We’ve all seem them. Racist Scruff and Grindr profiles that say things like “No Asians” or “No Blacks” followed by hollow disclaimers like “Just my preference!” or “No racism intended.”
We get it. You can’t always control who you are attracted to. But you can control what you write on your profiles, and singling out entire swaths of people based exclusively on their race is, by definition, racial prejudice, even if you insist it isn’t. Look it up.
Related: Is It True What They Say About Black Men?
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, a Twitter campaign hoping to bring attention to this very issue is taking the Internet by storm.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Users of the hashtag #TweetLikeAWhiteGay are turning the tables by poking fun at certain members of the gay community who decry prejudice while simultaneously discriminating against other minorities.
Here’s what they are saying:
But not everyone agrees with the hashtag. Some argue that it’s counterproductive to its own message by simply redirecting racist generalizations towards white people without offering any actual solutions.
Here’s what opponents are saying:
What do you think of the #TweetLikeAWhiteGay movement? Sound off in the comments section below…
Skylar Damiano
That’s. That’s not how racism works as an institution.
Alexis Barros
Incredibly stupid and immature hashtag. If you have a problem with whats written on someone’s personal profile then don’t message them. Man up, and move the hell on. Plenty of fish in the sea.
Chris Duffy
More butthurt.
Captain Obvious
@Skylar Damiano: *applause*
Marky
@Chris Duffy: And gash-hurt.
MarionPaige
“legal” racism is about denying someone opportunity, like a job, housing, the ability to make a living etc.
Xzamilio
Twitter is a beast in its own right, and frankly, you can string any number of tweets together that is talking about something, and say it’s a controversy. In this case, I completely agree with it… so sorry about it. Why does there need to be a solution… on fucking Twitter? Sometimes you just wanna highlight a problem first… what is the point of looking for solutions to a problem that’s barely acknowledged if only superficially… or “to start dialogue”? That first counter tweet — by Jason Counter lol — was just stupid. Who said Bi, Lesbian, or Trans individuals couldn’t be r@cist? Classic deflection.
In any case, I honestly just do not care. No blacks? Well, fuck you, and take care.
Me2
I agree that the way some people express their preferences on these apps can be offensive. However, I consider dating app profiles to be an extension of one’s personal space and firmly believe that everyone has the right to be as tactful or as rude as they want to be. There should be a low level of expectancy, across the board, while on those apps.
Masc Pride
I’ve seen the “Whites only” request/demand on the profiles of black and Asian guys too. #justsayin
@Me2: 100 percent agreed. Sad that so many gay men use hookup apps to define their self-worth.
Aromaeus
@Skylar Damiano: This!
@Masc Pride: Those people have internalized self-hate. We call them uncle toms.
Nat Jones
How wonderfully one sided. I was in china a few weeks ago and a number of profiles had ‘chinese only’ on them. Similarly in north africa, Ive seen ‘no whites’ type messages or in Japan, ‘no gaijin’. So this is hardly the excluisve domain of the white guy. Moreover, its political correctness gone absolutely mad…. and i hope the wider gay population ignore this hastag
surreal33
It is funny how gay community feigns surprise at racism. Gay men after all are just like
the rest of white America culturally condition to believe white is superior and black is inferior. Nothing new here just more of the same.
Stached1
@Alexis Barros: Well said.
inbama
While nobody should be criticized for their sexual/romantic tastes, these types of ads are disgusting.
A lot of the lack of decency could be remedied if they all stated what they were looking for instead of listing people they would reject.
Pedro Pelaez
Grindr is a hookup site and people are allowed to state what their preference for a sexual partner is, even if it hurts people’s ridiculously sensitive skin. You state your preference (whether racial, weight, height, penis size, sexual position, etc…) so as to not waste anyone’s time.
Patrick Crawford
Yeah this is pretty stupid. I don’t see why certain guys get so offended. It’s a personal preference. Move on to the next guy if that guy isn’t interested in you. it’s not rocket science.
UltimateSin
So let me get something straight. Some of you are telling others to get over what someone else has on their profile, yet in the same breath you wine about what someone else tweeted?
Furiiosa
@NatJones It’s very rare that you’ll see profiles that say “No Whites.” And 95% of the time, White gay men are only looking for other White gay men, so you may see “No Whites” sporadically but the reaction you feel is just your feelings being hurt because you are taught that everyone wants a White man.
Historically, White people have been the main offenders of sexual racism and racial prejudice. Do others participate? Yes. But the main offenders, historically all over the world, have been White people. It sucks but it’s the truth.
Now on the topic of the hashtag and ALL of the topics mentioned on the different tweets, these are real things that White gay men say. It’s not like people are making this stuff up to make White gay men look bad. There is hard evidence, no pun intended. If you or anyone reading this is not an offender, then you shouldn’t be upset. But the truth is, you can scroll thru Twitter and Grindr and Facebook and see prime examples of White gay men posting things like what you see in the #TweetLikeAWhiteGay
Ummmm Yeah
Dear others, white people just aren’t that into you. Move on with your lives and stop worrying about what we do all the time. The obsession really is pathetic.
Masc Pride
@Ummmm Yeah: …but…but that would mean they might have to date each other. Seems like they’d rather deal with the “sexual r cism”. lol
joeyty
Gays could be exposed for a lot more evil stuff than ethinic preferences in dating.
Brent Labee
nasty troll
Ummmm Yeah
@joeyty: Bingo. The only ones that ever complain are the ones the wouldn’t fuck their own race if you put a gun to their heads.
Pistolo
Really, Twactivists? When you find the group of people you hate the least, the group that is the most disenfranchised, the group that has no luxuries of any kind, the group that makes YOU look the best representing in the end of the oppression olympics- let us know.
SportGuy
Everyone has the right to like what they like, I for one don’t care for fat/average bodied or fem guys, but that doesn’t mean I need to go put it all over my profile.
paulbear30
The solution is the same as it’s always been. If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. Isn’t this why most people are “straight” – eventually people tire of fighting against their lower nature and give in to their monkey (no pun..lol) ways?
hellogorgeous
@Ummmm Yeah: “others?” You’re the pathetic one…White people suffer from r-cism and White supremacy too, and this is exhibit A. It ensures when they witness the pain of r-cial prejudice, they feel indifferent or at most, an empassioned defensiveness that allows them to feel relinquished of any responsibility for this system that they complacently profit from every single day of their privileged lives. When you can look at your brothers and sisters cast down — not by genetics, as society tries to convince us, but by r-cist White supremacy — and feel nothing, that’s when you know you’re devoid of the common decency called humanity.
Stefano
Racism is a personal choice ?! Hum Good to know !
joeyty
@hellogorgeous: You should deal with the Japanese sometime if you want to see “supremacy.”
destardi
@Ummmm Yeah: Amen.