was disruptive to Bish's class that is one thing, but I'm not so sure it was his place to blast a student in front of his peers like that. He could have pulled him aside.
This.

I can understand Bish wanting to give the guy a wake-up call, but the way he described 'lighting him up' seems like a little too far imo.
 
I remember one time during my classes last year where a few students at the front of the class were talking amongst themselves and started saying 'that's so gay' and 'no homo' and stuff as a joke.

The Prof I had was probably one of the most laid back guys ever - but I've never seen him (or another Prof) yell like that before. I was so glad he did it though, embarrassing all those guys.

I haven't said "that's gay" since high school, about 6 years ago. I certainly don't say 'No Homo' either, as the context is definitely meant to be derogatory. I'm glad you called out your students for the same thing as my Prof did. If only more of them would check students and call them out on it, maybe some people would realize it's not acceptable.
 
If it was disruptive to Bish's class that is one thing, but I'm not so sure it was his place to blast a student in front of his peers like that. He could have pulled him aside.

Doubt it would have had the same effect. Student would have probably been all, "Okay dude, whatever, sorry." This guarenteed a lasting effect on the entire class.
 
so what are the odds this game design student reads/posts on Gaf and will now be able to reveal Bish's secret identity? Someone in that class must be aware of Gaf, right?
 
Doubt it would have had the same effect. Student would have probably been all, "Okay dude, whatever, sorry." This guarenteed a lasting effect on the entire class.

Also Bish did seem a little disappointed that no one else in class had said anything to the dude before hand so a public declamation of the issue was more appropriate.
 
A teacher shouldn't teach? Sure, his class is game design, but that doesn't mean they can't learn a life lesson about appropriate behaviour in certain settings.

These are adults we are talking about. I know the english language has no specific word for it, but in German and most other languages there is a strict difference between upbringing and teaching / schooling. The upbringing part is the parents responsibilty and in the case of adults: none of your fucking business.
 
These are adults we are talking about. I know the english language has no specific word for it, but in German and most other languages there is a strict difference between upbringing and teaching / schooling. The upbringing part is the parents responsibilty and in the case of adults: none of your fucking business.

Well I'm sure if the student feels the same way then he's free to leave Bish's class, hopefully for him he sticks around because it seems like he could learn a lot from Bish.
 
These are adults we are talking about. I know the english language has no specific word for it, but in German and most other languages there is a strict difference between upbringing and teaching / schooling. The upbringing part is the parents responsibilty and in the case of adults: none of your fucking business.

Don't want that shit in the classroom? Don't bring that shit into the classroom.
 
Sorry to ask but can some one explain to me why this is a big offense? I always saw it as a harmless joke, still partially respectfull and partially just a way of being funny.
 
Sorry to ask but can some one explain to me why this is a big offense? I always saw it as a harmless joke, still partially respectfull and partially just a way of being funny.

Part of the problem with this type of phrasing is that it's insidious. It may on the surface seem like a harmless joke, but it works as a constant reminder for people who casually use it or have it used around them that men cannot show affection and if they show affection without explicitly declaring it not gay then they have to question their sexuality. It also assumes the stance that being 'homo' is something that should be avoided, so anytime there is affection shown one has to make sure to avoid being accused of 'homo'.

It's a joke, but it carries with it decades of male sexual repression and homosexual bigotry.

That quote is from this page, you don't even have to read a different page to get the answer to your question.

Read the responses to this exact question in this thread. And then go read the OTHER thread that dedicated to this exact question.
 
Sorry to ask but can some one explain to me why this is a big offense? I always saw it as a harmless joke, still partially respectfull and partially just a way of being funny.

No homo could be seen as offensive or hate speech. This is extreme but so it tying someone to a fence, beating them, and them leaving them to die of exposure all because of his sexual preference. It is the need to teach kids what might cost them their jobs in the future.
 
These are adults we are talking about. I know the english language has no specific word for it, but in German and most other languages there is a strict difference between upbringing and teaching / schooling. The upbringing part is the parents responsibilty and in the case of adults: none of your fucking business.
Please, continue to let people get off being bigots and racists. It's not your place unless your their parents.
 
