Wow -- that's a question is it -- well let me answer it I guess.
1. Actually, the first set of equal rights laws for gays decriminalized our existence. The next step was to actually grant equal rights. A good example from a local county -- county law until about 2 years ago said that a bank could foreclose on a mortgage if the mortgage holder was found to be homosexual. Enforceable? Almost certainly not -- but we weren't going to find out -- we moved into the next county when we came here from the City.
2. Probably because they are. If you doubt that may I suggest Dr. Bruce Bagemihl's book "Biological Exuberance" from St. Martin's Press. Homosexuality exists in every species studied, and exclusive homosexual pair bonds exist in every species with pair bonds -- you can't get much more natural than that. Normal just indicates it is inborn, if you question that it is inborn, I point you toward the fruit fly study, I've put a couple of links in the source section below.
3. I have no idea, who cares and why would anyone care -- that would require some real time on the hands and some real difficulty with reality, IMHO?
Agreed on the idea that what people do is their own business. As for flaunting -- let's see -- 15 years ago when Jonathan and I were first dating we were running through Central Park and had to jump over the straight couple having sex behind the bushes at the top of the hill across from the Castle. When I owned part of a small business with an arcade I had to eject a 14 year old straight couple who were f**king on top of a pinball machine (no, I'm NOT making that up) -- what you fail to realize is that exactly the behavior that you are castigating in this section is prevalent continually everywhere you go among straights. I've seen men and women on public buses UPSTATE dry humping through their clothing, every young couple necks under every conceivable circumstance. For God's sake, in an upper class mall I had a teenage boy who saw our claiming rings (which many teenagers do recognize these days I've noticed) tell me I just needed to have pussy and I'd go straight, gesturing to several teenage girls with him to indicate where the pussy was... I was appalled. Ultimately though it hurts no one, and I would never say anything -- and the same frankly goes for us. Your reaction is based in fear of sex or disgust with it -- at least gay sex. I don't like straight sex, but I recognize that as being irrational. People are people and I refuse to be irrational about it.
4. I've called several colleagues and friends from work and gone in the living room where friends are watching wrestling with Jonathan, they all assure me that we are loved for who we are, our character and our achievements -- and that our sexuality is immaterial, though they appreciate the fact that we are gay, I cook well and we are both nurturing -- they wonder why the **** (their word, not mine) you care.
5. No one wants more than equal anything. Gays are NOT protected under equal rights laws that exist in more than half of the states and are NOT protected federally. So this question either reveals a lack of knowledge on your part or is deliberately misleading, I prefer the first explanation. I would hope that you are too honest for the second one.
I must admit your "in many" statement makes it seem like you were being deliberately misleading though. So, should African Americans be equal only in the north? I know people in Alabama -- not one of them, except my close friend who is leaving the South later this summer, believes African Americans should be or really are equal -- to this day. His school was segregated, there was a single AA girl, the rest of the African Americans went to school "across town" -- even he didn't see anything wrong with that until I pointed it out as defacto segregation. Equality in the South for African Americans is a matter of federal enforcement of federal law. By your standards, it would be alright if "many" states offered African Americans equal rights. So as long as they were equal in the North, the South could do whatever it wanted. I've been fighting for equal rights for all, and for social and economic justice for all, my entire life. I'm not going to stop. It is NOT ok that African Americans be treated as second class citizens in some states, IT IS NOT. Likewise it is not alright that gays be.
6. I think here you are talking about hate crimes enhancement. If you are, then you already know that it also applies to crimes committed against any person for being part of a group -- I think you want people to think it just effects gays, but of course, it effects EVERY GROUP -- even the straight male Caucasoid majority. Hate crimes are hate crimes, and I think the enhancement is deserved. If I go out and kill a guy because he is straight I ought to be treated more harshly than if I kill him as a crime of passion with no other motive.
7.The defining feature of the group is that they are attracted to other members of the same gender. However, it goes far beyond sex, and everyone I know knows that. It isn't that I sleep with Jonathan, my partner of nearly 15 years (we dated a little while first, we've been together almost 15 years, but have been close about 6 months longer) that is the defining factor -- its that we have a life together, in every way you can imagine.
8. I don't honestly believe that most straight people are disgusted with gays and think that they are all about sex. I think the remnant of the people who didn't like us originally are using that as a blind and a bluff -- in an attempt to get us out of the way.
Are you part of that remnant?
Regards,
Reynolds Jones
http://www.rebuff.org
believeinyou24@yahoo.com
PS Responses to your response to me -- it is fairly clear that at least part of the screed added 12 hours ago is directed to me, so permit me to respond to that as well.
9. I am not justifying anything. When you don't think something is wrong then justifications are not needed. Note what I actually said in my original post. I said that I knew my reaction was irrational. So is yours to homosexuality. Pointing out reality, my own reaction to it and my full acknowledgement of its irrationality is anything but a justification. Permit me to be clearer. Their behavior is not wrong. Our behavior is not wrong. Sex is good and normal, as is sexuality. The reaction that some people (myself included AND YOU INCLUDED) have is irrational, based on outdated and outmoded moralities that were important in tribal days, and are worthless and destructive now. There is nothing wrong with the kids who make out and love one another where they can, nor did I mean to suggest that there was. My reaction to them was skewed, as is your reaction to us. The difference is that I recognized that my reaction is wrong, and I deal with it. You seem not to. Clearer???????
10. Probably it isn't -- you do seem absolutely obsessed with anal sex. More by far than I am, or than any of our gay friends are. Sodomy, sodomy, sodomy.... what exactly is the deal here? Sodomy is just part of the pantea of sexual experiences possible. Most straight friends we have sometimes sodomize their wives or g/fs (with full consent of course).... Nobody I know except some really old dudes care about sodomy - or think its wrong. Where did your 86% figure come from? Please cite the study -- I think you are making it up, but if you aren't, I want to read the study parameters.
and BTW, your prejudices are showing in that paragraph. I have several younger friends who are adorable, and well loved, including by many straight people -- whose wrists are limp and who are clearly somewhat feminine. So what? My partner, when not dressed for work, can look like anything including a motorcycle jock. He doesn't have a feminine bone in his body. I'm a nurturer, but I don't come across as very feminine. So what that some boys do? They are good boys and they don't hurt anyone. What the **** is wrong with you? Is this some sort of religious fanaticism?
Thanks.