"I'm Going to Love and Tolerate the Crap Out of You!" This aggressively caring phrase is from the brony community, a growing group of adult My Little Pony fans. I like to think of bronies as rebels. Today's college guys have heard it all from their fathers and grandfathers (and professors) who lived through the 60s, 70s and 80s. It's hard to top those crazy times. But what about watching a pink and glittery cartoon aimed at little girls called My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic? Then, not only watching the show, but becoming a rabid fan, participating in discussions online and gathering at My Little Pony conventions? Maybe a prancing purple pony tattoo is the only new "FU Dad!" that works nowadays.

No brony I've ever spoken to has stated "being a rebel" as their reason for watching this cartoon (a reboot from the 1980s) about a group of young ponies learning about friendship through their adventures in Ponyville. In fact, a large percentage of them keep their fandom a secret. I can understand why. Most people who hear about bronies consider the group either ridiculous or creepy. Although there are female bronies too, the vast majority are male.

While reading a superhero comic, I have never had a stranger come up to me and accuse me by saying: "You like Wolverine? Are you gay?" Yet bronies are consistently assumed to be homosexual because of their acceptance of girl-themed entertainment. I use "accused" because the word is used as an insult. When people see grown men sporting feminine colours, and enjoying a cartoon that's more about love than violence, he must be gay. But according to a recent survey of bronies, the vast majority consider themselves to be heterosexual. They are also mostly male and in college. This doesn't sit well with a culture that has exposed these boys to how they are supposed to act since childhood: Lego, not Barbies! Play ninjas, not fairies! War, not peace! How can we explain the fact of males embracing something so feminine?

Well, if you talk to a brony, they will give you an obvious answer: it's a good show. According to the fans I chatted with, My Little Pony has a higher quality writing style than other children's shows, with varied themes, and the plot and characters develop over the seasons. It is funny, full of action and the ponies have unique personalities anyone can relate to. But there are adult-targeted shows that are good too. Why stick with this one, especially if they are going to get flak from their real-life community?

I guess the better question is, why should these guys stop watching My Little Pony? It's a show about friendship, learning, making mistakes and having people you love help you out. It also has happy endings. According to that recent study, the bronies said watching the show gave them positive feelings. Others have told me how the brony community has changed their lives, with a male-view message of love and tolerance that has helped them in their relationships.

In a recent conversation with Andrew Benage, media liaison for the fan convention BronyCon, he said: "As specific as the idea of 'Ponies' is, bronies could not be more contrasted and fascinating. Pick any type of hobby, career or volunteerism and bronies are somehow involved, and trying to apply them to the fandom."

Bronies are a diverse group of adults that enjoy a show that makes them want to be nice to each other. Maybe the fact that any man gave My Little Pony a try is the most important point here. Having interests that go against what men are supposed to embrace is the sneakiest kind of rebellion. Pony on.

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