Originally posted by sh76You have no point since your initial assertion is based solely on your prejudices. I've addressed already by stating that contrary to what you think most homosexuals are pretty comfortable with their orientation.
It's nice and convenient for you and Adam to paint me as homophobic because it's an easy way to dismiss my point without actually addressing it.
Of course we can argue about this for all eternity, but it would be totally vacuous. This isn't something to find out via an argument or a prejudiced guess, this is something to be found out by talking with homosexuals and learning from their answers.
You have an aunt that is gay. Talk with her and grow up a little bit.
Originally posted by adam warlockI will reserve comment except to mark the irony of you telling another person to "grow up."
You have no point since your initial assertion is based solely on your prejudices. I've addressed already by stating that contrary to what you think most homosexuals are pretty comfortable with their orientation.
Of course we can argue about this for all eternity, but it would be totally vacuous. This isn't something to find out via an argument or a ...[text shortened]... g from their answers.
You have an aunt that is gay. Talk with her and grow up a little bit.
Originally posted by sh76In this issue you have to grow up. And being so close to an homosexual person would you a lot in dispelling these myths you have in your head.
I will reserve comment except to mark the irony of you telling another person to "grow up."
Have you ever talked openly and directly with your aunt about her orientation?
Originally posted by adam warlockNo, I have not. Being that she's 30 years older than I am, I don't think she would feel comfortable with that conversation. In any case, I don't ask my straight aunt about her sex life either. I think it would be inappropriate for me to do so.
In this issue you have to grow up. And being so close to an homosexual person would you a lot in dispelling these myths you have in your head.
Have you ever talked openly and directly with your aunt about her orientation?
I don't have any myth in my head. I have a best guess. If it's wrong, so be it. It certainly has nothing to do with needing to "grow up." I'm plenty grown up, thank you.
Originally posted by sh76I don't think you'd feel very comfortable with this kind of talk.
Being that she's 30 years older than I am, I don't think she would feel comfortable with that conversation.
All I'm saying is that is this subject you have a lot to grow up.
Being homosexual isn't just about having sex, you know? It's also about affections, caring, longing... All of those things that heterosexual people feel.
If I were in your shoes I'd have a private talk with this aunt. That's my advice, because I like you and I truly dislike seeing you so wrong in this subject.
Originally posted by sh76Asking about someone's sexuality doesn't require you to know about what goes on in the bedroom.
No, I have not. Being that she's 30 years older than I am, I don't think she would feel comfortable with that conversation. In any case, I don't ask my straight aunt about her sex life either. I think it would be inappropriate for me to do so.
I don't have any myth in my head. I have a best guess. If it's wrong, so be it. It certainly has nothing to do with needing to "grow up." I'm plenty grown up, thank you.
I've had conversations with homosexual people about their sexuality without inquiring about their sex life.
PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
Here's their website address:
http://community.pflag.org/Page.aspx?pid=539
They provide counseling for both gay and straight people about these issues:
from their website:
"Your first reaction to learning that your loved one is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning can range anywhere from anger to sadness, fear to hurt, confusion to grief, and anywhere and everything in between. These emotions and the thousands of others that parents, families, and friends experience as they navigate their loved ones coming out process are normal.
We can tell you with absolute certainty that you're not alone. According to statistics, one in every ten people in this country and around the world is lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). Approximately one in four families has an immediate family member who is LGBT, and most people have at least one LGBT individual in their extended circle of friends and family.
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) is here for you. Our members are parents, families and friends of LGBT people and LGBT people themselves. We have been through much of what you are now feeling. We understand."
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I agree with what another person posted. My niece just came out as gay. She is not "gay" - she is, you know, my niece...a full person. Her sexuality is only a small part of her make-up...as it is with everyone.
I think the only way to understand the gay community is to have a personal, long-term friendship with a gay person. I have had a few close friends who were gay. From my experience...they ain't no different than us. Good folks and bad folks. Nice folks and jerks...the entire range of everything.
