# "I'm proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me" **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 30, 2014, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-proud-to-be-gay-and-i-consider-being-gay-among-the-greatest-gifts-god-has-given-me/702996 "2014-10-30T12:48:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2014, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-proud-to-be-gay-and-i-consider-being-gay-among-the-greatest-gifts-god-has-given-me/702996/21 "2014-10-30T20:49:37Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > Why on earth would a gay man care about birthing babies in Asia!?!šŸ˜› You donā€™t like my spelling? Move back to Canada, ya British Commie! šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2014, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-proud-to-be-gay-and-i-consider-being-gay-among-the-greatest-gifts-god-has-given-me/702996/22 "2014-10-30T21:03:48Z")
Being gay is nothing to be ashamed of, but itā€™s nothing to be particularly proud of, either (just like any other attribute you were born with). ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2014, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-proud-to-be-gay-and-i-consider-being-gay-among-the-greatest-gifts-god-has-given-me/702996/23 "2014-10-30T21:23:09Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Being gay is nothing to be ashamed of, but itā€™s nothing to be particularly proud of, either (just like any other attribute you were born with). [Say it loud, Iā€™m black and Iā€™m Proud](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VRSAVDlpDI) ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2014, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-proud-to-be-gay-and-i-consider-being-gay-among-the-greatest-gifts-god-has-given-me/702996/24 "2014-10-30T21:36:22Z")
> [@Cubsfan](#): > > But what the heck is he saying when he says his gayness is a gift from god? I expect heā€™s saying that it is an integral part of his identity, that he finds positive and enjoyable, and which he cannot imagine being without. > [@Telemark](#): > > > [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > > > Being gay is nothing to be ashamed of, but itā€™s nothing to be particularly proud of, either (just like any other attribute you were born with). > > [Say it loud, Iā€™m black and Iā€™m Proud](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VRSAVDlpDI) Exactly. Pride in the identity you were born with goes hand-in-hand with self-respect and resistance to oppression, for oneself and others. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2014, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-proud-to-be-gay-and-i-consider-being-gay-among-the-greatest-gifts-god-has-given-me/702996/25 "2014-10-30T22:00:27Z")
The word ā€œproudā€ sounds more powerful than ā€œI openly admit to it and donā€™t care who knows it and feel no need to be embarrassed by itā€. Itā€™s a variant of the traditional definition of proud that evolved a bit, as languages do. If you donā€™t understand how somebody thinks itā€™s newsworthy to feel this way about being gay, you grew up in a far more different time and place than Cook did (or I did or millions of other ā€œproudā€ gays did). ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-proud-to-be-gay-and-i-consider-being-gay-among-the-greatest-gifts-god-has-given-me/702996/26 "2014-10-31T00:01:49Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Iā€™m not sure I quite follow his reasoning here. I suspect BPā€™s recent troubles have little to do with the fact that shareholders didnā€™t know who the CEO likes to diddle and/or be diddled by. The book is pretty much about how companies should not discriminate against gay employees and how setting up a corporate culture that accepts people regardless of their sexual orientation helps both businesses and their employees. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-proud-to-be-gay-and-i-consider-being-gay-among-the-greatest-gifts-god-has-given-me/702996/27 "2014-10-31T00:08:23Z")
What does ā€œequalityā€ have to do with drilling for oil? If we feminize it until a five-year-old girl can do that means what? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-proud-to-be-gay-and-i-consider-being-gay-among-the-greatest-gifts-god-has-given-me/702996/28 "2014-10-31T00:18:50Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > What does ā€œequalityā€ have to do with drilling for oil? If we feminize it until a five-year-old girl can do that means what? Youā€™re saying that gay men are feminine? That women canā€™t work in the oil industry? ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-proud-to-be-gay-and-i-consider-being-gay-among-the-greatest-gifts-god-has-given-me/702996/29 "2014-10-31T00:29:50Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Youā€™re saying that gay men are feminine? That women canā€™t work in the oil industry? If we make hard jobs suitable for little girls, then little girls is who will do the jobs. Equality! ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-proud-to-be-gay-and-i-consider-being-gay-among-the-greatest-gifts-god-has-given-me/702996/30 "2014-10-31T00:34:56Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > If we make hard jobs suitable for little girls, then little girls is who will do the jobs. Equality! What does that have to do with discrimination against qualified homosexuals? ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-proud-to-be-gay-and-i-consider-being-gay-among-the-greatest-gifts-god-has-given-me/702996/31 "2014-10-31T00:37:37Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > What does that have to do with discrimination against qualified homosexuals? Stay in the closet, you wonā€™t be discriminated against. duh. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-proud-to-be-gay-and-i-consider-being-gay-among-the-greatest-gifts-god-has-given-me/702996/32 "2014-10-31T00:57:31Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I see weā€™re going to have another recognized minority group soon ā€“ gay job creators. > > I await the Republican response. A gay tax is coming? ---
