DEAR STRAIGHT PEOPLE,

[GaryC 7]

I'm tired of having religion shoved in my face. I don't give a ** what the bible says about marriage... the bible is not above the law. This is not fcking Iran.

by the way I totally agree with Gary. Must be a full moon or something.

Thats right. Live and let live. When anyone forces themselves on another it's wrong.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Most of these events are meant to be provocative and to "put it in our faces". They know that a majority of people see it as something intended to piss the straights off.

I lived in San Jose for a year and spent a lot of time in SF. If you go down Polk street you would see what I mean. Store fronts with male manikins wearing wedding dresses and SM leather. Guys making out in public and if they see someone give them a glance they turn up the heat just to shock.

Holding hands in public and a short peck is one thing. Flaunting it just to get a reaction is another. Open sexuality whether gay or straight in public isn't right. Would you think it would be OK for Luz and I to go into a gay bar and make out just to get a reaction? If not then why is it Ok for them to go where the majority are straight and do the same?

My whole point is if they left the sex part in private they would have a lot less trouble. It's the old story, the few make it hard for the many.

Well its a reasonable guess that gay people are not overwhelmingly represented by muscular female bodybuilders and leather-clad cross-dressers with the seat cut out of their pants. I've known a few both here and in the UK and they were pretty discreet - at least as discreet as the next heterosexual person. Then again, if you go to some Greek and other mediterranean holiday resorts (typically frequented by 18-30 y/o european holiday makers - you'll see enough rampant sexuality on display to last a lifetime).

But to go back to the article - the author does prove your point. I don't know how he manages his sexuality, whether he's discreet or "puts it out there", but he is clearly operating on the assumption that straight people broadly hate homosexuals, which is ridiculous. Certainly there is a lot of homophobia out there, more than many people are willing to admit. The fact that this guy is described as an 'activist' gives you some indication of where he's coming from. And this certainly sounds like the sort of person who would (and probably has) organise some sort of protest rally (usually the people motivated to do that sort of thing have extremely strong opinions). But I think its arguable to what extent gay people en-masse would take this guy seriously, any more than say black people as a whole would agree wholeheartedly with the likes of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.

[Karen_L 1]

The author is right -- gay people are hated, both within the US and overseas. AND I am so sick of hearing people use the Bible as justification to hate or condemn gays, especially when most of those people don't care to follow a single other Hebrew law in all of Leviticus (assuming they're aware that there are whole other passages around the one outlawing homosexuality, which condemn behavior that we today, in the vast majority, would obviously consider archaic and irrelevent).

And I think the idea of a group of 'Christian youths' heading out to San Francisco to pray for gay people and try and get them to change their "evil" ways is offensive -- how can some ridiculous 16 year old try to tell a grown person what he or she should do in their personal life? And whose parents would even let their kid go do that?

[GaryC 7]

The author is right -- gay people are hated, both within the US and overseas. AND I am so sick of hearing people use the Bible as justification to hate or condemn gays, especially when most of those people don't care to follow a single other Hebrew law in all of Leviticus (assuming they're aware that there are whole other passages around the one outlawing homosexuality, which condemn behavior that we today, in the vast majority, would obviously consider archaic and irrelevent).

And I think the idea of a group of 'Christian youths' heading out to San Francisco to pray for gay people and try and get them to change their "evil" ways is offensive -- how can some ridiculous 16 year old try to tell a grown person what he or she should do in their personal life? And whose parents would even let their kid go do that?

Wrong! The vast majority of "straight" people do NOT hate gays. The Bible thumper's you speak of are a fringe group and do not represent the majority any more than the skin heads represent white people. Most people have a live and let live attitude.

[KarenCee 3]

The author is right -- gay people are hated, both within the US and overseas. AND I am so sick of hearing people use the Bible as justification to hate or condemn gays, especially when most of those people don't care to follow a single other Hebrew law in all of Leviticus (assuming they're aware that there are whole other passages around the one outlawing homosexuality, which condemn behavior that we today, in the vast majority, would obviously consider archaic and irrelevent).

And I think the idea of a group of 'Christian youths' heading out to San Francisco to pray for gay people and try and get them to change their "evil" ways is offensive -- how can some ridiculous 16 year old try to tell a grown person what he or she should do in their personal life? And whose parents would even let their kid go do that?

The bible is used to "justify" a great many things that are wrong. Trust me on THAT one. One thing is going to remain a constant. There will always be groups of people going out in this country and around the world trying hard to "save us all" from condemnation. It has been this way for ages and I don't foresee this ever stopping. As for the OT reference, according to what I've been taught all my life, the NT is what the Christian today is supposed to adhere to, the OT was law before Christ came to Earth. I was taught that the OT should be read and applied but not as law since Christ's coming was to save us all. *sigh* I dunno....I have a bad taste in my mouth for a specific breed of those Christians and I guess I'm not one for trying to explain anything since my opinion is rather jaded.

[JohnK 0]

Bottom line is this- someone's opinion about homosexuality is not relavent to the law. Can anyone give one legitimate reason why homosexuals should nto be treated equally under the law- full access to the same laws that straight people have (eg collecting social security of the surviving partner, immigration for partner benefits, )?

I don't know why people seem so eager to claim that homosexuals aren't treated equally under the law. The same laws apply to all people. The law doesn't say you can't get married... it just says you have to marry someone of the opposite sex. This same law affects straights AND gays.

Just because someone doesn't accept your lifestyle doesn't make them a bigot. If you endorsed slavery and I don't, that makes me a bigot? If you wanted to boof a camel and I thought it was gross and unacceptable, that makes me a bigot? I don't think so.

