I like being gay.

[yardwork]

I'm a woman who is more attracted to women than men. I like men and all, but I am more attracted to women in all ways - emotionally, sexually, intellectually, spiritually. The word used to describe women like me is lesbians. There are millions of people like me and there always have been, throughout human history. Lots and lots of women who prefer women to men, and men who prefer men to women, and people who don't care at all about a person's gender and are equally attracted to men and women.

Just because some people have a problem with anyone who is different is no reason to suppose that I have a problem with myself. With all the things facing the world right now it is astonishing to me that anyone would be so preoccupied with my love life as to invest time and energy into discriminating against me and the millions of others like me. The people who do this are abnormal, not me.

It's abnormal to obsess about other peoples' love lives while ignoring so many immediate economic, social, environmental, and political issues.

It's abnormal to spend time and money discriminating against people on the basis of who they do and don't love while ignoring so many other important issues.

People who do this are crazy. That doesn't make me crazy. If someone believes that the sun rises in the west do you automatically assume that you are wrong to believe that the sun rises in the east? Of course not.

Because so many "experts" weigh in on the issue of my love life and the love lives of millions of others, I thought I'd help them out a little by posting a list of things they don't have to worry about anymore:

1. I am not interested in a genetic or medical "cure" for my "condition." I'm happy just the way I am, thanks.

2. I don't consider myself to be damned to hell. You're welcome to believe that if you wish, but your belief doesn't influence mine at all.

3. Nothing in my spiritual beliefs teaches me that my love for my partner is an abomination. On the contrary, my spiritual beliefs teach me that love is sacred and it is always right with God to express one's true devotion. Again, you are welcome to believe differently, but your beliefs are irrelevant to me.

4. I am pushing a "gay agenda." I do my part to promote gay rights in an effort to ensure that people throughout the world can love openly and freely. I do not sit quietly at home keeping my love to myself. I discuss it openly and I contribute time and money to pushing laws that provide all the same rights enjoyed by straight people to gay people. That includes the right to marry and the right to adopt. I am a gay rights activist.

5. I will never live in the closet. I will never live celibately unless I choose to do so myself. I will never "be quiet" and "stop making a fuss."

If you have a problem with any of this, it is your problem, not mine.

[11 Bravo]

1. This old, straight guy agrees with every word of your post.

:toast:

on edit: K&R

[yardwork]

4. Thank you, 11 Bravo! You are one of the best!

[JerseygirlCT]

164. This straight woman, too...

I sort of like the gay agenda part.

That term always rankles. But maybe it just needs to be owned, instead.

[jonnyblitz]

2. and your life is not a "pet issue".

do i have permission to reproduce this article and pass it on? :P :hi:

[yardwork]

3. Please! LOL!

[Fridays Child]

5. If this is a response to that Morpheal character, bravo! Otherwise...

...bravo! :D

[yardwork]

6. Well......thanks!

[11 Bravo]

8. I was sorry that one got TSed before I could reply. I wanted to tell him to blow me.

[patrice]

12. Whoever that was, s/he was WAAAAAYYY over impressed with him/her-self.

extremely verbose and proud of it - had no idea how boring his/her stuff was to read.

[LostinVA]

18. I'm mad I missed it!

[yardwork]

19. It was hilarious.

[LostinVA]

38. I just read it

[bluedawg12]

64. I just read tha late posters OP

tinfoil hat time.

edited to correct location of thread.

[LostinVA]

7. Me too!

Great OP.

[yardwork]

31. Thank you, sweetie.

[patrice]

9. Very very well said, yardwork!

:hi:

[yardwork]

32. Thank you!

[SidneyCarton]

10. Far be it for me to deny you happiness...

1. I can't imagine there being a genetic "cure" for homosexuality, and would oppose it's forcible imposition if discovered.

2. Whether or not you're going to Hell isn't my call (It's God's, if you choose to believe in him, and if not then the whole argument is academic.) I'm more worried about my own salvation.

3. People's spiritual beliefs differ, that said as we have ostensible religious freedom in this nation, no one should be able to impose their views of the morality or immorality of your love on anyone else. And vice-versa.

4. Those who push an agenda should expect opposition. Change, even necessary change is often painful and unpleasant, and nothing evokes negative reactions more than pain and unpleasantness. Nothing worthwile is achieved without struggle.

