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Comment by cristianpascu | Hacker News Reader

I few days ago I was accused here on HN of being homophobic, you know, like in hating homosexuals, because I expressed my opinion that a child needs a mother and a father.

In other news, here's an interesting discussion on humor: http://philosophybites.com/2011/04/no%C3%ABl-carroll-on-humo...

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Your opinion sure is.

His opinion is sexist and not homophobic. He's saying a male father provides specific things that only a male father can provide; likewise with the female mother. He would be opposed to two parents of the same sex, but for sexist reasons.

I'm not saying his judgement is correct, but nature is sometimes sexist (e.g., men naturally build muscles quicker than women due the difference in hormones).

This would also extend to being against a single parent too. Which isn't directly relevant to homophobia (yet that is what people jump to conclusions to)

That's like saying I am against people with one hand because I believe that having two hands is better than having one hand.

I actually have no clue as to what you mean by "being against".

His point is simply that believing in a mother and father being the best environment for a child can be interpreted as being against (or less in favor of) an environment with two parents that are in a same sex relationship (i.e. homophobic) or it can be interpreted as being against (or less in favor of) an environment with a single parent.

But actually, all you are saying is that you believe the ideal environment for a child is a mother and father, presumably living together.

At any rate, even if you were expressing homophobia, it isn't necessarily hate speech. Saying that it's a good idea to burn homosexuals is.

Out of curiosity, do you believe that living with two same sex parents in a healthy relationship is better than a mother and father in an abusive relationship?

> Out of curiosity, do you believe that living with two same sex parents in a healthy relationship is better than a mother and father in an abusive relationship?

Yes.

So if it's any consolation, homophobic people don't believe things like that.

Perfectly worded. What I wish I had said.

Didn't mean to sound like I was antagonizing you or against you. I think what you originally said was fine. I should've thought of a better way to word my comment over "being against". Since yeah my point was basically what you said with the hands.

Either way foobarbazqux's reply comment says this all far better :p

I wouldn't say it's sexist, there's no arbitrary discrimination against either men or women. He's saying neither men nor women can fulfill the requirements on their own. It's not sexist to say that it takes a man and a woman to make a baby.

he's not saying that, he's talking about raising a child, not making one.

Yeah, I know, that was an example of something else that isn't sexist.

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