Doghouse Reilly said, “In my uninformed opinion…”
Yes, it is uninformed.
“There are just individuals who choose to engage in certain kinds of activity.”
So, you chose to be straight? You experienced all that homosexuality had to offer (it really is not much) and decided that heterosexuality works for you. Well, I am happy for you. Most people don’t choose their orientation. The orientation may be reinforced by certain behaviours but it is still an integral part of the person.
“But I guess respecting individuals as individuals who make their own choices rather detracts from the idea that there’s any kind of gay “culture” or “community”. And perhaps (he very tentatively suggested) takes away any excuses for that behavior as well.”
Webster’s defines a community as follows:
“Main Entry: com·mu·ni·ty
Pronunciation: k&-'myü-n&-tE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -ties
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English comunete, from Middle French comuneté, from Latin communitat-, communitas, from communis
Date: 14th century
1 : a unified body of individuals: as a : STATE, COMMONWEALTH b : the people with common interests living in a particular area; broadly : the area itself <the problems of a large community> c : an interacting population of various kinds of individuals (as species) in a common location d : a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society <a community of retired persons> e : a group linked by a common policy f : a body of persons or nations having a common history or common social, economic, and political interests <the international community> g : a body of persons of common and especially professional interests scattered through a larger society <the academic community>
2 : society at large
3 a : joint ownership or participation <community of goods> b : common character : LIKENESS <community of interests> c : social activity : FELLOWSHIP d : a social state or condition”
You used faulty logic. Pretty much every definition here can be applied to a gay community. We exist. We are out there. We live in ghettos, your neighborhood, the country, the city, everywhere.
Webster’s defines culture as follows:
“Main Entry: 1cul·ture
Pronunciation: 'k&l-ch&r
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin cultura, from cultus, past participle
Date: 15th century
5 a : the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon man’s capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations b : the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group c : the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes a company or corporation”
B from the above particularly apply to the gay community. We have existed since civilization. (Think Greek) The oldest extant story (The Epic of Gilgamesh) is a homoerotic tale between Gilgamesh and his lover Enkidu. A large percentage of playwrites, poets, writers, clothing designers, classical composers, jazz composers, musicians in general, artists, and the like are gay. To exemplify this point even more, the best known artists were gay: Michelangelo, Da Vinci, and Rafael. Michelangelo was arrested in Florence for having a gay lover. Many of the best known composers were also gay (or teamed up with a gay person as was the case with Richard Rodgers…aka Rodgers and Hart): Samuel Barber, Gershwin, Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, and Bernstein. The examples are way too numerous to enumerate here. The real question here is not whether or not gays have a culture but whether or not straights try to assimilate our culture into their lives. Think clothes, music, art, hairstyles, etc.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if their body language changed completely as well.”
It does change situationally to some degree. That is what happens to people when there is a threat of physical violence for being your natural self. Turning this logic around to make a point, if every time you cheered for a football game you were hit with a baseball bat very hard, you would also modify your behaviour.
“I don’t have many homosexual friends or acquaintences (that I know of)”
It’s obvious that you don’t know who they are. We are out there and most likely you know several of us. We probably avoid you like the plague because, in general, we don’t associate with people who would try to oppress us.
“…so perhaps I’m uninformed.”
Yes, you are. Very.
“But sometimes wouldn’t a homosexual person be recognized because he or she wants to be recognized?”
This statement applies to everyone.
“If I’m in a pub or something hitting on a girl, I’m sure that I (partly unconsciously) sent out all kinds of signals that I’m heterosexual and available.”
Yes, but most likely you were turned down because you also sent out signals that you were not willing to learn about your environment, had excessive gas (like most ignorant straight people), belched in her face, and were generally more interested in watching your homoerotic sports (WWF and football).
The moral of this story is, think before you respond or write. If you are truly interested in gay life, post a thread and I will be happy to respond.
SC
“People’s Poet don’t die, we’ll kill ourselves if you do, but first we’ll take off all our clothes.” The Young Ones
This is a generalization. Example 2) Mannerisms don’t necessarily mean the person is gay. Oftentimes they do, but not always. (Think swishy) Example 3) Goatees used to be a sign but straight people are slowly taking them over. Example 4) There is a gay man code/handshake. I may loose my toaster for this one but it’s true. It involves a specially trained smile and several different motions. I could tell you what the handshake is, but then I would have to kill you…or be killed myself. I think I have said to much. Wait a second…who are you? What is that in your hand? I didn’t give away any new inf…