I think that MOST women would still be uncomfortable even if we could PROVE the man is gay.
Possibly, but then, isn’t that evidence that the issue is solely about gender, and not sexual orientation at all?
If women and men came to the general agreement that both were fine with it, sure, I guess so. But I don’t imagine that will happen any time soon in North America. I’m pretty sure the Scandinavians are leading the charge in this area anyway; they seem the type. 
Me, I prefer to maintain a little mystery (and dignity) between the sexes.
I have been to nudist camps, and noticed that the public restrooms are screened from public view and segregated by sex. Apparently there are some things even nudists would rather do in private.
I guess.
I’m really trying hard to see this from the POV of everyone. That’s why I came here. I hardly argue with people on this board, because I often agree with their arguments, even if I initially feel I’m right. I’m having a hard time with this topic though. So far no one’s convinced me that my friends aren’t right… which sucks because I personally don’t want to agree with them on this topic.
I would totally be uncomfortable changing and showering in the presence of a gay man.
(Of course I’m uncomfortable changing and showering in front of straight men too, so it probably has more to do with my own personal hangups than any homophobia… Can’t we just find a way to change and shower while keeping private bits private?)
You and your friends have almost certainly shared a locker room and been naked in the presence of any number of gay and bisexual men any number of times. Ask yourself, and your friends, what great harm has befallen you/them. Have you been objectified? Have you been leered at? Have you been propositioned? Have you been groped? What specific harm are you attempting to rectify by suggesting that gays should be treated differently in public spaces like gym locker rooms?
What’s your friends solution to the problem?
I haven’t spent much time in locker rooms since high school. There probably were gay kids that I shared the locker room with. No, I’ve never had a problem. But I’ve heard gay men admit to checking out men in the locker rooms, (even in the link provided). But, like I said, if a man were to promise to behave in the women’s locker room, that doesn’t give him a pass to use it, straight or gay. I guess it could be about gender, and not sexual orientation, as Miller pointed out. But what women fear about a man in their locker room, is what I feel a lot of heterosexuals would fear if there was a homosexual in there locker room.
Sure, I think people are being uptight about it. But I guess I’m wondering if it’s not a double standard.
Well, as I said; filmore brought up a “solution” that my friend also brought up.
That’s why I asked why big stadiums don’t have more private locker rooms.
It’s not a double standard. We segregate locker rooms by sex, not sexual preference. We’re pretty consistent with that.
Gay men probably also check out men in the pool, on the beach, and in the office. Who cares?
Let’s not pretend like this is about modesty when this is actually about homophobia.
You and your friends are not objecting to open showers where heterosexual men can see you wash your bits. You and your friends are objecting to open showers where the gays can see you wash your bits.
Because, in our society, being checked out when your nude is different… I guess.
Yes… so?
It’s NOT about modesty. I totally agree… still why not have private showers? It would solve the problem OTHER people have about homosexuals checking them out. Or possibly checking them out. Or being falsely accused of checking them out
Really? Ask the women here whether clothes make much of a difference when they are getting unwelcome attention from men.
Please define the “problem” of homosexual men checking them out.
If you don’t want women to see you wash your bits, is that “gynophobia”?
The same reason why women don’t want to be sexualized/checked out.
I’m pretty sure women would prefer not to reveal themselves to those types of men if they had the choice.