Homosexuality

[RicMisc]

Homosexuality, a term that usually stirs things up quite a bit. I personally think that there's nothing wrong with homosexuality. I think it to be as normal as heterosexuality. Someone doesn't choose the gender one is attracted to. I know a lot of people have different opinion about this and I know that even within Western Civilization it is quite a difficult topic.

In The Netherlands we have had gay marriage since 2001 and were one of the first in the world to legalize that and I think it's ridiculous that there are countries that don't allow gay couples to get married. They are just two people in love, why shouldn't they be allowed to get married.

I was raised to be very accepting of homosexuality which has led to my current views. I have first hand experience with homosexuality because my grandma is lesbian and has been since a few years before I was born. She was previously married to my grandpa (obviously) but after the divorce she had several relationships with women. And right now she's been married for about six years if I'm correct.

So, what this all comes down to. I am very accepting of homosexuality and think that it shouldn't even be a point of discussion wether they should be able to get married. And I think it's horrible that there are openly gay people everywhere that are mistreated because of their sexuality. How do you guys feel about homosexuality and gay marriage?

[Delta40]

I don't have a problem with it and personally, don't see why the homosexual community cannot have the same institutional right to marriage instead of civil ceremonies. Our Prime Minister recently gave a speech that legalisation of gay marriage would be an inevitable and an historical turning point in Australia but she wasn't going to be that person! How weak is that?

[OrphanPip]

I think some of this might verge on contemporary politics.

[Jack of Hearts]

I think some of this might verge on contemporary politics.

It's funny because verge is latin for penis.






J

[MANICHAEAN]

Which your avatar does not show!

[Darcy88]

Its not so much that I'm pro-homosexuality as I am anti-homophobe. I have people inquiring about my sexuality so much its just something I've gotten used to. My best friend for years was female, I am not afraid of the colour pink, I sometimes dress very metrosexually (though not anymore) and I am really nice. Also I am usually single. People see a decent looking single guy who never hits on women and they think GAY!

I don't focus on the gay marriage debate at all, but I am really a rabid opponent of any discrimination against the LGBT community. With youths hanging themselves left and right I wish there was more actual attention paid to this cause. The media does a good job but what is said in the media does not always change hearts and minds.

With more celebrities coming out recently it is becoming less and less taboo. People who call America down as a draconian neo-conservative state need to open their eyes and thank God that, unlike some places in Africa, to be gay in America (and the western world at large) is not a crime. Homophobia used to be so prevalent and potent that it was an actual crime for two members of the same sex to be together in that way.

Anyone who is gay and getting insulted by a homophobe needs to remind the homophobe that Alexander the Great and Socrates were both bisexual if not all out queer. The homophobe might not even know who Socrates is, but someone within earshot will. The greatest warrior and arguably greatest man of knowledge in all Western history (again arguably) both committed sexual acts with members of the same sex.

Caring about what sexuality someone else is really amounts to a lowly thing, not dignified, an uncalled for invasion of that person's privacy.

Homophobes need to imagine a hypothetical world wherein they (the heterosexuals) are the minority. Putting themselves in the shoes of the other might get them to understand how their words and actions affect said minority.

[cacian]

Hi RicMisc nice to see you back
I think it is none of anyone's business what people do behind closed doors.
I think sexuality is private and one can do whatever they wish with theirs so long as they are not impacting on anyone od hurting anyone.
It is about time the world grew a pair and let everyone be the way they want.
I personally cannot get into this stare of mind someoene who thinks the world owed up living get off thinking they can dictate to others how to ''sexually''be.
In this modern age people claim to be civilised and yet their sexual attitudes is borderline dark agy.
I think we should learn to live with each other and view each other as people and not sexual beings. The quicker we get that into our heads the quicker we begin to make sense of who we are what we want and get on.
OH and I would gladly erase all labelling of sexual nature. I think it is the most backward dated concept ever to be made. I personally find it offensive when someone asks me what it is that I am. So yeah erase the whole attiture. If they really wanted to know they can well do the work themselves.
In other words if one likes someone then one goes with who they are and not what they are.
In the meantime I ain't telling or whatever
Enough said.