5. Those who exercise their right to make a fuss and be heard, should expect that others will exercise their rights to complain about the noise (at least that's what I tell myself when the guy upstairs starts playing his drums at 11:30)

No problems here, just observations

[mnhtnbb]

11. We went to see "Milk" yesterday . Very well done film.

I was living in CA during that time (although southern CA, not Bay area). Harvey Milk would be saddened
to see how California voted on Prop 8.

I came away thinking Anita Bigot Bryant was dead, but looked her up on the tubes and she is still alive and resides in Oklahoma. The woman has not had a happy life since that time. Your list seems like
a very good way to live one's life, whether gay or straight.

[yardwork]

25. Thank you. I'm far from perfect.

[last1standing]

13. Hell YES!!!

K&R for the best thread of the day!

[yardwork]

30. Thank you so much.

[BOSSHOG]

14. Hear, Hear, the constitution is a shield not a weapon

Our sex lives are irrelevant, our freedoms are relevant. This is not a theocracy. And I wonder if "christians" like being "christians," having to devote so much time to hating. A sane person would speculate that would be getting really fucking old after a couple hundred years.

Repeating for lurkers, THE CONSTITUTION IS A SHIELD, not a weapon for you to use against those you hate.

[yardwork]

21. ...

:pals:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

15. Yours is a very healthy attitude

I hope that one day everyone can say "I'm glad I'm ____" putting whatever orientation they are in the blank.

[yardwork]

22. Yes.

[ropi]

16. sending love to yardwork

[yardwork]

26. Backatcha!

[Billy Shears]

17. I like you, yardwork

In fact, most of the gay people I have met have been far kinder and more decent humans on average than their heterosexual counterparts.

What bitter irony that those who are treated the worst by others, generally treat others the best.

>>"It's abnormal to spend time and money discriminating against people on the basis of who they do and don't love"

I think this is where the disconnect occurs. The discriminator does not realize that they are expending more time and effort in the act of judgment than they ever would in an act of mercy.
They don't realize that the problem is not occurring externally, it is occurring internally, in their thoughts.
If this realization ever occurs our human empathetic tendency is to grant ourselves, and thereby those around us, mercy.

But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody don't throw stones!

[yardwork]

20. Good observation! Thanks.

[Libertyfirst]

170. I like your statement about

the fact that discriminators are spending more time on an act of judgment than they would an act of mercy. From now on I am going to ask each and every one of them that I encounter if God wouldn't prefer them to spend they time and money on acts of mercy than acts of judgment.

May even go look up some, just so I can ask the question.

[yardwork]

184. I like it!

[MinneapolisMatt]

23. This is one of THE BEST posts I have ever read here.

BRAVO!

[yardwork]

27. Wow. Thank you!

[Behind the Aegis]

24. My partner likes that I am gay!

:evilgrin:

[yardwork]

29. Good point. LOL!

[Saturday]

28. Good for you, I wish you the best life has to offer. nt

[yardwork]

33. I wish you the same.

[cali]

34. you shouldn't even need to say all this- not here.

I hate that you feel any need whatsoever to justify who you are because of your sexual orientation.

[yardwork]

36. Well, I'm not justifying myself. I'm just trying to help out those who are confused.

Based on many posts I've read and many things I've seen and heard in the "real world," there are a number of people who are confused on this topic. They seem to think that I am in need of help. I thought I'd do them a favor and let them know that I'm one less thing for them to worry about.

[nc4bo]

35. How horrible that you, or anyone has to explain themselves

to anybody.

Love is love, however you want to do it just love each other and be damned happy you have someone to share your life with.

I'm not gay but I am human and want my gay brothers and sisters to have and enjoy life and all the rights to it that I do and will do what I can to oppose those that don't or won't.

Great post!

Be happy!

[yardwork]

37. Of course. Let's celebrate love and life and grieve together over what needs grieving.

I'm right there with you, fellow human.

[grantcart]

39. My Christmas wish is that we will soon not to have posts like this.

Until then Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and thanks for the intelligent post.

[JuniperLea]

43. Excellent wish, grantcart... eom

[racaulk]

40. You speak for me, yardwork.

Thank you for writing this great OP!

