Well, if we’re doling out points of order, in actuality the OP of each incarnation specifically states that it is not just I giving insight, but all the GLBT Dopers - I just happen to be the one who started it. I may be “the Gay Guy,” but I’m most assuredly not the only one who responded in the ATGG threads.
And I don’t believe I said that - I said that any GLBT-related question is always appropriate in the ATGG threads. I didn’t say they could ONLY be posted there.
Esprix
In Esprix’s defense, I think his umbrage was taken with Smiley’s seeming lack of initiative in searching past threads.
You wrote:
What I got out of that was, “I’m too lazy to actually read things posted on this board, and I’m selfish enough to start a new thread without bothering to do any research.”
But then, maybe it’s just me.
Esprix
Really, I should skim over 10 pages each(or more) in all of those threads?
How would I be able to get a answer from all of the gay people, when it was most likely you only answered the question? I was trying for a consencus. And I wasn’t trying to be rude, it’s just impossible for me to read thru all thoses questions and answers.
I mean about the ask the gay guy thread.
And, as I already said, it was quite likely you wouldn’t just get an answer from me - I daresay most of the queer folk on the board keep their eye on it, and many times they answer questions long before I do.
And I daresay it would do you quite a bit of good to go and read through the entire thread - they’re good reading.
I might also remind you there’s this neat little button at the top of your page that says “search” on it - it really does wonders for the soul…
(Not that this wasn’t a worthwhile thread, because it was. I’m just an attention whore, but all us old timers already know that. 
)
Esprix
Moderator’s note:
And I’m saying that the broader board issue is GLBT thread placement.
No, not all such questions would be best suited in your threads. Others chimed in but the focus, by topic, was focused on you, “The Gay Guy”. Posters seeking wider input will not be limited, even by implication. Your threads were ground-breaking and valuable, but aren’t the only game in town.
You may be a self-admitted “attention whore and old timer”, Esprix, but the ATGG hasn’t become it’s own forum. I really don’t want to rain on your parade but the freedom for folks to ask GLBT questions is too valuable to funnel toward any individual.
TVeblen,
for the SDMB
(edited for typo)
And, again, I don’t believe I said “would be best suited,” I said “would be suited.” I’m not denying there isn’t the option of posting GLBT-related threads elsewhere on the SDMB, and I take exception that you imply I said otherwise. I apologize, however, if it was read by anyone that way.
I agree, but, again, I don’t believe I said otherwise.
Esprix
(Actually, I said “is always appropriate.” Should have read back for the exact words. Regardless, I don’t read that as “is only appropriate.”)
Well I am not gay but I would like to say something…Just because you are attracted to 2 differnt sexes dosnt make you bi. you can be whatever you feel you are… or something like that
Well, the word has to mean something.
OK. Jaye Davidson was totally hot in The Crying Game. Including at the end …
I totally hear you. While I think the information in the ATGG threads is very valuable, they get so long that I don’t know where to start or what I have missed. And I don’t want to sift through the whole thing – nothing to do with laziness. I think it’s actually a nice respite to have a gay question posed without it being an elaborate thread.
Why would you care?
Well I have been considering an index of the threads…
Esprix
To which part of my post were you referring?
Esprix
About wishing more straight men would admit being attracted to one guy. What if they did? So what?
I’ve always thought that if more people were open and honest about their sexuality, instead of being intimidated by the sexually repressed culture in which we live (or, rather, sexually ill-focussed, IMHO) and either lying or denying themselves, then people would be more accepting of other people’s sexuality, thereby making the lives of the greater GLBT communities much, much easier.
IMHO, that is.
Esprix
Very good point. I was relating it more to personal experience - my (straight) younger brother was repeatedly propositioned on the job by an older guy with lines like “We’re all bascially bisexual” and “You need to be more open to new things.”
In real life, as we know, such invitations are rare (unless you want to believe Falwell, Dobson et al). We were raised in a tolerant home. Every thanksgiving we had an older couple over (life time gay partners) To my brother it was just sexual harassment.
I think that the way heterosexual identity works, (traditionally speaking), being “a man” is defined in part as being not-a-fag. I mean, it’s not merely that we’re taught to put down guys if we think they are gay, we’re taught that there is this horrid state of being in which one is gay and that if one is the inverse of it (in every way possible, along with revulsion and shudders), one has succeeded in being “a real man”.
So you’ve got a lot of guys for whom acknowledging such a thing (even to themselves) would cause them to lose “man points” or some such thing.
This is also true (again, traditionally speaking) for straight guys admitting to having qualities associated with women–being “a real man” equals being “not-a-woman, oh no not even remotely similar to one”, and through some unexplained equivocation “gay” (male) and “woman” are kind of rolled into one. Silly as hell but I think it still persists.