Gay Culture, I just don't get it.....

LegacyUser

Firstly, I am straight, but I'm not homophobic, I know several gay people, one of whom is a close friend.

Now the point of this topic is "Gay Culture". I simply can't understand it. Is being gay not simply you're sexual orientation? It surely should not have any other impact on your personality... But coming back from the gay pride parade a few months ago I felt I would have been embarassed if I was gay. Why is being gay associated with flamboyant colours and bad 80s dance music?

Also, the whole "camp" image. Why do so many gay men adopt it? I can't see why, just because of someone's sexual orientation, that they'd naturally act like this. To me it's such a shallow and annoying way to act and it always seems so fabricated and false.

Maybe I just don't get it.... Any insight from anyone?

Sapien

blahhhblah wrote:

Firstly, I am straight, but I'm not homophobic...

*groan*

Could someone please dig up the link to the thread where I posted a vitriolic rant against an identical "wondering" from abetarrush. Thanks.

Hmm_Messiah

blahhhblah wrote:

Firstly, I am straight, but I'm not homophobic, I know several gay people, one of whom is a close friend.

Maybe I just don't get it.... Any insight from anyone?

There are numerous threads on this issue, some agreeing with you mostly, others on a scale up to the extreme opposite.

Your post total is n/a, does that mean you posted here anonymously? becuase its a gay forum ? Maybe that would be one indication towards reasons for the existence of gay pride, marches, and even campness. the compulsion of many to identity themselves as NOT gay encourages some gay people to identity themselves overtly as gay.

I can see this thread descending into pointlessness, but to answer one part: being gay is your orientation, but any significant part of you contributes to your personality. Hurling is just a gaelic game but you should see what happens here in Kilkenny over the coming days. People have a need to belong - some people feel a need to belong to "gay community"

Vinnie69

Hmm_Messiah wrote:

There are numerous threads on this issue, some agreeing with you mostly, others on a scale up to the extreme opposite.

Your post total is n/a, does that mean you posted here anonymously? becuase its a gay forum ? May that would be one indication towards reasons for the existence of gay pride, marches, and even campness. the compulsion of many to identity themselves as NOT gay encourages some gay people to identity themselves overtly as gay.

I can see this thread descending into pointlessness, but to answer one part: being gay is your orientation, but any significant part of you contributes to your personality. Hurling is just a gaelic game but you should see what happens here in Kilkenny over the coming days. People have a need to belong - some people feel a need to belong to "gay community"

Sound man! You have saved me hours of thought with your answer. Whenever I hear "gay culture" I think of those little glass slides in labs with men/women in white coats dissecting gay ppl looking for the impossible! (ie the definite gay person) The campness and flamboyant and kitsch music etc is just a part of growing up as a gay person and most of us pass this stage into maturity

Stark

Vinnie69 wrote:

Whenever I hear "gay culture" I think of those little glass slides in labs with men/women in white coats dissecting gay ppl looking for the impossible!

I'm sure there's a name for the disorder where people are unable to distinguish similar sounding words based on context.

Hmm_Messiah

tut tut Stark shouold be "Sarky" maybe

He is talking about word association and well you know it. Suggesting he has a disorder would say more about you than him, thats if you were any way serious.

gay culture ? yoghurt tends to come to my mind , but not for the more obvious reasons

Stark

Hmm_messiah wrote:

He is talking about word association and well you know it. Suggesting he has a disorder would say more about you than him, thats if you were any way serious.

I was joking of course.

(I need to start adding more smilies to my posts).

Vinnie69

Stark wrote:

I was joking of course.

(I need to start adding more smilies to my posts).

here some on me ! I am still waiting for PCs to attack where is UU !

Queer thoughts for a queer?;)

Hmm_Messiah

Stark wrote:

I was joking of course.

(I need to start adding more smilies to my posts).

Sure I knew you were joking, I just wanted to slyly suggest you were disordered too. sarcasm doesnt work well on the internet, "tone" is sometimes lost.


so anyways, when is the next queer beer, gay day , lesbian banquet, transgendered ann summers party or whatever ye call it ?

WexfordMusings

Next event in Wexford Anyway...

Sphere, Wexford's Youth Group for 18 - 25 year olds - meeting tomorrow & every thursday from 6.30 to 8.00 in FDYS centre in Francis Street.

