You know what's funny. I'll post at GFY on rare occasions, if I have something to add, but that's it. But on other boards, I try to keep in mind that the reason a lot of people make homophobic remarks is simply because they don't know any gay people. And more often then not they don't even think about the fact that what they are saying can actually affect real people. And getting defensive doesn't help. Think about it, someone who is used to making fun of a group finally gets talk to someone from that group and all they do is make a big scene for having been made fun of, it just sends the point home that there is nothing in common there and now there is even more reason to make nasty comments. However, if you take a little time to just let them know that you are a real person and that their words really hurt, it may make them think twice. I usually try to do this with humor. Laughter is a great means of communication.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that empathy towards another person is a much better way towards communication than just reacting to a single statement.

On the other hand, sometimes it's a lost cause. There are a lot of people on GFY who only look at us as something to be laughed at and mocked, and I feel no need to play their game. When I do post there it's for the people to whom I can actually communicate with. The rest can pretty much take a hint from the boards title.