I was just thinkin the other day about the straight people in my life, mostly women, who made my existence bearable and saved me in many ways just from the fact that they accepted me, befriended me, loved me and defended me against the world. I owe such a debt of grattitude to those people for without them I would have been completely lost.

I thought of creating this thread to give those people out there a chance to tell what we mean to them and their lives.
[Edited 8/30/07 14:17pm]

I'll let you know the next time I'm in the Minneapolis International Airport.

I tend not to think of it as a community and they are just ppl like the rest of us

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I think I've already shared my thoughts with you on this subject.

The gay community was my family when my real family didn't want me.

and u know how I feel too...

I love gay men

Imago said:

You ARE the gay community dude

My son's Godparents are gay... great couple
[Edited 8/30/07 13:02pm]

mdiver said:

I wish there was a way to bridge the gap (and yes there is a gap) in between socializing with gays and the jocky-type crowd. I have had some terrific friends who would never understand what it's like to go into a gay bar, or to just sit and have dinner with gay people cause they can't get past the fact that these folks are not like them. It blows my mind they could forgo friendships based on that.

But then again, I'm quite the hypocrite. I find that most of the folks I'm most comfortable with are within' my same social status, career field, etc. with the exception of friends I've had since I was younger, or the wonderful folks of the org.

mdiver said:

Don't you have a male dutch orger you need to be sleeping with right now

Imago said:

Good point

OMG My closest fave uncle was a beautiful gay man

I grew up around a great mix of sexualities and have always felt very blessed to be surrounded by incredible hetros, homos and all things inbetween

Imago said:

I think part of the reason I have such a hard time finding men I want to date is I couldn't possibly date anyone who couldn't be TOTALLY down with my friends, and a bulk of my social circle are gay men.

the gay community is like family, and it's true what they say - you can't choose your family

it's at the same time frustrating and wonderful, ignorant and insightful, hurtful and nourishing, gorgeous and repulsive, depressing and uplifting.

i temper my cynicism with idealism when i think about the "community". i used to work in it, and i've seen it at its best and its worst. i like being at a place in my life where i don't feel like i'm socially ghettoized into being around all gay people or all straight people. i think these days, it's like being left handed - it's a part of my identity i don't constantly remind myself of, and sometimes i forget it's "different" because it's so integrated, and that's the way i like it to be. i realize it can't always be that comfortable, which sucks...

CarrieMpls said:

How did that come to be?



I used to have alot of gay friends, I'd say 25-30 percent were gay or bi (and that's alot for a military guy ), but they kind of trickled away really.

But that can be said about my straight married friends.


For me, I have friends who are far more close minded than I am, but I alway seem to at least soften their views up. But now that I'm in my 30's I don't even try. I tend to just avoid folks with mindsets I think are more closed than mine. It sounds really pompous, but I just consider that to be a sign of lesser intelligence--I know it's not logical, but I do.

I don't think I've really thought about the gay community as something separate of "my" community. Those of my friends who are gay, are just family. I've learned from the gay community : the created family sometimes is much stronger and more loving than the biologicial.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

It actually means a lot to me.
My best friend in the entire world is gay and he is literally one of the only "friends" I have.
We communicate everyday and he has helped me through so much, he has honestly shown me parts of myself I never knew that I had and he really brings out the best in me sometimes..

I know what you mean about the straight women above too, because he has told me I've done that for him also.

Alright, I'll answer seriously. For better or worse, and whether anyone would agree with me or not, I'm at the very least an honorary member. The hags are a part of the community too. We have a long, proud history with our gay men.
I've mentioned it before here, somehow through common interest and social events I ended up with a whole slew of gay boyfriends along the way and now they're my chosen family. I remeber my first pride festival, I remember my first time in a gay bar and to this day I know I can walk into just about any gay bar in the world and feel fairly instanly comfortable and more often than not make a few friends by the end of the evening. Not so your average meat market club or even regular local pub. (Of course, there are a handful of gay bars no woman should ever set foot in, and I know better about those. ) I'm a member of the Human Rights Campaign. I feel fairly well imbedded in the community, though I'm technically not really a member.

CarrieMpls said:

Oh my god


You were like the South Beach Gay Bar stud at Twist-Sobe


I swear to god, folks were walking up to talk to you, me, and sosgemini cause they thought we were so fun and cool. It was like being at the oscars

Imago said:

That's what it's like every time I go to a gay bar. I'm not joking either.

And when you let me prance around with your fluffy white purse, I felt like Halle Barry

Imago said:

She certainly is a star isn't she?

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

OMG, I never felt so "in" with a crowd in my life. Carrie just click's her heals 3 times, and we're magically transported into Judy Garlandville.





hear-to-her edit
[Edited 8/30/07 13:22pm]

Imago said:

ass!

CarrieMpls said:

that wasn't exactly a denial

on the real
genrally speaking

the gay community has only ment a bunch of limp wristed sissy who call each other bitch/girl and gossip, who conform and want everyone else who is of the same sex orientation to conform to the general ideas that the so called straight community has defined as what it means to be gay.


or something

Imago said:

To advertising agencies, the gay community is a market ripe for tapping. Budweiser has jumped on it, and many are following. In light of today's political climate, many corporations are realizing that money is GREEN and in essence, the gay community has more $$$.

Here's the rationalization, no kids, no spouse, professional, etc = more spending money. So as anti or political as it is, advertise to the Gay Community, and get their respected dollar.

Dude....I work too much. I read too many trade publications n stuff.

I guess I meant this for the straight community and not us g0ys and l0sbys