Out-in-Wexford - Social group meeting tomorrow & fortnightly in Chocolate bar from 8.00pm onwards (all welcome, not just gay & lesbain ppl)

Eagle presents - Gay & Lesbian Night in Renaissance Night Club tomorrow night until late. (monthly gathering)

LegacyUser

Hmm_Messiah wrote:

There are numerous threads on this issue, some agreeing with you mostly, others on a scale up to the extreme opposite.

Your post total is n/a, does that mean you posted here anonymously? becuase its a gay forum ? Maybe that would be one indication towards reasons for the existence of gay pride, marches, and even campness. the compulsion of many to identity themselves as NOT gay encourages some gay people to identity themselves overtly as gay.

I posted here anonymously as my gay friend uses boards and I don't want him to know I've been asking about this kind of thing here. To be honest the reason I made this thread is because he's drifting towards being part of the "Gay community" and adopting their kind of mannerisms, yet I know it's not him.... It's as if he feels he has to....

Oh well, it's his choice I guess...

And tbh the very nature of a the existance of a gay forum prompts one to reveal their sexuality in their posts, I have no compulsion to let the world know I'm not gay.

I think my problem has to do with my broad dislike of conformity rather than anything specifically gay related...

*ponders

damien

Hmm_Messiah wrote:

Your post total is n/a, does that mean you posted here anonymously? becuase its a gay forum ? Maybe that would be one indication towards reasons for the existence of gay pride, marches, and even campness.

I like that. Well said.

abetarrush

Unre_CCCCCJJJC wrote:

I posted here anonymously as my gay friend uses boards and I don't want him to know I've been asking about this kind of thing here. To be honest the reason I made this thread is because he's drifting towards being part of the "Gay community" and adopting their kind of mannerisms, yet I know it's not him.... It's as if he feels he has to....

Oh well, it's his choice I guess...

And tbh the very nature of a the existance of a gay forum prompts one to reveal their sexuality in their posts, I have no compulsion to let the world know I'm not gay.

I think my problem has to do with my broad dislike of conformity rather than anything specifically gay related...

*ponders

Exactly


And this IS a forum. Everyone has the right to their opinion

So yeah, I agree with the Anon poster

Its true that a lot of gays are naturally feminine, but its very true that a big number of them put it on, and like I said before, Try to be what they already are

And i agree its rebellion against conformity too

Cos, look at girls. Every lesbian ye see doesnt have a shaved head, tank top and combats on

Its sexuality, its had nothing to do with how you act, speak, and wha you were etc

And whats with the Parades and Festivals? I dont think you should be so proud of it, just don't be ashamed of it

As you said, its who you are, and honestly, nobody cares! I dont go around wearin my TKD Uniform, challenging people to fights just cos i'm a black belt

Now, arm your backlash peoples, ima get some foood

GretchenWieners

hey i'm not gay either but I thought I'd post anyway because I've always wondered the same thing honestly!
i mean i understand that gays like people of the same sex but i don't get why there are gaybars etc if people are looking to be treated equally?? in a way isn't branding the gay culture isolating one's self from others? i understand there is gay bashing etc but in today's age people are a lot more accepting and "gay friendly". I honestly don't think some people should be branded as gay for being masculine, feminine or liking "stylish" clothes and dodgy music. In my eyes it's just an orientation that one has, so I don't get the whole add-ons to it really!

Stark

GretchenWieners wrote:

hey i'm not gay either but I thought I'd post anyway because I've always wondered the same thing honestly!
i mean i understand that gays like people of the same sex but i don't get why there are gaybars etc if people are looking to be treated equally??

In some ways, they're like singles bars in America. Hook-up joint aside, there are some gay couples who say they feel more comfortable with each other in gay bars than straight bars. Although I haven't seen that many couples any time I've been to a gay bar and the ones that I do see are usually there because their friends are there. I think most have more sense than to become regular attendees

Suzybie

so the OP's interpretation of gay culture is that we shag people of the same sex and that's all that is different? Bad 80's dance music aside (we queers are responsible for the Sound of Music, the 1812 Overture, House, Rap, Indie, affections for ABBA and a few of the Scissor Sisters too) things being gay or gay related don't necessarily mean camp things either.

But wonder if OP and other straight posters on this issue would elaborate on whether it's their mates camping it up is the main problem they have or the fact their gay friends are finally being comfortable who they are?

