Reply #160: Sapphocrat..... [View All]

[demgurl]

I am now home and can give your post the attention it well deserves. Thank you for being so open. It can be scary, sometimes, putting yourself out there for all to see but I think it will help others understand in the long run. People are right, I wish you could recommend a single post. Perhaps you should think of starting your own thread with that post. The more we truly communicate the more we understand and the less we fear. Please think about starting your own thread.

I really enjoyed reading your perspective on semantics and I back you all the way. As a "straight person" (Goodness I hate labels) I always try to show respect to a gay person but am sometimes stuck as to what to call their significant other. I do use the term partner a lot but I do it out of respect. Most gay people are not married and so I can not call the significant other their spouse. A 'lover', to me, does not indicate the type of commitment that people who love each other truly have. If a straight person was talking to me about their 'lover' it just would not come across (in my mind - I do respect what you are saying about you and yours) as a truly committed relationship. I also hate to assume people are lovers just because they are in a relationship. I would truly have to get to know a person to know if it were true. I do not want to be presumptuous about someone's personal and/or sex life. I guess, from a stranger's perspective, the safest word seems to be partner. I always struggle with these types of things because I want to show the respect that others deserve. What do you prefer a stranger call you and your lover?

Thank you for letting us know what LGBT names you like and do not like. I will use the term LGBT from now on. By the way, stupid question, what does that mean? I assume it stands for something but I haven't the foggiest idea of what it stands for. It is nice to be educated on these things. Thanks!

You know, if straight people are afraid of LGBTS in big groups, maybe you guys should stop running in packs like wild wolves!!! I can't seem to remember the last time I saw a LGBT by themselves. Give the group stuff a break and then we won't be afraid of ya! ;) :rofl: :hug:

OK, I get that everyone knows a few LGBTS. I used to know some in my college days but they were not openly gay, they just confided in me. I do not know those people any more and I get what you're saying about getting closeted LGBT to come out but how can you do that if you do not even know who may be gay? I would gladly encourage people and throw my support their way but if they are in the closet, I sure don't know about it. Of course, hubby thinks I am dense anyway. Even if someone acts flamboyant, I still do not make judgments on what sex they are attracted to. Their life is their business, not mine. And, unfortunately, I do not have any gay friends. I wish I did have a diversity of friends to expose my kids to the vast array of people out there. My family and I would be better for it.

I like the "Meet Your Local Homos Day", that is cute. We went to Anchorage a few years ago and came upon this huge festival. We went over to investigate and found out it was a big gay pride fair. There were rides and attractions, etc..... It appeared there may have been more straight people there than LGBT and yet there was not a single protester. Everyone was getting along very well. We stayed for a couple of hours and we all had the best time. My kids didn't even want to leave.

Thank you for giving me at least a few things I can do. (government, speaking, talking to other straight people) I have no reservations about speaking in front of people. In college I used to go to parties where I did not know a single person just so I would be thrown into a situation where I was forced to meet new people. When it is something I am passionate about I do not mind at all. I do not mind writing LTTE's or especially bugging my congresscritters. I am very happy to bug them. After all, they do work for us.

I used to watch "Will and Grace" every week. I listen to Air America but have never heard of "Queer Channel Radio". I will look into that as well as the other television programs you have mentioned.

I will look into the LGBT forum this weekend and I will check the city for a Gay & Lesbian Community Center. (I feel so ignorant that I had no idea there was such a thing. You are doing a great job educating this straight person)

On the other hand, I was aware of the "Blue Eye Experiment". (yeah, there are some things we straight people do know! ;)) I have never experienced that experiment first hand but I can only imagine what it would be like to do it.

I think a "Gay Eye Experiment" is the only way some people may be able to see past their prejudices. But the others we will work on together. If it helps to have straight people on your side, please know you have a very vocal one in me. My husband is not as outspoken as I am but he is also on your side. I will start taking some of the steps you have suggested this weekend. And when I have more time I will go back and read other posts you have made in the past.

Thank you for taking so much time to talk to those of us who may understand but now we understand even better. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.