A Revzilla article calls out the culture of homophobia and transphobia in the MC industry.

[Holeshot]

You seem to be missing the entire point of the article. The article isn't about him. The article is about the rampant homophobia and transphobia in the motorcycle industry, as he witnessed himself working through various jobs and shops.

Solid article. Given the author's in his mid 40's, he documents his experiences through the moto industry through his life, growing through the moto industry. His telling is historical and seems on par with the growing up society has done around mainstream acceptance of LGBTQ. IOW, we're reading an article that's recounting near 30 years of employment. The early 90's weren't as accepting as today...

It is he struggle of the nonconformist that creates their strength and is the reason they should be admired.

June Truth. A strong constitution is the reward for being non-conforming...especially in an unfriendly environment.

 

[Johndicezx9]

Martyrs aren't really martyrs 'til SOMEONE ELSE makes that call...

 

[afm199]

I know a guy with a trans son, who is working hard to succeed as a rider. The son. The guy is a bit of a redneck and loves his kid and helps him hugely. I never saw anyone impugn, ridicule, or shade him or his kid.

Yes, I know, obviously one example doesn't mean anything.

And sometimes stirring up shit about a non problem does.

 

[Blankpage]

Often the gheys can be the funniest people in the room. Totally chill with expressing whatever’s on their mind. Can’t fault someone for brutality honesty.

 

[Wolf]

Motorcycling is one of the most toxic cultures to exist next to video games.

Motorsports in general tends to be a pit of competitive masculinity where nonconformists must be loudly rejected for fear that a less-than-total refutation might taint a bro's cred.

And now I'm just stringing words together which seem like they might fit.

I'm going to bed.



lol.... "taint"

 

[greenmonster]

I think a similar article could be written about females in the moto world?

 

[TylerW]

I think a similar article could be written about females in the moto world?

I reckon so, but it'd be different. A lot more sexual harassment and a lot less about people worried about catching "the gay".

Also I don't imagine a woman could Mulan her way through the MC industry pretending to be a man.

 

[gixxerjeff]

I reckon so, but it'd be different. A lot more sexual harassment and a lot less about people worried about catching "the gay".

Also I don't imagine a woman could Mulan her way through the MC industry pretending to be a man.

Solid point, Tyler.
Elena Myers comes quickly and sadly to mind here.

 

[xgambit]

Motorcycling is one of the most toxic cultures to exist next to video games.

Source: Me motorcyclist. Former gamer & reformed edgelord.

Both pale in comparison to the MMA community. Imagine cutting the motorcyling/gaming community's IQ in half and you'll be almost there.

 

[FXCLM5]

I grew up in soco, so never been bothered by it, I've had many employees that i supervised/managed that were LGBTQ, it's still not as bad as women being fearful of riding solo in a elevator or racism imo

I will say I have had to stop quite a few conversations between others since not everyone at work realized some employees were LGBTQ

 

[littlebeast]

interesting article. i don’t doubt for a moment that it was an accurate personal experience (initially depressing, but in the end uplifting), but it differs from my personal experience. i came to motos after a long career in the horse world (rode hunter / jumpers competitively). i found moto peeps to be almost exactly like horse peeps. mainly - they light up like a candle when you mention or are around either - like won’t shut the fuck up about it. super into it. super passionate about it. yeah - have run across a dinosaur / asshole every now and then, but for the most part have found moto peeps to be pretty awesome - including the shops (although that may be due to the specific ones i go to - which for the most part are small independents and mega awesome).

that said - thanks for posting about this. have a few very dear friends (one in particular who is like a brother to me) who have described their (similar) challenges, and it is heartbreaking (and anger inducing when you think of how ignorant, insensitive and downright cruel people can be). raising awareness is a good (and unfortunately, necessary) thing. every. single. one. of us should reflect on how we treat our fellow human beings. ALL of them. PLEASE - some kindness.

thanks again.

 

[Eldritch]

Not sure how much time you spent around Harley shops, but they tend to up the level of assholery a bit more.