K&R

:yourock:

[yardwork]

48. Thank you!

[tandot]

41. I wish I could reduce this sentence to just a few words to fit on a bumper sticker:

"It's abnormal to spend time and money discriminating against people on the basis of who they do and don't love while ignoring so many other important issues."

That just about sums it up. Wonderful post, yardwork!

[yardwork]

47. Thank you!

[mlevans]

140. How about just "Love and Let Love"?

That would fit on a button as well as a sticker, and I think kind of says the same thing.

[JuniperLea]

42. As a straight female, I support your rights!

As a human being, you are who you are... and if asked by some nutjob Christian, I'd have to say God made you that way and we shouldn't question what God does.

To ask that laws be changed, or state and federal constitutions be changed, in support of some Biblical "reason" for not allowing homosexuality is a slippery slope. If we allow that, we need to check with all other religions and inquire what laws pertaining to them they think should be included.

This whole thing is on my last nerve.

Be who you are and be proud! You are a very intelligent and caring woman, yardwork, and I enjoy your participation on DU.

Keep the faith... pardon the pun:)

[yardwork]

45. Thank you!

[LaydeeBug]

44. I'm straight, not narrow, and I heartily agree that the crotch sniffing should cease. nt

[yardwork]

46. LOL!

[SwampG8r]

101. government sniffing i hope

is all that you are against
i believe in the right to sniff crotches and have your crotch sniffed
as long as sniffer and sniffee agree on said sniffing
i do not believe gov should mandate sniffing in any way or sniff as a litmus test

[progressoid]

49. If you have a problem with any of this, it is your problem, not mine

This straight guy says :thumbsup: :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Brazenly Liberal]

50. Wow!

That's one of the most emotionally healthy things I've ever read. It has an essential truth in it that we would all do well to embrace.

Thanks for posting that. I'm emailing the link to several people who need to read it.

[yardwork]

73. Thank you. I'm blushing!

[MellowDem]

51. "Happy" gay?

or "gay" gay? ;)

[yardwork]

74. Ecstatically gay!

[TexasObserver]

52. Agreed. The demonization of gays in America in the name of religion is appalling.

I am sick and damn tired of it. I'm not gay, but I'm sick of this societally justified hate crime being a part of our lives. It's not a lifestyle, it's an in-born orientation. They might as well vilify red heads, or those with large feet.

[yardwork]

76. I appreciate your support!

[jhrobbins]

147. My partner and I have been together for 28 years now and for most of those

years we have been completely OUT and have presented ourselves to the world as such. I forget sometimes that this is still a dangerous thing in certain places. Someday, we won't have to even think about this.

[Ikonoklast]

53. OK with me.

As long as you're happy being who you are, I am happy for you.

And that applies to every one else. Mind your own damn business, and let people live their lives as they see fit.

[yardwork]

77. Live and let live.

[Starry Messenger]

54. Beautiful post, yardwork.

I could see this getting adopted as a national manifesto. Powerful writing and sums everything up. Signed, a straight gal who thinks it is dumb, mean, and wrong that we still have second-class citizens in this country.

[yardwork]

75. Thank you very much!

[ehrnst]

55. You've clearly been consorting with Unitarian Universalists...

(((secret handshake)))

[Pacifist Patriot]

71. Heathen heretical rabble rousers that we are.

;)

[yardwork]

78. Maybe I should look into joining....

[ehrnst]

113. Just look for the church building in your area flying a huge rainbow flag...

Seriously, everything you wrote would get a standing ovation. We have "I believe" statements given by members of our congregation, and this sounds just like something someone would read during a service.

[yardwork]

138. There's a UU church in my area I've been thinking about visiting. Now I will.

Thank you.

[Dystopian]

178. Please do : )

The UU church is beautiful. The pastor at our church is gay....
I just love him...


:hug:

peace~

[Runcible Spoon]

56. MUAH!

:loveya:

[yardwork]

79. Thank you - what does that mean?

[Runcible Spoon]

100. oh it's cyber speak for a kissy noise!

:)

[Arkana]

57. I like being gray.

[Erin Elizabeth]

122. I don't! I get my hair colored every six weeks!

[stevedeshazer]

58. Eloquently said.

Thanks for posting.