I consider "No-homo" to just be the only way a bro can properly express how much they appreciate their fellow bros in a non-romantic way.
It should not be handed out like candy to your class-mates though, as they might not be bros and use brolinguistics.

Therefore, the OP did good discouraging the class from using the term.
 
Sorry to ask but can some one explain to me why this is a big offense? I always saw it as a harmless joke, still partially respectfull and partially just a way of being funny.

It's just a stupid and potentially offensive thing to say. Imagine you're gay, struggling to be accepted and some jerkoff hands you a piece of candy that says "NO HOMO" on it, as if being gay is a bad thing.

Especially in a class with graduate students, you'd think they would be able to exhibit a little more restraint.
 
These are adults we are talking about. I know the english language has no specific word for it, but in German and most other languages there is a strict difference between upbringing and teaching / schooling. The upbringing part is the parents responsibilty and in the case of adults: none of your fucking business.

What does his upbringing have to do with throwing this in everyone's face? Nobody needs his candy to mock them when they're trying to get an education.
 
Part of the problem with this type of phrasing is that it's insidious. It may on the surface seem like a harmless joke, but it works as a constant reminder for people who casually use it or have it used around them that men cannot show affection and if they show affection without explicitly declaring it not gay then they have to question their sexuality. It also assumes the stance that being 'homo' is something that should be avoided, so anytime there is affection shown one has to make sure to avoid being accused of 'homo'.

It's a joke, but it carries with it decades of male sexual repression and homosexual bigotry.
I really like this post. I'm in complete agreement, and I can see that even a lighthearted use of this phrase carries with it a lot of underlying negativity.
 
If it was disruptive to Bish's class that is one thing, but I'm not so sure it was his place to blast a student in front of his peers like that. He could have pulled him aside.

As a teacher its his responsibility to let his students know what is and isnt appropriate in his classroom and use an opportunity like this as a lesson. Especially on workplace ethics.
 
These are adults we are talking about. I know the english language has no specific word for it, but in German and most other languages there is a strict difference between upbringing and teaching / schooling. The upbringing part is the parents responsibilty and in the case of adults: none of your fucking business.
It's also no one else's responsibility to coddle them when they are being offensive. They're an adult. They should act like one.
 
Part of the problem with this type of phrasing is that it's insidious. It may on the surface seem like a harmless joke, but it works as a constant reminder for people who casually use it or have it used around them that men cannot show affection and if they show affection without explicitly declaring it not gay then they have to question their sexuality. It also assumes the stance that being 'homo' is something that should be avoided, so anytime there is affection shown one has to make sure to avoid being accused of 'homo'.

It's a joke, but it carries with it decades of male sexual repression and homosexual bigotry.

this is the problem guys.

i am in complete agreement with bish.

also, what is the deal with the people in the thread saying that it would be weird to give chocolates out to your class, weird enough that you would need to specify you're not gay??? i weep for our society.
 
if Bish is teaching a game design course, then there is a chance one of those students is on Gaf right? And maybe even reading this thread huh
 
this is the problem guys.

i am in complete agreement with bish.

also, what is the deal with the people in the thread saying that it would be weird to give chocolates out to your class, weird enough that you would need to specify you're not gay??? i weep for our society.
I have never been in a situation where passing out food required a specification of sexuality.
 
So what you're saying is that Bish is holding the sword of Damocles over this students head?
I know nothing.

Part of the problem with this type of phrasing is that it's insidious. It may on the surface seem like a harmless joke, but it works as a constant reminder for people who casually use it or have it used around them that men cannot show affection and if they show affection without explicitly declaring it not gay then they have to question their sexuality. It also assumes the stance that being 'homo' is something that should be avoided, so anytime there is affection shown one has to make sure to avoid being accused of 'homo'.

It's a joke, but it carries with it decades of male sexual repression and homosexual bigotry.
This was well-put, you are much more eloquent than I am.
 
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