[Monamy]

I think it is none of anyone's business what people do behind closed doors.
I think sexuality is private and one can do whatever they wish with theirs so long as they are not impacting on anyone od hurting anyone.
It is about time the world grew a pair and let everyone be the way they want.
I personally cannot get into this stare of mind someoene who thinks the world owed up living get off thinking they can dictate to others how to ''sexually''be.
In this modern age where people claim to be civilised and yet their sexual attitudes is borderline dark agy.

Although my views about the issue are more strict (for reasons I see convincing,) I mostly agree with these points.

[Babyguile]

I think it is none of anyone's business what people do behind closed doors.
I think sexuality is private and one can do whatever they wish with theirs so long as they are not impacting on anyone od hurting anyone.

How is sexuality a private matter? Sexuality has never been so prevalent in all areas of our culture, and the sexuality that gets shoved down people's throats whenever we turn on the music channel or go to see a movie is always of the heterosexual kind.

So try and look at it from a homosexual person's point of view. It sounds like what you're saying is you can tolerate homosexuality on the condition it is "done" indoors and away from your eyes. How will society ever move towards acceptance and equality is that is the case?

Is heterosexuality kept indoors? Discrimination is borne out of a lack of understanding. People often think of homosexuality as merely a form of having sex when actually it's a legitimate form of love (and deserves respect for that reason). Do we not need to get homosexuality OUT THERE so that people can understand this?

Also you say that homosexuality should not 'impact' on anyone. Can you elaborate? Just like heterosexuality doesn't impact us on a daily basis (whether we like it or not)? Because homosexuality is inherently harmful in some way? Again, if you can, look at this issue through the eyes and perceptions of a homosexual person. This is all I am doing here since I have had very little experience with an openly gay person.

[cacian]

How is sexuality a private matter? Sexuality has never been so prevalent in all areas of our culture, and the sexuality that gets shoved down people's throats whenever we turn on the music channel or go to see a movie is always of the heterosexual kind.

Please do not misunderstand what I am trying to say.
I am pointing out a fact that sexuality is down to the individual and only themselves. I wish to live in a society where sexuality is not being made a scapegoat and where people are paraded as sexual beings rather then human beings.
I prefer it if people interacted with each other without being made to feel guilty about who they are sexually. when I go out for example and socialise I do not judge poeple by their sexuality but see them as me another human being wishing to interact and chat without having to raise the subject of sexuality. It is in that very sense private and nothing to do with me.
I prefer to spend my time talking and getting to know people rather trying to outguess whether they are straight gay or both or any. It is not something I take interest in , it is nothing to do with me and frankly I have better things to do and then spend my time talking about sexual orientation. It is rather off putting and stigmatising.
I am more interested in what individuals are and have to say and are and would like to be considered in the same way.

So try and look at it from a homosexual person's point of view. It sounds like what you're saying is you can tolerate homosexuality on the condition it is "done" indoors and away from your eyes. How will society ever move towards acceptance and equality is that is the case?

I am sorry but this is not what I mean.
What I have said is I do not wish for people to know what I do behind closed door because it is between me and me and partner.
In the same way I wish not to know what people closed doors too because it is not important to me to know. Sexuality is private and therefore must be kept that way. Sexuality is not politics and does not help me in any way shape or form in my daily life.

Is heterosexuality kept indoors? Discrimination is borne out of a lack of understanding. People often think of homosexuality as merely a form of having sex when actually it's a legitimate form of love (and deserves respect for that reason).

Labelling of people into boxes is wrong and I would rather be seen for who I am and what I believe then be seen paraded under gender/esxuality and race.
Labelling is divisive and create tension between poeple. The less we know about each orientations the better.
I respect myself and respect everyone not because they are straight/black/poor/rich....these are just devisive labels which helps deter the mind from other more important things in life and stop us from seeing ourselves and others in a different light.
So sexuality is private in this very sense.