[yardwork]

80. Thank you.

[Jamastiene]

59. I bow to you.

I wish I could have said it the way you said it. I heartily recommend and :kick: this post to increase awareness to our lives and our wishes to have the same hopes and dreams as anyone else in this country. :hug:

[yardwork]

81. The community of GLBTQ here at DU helped me realize everything in my OP.

You are a part of that OP, and so are many, many other DUers - gay and gay supporters.

[northofdenali]

60. Well said!! VERY well said!!

I was luckily brought up in a household where my mom NEVER allowed any type of bigotry to roost. As she was born in 1916, it was an unusual way to grow up in the 50's and 60's, but I'm daily so proud that she took that stand early and often.

I can't remember any of my adult life where I didn't have gay friends. It never really came up except in discussions about bigotry, bias and such. I can't remember any of my childhood or adult life where I didn't have friends of color and of different religions, or no religion at all (like me).

You've been bookmarked, K&R'd and forwarded yardwork! :hug:

[yardwork]

82. Wow. Thank you!

[mvd]

61. K&R

Why shouldn't everyone be happy with who they are? Be it gay, straight, white, black, brown, purple, whatever. :hi:

[yardwork]

83. Mod, you rock!

[rhett o rick]

62. If you need help making a fuss, I am with you all the way. By the way

i certainly understand your attraction to women. I am a straight man and think that in many ways women are far superior. Seriously (and i am rarely serious) i think women are far tougher than men. Partially because they have to put up with us dorky men. I am speaking for myself of course.

[yardwork]

84. Thank you for your kind words and support. I love men, too. Just not in the same way.

[rhett o rick]

96. I totally understand. Some of my best friends are men. lol. nm

[Midlodemocrat]

63. Love, love, love you to pieces, yardwork. Great post!

[yardwork]

85. Love you too!

:hi:

[bluedawg12]

65. Beautifully stated!!! BTW - I feel the same way about being gay

I'm very happy with our lives and my partner and I have a wonderful life.

The only thing I could ask for are equal rights under the law and that's not asking too much. It's only fair.

Great thread yardwork, as usual, so well said.

bluedawg and mrsbluedawg and family send :grouphug: to you and yours and to my GLBTQ family and allies at DU.

[yardwork]

86. Nothing to add.

:hug:

[mwei924]

66. I totally wouldn't mind being gay.

[yardwork]

87. LOL!

[Veruca Salt]

67. You speak for me as well, thank you!

May I distribute this? It sums up perfectly things that I find hard to put to words sometimes.

[yardwork]

89. Of course, and I am honored.

[Sebastian Doyle]

68. Is this another one of those "gay recruiting threads"?

:evilgrin: Ok then.......



toaster ovens for everyone! (I charged them to that Morpheal weirdo's Freeper Express card!)

[yardwork]

88. Awesome! Toaster ovens on the house!

Morphy will be pleased. He's one of us even though he doesn't want to admit it...

[Number23]

69. Very beautifully said.

happy to rec.

[yardwork]

90. Thank you.

[Pacifist Patriot]

70. Hey, all five apply to me too!

I'm straight and all I want is for all people to be as contented with the Self as we are. Cheers!

[yardwork]

91. Cheers!

:toast:

[AnotherDreamWeaver]

72. Hey, Me too...

Got myself "Married" Nov. 3rd. before they said we couldn't. (After being together 33 years.)
Also just finished reading "Longhorns" by Victor J. Banis, an enjoyable novel if you liked "Brokeback Mt.", "The Man who fell in love with the Moon" or "The Song of the Loon" stories.

Celebrate Life...

[yardwork]

92. Best wishes and congratulations to you and your spouse!

[OneGrassRoot]

93. Brilliant post!

Like everything I've read of yours. :)

[a la izquierda]

94. As the straight daughter of a gay woman...

I dig your post! Cheers!:toast:

[libnnc]

95. I am Libby, a lesbian, and I endorse this message.

:yourock:

:D

[ddeclue]

97. Fine by me!

Whatever consenting adults do behind closed doors is their own business and none of mine and whomever people choose to marry and be partners with should be their decision not the state's nor the church's.

I find it ridiculous for Republicans to claim they are for small gov't while at the same time they want to tell people what they have to do in their bedrooms and in their church.

Doug D.

[sellitman]

98. This old fart remembers the 60's

If it feels good do it!