Hmm_Messiah

Unre_CCCCCJJJC wrote:

I think my problem has to do with my broad dislike of conformity rather than anything specifically gay related...*ponders

Thats the point I guess -its your problem .

I dislike campness, and camp people, but then those I got to know mostly I found I enjoyed their company, if nothing else they have a tendency to make you smile through a rough patch.
I've no idea why some gay people take on the campness, maybe its just part of their nature, maybe its assumed. Personally I think for some its becuase they are aware of this significant difference and its needing some expression, for others its a way of re-inforcing a sense of belonging, a basic need. Others I think do it as a mechanism to deal with an amount of situations, many not based in their gayness.

the thing I dislike when I think about it is that I hate others seeing these camp gay people and assuming thats what i "am".
But its not the wider gay populations responsibility to project my personality, thats mine. If people were to assume I met some stereotype they would be so far wrong, but how does that matter ? if not important people to me it shouldn't, if important well we could try ...talking about it.

Basically how I feel about camp people is MY problem, not theirs. How you feel about it is YOUR problem.

You might like an explanation, you might genuinely want to understand etc..... but @ an extreme that leads to getting explanations why so-and-so got a tattoo, or a piercing, or never drinks milk, or only wears black, dyes their hair, or wears silver but never gold.

The key to getting on with this world is accepting first.

As to going anonymous in case your gay friend wondered - I understand that....except... it suggests you are having some difficulty with him but you don't want him to know......really if your friendship is important, and your concern is for him then he is the one who you need to explore these things with.

I do recognise the idea of people seemingly change their behaviour to fit in to a certain "crowd", thats no way an exclusively gay phenomenon. But I don't understand how you can't say "mate you realise you can be yourself" or whatever.

GretchenWieners

Suzybie wrote:

so the OP's interpretation of gay culture is that we shag people of the same sex and that's all that is different? Bad 80's dance music aside (we queers are responsible for the Sound of Music, the 1812 Overture, House, Rap, Indie, affections for ABBA and a few of the Scissor Sisters too) things being gay or gay related don't necessarily mean camp things either.

But wonder if OP and other straight posters on this issue would elaborate on whether it's their mates camping it up is the main problem they have or the fact their gay friends are finally being comfortable who they are?

No I don't have a problem with them camping it up, I just don't understand why it's part of gay culture though, the music etc. I mean I understand if people actually like the music, the clothes, etc but I just don't understand why it's seen as a gay thing.

damien

GretchenWieners wrote:

No I don't have a problem with them camping it up, I just don't understand why it's part of gay culture though, the music etc. I mean I understand if people actually like the music, the clothes, etc but I just don't understand why it's seen as a gay thing.

Replace "gay" with "black". Replace "black" with "muslim". Replace "muslim" with "jewish". Replace "jewish" with "Irish".

Are you looking for a sociology lesson?

abetarrush

damien.m wrote:

Replace "gay" with "black". Replace "black" with "muslim". Replace "muslim" with "jewish". Replace "jewish" with "Irish".

Are you looking for a sociology lesson?

Thats just stupid. Muslims and Blacks have their own cultures, the ones of their native country. Gays have created a new sub culture


I think the basic jist of the straightn guys here is that

We're not tryin to offend, just askin a question!

Even though campness comes naturally to many gays, a lot do genuinely put it on

Theres lots of hypocrasy and irony in the gay community, like, one gay would say all people are equal, then the next has to have a pride Parade

Im not sure, but im just assuming that gay bars/clubs play gay themed music. Who says every gay guy likes it?

I think Gay venues are handy, cos there wouldnt be trouble if they hit on a straight homophobe, and its only fair. But does that mean we shud assume all non gay bars are Straight bars???

So, yeah, i dunno. Maybe this is just a conflict of the way gays and straights think.....................

PS For people who are assumed to be the most open-minded, you're very defensive, and in some ways undermining

LegacyUser

damien.m wrote:

Replace "gay" with "black". Replace "black" with "muslim". Replace "muslim" with "jewish". Replace "jewish" with "Irish".

Are you looking for a sociology lesson?

So gays are a different race/religion? That argument isn't logical.
The only acceptable replacement for "gay" is "straight"(or perhaps bisexual or asexual), but there is no inherent "straight culture".

damien

abetarrush wrote:

Thats just stupid. Muslims and Blacks have their own cultures, the ones of their native country.

