Is Craigslist homophobic (or worse)?

One day after the big Vancouver Gay Pride Parade and Festival we received a frantic email from Leo in Montreal (we call it frantic because it was in big letters and all bolded). He was warning us of the homophobic remarks and "gay bashing" that were appearing on the Vancouver Craigslist "rants & raves" section.

Leo was encouraging us Vancouverites in "drawing a more efficient plan of action to educate the Vancouver population on GLBT issues as they seem to be stuck in the mid 20th century." He was also encouraging "the GLBT in Vancouver to stand up for their rights".

So of course we had to take a look at exactly was causing Leo to reach across the country to let us know of the evils lurking on Vancouver's Craiglist.

Here are some of the comments we found and trust us there are a TON more (or take a look yourself if you like). Of course, there are a few responses that try to rationalize, calm and debunk some of these rants but as Leo points out in his email they are few and far between from what could see.

So, our big question here. Do we report these posts as hate crimes? Do we demand Craiglist take some responsibility for what is posted and remove the more offensive ones? Or do we just simply ignore it?

Where do these postings cross the line from free speech to hate speech? At what point do these posts incite others to violence? In a country that prides (sorry, couldn't think of a better word) on its freedoms and liberal attitudes is there a place for this in Canada?

We're going to spend some time thinking about those questions ourselves and indeed form a "plan of action" as Leo suggests. What about you?

"If it's racist and bigoted to express white, black or asian pride then shouldn't it be equally as bigoted to express Gay Pride? Pride should be reserved for your own personal accomplishments like work performance, raising a good family or service to society. It is misplaced when your take pride in a random set of genetics you had no control over or take pride in the achievements of other people who just happen to share the same genetics as you which they had no control over as well."

"Yeah I'm disgusted by homofaggots...I don't fear the cocksucking turd tampers. Until they get AIDS!!"

"GIVE THEM THEIR OWN LITTLE ISLAND LIKE THE LEPERS AND THEY CAN LIVE THEIR LITTLE DISGUSTING ABNORMAL LIVES THERE AND HAVE ALL THE PARADES THEY WANT WITHOUT BOTHERING US NORMAL FOLKS AND JAMMING UP TRAFFIC."

"ALL of the gay friends I had, all they ever wanted to do was have sex with me, one way or another. They knew I wasn't gay but kept trying, asking uncomfortable questions, and trying to make me question my sexuality. Little by little all gay men lost my respect because of it. Don't they have anything else on their minds ? Can't they just have friends ? I know you should never generalize, but I've never met one gay man that behaves differently, So I'm done with gay men... I won't be friends with any of them again as they are not sincere, they only want to sleep with you regardless of what you say. They also don't seem to have anything on their brain, they only want to talk about sex and other guys. This is why I became homophobic... so don't bring your hate speeches on us you queer assholes. It's your own fucking fault. Learn to behave like a fucking human being with brains first, not a humping machine... then we'll talk."

"According to common sense, science, logic, psychology and religion - i.e. all those aspects of present society, that have contributed to its civilization, homosexuality is irrational, illogical, abnormal and an immoral behavior. Those who practice is should not be personally condemned but their behavior should and solutions to their ills be found, and the free practice of homosexual behavior be stopped, so that our society prospers. If clear and concrete evidence were indeed found in the other direction, I would gladly change my above conclusions. Therefore let our end be towards the truth!"