Originally Posted by
ColleenW
Hi Kelly - It's never occurred to me to disclaim being gay in any of my posts. I'm not but I've never considered it relevant. I think there is a lot of societal pressure though, regardless of how open our society is supposed to be, for men not to be gay or show any evidence of it unless he's trying to be funny. I can't help but remember all of the furor a few years ago when George Bush was seen holding the hand of the Saudi king. Neither man is gay but that didn't stop the comments. Perhaps those of us who feel the necessity of mentioning their straight status are just reacting to that societal pressure and to the stereotype of CD'ers being closet gays. After all why would you want to wear a dress if you wern't gay? (Before I get flamed this is a rhetorical question.)
Ok, I'll give you that, but why here? Why make that distinction here in tg nirvana? is it really societies doing or our own personal hang up? Take the average person... Do you really think that they care? Does their personal opinion have any bearing on your life? I think it has more to do with internal pressure, rather than societal. I don't totally discount the role that society plays, but IMO it's not the elephant in the room that a lot seem to blame their woes on. I think that in a lot of cases society is a great way to mask our own internal fears and self doubt. We can't expect society to accept us as long as we can't accept ourselves. if we run and hide or give the impression that something about it isn't acceptable are we not in fact saying... I am doing something wrong? Or at least making it seem like we are? keep in mind that I did say other than our close circle of friends and loved ones. This is just an opinion.. your milage may vary.
