Sexual Orientation?

[Rahwana]

Well, is there any LGBT who were active members here? No joke please, since I want to gain several useful first hand informations for writing an essay about why LGBT rights is an integral parts of human rights (for a student's seminar next month, not exactly an academic event, but was under Student Movements for human rights discussion). Currently, we have no laws regarding marriage equality and LGBT rights, Homosexual persons may do their actifities, but social stigma of them is extremely high, even without legal punishments. And actually, there was a movement to criminalize LGBT persons here.

I'd like to have some good source to read and think about:
1) LGBT movements in principles, and the evidence of what so called "gay gene" (don't worry if it point out to genetical biology discussion, that would be much better since I comes from science background)
2) "Gay Marriage", and the corresponding values to normal "Family Value Marriage"
3) Why "normal, heterosexual" people should refrain from insulting LGBT people? because recently, the word "gay, fag, etc" often used in very degratory ways as a generic sarcasm.

[Fragony]

Used to be against it but changed my mind, saw a provocation where there wasn't any. I think most of the resistance comes down to the feeling of meddling, 'you can' or 'you should'.

[naut]

Maybe if we flood the poll with phony votes we could make a LGBT flag?

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Um, private poll for sensetive issue?

In any case, being "anti-gay marriage" doesn't make one anti-gay... there aren't enough poll options.

[Strike For The South]

Wheres the "I'll throw in in anything with a hole" option?

Discriminatory IMO

[al Roumi]

even a douche bag?

[Louis VI the Fat]

I'm very open minded, and my sexual orientation is very broad. I'll do anything, whether straight girls or lesbians.

[PanzerJaeger]

I usually don't like to share elements from my personal life on teh interwebs, but here is my experience with the social implications of homosexuality.

About two years ago a good friend came out to me. It was slightly shocking as he did not fit the stereotype I had in my head of what a gay person was at all. We connected through a shared interest in military history (he thinks America is the best, but I forgive him) and guns. In many ways he is more of a typical 'guy' than me. He likes sports, beer, and Skoal, none of which I can abide. From hearing about the mental torture he put himself through for years trying to be straight, I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is not a choice, regardless of whether it is genetic or formed in early childhood.

Since then, I have witnessed how he has been treated by some of his family and his church, and it has been nothing short of awful. He was kicked out of both his home and congregation for his 'disgusting' behavior, with threats of eternal damnation just for good measure. These people who profess to be a loving community were not content to abandon him, but harassed him for months after he left - all the time under the guise of trying to help him. And the thing is, after he came out, he didn't change. He didn't suddenly don a tiny speedo and march in the Gay pride parade. He didn't flaunt his sexuality in the least. They changed, and for no other reason than the fact that he was brave and stupid enough to want his 'family' to know who he really was.

I used to think that religious aversion to homosexuality was based on the stereotypes of rampant promiscuity, femininity, and some sort of apocalyptic breakdown of society a la Sodom from the bible. What I have learned is that religious people just don't like gay people, period. It doesn't matter how they look or act, and it certainly doesn't matter how devoted they are to their faith. Religion and scripture are a big cover for hate: unbridled, unwarranted, and unjustified hate. My friend is a kind, decent, good person, and the best Christian that I know.

[Strike For The South]

wait, you dont drink beer?

[tibilicus]

I usually don't like to share elements from my personal life on teh interwebs, but here is my experience with the social implications of homosexuality.

About two years ago a good friend came out to me. It was slightly shocking as he did not fit the stereotype I had in my head of what a gay person was at all. We connected through a shared interest in military history (he thinks America is the best, but I forgive him) and guns. In many ways he is more of a typical 'guy' than me. He likes sports, beer, and Skoal, none of which I can abide. From hearing about the mental torture he put himself through for years trying to be straight, I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is not a choice, regardless of whether it is genetic or formed in early childhood.

