i didnt read through all the posts but i just wanted to point out that for being so accepting in the previous sentence villete, this statement is not. I have had this whole discussion with my parents and my grandparents and let me tell you what i have found out, and other people feel free to jump in and tell me your perspectives of the situation because i would love to hear it, again like this thread was intended... there is no controversy, one of my friends is gay, this is just an interesting perspective that i learned.

Me, i was raised in a society where being gay was not a big deal. HOWEVER, you have to look at it from other persectives, society today is not the same as it was way back when... i dont know how old you all are, so let me start by saying that this is both an issue of age and location. My parents (both 52) were raised pretty much in various parts of california, but back then people didnt "come out". In that period of time it was no okay to be gay, so i dont really think that it is there fault for being a little wierded out (let me also say that my parents are ok with it and have adjusted, but two women (or men) showing VERY physical affection in public is the thing that wierds them out.... BUT let me also point out that they find this type of behavior distasteful between a man and a woman as well)... so, in this sense i think we are turning a corner in acceptance because we have completely different society now. I also find that my parents (no matter how much they have adjusted) still have a "shadow" of what was beaten into their heads since they were born, anyone that has had something pressed on them from a young age would find it difficult to shed those feelings.
Ok, so that takes care of my parents...... now my grandmother (sigh) ok... well, she freaked out when she saw a pair of my underwear... so you can guess what she thinks :rolleyes: .....

Anyways, i thought the same thing you did villete until i talked to other people about how they felt. What you have to try to do is understand the reason behind the way they think what they do. (does that make sense?) Can you really be surprised that people think that way when they were raised to think that way?
I think casting those "insecure and small minded" people aside and labeling them as such is just wrong, why not try and educate them and give them different views rather than just call them names and try to stamp on there beliefs? (no matter if they jive with your beliefs or not) Always find a way to talk through matters instead of labeling.
Anyways, i just thought that i would share what i found out and the way people are sometimes raised to think certain things.

And welcome to the board :D we are glad to have you

In Vilettes defense, she was just trying to make me feel welcome. She has a valid point about the small mindedness of some people. I know a few gay people who are that way too. It happens everywhere, LOL!! I understand what you are saying too orinskye (sorry I dont know your name). In a perfect world you can have a discussion with someone who has been raised on hate, but in my experience as a gay woman, those kinda folks wont even TALK to a gay person in the first place. I would love to try and change minds, but sometimes, the minds are happy where they are. I have learned to move on quietly, and live and let live. More power to you if you can change a few opinions. Thanx for trying and thanx for not being one of those "minds".

I totally understand what you said orinskye....and I liked what you said in your post :thumbup:

My Dad and I just had kind of a similar conversation about the Movie...Brokeback Mountain. HE is old school also and got very grossed out by the 2 men kissing....(he's 78 years old)

At first (and after I laughed) - I thought it was cute...then I realized he was raised in the times that it was a 'crime' against nature ....and of course I don't think my dad is insecure nor is he small minded

I guess my post was geared more to the complete homophobics out there - and there are alot....but yes.....you're right...I should have been more specific in my sentence....thanks for the reminder.

My 2 best friends growning up are gay and I have 2 gay cousins...When we were younger I saw when they went thru & many of the feelings were because someone didn't "Understand" it...but there was outright hatred geared toward them and I never understood how someone could hate someone who wasn't hurting anyone....

If someone has a sexual preference towards the same sex - who are we to judge ? I'm glad times have changed and most people are far more tolerant of this these days....

The funny thing is as much as my dad is uncomfortable with "gay' people....He gave one of my cousins a home for a year when I moved out....MY Room of all things ! Everytime I came to visit my old bedroom had turned into a guys room lol !

No need to apologize for your existence here! I can honestly say that anything said to me on the "snappy" side had nothing to do with me being Gay with a Partner...but more to do with my being a PAIN IN THE ASS! :D

Francie

:lol tears


Francie

[QUOTE=sylvan]don't matter a bit...you like dogs, we like dogs...it's all good.[/


Yeah...nodding...can't live with em...can't live without them......oh wait...were you referring to four legged animals? Oh...sorry...

Francie

No..sorry...that makes her the BOSS!

Francie :)

LMAO!!! She knows she the BOSS NOW!!!!! LOLOLOL!! I'm gonna buy those hockey goalie leg pads, just in case lol!! :D

LMAOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!! Bring it on ! :D :D :D :D You and me can be the voyuers and take pictures :D

:rofl28ib: YeeeeeeeeHawwwwwwww!!! :rofl28ib: