Episode 4: A New Hope for Gay UD Threads?

[Disney's Divinity]

I read they would be there, but I rarely watch the Olympics. Only the swimmers are interesting to me.

If it helps, I used to be a huge fan of the Spice Girls when they were first out. "Too Much" was my theme song in elementary school.

[ajmrowland]

ehhhh, they were a good group but I was a 7yo boy when they were big.

I was more interested in Russell Brand singing "Pure Imagination". Such an unlikely combo.

[PatrickvD]

Did anyone else have a gay-gasm watching the Spice Girls at the closing ceremony for the Olympics last night?! I DID!!! I was SOOO HAPPY!!!! I was a HUGE Spice-fan during their time. And I was so sad their reunion tour didn't come anywhere near me God, seeing them perform last night only made it even more clear that they NEED to get back together!

I totally gay-gasmed as well. It was pretty epic.

[Coolmanio]

Me and my group of friends were at a bar over the weekend and we met this group of straight guys, and after a while, we started having a nice, alcohol induced conversation. They were asking us who we would "do" if we were straight. It wasn't as mean as it sounded. i think. I was a little buzzed. Anywho, yesterday, I started think about it, and I wrote a blog post on the "Top 5 Women I would Turn Straight For". It was a total joke of course, and basically I just picked the women I would like to be friends with hahaha. But I thought i would post the link to my blog and have you guys take a look at it, and have your opinion!

http://www.thatgayguyreviews.blogspot.com

[Alphapanchito]

A friend recently showed me this article and it's really interesting. Like wow. Positive open or polyamorous relationships in the media, alongside gay relationships.

I'll put this here too. Look at all this stuff the obama administration did for trans* rights. Just another reason for me to love him.

Especially awesome is ending the requirement for trans people to have surgery before they can get their gender marker changed on their passports. A lot of states only require hormone therapy, not surgery, to change the drivers license gender marker, so it often caused a messy problem when trying to travel with a license gender that didn't match the passport one, when they are already suspicious of you because you don't look like the "M" or "F" printed next to gender on the passport.

And about ending job discrimination based on gender identity.. that's only for federal jobs. In almost every state, people can be fired legally for their gender identity.

[Disney's Divinity]

A friend recently showed me this article and it's really interesting. Like wow. Positive open or polyamorous relationships in the media, alongside gay relationships.

Although you may not be saying this, that article doesn’t indicate that Cooper is in that kind of relationship at all. Besides, it would be more interesting to see more positive, well-known, monogamous gay relationships (between two men, which is clearly seen as more taboo) considering they are rare. Even the article acknowledges it, with:

There's a very good chance that for Maisani, like many gay men in long-term, healthy, committed relationships, a make-out session in the park is not only acceptable but just another typical Saturday-afternoon activity.

I don’t consider non-monogamous relationships to be as common in the gay community as some like to believe, but I could be wrong. Legally, I honestly wouldn’t support polygamy, though I don’t care if people have relationships with multiple partners. Three people wouldn’t be a big deal, but I don’t see how it wouldn’t be a huge clusterfuck for 5 to 9 people to get married to each other. I feel sorry for the people who would have to go over the paperwork.

As an aside, I would say personally that it’s not for me; something brief would be interesting, but I couldn't work with it long-term. And I know open relationships and/or swinging would never work for me, but good to everyone out there who feels differently.

[Alphapanchito]

Although you may not be saying this, that article doesn’t indicate that Cooper is in that kind of relationship at all.

Yeah, I'm not saying that at all. I mean, these pictures just brought the possibility of this happening one day, and I think that's really progressive.

Besides, it would be more interesting to see more positive, well-known, monogamous gay relationships (between two men, which is clearly seen as more taboo) considering they are rare.

I think polyamorous relationships are much more rare and seen as much more taboo than gay relationships. But because both are seen this way, I think it would be really awesome if there was a healthy gay poly relationship in the media. It would help the public to see that both of these things are fine, especially if a likable guy like Cooper was showing people that yeah, he is gay, and yeah, it's an open relationship. And there is nothing wrong with that. (Not saying that the relationship between Cooper and Maisani is indeed poly, but it's just the idea that something like this would probably bring a whole bunch of acceptance to both gay and open relationships at the same time).

Even the article acknowledges it, with:

There's a very good chance that for Maisani, like many gay men in long-term, healthy, committed relationships, a make-out session in the park is not only acceptable but just another typical Saturday-afternoon activity.

I didn't read this the same way you did the first time. I thought this was part of the writer's "fantasies about what a radical moment this could be for America.". Not something factual. I felt like he meant it could be normal for many gay people, just as straight people BUT I could be wrong.

I don’t consider non-monogamous relationships to be as common in the gay community as some like to believe, but I could be wrong.