[OrphanPip]

I understand your sentiment, Cacian. But, in reality the way people live makes it rather impossible for sexuality to be something that exists entirely behind closed doors, and I'm not sure it should be. People speak of relationships openly in most of the West, and it is generally standard banal banter to speak about one's wife/husband/kids etc. on encountering acquaintances.

People shouldn't have to guard the secret of their sexual orientation. The idea of it being no one's business is a bit of a cop out because it simply has no reflection on how people live their lives. It's particularly a position that shows the privilege heterosexuals have to not have to worry about telling anyone, that simply just isn't an option for most gay people. Eventually you have to tell someone, you have to tell your family or friends, you might even have to tell employers eventually if you want some sort of benefits for your partner.

[Darcy88]

I thought I was bisexual for years. It was a large part of my identity. I was very proud of it, pretty open about it. Then I fell in love with a girl. She was very queer friendly, having a gay guy for a best friend. She reacted with complete acceptance when I told her about my bisexuality. But then I became completely turned off by the thought of being with another member of my own sex. It just happened. Maybe it was the love I had for her, maybe it was just a natural progression, but I have not done or thought about doing something with another member of my sex for several months now. I had an epic talk with her about it. I did not want to call myself straight. I loved calling myself bisexual because I am the opposite of the gay stereotype of a weak submissive male who only cares about looks and chick stuff. She told me she thought I was straight and I said no way. I did not want to abandon the label which was such a large part of my identity. I enjoyed being a living testament to the errors of the homophobes who I despised and still despise so much. But I had to. I had to change my self-image to fit the facts. Now I call myself straight and I am straight. I get turned off by the thought of same-sex intercourse. I'm still kind of bummed about it. Like I said, I liked having that label.

[Helga]

Here on the ice it's legal for anyone to get married and the church allows it too. Our Prime minister is a lesbian. Recently there was an issue here with a teacher that blogged about the fact that the parents of one of his students didn't do everything they should have to keep him straight and even said that 'these' people need to be on medication.

The general population was very mad about this comment and the man was fired.

I personally don't care about this stuff, people should just be with whomever they want to. Being bisexual is very appealing to me (I am not though) I think it's amazing to be able to look beyond gender.

That is one of the things I love about captain Jack Harkness and the future he comes from.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

When it comes to homosexuality, I have the distinct misfortune of living in the US, where, depending on the poll you're looking at, the majority of people don't think gay couple should be able to get married. It makes me sick.

There's this new mentality among conservatives that homosexuality is being "shoved down their throat," as if everywhere they look homosexuals are making out and challenging them, when the opposite is true. This mentality has been borne mostly from TV shows that center on homosexuality, gay pride parades and festivals, gay bars, etc. Apparently, that gays have become more comfortable with themselves in public is a very big threat to them, though if queried, they can never give a cogent reason why this is the case.

I always love when someone will say, "Oh, gays can have a 'gay bar,' but straight people can't have a 'straight bar.'" I always want to yell, "There are 'straight bars,' they're called EVERY OTHER BAR THAT EXISTS!" Seriously, the ignorance of some people is just so infuriating.

[Alexander III]

I always preferred the Roman way of thought upon the matter. Rather it was not being attracted to one sex or another, but being a penetrator or being a penetratee. As long as you were doing the penetrating it was considered manly, and straight, which makes sense, as I fail to see the lack of manliness in sodomizing another guy, it seems far more manly than penetrating a woman. But for the romans, if you allowed yourself to be penetrated that was considered effeminate, for obvious reasons, but mainly for the willing act of submission.

I mean I have had the desire to do other guys, but never to be penetrated by another guy. So for me the Roman way of thinking just makes more sense. Because there is no such thing as gay or straight as most people have varying levels of attraction to the same and opposite sex.