[Withywindle]

99. Beautifully and concisely said.

And yes, as a previous poster said, very emotionally healthy. There is NOTHING wrong with you. It's the people who are obsessed with their own bizarre hangups about other people's lives, can't recognize love when they see it, and elevate their superstition to the level of a religious feeling that are really, really, really wrong in the head. They can't die off fast enough.

This slightly-bi woman stands with you, and looks longingly forward to the day when EVERYONE, everywhere in the world, can put pictures of their family on their desk at work or walk openly on a sidewalk with their lover with no fear, when a kid at school with two daddies or two mommies has nothing to worry about.

[sohndrsmith]

102. I wish more of us - gay or straight - had as healthy an outlook as you have n/t

[Vektor]

103. Bravo! K&R

So many wise things were said in your post, but this line really sums it up:

"With all the things facing the world right now it is astonishing to me that anyone would be so preoccupied with my love life as to invest time and energy into discriminating against me and the millions of others like me. The people who do this are abnormal, not me."

Indeed, it is the homophobic bigots who are abnormal.

[donheld]

104. I do too.

[enigmatic]

105. great post

I stand with you :thumbsup:

[eshfemme]

106. Considering what fuck ups we heterosexuals are with love, there is no place to criticize gay love

It's basically the pot calling the kettle black. I'm glad that you're not letting the haters get to you.

[BlueButGlad2]

107. I'm with you! I'm fine with it too.

[cboy4]

108. Word!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

:kick:

[Skittles]

109. you want I should kick some homophobe ass, yardwork?

let me at 'em

[terrya]

110. Amen. Highly recommended.

I wouldn't be straight if you paid me. Seriously.

Of course, we can't change our sexual orientation. In spite of what the bigots think.

I love being gay. And if I wasn't gay, I wouldn't have been able to fall completely, passionately, madly in love with my boyfriend. Not having him in my life would be awful. My life would be so empty, so lonely without him.

Your post is absolutely wonderful and I agree with every single word and I thank you so much for posting it.

:yourock:

:thumbsup:

[Duppers]

111. bravo!

K & R --- You go girl!

Someone up thread said that this is the healthiest statement they've ever read. I agree.

I'm straight but not narrow too.

:thumbsup:

[Political Tiger]

112. K & R!

I like being gay too!

[Bluenorthwest]

114. Just brilliant

And not only do I like being gay, I like you being gay too! Especially with mad skills like this to share. Good on you and yours!

[motely36]

115. Great post

I agree! Thanks for writing this :hi:

[unapatriciated]

116. K&R for Love

"That's The Thing About Love"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ucqDoP2FZw

you don't choose it....if your lucky it comes along naturally.

[Maven]

117. Stated plainly and beautifully.

K/R.

[yellowcanine]

118. The Church of the Flying Sphagetti Monster welcomes you and your partner.

You can even marry your partner in the FSM Church.

[closeupready]

119. Wow. You REALLY nailed it. Spot. Fucking. On.

:hi:

[jeff30997]

120. K&R

Great post.:hi:

[Erin Elizabeth]

121. Other people's sexuality is SO not an issue to me

and never has been. So much so that I can't even get into the headspace a person has to occupy for another person's sexuality to concern them. I can't wrap my mind around that. Like you said so well, it's downright abnormal to be so preoccupied with this. I'm not even concerned by my own sexuality, which is rather fluid. I am who I am--someone who finds both men and women attractive.

(I do get a bit torked when people say you can't be bi, either gay or straight. That's just not true.)

[riqster]

123. I am with you 100%

...I like being a straight male, and frankly can't imagine being anything else (I CAN imagine being younger, having more hair and a full set of lungs, but they ain't gonna happen).

America was founded on freedom, and that freedom should apply to everyone. To me, the fact that you have to push for equal rights is a stain upon the soul of our nation, like any other form of discrimination.

[qb]

124. Excellent post! Homosexuality is desirable (to those of us who like being gay) and natural!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6066606.stm
:hi:

[yardwork]

151. Very interesting article! I know horse people who swear that their horses are gay.

It's pretty well established in the horse world that there are individual horses who are gay and nothing can be done about it. Females who refuse to mate with males and hang out with another female, and males who refuse to mount females and hang out with another male.