Wonderful idea... instead of trying to get everyone to accept YOUR lifestyle, why don't you try to get the government to stop passing laws that are basically attempts at social engineering?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Bottom line is this- someone's opinion about homosexuality is not relavent to the law. Can anyone give one legitimate reason why homosexuals should nto be treated equally under the law- full access to the same laws that straight people have (eg collecting social security of the surviving partner, immigration for partner benefits, )?

I don't know why people seem so eager to claim that homosexuals aren't treated equally under the law. The same laws apply to all people. The law doesn't say you can't get married... it just says you have to marry someone of the opposite sex. This same law affects straights AND gays.

Just because someone doesn't accept your lifestyle doesn't make them a bigot. If you endorsed slavery and I don't, that makes me a bigot? If you wanted to boof a camel and I thought it was gross and unacceptable, that makes me a bigot? I don't think so.

Wonderful idea... instead of trying to get everyone to accept YOUR lifestyle, why don't you try to get the government to stop passing laws that are basically attempts at social engineering?

Society isn't 'static' though. The law used to say that women couldn't vote. Sometimes there's a difference between what's legal and what's right and fair.

Edited April 7, 2007 by erekose

[mybackpages 0]

Wrong! The vast majority of "straight" people do NOT hate gays. The Bible thumper's you speak of are a fringe group and do not represent the majority any more than the skin heads represent white people. Most people have a live and let live attitude.

I think Larry Kramer has always gone over the top. Agree or disagree with his approach, but understand some of this is in reaction to a nation and government that stood silent during the early years of the Aids crisis.

I think he is also trying to make this point- Why are straight people not bothered by the discrimination and hatred towards homosexuals? Why are they not outraged?

[Mirorgate 0]

Wrong! The vast majority of "straight" people do NOT hate gays. The Bible thumper's you speak of are a fringe group and do not represent the majority any more than the skin heads represent white people. Most people have a live and let live attitude.

I think Larry Kramer has always gone over the top. Agree or disagree with his approach, but understand some of this is in reaction to a nation and government that stood silent during the early years of the Aids crisis.

I think he is also trying to make this point- Why are straight people not bothered by the discrimination and hatred towards homosexuals? Why are they not outraged?

Because most ppl are lazy, and will do nothing but B&M until it directly affects them.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Gays are so easily offended. I don't have anything against them, as a matter of fact, I acknowledge them. However, I find it sickening that they have to kiss in front of me to show who they are. I have nightmares, and sometimes I feel like I want to puke. Every time when I witness this even, I can't eat the entire day. Two men french kissing each other, yuke!!!!!!!!

[mybackpages 0]

Bottom line is this- someone's opinion about homosexuality is not relavent to the law. Can anyone give one legitimate reason why homosexuals should nto be treated equally under the law- full access to the same laws that straight people have (eg collecting social security of the surviving partner, immigration for partner benefits, )?

I don't know why people seem so eager to claim that homosexuals aren't treated equally under the law. The same laws apply to all people. The law doesn't say you can't get married... it just says you have to marry someone of the opposite sex. This same law affects straights AND gays.

Just because someone doesn't accept your lifestyle doesn't make them a bigot. If you endorsed slavery and I don't, that makes me a bigot? If you wanted to boof a camel and I thought it was gross and unacceptable, that makes me a bigot? I don't think so.

Wonderful idea... instead of trying to get everyone to accept YOUR lifestyle, why don't you try to get the government to stop passing laws that are basically attempts at social engineering?

Because same sex couple are not treated equality uner the law simple because of the sexual orientation. That is discrimination. Same sex couple do not have the same recognition as straight couples. Why? discrimination.

[JohnK 0]

Society isn't 'static' though.

I have no idea what your point was.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Society isn't 'static' though.

I have no idea what your point was.

I added to my post - the law used to stipulate that women couldn't vote. Just because its legal/illegal doesn't necessarily make it right or fair. I want to live in a fair society that treats people equally and doesn't marginalise groups of people for petty, self-serving reasons.

Edited April 7, 2007 by erekose

[Mirorgate 0]

Society isn't 'static' though.

I have no idea what your point was.

I added to my post - the law used to stipulate that women couldn't vote. Just because its legal/illegal doesn't necessarily make it right or fair. I want to live in a fair society that treats people equally and doesn't marginalise groups of people for petty, self-serving reasons.

Good god.. you dont want much now do you

Wonder where this utopia is, havent seen anyplace like that yet, not even here in 'merica, though it is closer than other places i've visited.

[Jenn! 918]

I must just be living obliviously in my own little bubble, because while I have a lot of gay friends, a lot of gay work colleagues, and a lot of gay 'passing acquaintances', I can't say that even one of them has ever 'flaunted' or 'shoved' their 'lifestyle' in my face. I never understand what people mean when they say 'I don't mind, I just wish they wouldn't flaunt it' - as I've never noticed any flaunting going on, I can only assume that means 'I don't mind, I just wish they would have the decency to be ashamed of who they are and pretend to be straight!' or similar.

As for their 'lifestyle', I don't get that, either... what lifestyle? Like I said, I have plenty of gay friends, and their lifestyle seems to be much the same as mine and that of everyone else I know, except they happen to be attracted to people of the same, rather than the opposite, sex. And no, I don't have a remotely unusual or 'lifestyle', I have a totally unremarkable one, in fact, so... nope, I still don't get it. I must be missing something.

If two people observe the same behavior and one thinks it's unremarkable while the other finds it to be "flaunting" or "in-your-face", I think it says more about the observers than it does about the observed.