Does it really need to be such a big deal?

[begood100]

Im not all into the rainbow idea. Im sry it doesnt work for me. If some asks me if im bi ill say yeh, but i really wont make that big a deal about. Whats the difference of what u are into guys, girls, purple flying hippos, etc... arent we all just people?

 

[J_Nite]

I completely agree. Sometimes it seems that some gay people only allow that part of who they are be shown. I mean, I am not saying that there is anything wrong with displaying who you are, but that shit just isnt for me. I wave the american flag and the italian flag, because I am both. Being gay is not a nationality to me, and I know it is important to have a symbol of "our community", but for some reason the rainbow flag just bothers me. It screams like a really femm queen, and thats just not who I am. And it also bothers me when you ask someone to describe themselves and they only say "gay", its like they have no other interests (especially if those interests "intersect with the straight lifestyle"). I think that attitude that some have really gives the gay community a bad look sometimes, it makes others look like a gay-clique, complete with a "no straights allowed" sign.

 

[M4P]

No, it doesn't matter and I think its a matter of choice. About five years ago I purchased a thin adhesive rainbow colour decal which I affixed to the back window of my car. It is barely noticeable but I'm glad its there. I want other GLBT motorists to see it and the others haven't a clue what it represents

What I'm trying to say is I made the personal choice to put it there but I wouldn't dream of judging someone who doesn't want one

 

[chobbs]

I like to think that people are people and we don't need borders or flags to separate ourselves from one another.

but unfortunately there is pride and hate in this world. i think we should only be proud of being human.

that being said, i completely support all who choose to proclaim themselves however they want to.

 

[KennyD]

There are certain communities where you can fly or display a flag or rainbow and your life and health is left alone .
Yet; there are communities that if you fly a rainbow flag or put a decal on your car ... both you and the carr etc are in danger .
Just recently, I placed an ad to rent out my spare room ... (Still Not Rented) ... but anyway .. I put "Alternative Lifestyles Accepted" into the ad . For over a week my house has been assulted with eggs like three times .. and my car once .
Hatred is alive and well in the US of A. God Bless America, Mom and Apple Pie !!

 

[bluepheonix]

Perhaps its more to do with acknowledgement. I mean sure, there are some who take it overboard, but perhaps it helps them to feel less isolated as an individual.

When you look around in the world straight people are declaring they are straight everywhere. They dont literally say it out loud as it is more of a given, but through their actions they may as well be screaming it ie holding hands and kissing/making out in public, urgh and my pet hate the whole "omg check out her what a nice rack (if thats how you spell it)" and all the other garbage they carry on about.

It's easy to see that gay people may feel hidden or overlooked or generally taken for something they are not, and in order to deviate from the crowd some feel compelled to state they are gay, it becomes defining because it is something that sets them apart, there are other things sure, but the whole gay bit does play a significant roll, especially in younger years.

 

[rareboy]

Some people like to wear their heart on their sleeve. Some don't.

For those who want to celebrate themselves with a rainbow or any other symbol, we should be glad for their joy in being gay and celebrating the fact.

Some people have a quieter approach to being gay; it is just one aspect of their lives and everyone should respect this as well.

The saddest is when gays try to act straight out of fear or misplaced guilt and self hatred.

 

[Spiff]

Whats the difference of what u are into guys, girls, purple flying hippos, etc... arent we all just people?

technically, I don't think purple flying hippos qualify as people.

 

[3nipples]

Whatever works for you.

Just remember that the level of tolerance that we have achieved as gays came about because there were guys that weren't being quietly gay in their own way.

 

[G-Lexington]

Sex kicks ass. But we can't do it all the time. (I know - I've tried.) So we also talk about it. So it's gonna come up. Your sexuality is a big deal mainly because it's out of the ordinary. It's something a bit different.

I used to have issues with "gay pride", too. I didn't feel "proud" to be gay, any more than I was proud to be American or right-handed or anything else. But then I realized that "pride" is the opposite of "shame". And if I'm not proud of my homosexuality, I most certainly am not ashamed of it. To me - and possibly to me alone - the rainbow/equality sign/pink triangle simply mean, "I'm not ashamed of what I am - I'm not going back into that closet."

Lex

 

[megustamyn]

To me - and possibly to me alone - the rainbow/equality sign/pink triangle simply mean, "I'm not ashamed of what I am - I'm not going back into that closet."

Lex

It’s not just you. You actually understand the meaning of gay pride. It’s about loving yourself. No matter what else you do in life, if you don’t love yourself you can never be happy.

I admit to a bias because I consider myself a professional queer. I left a very lucrative corporate job to work in the gay community helping gay people understand that they are precious just as they are. It’s the most rewarding work I’ve ever done and I’ve never looked back.

I don’t make a ‘big deal’ out of being gay but I expect to be treated with dignity and respect. My husband and I have been together nearly 10 years. We own a house together. We are leaders in our communities: the gay community, the neighborhood where we live and among our colleagues. We both have adult children from prior relationships. I have 7 grandchildren who see both of us as grandpas. My son-in-law likes to drop in unannounced and just sit on the porch and chat with me. Our parents, siblings, in-laws and other relatives recognize and respect us as a couple. Our friends, gay and straight, do the same. We live at a distance from his parents but we’re very close and visit often, so his parents have room in our house and we have a room in theirs. When his mother leaves a phone message it’s always addressed to both and it always starts by saying, “This is Mom.”

Our lives aren’t perfect. We struggle over the same things everyone else does: money, health, oddball relatives, etc. But we’re happy in a way that would not be possible if we weren’t out and proud.

 

[stormofswords921]

it's all good. live and let live. being gay is one aspect of me, just like there are three dozen other things that make me, me. some people like to pick one and run with it. I"M THIS OR THAT AND PROUD. sometimes it's nationality, sometimes it's color, sometimes it's a sports fan, sometimes it's sexuality. I'm like you, I don't necessarily feel the urge to advertise, but when I see a proud gay, I often get the warm and fuzzy inside ya know? like when I'm on vacation and I meet someone from the same city as me and we bond. although, where I get upset is when people tell me I'm not proud enough or gay enough. I'm a str8 acting guy, always have been. It's not out of fear or shame, it's not a facade, it's just me. u want to be a big femme flamer with pink bows in your hair, or a super big leather daddy with chaps on, that's kewl with me, just don't expect me to be the same. some people don't see it that way apparently. o well, i move on and find people who are just fine with my level of pride.