Your first sentence, I think you are exactly right.
But I don’t like the substitute of cogent argument or even witty humor with cheap homosexual jokes. I think it makes this place look idiotic.
I don’t identify with Buttigieg; I just cringe at middle school insults for his orientation. I disagree that there is anything noble or decent about it. I don’t think it’s an “identify with” thing, because I bet you don’t identify with the juvenile anal sex references you are defending, either, right?
I agree many of the remarks are tiresomely crude; the mods could pay more attention to threads about him. On the other hand, you could avoid them! Problem solved!
We probably agree more than we may seem, and I have always liked talking with you. Just this topic you seem to lean very far to the left. FWIW, I went to dance classes from early childhood thru young adulthood and also art education, worked in the arts for 40 years, hence was always surrounded by gays, had many friends go through the multiple losses of friends from AIDS, and have a great deal of sympathy for their existential situation in general. But as a society, we’re not handling their situation well.