No, I think you are right. I think non-monogamous relationships have a pretty similar rate of occurrence in straight, gay, and bi people. Just seeing both at the same time in the media from a likable person, that's all I find interesting about this article, because I never thought of the two types of relationships in the media together before. And I started thinking just how big of an effect that could make.

Legally, I honestly wouldn’t support polygamy, though I don’t care if people have relationships with multiple partners. Three people wouldn’t be a big deal, but I don’t see how it wouldn’t be a huge clusterfuck for 5 to 9 people to get married to each other. I feel sorry for the people who would have to go over the paperwork.

Yeah, what I mean, and I think what the article means as well, is just hoping to get people to not think that non-monogamous relationships are inherently bad.

I don't think even most poly people support the legalization of anything, because yeah, it would be totally confusing. Although, I'm not poly, so I really shouldn't speak for them.

Let's face it, most of America (I really don't know much about this outside america) thinks of non-monogamous relationships as a guy living on a ranch with several wives. There is nothing wrong with that of course, but it is not the most common form of poly relationships. A lot are just as described in the article. You may be living with your partner, but you both agree on (and this is the important part) the fact that it is an open relationship, and seeing people outside of that relationship isn't cheating. And that can be healthy.

As an aside, I would say personally that it’s not for me; something brief would be interesting, but I couldn't work with it long-term. And I know open relationships and/or swinging would never work for me, but good to everyone out there who feels differently.

I totally agree. I'm not sure if it would work out too well for me either.

EDIT: I didn't want to double post, but I just wanted to share http://www.advocate.com/crime/2012/08/1 ... icago]this. Not much to say about that. 19 years old. Horrible.

Although it is important to mention that the 1 in 12 statistic mentioned is incorrect. The statistics are horrible, but not quite that horrible.

[xxhplinkxx]

Would just like to say I just got back from watching "Paranorman" and I have to give huge props to the filmmakers for putting an openly gay character in a kids movie. Awesome!

[JiminyCrick91]

Would just like to say I just got back from watching "Paranorman" and I have to give huge props to the filmmakers for putting an openly gay character in a kids movie. Awesome!

I've yet to see it yet but I was spoiled on who it is. I like the idea but am so sad there are so many people out there now who are anti the film because of it completely missing the point of the accepting anti-bullying story. Come on people! Gays are in your family TV, In your movies and even Archie comics. If Riverdale can be gay-friendly why can't the rest of the world? I don't recall this sort of backlash when The Princess Diaries 2 showed us the picture of a gay man and gave us a fist bump of support 8 years ago...

-Skyler

[Super Aurora]

A heartbreaking letter, allegedly penned by an unsupportive father to his gay son, has gone viral in the blogosphere.

Originally uploaded to Reddit and posted by Athlete Ally founder (and HuffPost Gay Voices blogger) Hudson Taylor on his Facebook profile, the letter is addressed simply to "James," and it reads as follows:

"I hope your telephone call was not to receive my blessing for the degrading of your lifestyle. I have fond memories of our times together, but that is all in the past."
The letter -- since posted by Towleroad, Pink News, The New Civil Rights Movement, Truth Wins Out among other media outlets -- continues:

"You made your choice though wrong it may be. God did not intend for this unnatural lifestyle. If you choose not to attend my funeral, my friends and family will understand."
View an image of the letter below, then scroll down to keep reading:


Reddit user RegBarc, who uploaded the image of the letter, says the letter was written five years ago after he came out as gay to his father. "It's important to know just what this zealotry from Bryan Fischer, Maggie Gallagher, Dan Cathy, et al., does to everyday people," he noted. "I've never done drugs, was an excellent student, an obedient child (far less trouble than many of my classmates), didn't drink until I was 22 because it terrified me, and have had just 1 speeding ticket in my life," he noted. "Yet I am still seemingly deserving of this terrible act of hate and cowardice that one person can place on another."

The letter has drawn an onslaught of responses since it was originally posted. "I actually hope that someday he gets a chance to look deeply in his heart and comes to understand how horribly, terribly he screwed this up," one Reddit user notes. "If so, he'll maybe have a chance to start some personal redemption and healing."

Adds another: "I don't think 'Dad' is the appropriate term for this man. He sullies everything that name stands for. He should have signed it 'Goodbye, Bigot.'"

source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/0 ... 52053.html

[Disney's Divinity]

Hasn't someone already posted that? Either way, I've read it before. Reading that makes it more and more aware that even dogs require a license for a reason.

[ajmrowland]

I read the first line then i stopped.

[Coolmanio]

You think the world is getting better and more accepting, and then you read something like that. I hate it. I commend the son for his strength to rise above the bigotry that consumes his father.

[JiminyCrick91]

You think the world is getting better and more accepting, and then you read something like that. I hate it. I commend the son for his strength to rise above the bigotry that consumes his father.