Since then, I have witnessed how he has been treated by some of his family and his church, and it has been nothing short of awful. He was kicked out of both his home and congregation for his 'disgusting' behavior, with threats of eternal damnation just for good measure. These people who profess to be a loving community were not content to abandon him, but harassed him for months after he left - all the time under the guise of trying to help him. And the thing is, after he came out, he didn't change. He didn't suddenly don a tiny speedo and march in the Gay pride parade. He didn't flaunt his sexuality in the least. They changed, and for no other reason than the fact that he was brave and stupid enough to want his 'family' to know who he really was.

I used to think that religious aversion to homosexuality was based on the stereotypes of rampant promiscuity, femininity, and some sort of apocalyptic breakdown of society a la Sodom from the bible. What I have learned is that religious people just don't like gay people, period. It doesn't matter how they look or act, and it certainly doesn't matter how devoted they are to their faith. Religion and scripture are a big cover for hate: unbridled, unwarranted, and unjustified hate. My friend is a kind, decent, good person, and the best Christian that I know.

These sort of stories support what I already think, it still isn't ok to be homosexual. No, I'm not homophobic, but the main stream of society seems to be. Sure, the media culture and society as a whole may be more tolerant, but there are some places were being gay simply isn't acceptable. Places like Africa actually seem to be going the other way which is even more concerning.

Quite frankly, the religious types who harass people over sexuality are scum. I can't comprehend how people can view being gay as a "choice". Why would anyone choose to isolate them self from the main stream of society or choose to be stared at every time they go out with their partner. If someone believes it's a choice,they need their head examining in my opinion.

[Rhyfelwyr]

Well I think it is immoral, an unpopular view but what can you do, I don't see why consent should be the only basis for morality.

I also don't see why whether or not it is a choice is relevant, and I don't understand the fascination of the religious right with calling it a choice, you would think from the way they argue that Christianity was a religion of works.

But that doesn't give me a right to harass them. Still, I don't have to respect their sexuality any more than they should have to respect my religion.

[Husar]

What's an LGBT anyway? It sounds like some fancy new bomb of the USAF.
I've got nothing against giving gay couples marriage status from the state, but I'm against forcing religious groups to do the same, so I'm against an equal status of gay marriage, unless the topic was meant in a political sense only, but that didn't seem specified in the poll, so yeah, I'm a bit backwards but mommy says that's okay.
Oh, where were we again?
Yeah, it's okay, but the poll was a bit black or white while I'm very colourful.

[Megas Methuselah]

Women are very beautiful and lusty.

[Louis VI the Fat]

What's an LGBT anyway?

LGBT stands for Large Gay Black Tapdancer.


Some people consider it a real turn on, and I must admit, I can well see why.

[Fragony]

Well I think it is immoral, an unpopular view but what can you do, I don't see why consent should be the only basis for morality.

I also don't see why whether or not it is a choice is relevant, and I don't understand the fascination of the religious right with calling it a choice, you would think from the way they argue that Christianity was a religion of works.

But that doesn't give me a right to harass them. Still, I don't have to respect their sexuality any more than they should have to respect my religion.

Sounds perfectly fine to me. I am allergic to 'you should', the only thing people should do is minding their own business.

[pevergreen]

What's an LGBT anyway?

Lesbian Gay Bi-sexual and Transgender

I think so at least.

[drone]

Lesbian Gay Bi-sexual and Transgender

I think so at least.

What's an LGBT anyway? It sounds like some fancy new bomb of the USAF.

Laser Guided Booty Tapper.

[Husar]

Lesbian Gay Bi-sexual and Transgender

I can feel your pain if you're all that at once...

[ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88]

I'm straight and find it disgusting. Bad enough seeing guys kissing each other in public. You really want a gay man marrying a woman who used to be a man?

[Tellos Athenaios]

I find that unlikely. For starters were I a gay man I doubt I'd be marrying a woman who used to be (physically at least) a man. It just doesn't seem like our sexual preferences would align, though a threesome might still be possible....

[Tellos Athenaios]

I can feel your pain if you're all that at once...

Which is why the operator is XOR rather than AND.

[Beskar]

Um, private poll for sensitive issues?

Why so? If you hold a particular opinion, you should be able to express it boldly, also, you should be able to fully justify and account for that said opinion.

