A few hours ago I messaged a gay member of the UMD community with what was supposed to be fan-mail of sorts. I then followed this up with a ham-fisted and, in hindsight, shit, 'joke' that lesbians hadn't met the right dick yet, and then listed some of my many shortcomings as reasons why I, of course, should be invited to join in the sexy, gungy fun. Seeing the message written down I cringe - it was insensitive, stupid. It was supposed to be a send up of some of the online attitude I've had as a bi guy.
This is not an excuse, it's an apology.
I've since had a few angry messages from strangers and a few 'wtf' messages from people who know me - not on here but on another platform. Which I guess means the message has been reposted elsewhere as an example of me being 'that online prick.' Anyway - I just wanted to say I'm sorry publically as well as privately. I seem to have upset two people in the space of two weeks on here, after many years of not doing. Something for me to think about, and step back from.

It's fine. Maybe I had a knee-jerk reaction to automatically being offended.
But the only reason I whinged on Twitter is because you weren't the only dude who was being annoying that day. The fact it happened more than once in one night annoyed me, that's all.

But respect for the apology, happy to bury the hatchet and try again if you are.

Absolutely.
I think if it was Tweeted then that explains where some of the angry and/or confused messages came from. Will be more careful with my words in future - honestly seemed like an obvious joke in my head at the time.
Thanks for the response x

Mate, whatever you wrote, you're not at fault here - the one at fault is the person who took your private message written in confidence and posted it publicly on Twitter to try and online-shame you. That's appalling conduct. And if people you know on Twitter are messaging you and saying "wtf", instead of condemning the original poster for betraying your confidence and trying to attack and humiliate you in this way, they need to have a long hard look at themselves.

You might want a look at Jon Ronson's book, "So You've Been Publicly Shamed", which covers this topic...

If I made a homophobic remark and that person felt the need to out me for doing it, I'd deserve it.

*I* am the person he's referring to. Want to read the message? Happy to link you to the tweet. Also happy to share my response. Not ashamed of my own words or actions.

But if you bothered to read the above interaction, we've resolved it. He apologised, I accepted it. Regardless, I'm well within my right to express myself on a public forum.