[xorbie]

Jay,

People don't simply belong to groups in society which are which are equal to any other group. Societies have historically strongly normalized behavior in certain domains. When the marginalized group is also the minority (as is the case with gays throughout recent history), they are frequently ostracized and face mentally, physically and emotionally damaging behavior from others.

When we grow up, homosexuality and heterosexuality are not seen as on the same footing. This is easy because homosexuality is both the "other" sexuality and because they are in the overwhelming minority (or so we are told, this is hard to determine because the behavior may be largely socially defined). When you meet someone, you simply assume they are heterosexual, barring any very strong reasons to assume otherwise (which are normally seen as negative attributes). To be homosexual is thus to be defined in negation to heterosexuality, it is to be somehow deviant and abnormal. It is stigmatized or hated by many. They are ostracized and abused in nearly every corner of the world.

Is it honestly that hard to believe that they are a little touchy about jokes that seperate them from heteros, often in a derrogatory fashion?