**Author:** ![btthegreat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f4b2a3/32.png) [@btthegreat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/btthegreat)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-proud-to-be-gay-and-i-consider-being-gay-among-the-greatest-gifts-god-has-given-me/702996/33 "2014-10-31T01:12:49Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Being gay is nothing to be ashamed of, but itā€™s nothing to be particularly proud of, either (just like any other attribute you were born with). You can take some pride in how you handle adversity, social marginalization etc. We have all met plenty of people who let the experience define them, or how others perceive then define them, or it define how they see the majority. There are tons of trapdoors out there. If you manage to dance around them throughout your youth, and end up with the grace of Fred Astaire, that you can take a little pride in that. I fell through a couple of trapdoors myself, didnā€™t learn to dance all \*that \*well from the experience but I did better than many I know. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-proud-to-be-gay-and-i-consider-being-gay-among-the-greatest-gifts-god-has-given-me/702996/34 "2014-10-31T01:38:16Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > What does ā€œequalityā€ have to do with drilling for oil? If we feminize it until a five-year-old girl can do that means what? Well, equality doesnā€™t have anything to do with drilling for oil per se. But if you set up a work environment that doesnā€™t discriminate based on sexual orientation, for instance, and does things like give equal benefits to same sex couples, and sets up an environment where somebody doesnā€™t have to worry about being harassed because of their sexuality, then that attracts qualified people who might not otherwise apply for jobs there. (It also attracts customersā€¦a gay customer might be more willing to buy from you rather than a competitor if he or she knows that your company is gay friendly.) And, actually, Lord Browneā€™s book uses statistics and case studies to show that companies that embrace gay rights do better than those who donā€™t. If you have an hour, hereā€™s a lecture he gave on the topic, and then the questions he took: > **[Lectures and Talks | Institute of Continuing Education (ICE)](https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/events/lectures)** > > Come along to one of our many public lectures and Topical Talks throughout the year. These talks are given by leading experts from the University of Cambridge and beyond, and are an important part of our commitment to public engagement. Learn more... ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-proud-to-be-gay-and-i-consider-being-gay-among-the-greatest-gifts-god-has-given-me/702996/35 "2014-10-31T01:45:13Z")
> [@Cubsfan](#): > > . > > But what the heck is he saying when he says his gayness is a gift from god? What a bizarre choice of words. Iā€™d say his trillion dollar a year job is probably his greatest gift, if youā€™re into god. His sexuality though? Something about that statement makes me feel like he has no perspective or is a bit unstable. I dunno. Tim Cook was born gay. He wasnā€™t born CEO of Apple. One was a gift from God, the other was the result of years of hardwork. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-proud-to-be-gay-and-i-consider-being-gay-among-the-greatest-gifts-god-has-given-me/702996/36 "2014-10-31T02:45:32Z")
what I find interesting is Tim Cook is pretty much everything Steve Jobs was not. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-proud-to-be-gay-and-i-consider-being-gay-among-the-greatest-gifts-god-has-given-me/702996/37 "2014-10-31T03:15:54Z")
I loved the last two sentences (more added for context): > [@](#): > > Weā€™ll continue to fight for our values, and I believe that any CEO of this incredible company, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation, would do the same. And I will personally continue to advocate for equality for all people until my toes point up. > > When I arrive in my office each morning, Iā€™m greeted by framed photos of Dr King and Robert F. Kennedy. I donā€™t pretend that writing this puts me in their league. > > All it does is allow me to look at those pictures and know that Iā€™m doing my part, however small, to help others. **We pave the sunlit path toward justice together, brick by brick. This is my brick.** ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-proud-to-be-gay-and-i-consider-being-gay-among-the-greatest-gifts-god-has-given-me/702996/38 "2014-10-31T03:23:04Z")
Heā€™s trying to help an oppressed minority. As CEO of the countryā€™s biggest corporation, heā€™s kind of an 800 lb. gorilla for the cause. He didnā€™t have to do that- good for him. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-proud-to-be-gay-and-i-consider-being-gay-among-the-greatest-gifts-god-has-given-me/702996/39 "2014-10-31T05:01:17Z")
The only ā€œadvantageā€ I can see being gay is a man doesnt have a wife and kids to hold him down so to speak and he can more easily move around to different jobs. But seriously, gays are about 3% of males and who would want to be in a position where one could only mate with 3% of your same gender? Best to go after the other 50% of humanity. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-proud-to-be-gay-and-i-consider-being-gay-among-the-greatest-gifts-god-has-given-me/702996/40 "2014-10-31T07:48:08Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > The only ā€œadvantageā€ I can see being gay is a man doesnt have a wife and kids to hold him down so to speak and he can more easily move around to different jobs. Why do a husband and kids hold someone down less than a wife and kids? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-proud-to-be-gay-and-i-consider-being-gay-among-the-greatest-gifts-god-has-given-me/702996.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-proud-to-be-gay-and-i-consider-being-gay-among-the-greatest-gifts-god-has-given-me/702996.md?page=3)