Please do tell us where the native country of "blacks" is? Where according to you, do blacks and muslims come from?

Gays have created a new sub culture

Bloody filthy sodomites! How ****ing dare they! We should all go back to the cultures we were assigned when jesus created the earth.

Even though campness comes naturally to many gays, a lot do genuinely put it on

You couldn't be a pal and point to those socilogical studies that show that, could you? Thanks.

Imagine some people put on campness! Some people colour their hair and make it go blonde. Imagine how perverse it is to modify the way you look or act or react.

Theres lots of hypocrasy and irony in the gay community, like, one gay would say all people are equal, then the next has to have a pride Parade

By community, what do you mean? Have you been studying and partaking in the gay community or is this from the University of Assumption and Noclue that also educates us on the refugee woman leaving the buggy on the side of the road when getting on the bus or the refugee who had the social welfare buy a car for him because his kids were called names on the school bus? Does it make you feeling better about yourself when you point out that gay people differ in opinion and can be hypocrites?

I think Gay venues are handy, cos there wouldnt be trouble if they hit on a straight homophobe, and its only fair.

Yeah, it's better for the sakes of the gays and their own safety to put them in a ghetto. I honestly think having them wear a badge of some description would be easier for all concerned.

PS For people who are assumed to be the most open-minded, you're very defensive, and in some ways undermining

Shame on them for not listening to you while you lecture on how they behave and how it's not on.

abetarrush

damien.m wrote:

Please do tell us where the native country of "blacks" is? Where according to you, do blacks and muslims come from?



Bloody filthy sodomites! How ****ing dare they! We should all go back to the cultures we were assigned when jesus created the earth.



You couldn't be a pal and point to those socilogical studies that show that, could you? Thanks.

Imagine some people put on campness! Some people colour their hair and make it go blonde. Imagine how perverse it is to modify the way you look or act or react.



By community, what do you mean? Have you been studying and partaking in the gay community or is this from the University of Assumption and Noclue that also educates us on the refugee woman leaving the buggy on the side of the road when getting on the bus or the refugee who had the social welfare buy a car for him because his kids were called names on the school bus? Does it make you feeling better about yourself when you point out that gay people differ in opinion and can be hypocrites?



Yeah, it's better for the sakes of the gays and their own safety to put them in a ghetto. I honestly think having them wear a badge of some description would be easier for all concerned.



Shame on them for not listening to you while you lecture on how they behave and how it's not on.

Excuses, excuses.....

damien

abetarrush wrote:

Excuses, excuses.....

No seriously, please tell us where you think black people belong.

abetarrush

damien.m wrote:

No seriously, please tell us where you think black people belong.

I never said they belong anywhere

wha you on about anyway? Wha black people are ye on about?

UU

Vinnie69 wrote:

here some on me ! I am still waiting for PCs to attack where is UU !

Queer thoughts for a queer?;)

Hmmm......so you want to attack me then Vinnie69? I don't think so......

While I'm here, let me explain my thoughts and feelings.

The reason why a gay culture exists is rather obvious: People like being around others like them. In France, ghettos exist outside Paris full of Muslim Algerians and Moroccans. Why? Because much of society discriminates against them, they like their culture and being around people like them. It's the same as LGBTs. If there was no gay community then the whole situation of awareness, fighting for equality, etc. would decline. In Ireland decades ago, no gay community existed! LGBTs lived segregated from each other, were forced into unnatural social roles (such as a being forced to marry somebody of the opposite gender). The emergence of a vibrant, bright, colourful community has made things, that seemed once upon a time impossible, possible (like decriminalising homosexuality). Of course, like in any club people want to fit in - it's as simple as that!

Asking why many gay men put on the whole camp thing as like asking why many straight men put on the whole macho thing?! My guess - to impress the girls. As for me, I am naturally effeminate or "camp". It's just the way I am, I would never try to be somebody I am not. I have "straight-acting" gay friends and I have "camp" straight friends (or meterosexual).

Need I say anymore?

gaymale.ie

ok some gay men fake it, and over do the camp thing, but a lot of straight men pretend to be much more straight then they actualy are, for numerous reasons such as to fit in with their mates, afraid of being seen as gay, or simply they get a kick out of it. Same goes with camp guys.

damien

UU wrote:

In France, ghettos exist outside Paris full of Muslim Algerians and Moroccans. Why? Because much of society discriminates against them, they like their culture and being around people like them. It's the same as LGBTs.