And as far as sexuality is concerned...no, it certainly does not seem to be some fad or vogue or anything like a mental health issue. I once went to a movie with a lesbian friend of mine. Some hot actress came on screen...and at the exact same moment, we both went "yow!" There are some things you can't fake. She had the exact same attractions to women, that I have. I can type this in text...but that is different than being there in the moment. It was exactly like hanging out with one of my guy buddies talking about hot chicks. And my gay friend is a professional model...as hot as just about anyone out there.
Was I hanging out with her for a chance that she just maybe might...uh....well, convert? I'm a guy...and yeah, maybe that was in the back of my mind. Until that moment anyway. That dispelled all doubt.
Just hang out with some gay folks...then you will know.
Originally posted by r99pawn77I am curious. That figure seems a bit high to me. How good are the statistics on this?
"According to statistics, one in every ten people in this country and around the world is lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT)."
I do not know a single person in my home country that I knew to be gay or even heard rumors about.
Here in SA, I know there are a lot of gay people in Cape Town, but I have not met anyone at work, or socially who I know to be gay - except for one exception. A friends son is gay, I have only met him twice and that is before I heard he was gay.
I have met a few people who act like one of the gay stereo types you see on tv, and I have been into a gay restaurant, so I assume most of the other customers were gay.
But surely if every 10th person was gay I would have come across more openly gay people?
Originally posted by twhiteheadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_sexual_orientation
I am curious. That figure seems a bit high to me. How good are the statistics on this?
I do not know a single person in my home country that I knew to be gay or even heard rumors about.
Here in SA, I know there are a lot of gay people in Cape Town, but I have not met anyone at work, or socially who I know to be gay - except for one exception. A friend ...[text shortened]... e gay.
But surely if every 10th person was gay I would have come across more openly gay people?
There's plenty of stats here.
Originally posted by Proper KnobThanks. So it looks like closer to 1%.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_sexual_orientation
There's plenty of stats here.
Even so, I must have met a lot of homosexuals that I did not know were homosexual, but then there is no reason for me to have known - especially in Zambia where they would have taken great pains not to publicize it.
Originally posted by twhiteheadGay people (as do most cultural subgroups) actively concentrate themselves in certain geographic areas. Also, don't forget bisexuals can easily pass as straight.
I am curious. That figure seems a bit high to me. How good are the statistics on this?
I do not know a single person in my home country that I knew to be gay or even heard rumors about.
Here in SA, I know there are a lot of gay people in Cape Town, but I have not met anyone at work, or socially who I know to be gay - except for one exception. A friend ...[text shortened]... e gay.
But surely if every 10th person was gay I would have come across more openly gay people?
Originally posted by twhiteheadI suppose it has something to do with social acceptance because I know and have met plenty of gays and bisexuals.
I am curious. That figure seems a bit high to me. How good are the statistics on this?
I do not know a single person in my home country that I knew to be gay or even heard rumors about.
Here in SA, I know there are a lot of gay people in Cape Town, but I have not met anyone at work, or socially who I know to be gay - except for one exception. A friend ...[text shortened]... e gay.
But surely if every 10th person was gay I would have come across more openly gay people?
Originally posted by KazetNagorraI've met a lot more than 1% homosexuals. That's because they leave conservative areas and go live in West Hollywood and the Castro.
I suppose it has something to do with social acceptance because I know and have met plenty of gays and bisexuals.
I remember seeing some sort of introduction to Berkeley pamphlet that made me laugh out loud. It said something to the effect of, "yeah, yeah, we know you told your parents you wanted to go to Berkeley because of it's academic reputation blah blah, but we both know it was because you're a big queer. Come to our meeting and embrace your inner self.
LGBT Society"
I find gay humor pretty funny. Like when they call us "breeders" - as in, "thank you for not breeding."
I don't know...I think it is pretty funny.
some interesting lists:
Famous Gay People in History
http://www.lambda.org/famous.htm
http://www.famousandgay.com/
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Gay Actors:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Gay_actors
Lesbian Actors:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Lesbian_actors
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It is obvious that as a group, they certainly have contributed an enormous amount to our society and culture.
I think we are all just people, period. Differences are really very very minor compared to all the similarities...
As a group, I don't think there is any real difference between gay and straight, any more than there is a difference between tall and short, blond and brunette, etc. etc. etc.