I don’t really consider myself either. I vote for the person I feel will do the best job. Depending on the topic some would call me liberal and others consevative. The last time I registered to vote I registered democrat. I just moved, so this time around I’m registering as indie. Every day I feel I have less in common with both democrats and republicains. In fact, I think if US politics continues on the path it’s going it will be useless.
My father/s had different viewpoints on various subjects. I’m sure my political views came from my father and some from James.
I will say… I speak out when ever there is a measure on the ballot I feel is antigay. I would vote in favour of gay marrage if it was on the ballot. I’d vote for less timber products just to save the last of the fluffy critterbirds. I’d vote for heavy welfare reform. I’d vote to keep firearm laws fair and open. I’d vote for higher taxes if it meant the money went towards schools. I think the war on drugs is a joke. I don’t think the budget surplus should have been returned, I thought it should have been used on something like schools or roads or NASA (damnit, aren’t we supposed to be living on the moon by now?)
But, to try and nail that question down. I think the only side effect in my political viewpoints that might have been from being raised by these two men would be for human rights. I truely feel all men are created equal. But I think I would feel that way if my father raised me alone and was straight. He was a caring and honest man who just wanted to see people happy and treated fairly. I got double time on that because James was the same way.
Just want to say, first off Seven, that I too appreciate you taking questions and giving thoughtful replies. That’s quite a helpful and kind thing to do.
Secondly, I’d like to add that your father/s both sounded wonderful and that all three of you were very fortunate to have one another. Lucky people indeed.
Now to my few questions…
How did your brother eventually get along with you dad/s?
How did he end up seeing being gay in general?
Are you close currently to either your mother or your brother (or both)?
You said that your Dad was closeted at work, but not in his personal life, which makes me think that there were a lot of people who realized he was gay. How many of these people (mostly the straight ones, that is) refered to your other dad as dad’s “roommate” or " friend"?
Seven, thank you so much, it’s really made my week, this thread!
Let me first note that you sound very well adjusted, and that you had an execllent childhood. Sorry about your fathers’ passing, they sounded like good fellows:
I have follow up questions, same rules as above apply:
You say you don’t like sports and cars, but one of your fathers did; did he try to get you involved in sports, or did he push you towards sports – but you just hated it?
90% cheating sounds like a high ratio. Was there a pattern there that might be relevant?
My brother got along fine with them years later. But he wasn’t very close. He’d come over for holidays and things, but my brother didn’t spend much time with James unless he had to (he never called just to say hi)
As for how he views gays? You know, I really couldn’t tell you. He’s a hard guy to read on the subject. I’m pretty sure he’s ok with it in sort of the “out of sight out of mind” way. But I know he doesn’t hate gay people.
I’m not close with my brother at all. I haven’t spoken to him after my father died. We are just different people who live in different states. I don’t even have his phone number and I know he doesn’t have mine. I’m ok with that. I don’t feel I should have to stay in touch with someone just because we’re blood. We didn’t get along as kids, we don’t get along now. No big deal.
My mother on the other hand… She went through a huge change a few years back. She really relaxed and seemeds more comfortable with life. We aren’t REAL close, but we speak on the phone about one or twice a month. She just retired so she’s on her way out of the country for 6 months which I think will be good for her.
Both Dads were big sports fans. Football, baseball and basketball. They offered to take me to the live games if I wanted, but I hardly took them up on the offer.
There was a time I tried to get involved in sports because it seemed like a good hobby. Lots of neat things to collect, games to see, etc. But that didn’t last long. I just don’t have any interest in it (even when I try to have interest in it)
But no, I was never forced to watch a game or go to a game. On big ball games days my dad knew I’d be bored stiff in the house listening to people shout at the TV, so he always tried to find me something else to do. Be it money for a movie, helping with the cooking (they always made lots of food on those days), a drive over to a friends house. Whatever. He didn’t want me bored.
As for the pattern in the cheating girlfriends. Yeah. It’s perhaps my fault. I had this thing for sexually liberal women. Looking back on the relationships over the years I know now many of these girls were not at a time in their life where they would have made good faithful girlfriends. Some had just gotten out of long, bad relationships. Others were in a lifestyle that perhaps wasn’t the most stable. I think I tried to tie a few down that didn’t want to be tied down (in a relationship anyway,. hubba-hubba)