Ah now, they don't live together in solidarity because of discrimination. They didn't all decide to live together. They were forced to. They were all put there when they came into the country. The French Government threw the Arabs and the Africans together in not so nice concrete jungles away from the rest of the French. La Rive Gauche ce n'est pas.

Asking why many gay men put on the whole camp thing as like asking why many straight men put on the whole macho thing?! My guess - to impress the girls. As for me, I am naturally effeminate or "camp". It's just the way I am, I would never try to be somebody I am not. I have "straight-acting" gay friends and I have "camp" straight friends (or meterosexual).

Said well.

Hmm_Messiah

The following subjects are not kosher for discussion:

Paedophilia, (Ep)hebophilia(except in the context of safety for homosexual youth), bible-bashing(we're well aware of the religious stance on homosexuality) , discussions on whether homosexuality is natural or unnatural or related materials.

Any such posts will be immediately deleted and posters will face banning

surely this applies to abetarrush , in tone, and explicitly.

Stark

Well actually, that charter piece doesn't specifically relate to his post as it's mostly to stop people from quoting Levicitus ad nauseum/quoting the irrelevant fact that gay people can't have kids with each other ad nauseum. It's there to allow the flow of discussion to continue without "Wow great logical post, I'm just going to skip reading it and quote xxx again". Technically abetarrush's post is okay as it's in line with the thread topic.

The last two posts are blatant trolling though which we could do without.

Hmm_Messiah

I get that, and am all for alternative vieew points etc, but what he writes makes no real sense ever, and seems constantly pointed towards one general argument , and I see his ultimate argument and the reasoning behind it as breaking the charter.

abetarrush

Hmm_Messiah wrote:

I get that, and am all for alternative vieew points etc, but what he writes makes no real sense ever, and seems constantly pointed towards one general argument , and I see his ultimate argument and the reasoning behind it as breaking the charter.

Your not allowed say if Homosexuality is natural or not

I wasn't talkin about that, I said CAMPNESS isnt 100% natural


And honestly, if you dont like my posts, dont read them!

UU

abetarrush wrote:

Your not allowed say if Homosexuality is natural or not

I wasn't talkin about that, I said CAMPNESS isnt 100% natural


And honestly, if you dont like my posts, dont read them!

Why isn't campness 100% natural? Surely you can't deny the fact that some males are naturally effeminate? Maybe you're referring to males who pretend to be camp as unnatural which of course is. Thus, I am naturally camp, it's just the way I am, the way I was born...... Does that not remind you of something? *hint *hint :rolleyes:

abetarrush

UU wrote:

Why isn't campness 100% natural? Surely you can't deny the fact that some males are naturally effeminate? Maybe you're referring to males who pretend to be camp as unnatural which of course is. Thus, I am naturally camp, it's just the way I am, the way I was born...... Does that not remind you of something? *hint *hint :rolleyes:

Yeah, thats what I mean.

Campness is a perfectly normal thing, but there ARE many guys who fake/personify it, and this is what i was callin unnatural campness

If you're camp, you're camp

If you're not, but try to be, you're a sap

IMHO

Goodshape

'Gay culture'.

The same accusations could be leveled at many other social groupings. What about followers of a certain sport? Why do football supporters all have to wear those silly uncomfortable looking t-shirts and sit together shouting at a TV screen down the pub once or twice a week? Why do they all feel the need to shout about there sporting allegiance any chance they get?

I mean, I'm not a football supporter but I have some friends who are so I have no problem with it. I just don't see why they have to go out of their way to advertise the fact. What are they trying to do? Socialise? Pfft.

gaymale.ie wrote:

ok some gay men fake it, and over do the camp thing, but a lot of straight men pretend to be much more straight then they actually are, for numerous reasons such as to fit in with their mates, afraid of being seen as gay, or simply they get a kick out of it. Same goes with camp guys.

Before coming out I definitely tried to stop myself doing anything that might be construed as being 'gay' or camp. Not that I had a problem with it, of course, I just didn't want that to be me. And I wouldn't exactly class myself as camp now either - I don't think anyone has ever accused me of that - but maybe just a little bit more so than I was, in that I'm not concerned with trying to be something else anymore.

