It appears this topic has not transferred to this new site. It had received quite a few replies (45) and was very interesting. I replied to this myself just
as the switch over to here was being made, and I think few, if any, saw that post. It is an important subject to me, so here was what I posted last week:
I want to thank all those who have contributed to this thread. I've learned a lot reading your comments.
One thing I've learned from those who responded is that most of you don't really find being gay is a terrible problem, that you get along rather nicely, are living your lives in a fairly contented manner.
What I mean is that a lot of you seem to be comfortable with who you are, at least internally, phychologically. And by that I mean it seems that you have accepted who you are, your sexuality, and are by no means guilt-ridden, secretive, ashamed or are regretful of your lifestyle (or, if your prefer, your sexual orientation).
I think that is just absolutely great, and that you should be proud in stating that, in being who you are. I did not expect that, to be honest, as I think I had always assumed that being gay was a very tough road to travel.
Only a few decades ago, many of those who were gay found it necessary, for personal or business reasons, to hide that fact, to do the best they could do to meld into the "straight" culture, to pretend.
Thank goodness, like other civil rights movements, progress is evident. No longer is it always political or celebrity suicide to "come out," to be who you are. Makes me think of the great song "I Am Who I Am," the version by Linda Eder the best I've heard.
Mostly, though, I was really touched by the way that so many of you just simply opened up and talked about your feelings on this, your experiences, your personal situations. I really got the feeling that many contributors have been perhaps even thankful for the opportunity to discuss this, and opened up their hearts to share their feelings with all of us. That is a good thing.
My heart goes out to those who struggle with this in their lives, whether it be at work, with friends or, most of all, with family. It can be so hard, so unfair, to pay any sort of social or familial penalties for being who you are.
I thank you for discussing this so deeply personal matter on this board, and sharing such personal revelations and situtations. Perhaps some of your stories and experiences can help others here who are struggling with their own sexuality and have been wondering what to do and how to do it. Maybe they've found something here to help. That would be so great.
I've had so many wonderful gay friends over the years, and I guess as a result I am very sensitive to their situations, to the battles some of them fight every day just to be accepted as simply an integral part of our society.
Because who you love is not only usually out of your control but sometimes runs opposite to your learned sensibilities. And then it becomes a a life-altering proposition, a mental and certainly physical dilemma which can often make life just so much more difficult to deal with. To, on a daily basis, circumnavigate through the situations you must deal with, while keeping your head up, your feet firmly on the ground and your self-respect intact.
I dunno. I know I wouldn't want to deal with all that. I don't know if I could. And so I have much respect for those of you who do so.
I started this topic because I really did want to know more, to hear from you.
You have spoken, and I thank you.
I want to thank all those who have contributed to this thread. I've learned a lot reading your comments.
One thing I've learned from those who responded is that most of you don't really find being gay is a terrible problem, that you get along rather nicely, are living your lives in a fairly contented manner.
What I mean is that a lot of you seem to be comfortable with who you are, at least internally, phychologically. And by that I mean it seems that you have accepted who you are, your sexuality, and are by no means guilt-ridden, secretive, ashamed or are regretful of your lifestyle (or, if your prefer, your sexual orientation).
I think that is just absolutely great, and that you should be proud in stating that, in being who you are. I did not expect that, to be honest, as I think I had always assumed that being gay was a very tough road to travel.
Only a few decades ago, many of those who were gay found it necessary, for personal or business reasons, to hide that fact, to do the best they could do to meld into the "straight" culture, to pretend.
Thank goodness, like other civil rights movements, progress is evident. No longer is it always political or celebrity suicide to "come out," to be who you are. Makes me think of the great song "I Am Who I Am," the version by Linda Eder the best I've heard.
Mostly, though, I was really touched by the way that so many of you just simply opened up and talked about your feelings on this, your experiences, your personal situations. I really got the feeling that many contributors have been perhaps even thankful for the opportunity to discuss this, and opened up their hearts to share their feelings with all of us. That is a good thing.
My heart goes out to those who struggle with this in their lives, whether it be at work, with friends or, most of all, with family. It can be so hard, so unfair, to pay any sort of social or familial penalties for being who you are.
I thank you for discussing this so deeply personal matter on this board, and sharing such personal revelations and situtations. Perhaps some of your stories and experiences can help others here who are struggling with their own sexuality and have been wondering what to do and how to do it. Maybe they've found something here to help. That would be so great.
I've had so many wonderful gay friends over the years, and I guess as a result I am very sensitive to their situations, to the battles some of them fight every day just to be accepted as simply an integral part of our society.
Because who you love is not only usually out of your control but sometimes runs opposite to your learned sensibilities. And then it becomes a a life-altering proposition, a mental and certainly physical dilemma which can often make life just so much more difficult to deal with. To, on a daily basis, circumnavigate through the situations you must deal with, while keeping your head up, your feet firmly on the ground and your self-respect intact.
I dunno. I know I wouldn't want to deal with all that. I don't know if I could. And so I have much respect for those of you who do so.
I started this topic because I really did want to know more, to hear from you.
You have spoken, and I thank you.
