I don’t think there’s any point for me to articulate some big post-- people have made great points here already. Be mindful of people’s trauma to at least some degree, don’t go out of your way to abuse people for their sexuality, and if your irp hatred of gay people comes from ooc hatred, kindly **** off.
Now, I will try and add my two cents. First off, even if your character is homophobic, make your story nuanced! You’re supposed to be playing a real person with layers, show that. If you were a homophobe and found out that a close friend or even a family member is gay, would you run off to your nearest church to get them stoned? Or is it more likely that you’d try to ‘deal’ with it yourself, change your opinions, maybe ignore it? If you truly are playing a homophobic character because you think it suits the story, then be realistic with it.
Second, and this is a bit less on-topic, let’s not be so two-faced. The topic of separating OOC from RP has come up a few times on this topic in general, and this thread in particular; and, I’ve been on the server for long enough to tell you that most people who’ve brought it up are folks that constantly joke about lesbian Suticans, polyamorous druids, and so on. You can’t whine about people whose characters are gay AND demand that those same people leave you be OOCly when your character is homophobic. It’s a disgusting double standard.
That’s all I have to say. If you disagree, I’ve had a million internet screamfests, I’d be happy to have one more. Quote me at will.