UU

abetarrush wrote:

Yeah, thats what I mean.

Campness is a perfectly normal thing, but there ARE many guys who fake/personify it, and this is what i was callin unnatural campness

If you're camp, you're camp

If you're not, but try to be, you're a sap

IMHO

Okay. Well, I'd agree with you there. I think guys who try to fake it are saps. In BelongTo, many fellas had a tendancy to do it but are gradually moving away from it. I am camp and wouldn't endeavour to not be as wouldn't a naturally effeminate fella trying to do "straight-acting" be just as much as a sap as the non-camp fella who tries to be camp?

abetarrush

UU wrote:

Okay. Well, I'd agree with you there. I think guys who try to fake it are saps. In BelongTo, many fellas had a tendancy to do it but are gradually moving away from it. I am camp and wouldn't endeavour to not be as wouldn't a naturally effeminate fella trying to do "straight-acting" be just as much as a sap as the non-camp fella who tries to be camp?

Yes, exactly!

damien

UU wrote:

Okay. Well, I'd agree with you there. I think guys who try to fake it are saps.

I think sycophants are saps.

LegacyUser

Goodshape wrote:

'Gay culture'.

The same accusations could be leveled at many other social groupings. What about followers of a certain sport? Why do football supporters all have to wear those silly uncomfortable looking t-shirts and sit together shouting at a TV screen down the pub once or twice a week? Why do they all feel the need to shout about there sporting allegiance any chance they get?

I mean, I'm not a football supporter but I have some friends who are so I have no problem with it. I just don't see why they have to go out of their way to advertise the fact. What are they trying to do? Socialise? Pfft.

I don't see how Homosexuality is a "social grouping", it's a sexual preference.

The whole basis of my misunderstanding is that there's no general behavioral perception of straight people that seems to be endorsed by the majority of straight people, yet there is one for gay people....

Zillah

damien.m wrote:

I think sycophants are saps.

Oh God stop with the pointless beligerence. Seriously. What is it that is so awful about the opinion "Men who fake campness are silly"? I agree. I think anyone who puts on fake airs is a spa, but we just happen to be talking about campness at the moment.

Stark

blahhhblah wrote:

I don't see how Homosexuality is a "social grouping", it's a sexual preference.

The whole basis of my misunderstanding is that there's no general behavioral perception of straight people that seems to be endorsed by the majority of straight people, yet there is one for gay people....

I dunno, there's the "football jersey and a can of beer" stereotype for straight people Along with a few others which I'm too tired to think of right now. They're just that though, stereotypes. Just like camp is a stereotype. It's representative of a portion of the group it's supposed to represent, but not all. And it's not exclusive to gay people either.

Goodshape

blahhhblah wrote:

I don't see how Homosexuality is a "social grouping", it's a sexual preference.

I think it's both of those things. We have gay bars, gay societies, gay days, marches and events, and so on. Essentially a lot of specifically gay activities resulting in gay 'social groupings' which influence a [perceived sense of] gay culture. This culture becomes the social definition of what it is to 'be gay' and also a way for homosexuals to identify themselves.

That's how and why it exisits but Stark's right, stereotypes (by definition I think) don't cover the whole. The image I automatically associate with a golf fan is a rich stuck up toffee nosed git, but I know lots of golf fans and they're nothing like that. I'd say most of my gay friends would be fairly hard to pick out from the crowd too.

abetarrush

Goodshape wrote:

I think it's both of those things. We have gay bars, gay societies, gay days, marches and events, and so on. Essentially a lot of specifically gay activities resulting in gay 'social groupings' which influence a [perceived sense of] gay culture. This culture becomes the social definition of what it is to 'be gay' and also a way for homosexuals to identify themselves.

That's how and why it exisits but Stark's right, stereotypes (by definition I think) don't cover the whole. The image I automatically associate with a golf fan is a rich stuck up toffee nosed git, but I know lots of golf fans and they're nothing like that. I'd say most of my gay friends would be fairly hard to pick out from the crowd too.

Thats wha we're sayin

We're not sayin its wrong, we're just askin if tis necessary?

Gay bars are ok, but estivals, days, heck theres even a gay eBay!

Wha next? Gay Christmas? Gay McDonalds? Gay Tesco? Gay mobile phones?

Vinnie69

abetarrush wrote:

gay eBay!