 

[littlebeast]

Not sure how much time you spent around Harley shops, but they tend to up the level of assholery a bit more.

not much, but have been in them. got a wild hair a few years ago and fancied a hog for a brief moment there (sportster - the only one i could lift off the side stand lol). the dudes were cool to me. maybe laughed after i left, but not to my face.

 

[Eldritch]

not much, but have been in them. got a wild hair a few years ago and fancied a hog for a brief moment there (sportster - the only one i could lift off the side stand lol). the dudes were cool to me. maybe laughed after i left, but not to my face.

My experience is a bit skewed since it was mainly in hilbilly ass farm country areas (Sonoma County) and I was around a lot of 81 in those days, but I can say it was NOT a very progressive scene when it was only males in the room, and honestly, often even in mixed company.

 

[N4teTheGreat]

I was always a bit trepidatious when it came to meeting people / joining rides / rallies when I started riding, that was a mix of me not being a good rider and my expectations of the culture. It's not quite as bad as I expected but I pass or whatever you wanna call it, I just keep the conversations on motorcycles, the weather, etc, keeps it simple.

 

[Tally Whacker]

I’d like to think that American culture in general is improving in its acceptance of non-mainstream gender and sexual orientation, but I also recognize that we, as Californians, see it very differently than those in the flyover states might.

 

[TylerW]

My experience is a bit skewed since it was mainly in hilbilly ass farm country areas (Sonoma County) and I was around a lot of 81 in those days, but I can say it was NOT a very progressive scene when it was only males in the room, and honestly, often even in mixed company.

I'm not sure I know what hillbilly farm areas you're talking about (West Petaluma?) but I grew up in Forestville. Even with the gay haven of Guerneville as the next town over, my hometown and its schools were homophobic as fuck.

 

[TylerW]

I’d like to think that American culture in general is improving in its acceptance of non-mainstream gender and sexual orientation, but I also recognize that we, as Californians, see it very differently than those in the flyover states might.

I think it also matters whether you're in a city or out in the country. Where I live now has an outrageously positive queer culture, but once I get outside the city I wouldn't be anywhere near as comfortable if I weren't as straight-passing as I am. And I've heard this sentiment echoed from my city dwelling friends all over the country, even in landlocked states.

 

[littlebeast]

I think it also matters whether you're in a city or out in the country. Where I live now has an outrageously positive queer culture, but once I get outside the city I wouldn't be anywhere near as comfortable if I weren't as straight-passing as I am. And I've heard this sentiment echoed from my city dwelling friends all over the country, even in landlocked states.

yeah - that’s why i included ‘ignorant’ in my prior comments. i have mentioned previously that i have them in my own family (racists, but also homophobes). and yeah - the ‘city’ part matters - IMO from an exposure perspective. e.g. my aunt and uncle live in st. louis. and to your point about land locked states - there is a vibrant queer community there. and probably the majority of their friends are part of that community. over the years they have held frequent big social events where family has attended and been exposed to their friends. part of me wants to punch family members in the face when they make remarks afterwards like ‘who knew they were such nice people’, but am also kinda like - at least you finally recognize your own ignorance and ridiculously held preconceived notions.

and also WRT having ignorant family members (and wanting to get aggressive with them), have fought hard with my impulses and taken a different and much more gentle approach. introduced my mom to the dude i described as like a brother to me - and she absolutely ADORED him. after a period of getting to know each other, seeing my rabidly homophobic mother hugging a gay man and telling him she loved him sent tears down my cheeks.

we have a LONG way to go to become a fully inclusive and accepting culture, but i’m optimistic we’ll get there. bit by bit. we have to. we have to.

 

[Eldritch]

I'm not sure I know what hillbilly farm areas you're talking about (West Petaluma?) but I grew up in Forestville. Even with the gay haven of Guerneville as the next town over, my hometown and its schools were homophobic as fuck.

Anyplace that is not a major urban populations center or it's immediate suburb of course. In this case, Sonoma County, all of it.

So yes, your statement is case to my point.