The Fairy Garden (1)

[silverberry]

If push comes to shove, prioritize your own safety. I'm assuming you're not under any of the groups your friend is intolerant against, based on what you've written, but unfortunately some really intolerant people can and will box you into one of the groups they hate using arbitrary standards. The 2000s-era "men wearing brightly colored outfits are gay" kind of mindset sadly still persists, and can put people into real danger.

The next priority is the safety of other people within the same friend group and circles - if you know that any of them are queer, unless they mention that info to that friend, do your best to make sure he remains unaware. Assume that there ARE queer people you don't know about anyway. Since you're in a fairly safe position, try to change the subject whenever his intolerance comes up, and don't laugh at bigoted jokes he makes. Direct debate rarely changes intolerant people's views, especially if those views are rooted in emotional responses such as fear and disgust instead of informed decisions, but they may still be perceptive to subtle signs that say openly proclaiming those things is frowned upon. However he views queer people is no one's concern but his own, but the moment he acts on them - and speaking IS an action! - he has a very real potential to cause and perpetuate harm.

I apologize if the above sound a bit intense - I'm trans, and while I'm glad you're in a position to reconsider the friendship and end it on your terms should you choose to, many people like me don't have that liberty and have to prioritize their own safety. So that's what I'm focusing on in this situation: Are you safe, and are the people around you safe?

Giving people the chance and resources to grow from the intolerances they grew up with is a whole 'nother can of worms rip

[npixelz]

That is good advice, thank you

The thing is it seems like he's only been this way recently, or at the very least it never came up before

I hope I can avoid him lashing out at those within the groups he is phobic towards

But I do think we are safe

Yeah, it would take time and effort to get him to change his views

[npixelz]

When the new pumpkin academy jacket appeared I hoped for a Halloween school event, and it happened!

[Lemon Cheesecake]

It's nice when wishes come true!!

[npixelz]

I agree

[npixelz]

The jacket actually gave me inspiration for a story idea, and the event gave me inspiration for a game idea!

[Lemon Cheesecake]

Cool! Write it down!

[npixelz]

Already done!

[npixelz]

Anyone want to hear the premise for each?

[Lemon Cheesecake]

Absolutely!

[npixelz]

Ok, premise one

It's a school for magic and monsters, where the main character is a pumpkin man, aka, a guy with a pumpkin head, looking a lot like the pumpkin avi I had before the event. His magic would revolve around fire and illusions

[Lemon Cheesecake]

You should post the images of the avatar's with your story premise when you have time!

[npixelz]

I've already deleted it! >>o< ;o;

[(-o-)]

Gotta make new ones!

[npixelz]

Yup