[OwnedByFerrets]

125. K and R

[Irishonly]

126. Great Post

I just turned on the puter this morning and your post is the first thing I saw. I am still smiling. This straight woman stands with you and will fight for your rights with you. I have bookmarked your journal. I think I need to read it before I get sputtering.

We are all God's children. For those that don't believe in God we are all the earth's children. We should be taking care of each other and not tearing the earth and all living things apart.

[mkultra]

127. lesbians bother me!

As a straight male, when I find a hot chick that i like and we really connect, if i then discover she is gay, it bothers me! :)


Other than that, its really none of my business.
<-invoking John Stewarts Box turtle argument->

[HillWilliam]

128. I'm comfortable in my own skin

This skin just happens to be gay. It was always that simple for me. It should be that simple for everyone. It would be if the shyte-stirrers would mind their own business and stop making trouble where there isn't any.

But until they stop making trouble, dear neighbor, I'm with you. I refuse to sit down and shut up just because someone else who's scrod-in-the-head says I must.

:yourock:

[goclark]

129. K and R , why is it OK for "Gentlemen to Prefer Blondes?"

I agree with you and admire your honesty.

I've often wondered... if I am a straight" woman(and I am) that makes a lesbian "crooked" and something is not politically correct about those terms. :shrug:

I also have a problem with the word "Gay". Is it just me. :(

All happy people should be GAY people!

Is it just me or does society need to have more PC terms?

Please don't flame me, I honestly want to know.....

My favorite uncle lived a life of sorrow because of the put downs and fears of others knowing his "secret" lifestyle.

I get angry even thinking about what a great and good man he was and how he had to pretend.

The irony is that everyone knew anyway,it was an Open Secret in the town.

And don't let me get started on other terms like F--, that makes my blood boil!

I am so tired of what I would describe as "put down words" for women that prefer women and men that prefer men.

It's "OK" ? for "Gentlemen to Prefer Blondes" but not OK for Woman to Prefer Women????

[Fearless]

130. I too enjoy it.

:hi:

[bigscott]

131. This out proud gay man

loves you :hug: :yourock: :woohoo: :applause: :patriot:

[cate94]

132. wow.

Awesome post.

[Strathos]

133. THANK YOU FOR THAT IT WAS BEAUTIFUL

I'm a gay man and have never been ashamed of who I am. I was told I should be, but never felt that way.

I love men, there's nothing that can be done about that.

I accept it and if someone else can't, that's their problem.


More of us need to stand up and proclaim this as loudly and as often as possible.


Thanks again for the inspiration.

[RetroLounge]

134. Very nicely Put

K&R

RL

[lavndrblue]

135. Ditto...

One thing I would add is that for those that believe in reincarntion, I would change NOTHING. I would gladly be gay again, in fact I can't fathom being straight.

[yardwork]

136. I'm overwhelmed by the responses to my OP! Thank you all so much!

This is clearly something that lots and lots of people agree upon!

[yardwork]

137. I'm overwhelmed by the responses to my OP! Thank you all so much!

This is clearly something that lots and lots of people agree upon!

[CatWoman]

139. Yardwork,

I always thought you were a guy :)

[yardwork]

152. I know. It's the posting name. It just sounds like a guy to so many people!

I don't even own a lawnmower.

In fact, I no longer own a yard! LOL!

[CatWoman]

156. smart woman

:)

[yardwork]

163. I have two cats.

[CatWoman]

187. VERY smart woman

:)

:rofl:

[amitten]

141. Bravo--fantastic post and so well-written. n/t

[RobertDevereaux]

142. Thank you for that!

[Deep13]

143. Love needs no justification. One can just tell it is right.

I think I can speak for many when saying we like you just as you are.

"...but I am more attracted to women in all ways - emotionally, sexually, intellectually, spiritually."

By coincidence, so am I. I sometimes wonder why all women aren't lesbians, but that is only because women are so much more appealing to me than men are.

[Kajsa]

144. Yardwork, you are one of my favorite ladies here.

I love your posts and agree with every word you say here.


You have a great outlook on life and this thread is proof
of that.

YOU are not the problem, you never have been,
the bigots are the problem.
It's that simple.

by the way, :yourock: :hug:

:kick: and recommend.

[yardwork]

154. Thank you so much!

[LeftishBrit]

145. Wonderful post!

[Divine Discontent]

146. uncounted rec! kick!