[Sasaki Kojiro]

Why so? If you hold a particular opinion, you should be able to express it boldly, also, you should be able to fully justify and account for that said opinion.

The sensitive issue part being the lgdb part...

[Beskar]

The sensitive issue part being the lgdb part...

Oh, I thought it was the being accused of a homophobe part. I didn't see any problems with some one saying they are gay, then again, I don't care if they are or not...

[Xiahou]

I usually don't like to share elements from my personal life on teh interwebs, but here is my experience with the social implications of homosexuality.

About two years ago a good friend came out to me. It was slightly shocking as he did not fit the stereotype I had in my head of what a gay person was at all. We connected through a shared interest in military history (he thinks America is the best, but I forgive him) and guns. In many ways he is more of a typical 'guy' than me. He likes sports, beer, and Skoal, none of which I can abide. From hearing about the mental torture he put himself through for years trying to be straight, I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is not a choice, regardless of whether it is genetic or formed in early childhood.

Since then, I have witnessed how he has been treated by some of his family and his church, and it has been nothing short of awful. He was kicked out of both his home and congregation for his 'disgusting' behavior, with threats of eternal damnation just for good measure. These people who profess to be a loving community were not content to abandon him, but harassed him for months after he left - all the time under the guise of trying to help him. And the thing is, after he came out, he didn't change. He didn't suddenly don a tiny speedo and march in the Gay pride parade. He didn't flaunt his sexuality in the least. They changed, and for no other reason than the fact that he was brave and stupid enough to want his 'family' to know who he really was.

I used to think that religious aversion to homosexuality was based on the stereotypes of rampant promiscuity, femininity, and some sort of apocalyptic breakdown of society a la Sodom from the bible. What I have learned is that religious people just don't like gay people, period. It doesn't matter how they look or act, and it certainly doesn't matter how devoted they are to their faith. Religion and scripture are a big cover for hate: unbridled, unwarranted, and unjustified hate. My friend is a kind, decent, good person, and the best Christian that I know.

I think it's at least a little ironic that in your post against stereotyping and bigotry towards gays, you engage in stereotyping and prejudice towards other groups.

[PanzerJaeger]

I think it's at least a little ironic that in your post against stereotyping and bigotry towards gays, you engage in stereotyping and prejudice towards other groups.

That did occur to me. However, it also occurred to me that Christians choose to embrace an ideology that makes an innate human characteristic sinful through its principle text, which is fundamentally abhorent. And unlike the consumption of shellfish, Christianity has seen fit to enforce that particular outdated, intrusive dictate. In contrast to homosexuality, being Christian is a choice and Christians can be held liable for what they choose to believe.

I will ammend the above text. Replace 'religious people' with 'religious people who follow biblical directives'.

[Husar]

Which is why the operator is XOR rather than AND.

Didn't say so on the package.

[Idaho]

I think it's at least a little ironic that in your post against stereotyping and bigotry towards gays, you engage in stereotyping and prejudice towards other groups.

I thought it was very heartening that someone who usually holds such dodgy (imo) opinions, could step back and see things from this perspective. I was so impressed I almost took him off ignore!

[Xiahou]

That did occur to me. However, it also occurred to me that Christians choose to embrace an ideology that makes an innate human characteristic sinful through its principle text, which is fundamentally abhorent.I will ammend the above text. Replace 'religious people' with 'religious people who follow biblical directives'.

It's not the "characteristic", it's the behavior. Promiscuity and pre-marital sex are universally frowned on by any Christian denomination I know of. This applies to hetero or homosexuals.

Of course, there are those who take it to a hypocritical extreme and use it as an excuse for harsh treatment- but you can't damn an entire religion for a minority that twist its teachings

[Beskar]

Of course, there are those who take it to a hypocritical extreme and use it as an excuse for harsh treatment- but you can't damn an entire religion for a minority that twist its teachings

Sorry, but Religion is not above criticism, this is the 21st Century, not the 14th. Especially as it is the majority that follow this view and not the minority. Religions are nothing special, they are myths and fairy tales, akin to Santa Claus but with a stronger commitment and dogmatic criteria.