To quote the Broadway Musical 'Memphis', "Change don't come quickly, no not partic'ly" but it IS beginning to happen.

-Skyler

[Alphapanchito]

I thought this one was notable because of that great quote we have here from an instructor in her school.

"This is Lincolnshire — we are a very conservative county — we don’t have things like that.”

We are conservative so we don't have things like that here.

And of course, yay Ashlyn for being awesome.

[ajmrowland]

^naturally, but by today's standards, lincoln would be a liberal.

[David S.]

That's a really sad and despicable letter. Reminds me of this song:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vKaO8_WYxZE" frameborder="0"></iframe>

[Super Aurora]

Most epic thing I've read:

source: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--maryl ... Wdl;_ylv=3

a picture of the letter.



and now the hilarity

Dear Emmett C. Burns Jr.,
I find it inconceivable that you are an elected official of Maryland's state government. Your vitriolic hatred and bigotry make me ashamed and disgusted to think that you are in any way responsible for shaping policy at any level. The views you espouse neglect to consider several fundamental key points, which I will outline in great detail (you may want to hire an intern to help you with the longer words):



1. As I suspect you have not read the Constitution, I would like to remind you that the very first, the VERY FIRST Amendment in this founding document deals with the freedom of speech, particularly the abridgment of said freedom. By using your position as an elected official (when referring to your constituents so as to implicitly threaten the Ravens organization) to state that the Ravens should "inhibit such expressions from your employees," more specifically Brendon Ayanbadejo, not only are you clearly violating the First Amendment, you also come across as a narcissistic fromunda stain. What on earth would possess you to be so mind-boggingly stupid? It baffles me that a man such as yourself, a man who relies on that same First Amendment to pursue your own religious studies without fear of persecution from the state, could somehow justify stifling another person's right to speech. To call that hypocritical would be to do a disservice to the word. Mindfucking obscenely hypocritical starts to approach it a little bit.


2. "Many of your fans are opposed to such a view and feel it has no place in a sport that is strictly for pride, entertainment, and excitement." Holy fucking shitballs. Did you seriously just say that, as someone who's "deeply involved in government task forces on the legacy of slavery in Maryland"? Have you not heard of Kenny Washington? Jackie Robinson? As recently as 1962 the NFL still had segregation, which was only done away with by brave athletes and coaches daring to speak their mind and do the right thing, and you're going to say that political views have "no place in a sport"? I can't even begin to fathom the cognitive dissonance that must be coursing through your rapidly addled mind right now; the mental gymnastics your brain has to tortuously contort itself through to make such a preposterous statement are surely worthy of an Olympic gold medal (the Russian judge gives you a 10 for "beautiful oppressionism").


3. This is more a personal quibble of mine, but why do you hate freedom? Why do you hate the fact that other people want a chance to live their lives and be happy, even though they may believe in something different than you, or act different than you? How does gay marriage, in any way shape or form, affect your life? If gay marriage becomes legal, are you worried that all of a sudden you'll start thinking about penis? "Oh shit. Gay marriage just passed. Gotta get me some of that hot dong action!" Will all of your friends suddenly turn gay and refuse to come to your Sunday Ticket grill-outs? (Unlikely, since gay people enjoy watching football too.)
I can assure you that gay people getting married will have zero effect on your life. They won't come into your house and steal your children. They won't magically turn you into a lustful cockmonster. They won't even overthrow the government in an orgy of hedonistic debauchery because all of a sudden they have the same legal rights as the other 90 percent of our population—rights like Social Security benefits, child care tax credits, Family and Medical Leave to take care of loved ones, and COBRA healthcare for spouses and children. You know what having these rights will make gays? Full-fledged American citizens just like everyone else, with the freedom to pursue happiness and all that entails. Do the civil-rights struggles of the past 200 years mean absolutely nothing to you?


In closing, I would like to say that I hope this letter, in some small way, causes you to reflect upon the magnitude of the colossal foot in mouth clusterfuck you so brazenly unleashed on a man whose only crime was speaking out for something he believed in. Best of luck in the next election; I'm fairly certain you might need it.
Sincerely,
Chris Kluwe
P.S. I've also been vocal as hell about the issue of gay marriage so you can take your "I know of no other NFL player who has done what Mr. Ayanbadejo is doing" and shove it in your close-minded, totally lacking in empathy piehole and choke on it. Asshole.

source: http://deadspin.com/5941348/they-wont-m ... porting-it

[ajmrowland]

that was pretty funnd ,but he probably should've done away with the namecalling if he hoped to sway anyone at least towards neutrality.

[SpringHeelJack]

When you're responding to ludicrous claims I think you can pretty much say whatever the hell you want. It makes it more memorable.