Wha next? Gay Christmas? Gay McDonalds? Gay Tesco? Gay mobile phones?

Superquinn has been for years! Canaries (hadn't been and don't wish to!) hmmm what's the link to gay Ebay (just wondering;) )

Vinnie69

UU wrote:

Hmmm......so you want to attack me then Vinnie69? I don't think s....

UU UU Little moi attack YOU Never !!! You misread my remarks --- I thought that you would attack me after my using the "Q" word. Sorry for the delay in answering this misunderstanding:) LOL

no edit thought I saw a mispelling

Goodshape

abetarrush wrote:

Thats wha we're sayin

We're not sayin its wrong, we're just askin if tis necessary?

Um, actually I don't think that is what the OP was asking, and it wasn't what I was replying to.

The original question was (and I quote) "Why is being gay associated with flamboyant colours and bad 80s dance music?", which is what I answered -- people of a certain disposition group together (be it sports, race or sexuality that's brought them together, it makes little difference) and they are bound to influence both each other and the perceived notion of what it means to be a part of that group (i.e. the stereotype).

Whether or not gay bars, parades, etc. are necessary, well I guess the existence of a viable market (i.e. the gay community) for such places and activities would indicate that it is. In the end, they perpetuate each other.

abetarrush

Vinnie69 wrote:

Superquinn has been for years! Canaries (hadn't been and don't wish to!) hmmm what's the link to gay Ebay (just wondering;) )

www.egay.ie


its down now. they musta jus made it without thinkin of copyright lawsuits

WexfordMusings

In attempt to answer the original questions posed...

Gay culture, I just don't get it.

I believe a culture evolves into what is needed by the particular group. For example, if you choose a religion that is not the religion practiced by the majority of people in your area, you need to get together with those people that do. Maybe get together with them on the appropriate feasts & festivals &times of mourning. Catholics do it at Christmas and Easter...

Gay culture, I believe has evolved into what is needed by Gay people. So, a Gay pub, (or designated gay night in a club) is needed. Not only to meet new friends and possible partners, but for a Gay person to be able to go somewhere they will be accepted by the bouncers, bar people, owners of the establishment, whatever. Also if you are a homophobe and are afraid that a Gay person is going to hit on you, ("bums to the wall lads" in that sneering accent) well then you can stay away.

A parade or march or demonstration, whether you like them or not, is something at the end of the day that anyone/group can do as long as it is done in a peaceful manner. But for a Gay parade, it's a little bit more. It's about celebrating the good things about Gay life, celebrating the diversity and vibrancy that exists and help to dispell the myths that exist around the community. It also shows to people that are not "out" that it is okay to be Gay and to be proud of it. We have to remind people, not just Gay people that being Gay is fine and as it is no longer illegal, we are not going to hide. How many different groups/clubs in Ireland march in the Paddy's Day parade and show how proud they are to be Irish. It is a way of life whether you choose to advertise parts of your life and it is your choice in the manner that you do it. How many Kilkenny people that didnt watch the Hurling match on Sunday still partook in the celebrations I wonder.

As for Campness,

Some Gay men are camp, some are not. If you are camp fine. For those that "put-it-on" well they are bigger tits. I know plenty of Gay men, young and old that are not camp and very rarely exhibit camp waving of arms with bent wrists. There are straight people that have camp traits too. That Laurence guy from the home make show over for one. (show with diarmuid gavin when they do the room and garden)

WexfordMusings

Originally Posted by WexfordMusings
if you choose a religion that is not the religion practiced by the majority of people in your area, you need to get together with those people that do.

abetarrush wrote:

Are you sayin you can't be gay if your not around other gay guys?

And that straights would turn gay if they're surrounded by 100% gay guys?????

No, I'm not saying either of those things. I suppose I should remove the word "need" and insert the word "tendancy". It's a bit like Sangre said:

Sangre wrote:

I can imagine most people on the start of the journey of self discovery feel a desperate wanting to 'belong'. They see this 'gay' clutre and latch onto, as most teenages do. Everybody wants peers they can relate to.

Stark

Can we keep this discussion civil? I've moved the flame posts to the Thunderdome: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054987824

Sangre

How was my post in any flame worthy? I told a poster to be logical. I spent a lot of time typing that and frankly I'm disgusted that you moved it from the realm of civil discussion.

If thats the way a discussion occurs here I don't think this is where I'll be posting in fututre.