Guest 670- Registered: 23 Apr 2008
- Posts: 573
15 January 2009
12:5012859I think this thread is now bordering on the ridiculous. As far as I am concerned i'm in total agreement with both Roger and Barry W. Ross if you are saying that the gay community is oppressed I would really take you to task on that one.
15 January 2009
13:0012861Get a grip. Apart from the long history of abuse that any minority group will have suffered, people are still verbally abused and marginalised for their sexuality, are still sometimes refused jobs as a result although you will never see that on the outcomes forms, are still not accepted as adopters by some. High visibility does not equal a lack of oppression or a serious acceptance by the wider community. Graham Norton camping it up comfortably on the BBC does not mean that people with alternative sexualities can feel comfortable that they are accepted.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
15 January 2009
13:0112862Gays even today find it hard to come out, because there still are hounded by people so yes dave1
cant agree with you
Guest 670- Registered: 23 Apr 2008
- Posts: 573
15 January 2009
13:1112865Berni and Keith you have made your statements, now from where do you glean this information?
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
15 January 2009
13:1512867I have many gay friends, some happy to be open about it, but many don't want people to know because of repruccussions, which is sdly at times todays society.
I hear comments at work(and challenge them/!!)
in the street,
are you realy that blinkered?
I don't think you are
Guest 670- Registered: 23 Apr 2008
- Posts: 573
15 January 2009
13:2812868I am certainly not blinkered Keith but should like to hear what one or two others have to say before making my reply.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
15 January 2009
13:3012869Dave1
I know from your postings your not blinkered.
I have a lot of time for many of your views.
will watch see how posting goes
Guest 670- Registered: 23 Apr 2008
- Posts: 573
15 January 2009
13:5212871Thankyou Keith
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,696
15 January 2009
21:2412894Dave1, I am someone who is comfortable and open about my sexual orientation, fairly self assured and pretty thick skinned; however even I find it upsetting when people use terms such as poof, queer and/or much worse and more descriptive words and phrases to describe me.
Why do I find it so?
Because I have first hand experience of it escalating beyond these little words, to active harassment, to violent conduct.
Why did this happen because I stood up for myself and refused to accept that these were just little words that were meant in jest, but were exactly what they appeared to be which was insults. The harassment then followed because I complained to their landlord and the police and it ended with a physical attack. Whilst the police wished to pursue the case the CPS and the local authority decided not to. In the end my partner and I moved because we had had enough of being let down by the very people who should have supported us and our home life was at that point intolerable.
All of this happened 6 years ago
And it still goes on even in our supposedly cosmopolitan major cities - so in answer to your question Dave1 yes gays and lesbians are still oppressed by other people.
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
15 January 2009
21:4812897Well said. I have friends who have been hounded and damaged by this kind of intimidation, around sexual issues and race and religious issues. People without the experience (almost all white male middle class, many white male any class, many female whie middle class) of harrassment really, honestly cannot get it. that's not a criticism of them, just a plain fact. getting out of your comfort zone and imagining the fear can be a sobering experience.
Guest 670- Registered: 23 Apr 2008
- Posts: 573
15 January 2009
21:5412901Your experiences are truly shocking but not representative of the general picture.
It was not fifty years ago that it was a crime to have a gay relationship times have changed considerably since then. Gay people are far more accepted now than at any other time. I employed 3 gay men in 3 very tough pubs. They were accepted by everybody weren't abused or insulted and never suffered any physical abuse.
There are now 2 gay bars in Dover and as far as I am aware they do not experience any trouble.
Some gay people do nothing to improve what used to be peoples concept of a gay.
'Cottaging' does little to enhance the image and can provoke people, it is the unacceptable face of being gay I don't think that you could deny that.
You will always get those who are homophobic, in many cases they are uncertain people themselves hiding behind a facade of masculinity.
You will always get the gays who broadcast the fact but for what reason do most people really care. When it comes to my sexuality because of the people I have employed I have often been asked whether I am gay. I refuse to answer that question because it is nobody elses business.
Oh and by the way those I employed were what is described as 'camp queens' the third was a little more reserved.
Guest 670- Registered: 23 Apr 2008
- Posts: 573
15 January 2009
21:5812902Bern i do not fall into your category I am very well versed on the matter which Ross was referring to and that also applies to the race issue.
Ross Miller- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,696
15 January 2009
22:1212903Dave1 I agree that there are small minded people everywhere.
I also agree that what I do in the privacy of my home (provided it is legal) should be of no interest or concern to any one - sadly some people seem to think it is.
In the words of the song "I am what and I am and I make no excuses", however I am not in any way a stereotypical gay man.
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
15 January 2009
22:2012904Hets falling down drunk and shagging themselves silly in public places does Hets no favours either, but apparently that's ok? Dave -I do not criticise you, I am just making general points. Although I don't know you I read you here and I am sure you are one of the Good Ones!!
Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
15 January 2009
22:2112905Dave1, does 'dogging' do much for the reputation of the hetrosexual community? There are many 'straight' practices that sit uncomfortably with the majority but they do not label the whole community. I know of many gay bars that suffer no problems but would the pub in Wardour Street have been nail bombed had it not been a gay bar?
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
15 January 2009
22:2112906Chris - snap!!!!!! we must have posted at the same time!!!!!
Guest 670- Registered: 23 Apr 2008
- Posts: 573
15 January 2009
22:2112907Good reply Ross, the stereotypical gay is the 'cottage' brigade but the vast majority of gay people do not act that way, that is made up of dirty old men searching for a little twink.
Guest 670- Registered: 23 Apr 2008
- Posts: 573
15 January 2009
22:2412908Chris with the greatest respect stick to what you know about, I think perhaps Ross is fully aware of the point I am trying to make.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
15 January 2009
22:4812913dave is making the point about unacceptable behaviour.
it applies to everyone.
Guest 670- Registered: 23 Apr 2008
- Posts: 573
15 January 2009
23:0012917Yes Howard it does. I was merely responding to a previous posting. Any form of behaviour is unacceptable if it offends the majority. I was not singling out the Gay Community in any shape or form.