I love your pointing out the fact that God wants us to live honestly and to the desire He made us and there's nothing wrong with our TRUE DEVOTION to someone else. Your ending several of your comments with something like, "you can do so if you wish to but don't expect me to" - is awesome!

Too many people who are religious of whatever belief have their OWN opinions, that may or may not be the will of God - but they sure feel they are.

God bless you for writing your feelings! I have been pushed away by the person I loved the most, mostly because I was gay, and partly I think because he is gay and is closeted - but knowing others share what I feel helps.

:hug:

[MarianJack]

148. Good for You!

Everyone deserves to be happy with who they are.

All happiness to you!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

149. This old straight woman has never understood

why anybody should give a rat's ass about somebody else's personal life. Those who obsess over the sexual attractions or behaviors of others, especially total strangers, have issues of their own, IMO. You'd have to be a mean, twisted SOB to deny anyone the right to be with the person they love. I just don't get it.

Hang in there.

[1awake]

150. I'm not sure I agree with Gay marriage...

You see.. there's so many people who happen to be Gay, who are some of the most wonderful people I ever spoke to. Makes me kinda depressed there's such a great group of people who alas.. I shall never have a chance to grow old with.


All kidding aside, you, and everyone else have my full support, and I agree with you 100%! Civil rights for all.

~LK~

[Susanelle]

153. Great Words Yardwork!

Isn't it a shame that so many people spend such a great deal of time & energy worrying about why people are different from themselves? Especially those who claim to be so religious. If it's not sexuality, race, country of origin, marital status, then it's religious beliefs or lack thereof. Seems like there is always a reason to complain and discriminate. I have a few family members who are Republican Christian Conservatives and it's so hard to see them as loving kind people who give time & money to people in need on the one hand, but who condemn others to hell in their minds simply because of who they are on the other hand. There is no convincing them otherwise.
I wish you and yours well Yardwork & support all you stand for. For all my happiness at Obama's election it still brings tears to my eyes to see the discrimination against gay people that still goes on now.
I'm straight but I know how it feels to be looked upon as different as I am an atheist and that doesn't go over to well in Western NC where I live and work. We just have to keep fighting the good fight to open people's eyes. Variety is the spice of life isn't it?

[JNelson6563]

155. I'm happy that you are happy.

And I wish that for everyone. Why is that so hard for some people? I don't know and I'll never understand.

:toast: To you and yours.

Julie

[complain jane]

157. Me too.

When I was in college I had to do a paper for a women's studies class with a group and my group wanted to do it on lesbianism. So we start the paper and the other two girls drop out of the class.

So there's just me, the shy closeted lesbian, doing a paper on lesbianism and had to give a five minute speech on it to the whole class.

I kept my head down and read my notes the entire time, mortified, and when I looked up, the looks on most of the other women's faces were either mildly approving or boredom, but two girls in the class looked completely offended and disgusted.

It was those two that I remember the clearest, because for some odd reason, seeing their faces, I never felt so liberated in my whole life. I'll never forget that as long as I live. My worst nightmare came true, that I'd out myself and people would disapprove, and I was shocked when I realized my reaction to that was being so proud of myself!

I walked out of there thrilled with what I did and with myself. Two other women walked out of their with a problem, apparently.

Oh well. Sucked to be them, I guess.

[Faygo Kid]

158. I'm with you. Not gay, but often happy. Especially happy about your post.

Married twice, and I think I "chose" to become a heterosexual in first grade. Teacher had hot legs.

Seriously, great post. This heterosexual has got to admit that Yul Brynner looked great in The King and I, and that Mitzi Gaynor special on PBS tonight is pretty cool, too. I will support your right to marry until my dying breath. Promise.

[Lucky 13]

159. I like being gay too! Ditto on all the rest as well.

Awesome post!

:hi:

[varelse]

160. K&R

I've bookmarked this thread - your post is beautifully written. I've also shared the link because it's too good not to share.

Thank you for taking the time to write this.

[Ozma]

161. I like being gay, too, but why is this part of the Presidential discussion forum?

I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but being gay also means having reasonableness, discretion, and the ability to post your posts on the proper forum. Unless Obama or John McCain or Joe or Sarah is gay, why is this tread here?

[yardwork]

165. Who said that being gay means having all those other attributes? LOL!

I put it here because there was another post on the topic here and mine is sort of a response to it.

If you think my OP breaks a rule, by all means alert on it to the mods.

[Ozma]

167. I would never report this thread, just asking.....

why did you post it here?

Is there something about being President and being gay? I hope Obama passes a national equal rights amendment to the US Constitution making gay marriage legal in 50 states and all territories.

Be Proud, Be gay, after 50 years of living and 30 years gay, I support you, and me, but just ask why you post this here.......maybe because more people read here these days?

Fine....just be honest as to why.

[yardwork]

168. I already told you why. There was another post on the topic and mine is a response to it.

I could have put it in GD I guess. Sue me.

[Ozma]

172. No, I want you to be clear, I have no desire to sue .........but....

I have a desire for you to make sense, to express yourself, provide links, and be clear in the context.

Is that too much to ask of someone who wants to make a point? If so, please tell me why you avoid being specific.

I have two graduate degrees, no one ever challenged my sexuality or preferences........but you are using being gay as an excuse for being less than precise..........no, that's NOT what we admire here. We admire honesty and precision.

[Starry Messenger]

173. This thread is from yesterday.

Too bad she didn't know you were going to show up demanding answers.

[yardwork]

183. LOL! I appreciate the poster's helping to demonstrate the point of my OP.

It doth protest too much, think? ;-)

[trickyguy]

176. After reading other posts, I wonder why this "being gay" post is here?

[Sebastian Doyle]

177. "being gay also means having reasonableness, discretion....."

Well..... not always.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

162. I like that you're gay, and that you're happy about it.

I like being around people who help me see the world as it is, and respect the diversity of humanity. I want to understand life's marvelous intricacies...not cower in fear of them. I want the same for my children and their children. Cheers to you! :toast:

[yardwork]

166. Thank you again to everyone who has posted kind words in this thread!

I tried to respond to each of you, but there are so many wonderful posts here I couldn't keep up. Please know that your responses have really touched me.

I believe that the tide is turning. We see a new light dawning.

[Shine]

169. Great post, yardwork!

:applause:

I am married hetero mom, teaching my kids with values that encompass ALL of love's manifestations.

I stand with you and actively support gay rights. :toast:

[scurvydog]

171. yes yes and yes

:grouphug: from my family. when my sweet 18 yr old son told me that he had realized he was probably bi, i smiled and said that just gives you more choices. my partner & i make a point of holding hands and displaying affection in public because we want people to experience our love the way we experience heterosexual love every day. we don't sit at home hiding--we are out in the open, and we live in TN where we expect the solid Repub gov will pass restrictive laws on everything from gay rights to abortion laws to teaching evolution in schools. but we don't back down because this is important damn it! i have a friend who is convinced that there will be a gay pogrom in our lifetime. in response i say i will do everything i can to prevent it. there is no other choice. brava, yardwork, and i thought it was obvious that you were a woman. hmmm....

[AtomicKitten]

174. Being your authentic self is what's it all about. Oh, that and your right to pursue happiness

and all the other rights Americans enjoy.

K&R

[trickyguy]

175. Me too, I like being gay. Being who I am. And having had to stand up for myself for 40 years.

I totally agree with your five points and always like to ask straight opponents

to my life "When did you decide to be straight". It gives them pause.

Thanks for your brave post. Nice to read something from a member of my community.:toast:

[Dystopian]

179. yardwork, thank you for this inspiring and uplifting post....

We should all love ourselves for who we are. I'm happy that you're happy with you!

I saw my daughter's friend yesterday...a lovely woman with a heart of gold. I hadn't seen her for quite a while...

I hugged a gay woman yesterday, and it was wonderful!
We are all as one...

peace~

[Spiffarino]

180. So, you're saying that you're happy and proud?

Good.

Why not appreciate the way God made you and go with it? He made me straight. He made you gay. I think he wanted it that way on purpose.

[kimmylavin]

181. I like that you're gay!

Contributes to the wonderful variety of people in this world. :)

[emlev]

182. Very well put. Thank you. n/t

[No Elephants]

185. I'm glad for you. I like being single. Why is it anyone's business but mine?

[Mass]

186. Why should anybody have a problem with that?

I wished I could recommend it, but it is too late.