Coming out of the closet
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The difference here is that DD and others who post "hetero" stuff are just acting "hetero", they didn't proclaim "Hey, I'm a hormone riddle male chauvinist, or some such". If Ravel were to post similar postings, but gay-oriented, then that would be comparable. But that's not what he did. He said, "Hey, look at me! Boo! Accept me! And if you don't you're a jerk!"
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering” - Wernher von Braunahmed zahmed wrote:
He said, "Hey, look at me! Boo! Accept me! And if you don't you're a jerk!"
Funny, I don't remember saying that. Although I remember you saying that I said that, many times.
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That's the same kind of attitude as, "I don't care if somebody's black, as long as they don't live in my neighbourhood, swim in my pool, send their kids to the same school, or dare to exist within my field of vision". You're obviously not OK with homosexuals in any capacity, so at least have the guts to admit it. You won't look a saint simply by vilifying me. And what 'lifestyle' are you referring to? I told you precisely nothing about how I live by that post, and my 'lifestyle' exists solely within your own simpleton prejudices and imagination. Your phraseology suggests that you subscribe to the belief that homosexuality is a choice. It doesn't surprise me, certainly - it's easier to hate somebody for their choices rather than for something intrinsic. It is, however, completely unsupported by, you know, reality, so you're currently on the same moral level as misogynists and racists. 'You straight folk' may not feel the need to tell anybody, which for the sake of argument I will assume despite it being untrue, but that's just because you've so carefully engineered what is 'normal' and what is 'abnormal' that you never have to. I find it unusual and telling that you think I'm "throwing it in your face". Are you a delicate dew-covered flower, or are you simply determined to feel persecuted? Why do you insist that I was directing it at you, anyway? I could level the exact same criticisms towards your obsession with weapons, but instead I just avoid reading those tedious messages, and I certainly don't tell you to not post them. See, I'm not one of those hypocrites that support freedom of speech only as long as it parallels my personal views.
Ravel, I, for one, already new you were gay from other postings you've made where it was clear where you stand. You didn't need to "announce" it. By drawing attention to yourself, you're trying to force everyone to accept you and daring anyone to object. People, (and I'm sure even you), object to being forced to do anything. It's in our nature and goes against the natural gift of free will. That's what most people object to, not to your being gay (disregarding those who think it a "sin"). Note that's what John objected to, your "announcement", not your being gay. As for whether or not being gay is a choice or not, I think there's a difference between "being" gay and "acting" gay. For example, there are many people who steal, but not all those who steal are kleptomaniacs[^]. In the same sort of way, while I believe there are some people, perhaps even you, who are biologically "gay", there are others, perhaps many more, who are shall we say "socially" gay. For the latter, it's more of a choice, but they may not feel so because of their circumstances or experiences. Either way, while people may not be able to choose how the "are", people do choose how they act. I know this for a fact because I have friends in my religion who are "gay", but do not act on their impulses because of their beliefs. While it is difficult for them, they take it as a challenge and as an opportunity to become better, stronger, more vibrant people. They see their situation as a gift.
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering” - Wernher von Braun -
ahmed zahmed wrote:
He said, "Hey, look at me! Boo! Accept me! And if you don't you're a jerk!"
Funny, I don't remember saying that. Although I remember you saying that I said that, many times.
Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
Funny, I don't remember saying that
Really? You said it here[^] and here[^] and here[^] among other places.
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering” - Wernher von Braun -
Ravel, I, for one, already new you were gay from other postings you've made where it was clear where you stand. You didn't need to "announce" it. By drawing attention to yourself, you're trying to force everyone to accept you and daring anyone to object. People, (and I'm sure even you), object to being forced to do anything. It's in our nature and goes against the natural gift of free will. That's what most people object to, not to your being gay (disregarding those who think it a "sin"). Note that's what John objected to, your "announcement", not your being gay. As for whether or not being gay is a choice or not, I think there's a difference between "being" gay and "acting" gay. For example, there are many people who steal, but not all those who steal are kleptomaniacs[^]. In the same sort of way, while I believe there are some people, perhaps even you, who are biologically "gay", there are others, perhaps many more, who are shall we say "socially" gay. For the latter, it's more of a choice, but they may not feel so because of their circumstances or experiences. Either way, while people may not be able to choose how the "are", people do choose how they act. I know this for a fact because I have friends in my religion who are "gay", but do not act on their impulses because of their beliefs. While it is difficult for them, they take it as a challenge and as an opportunity to become better, stronger, more vibrant people. They see their situation as a gift.
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering” - Wernher von Braunahmed zahmed wrote:
You didn't need to "announce" it.
But you don't know the reason that I said it.
ahmed zahmed wrote:
Note that's what John objected to, your "announcement", not your being gay.
He used the words 'abhorrent' and 'freakish', and I don't think they were directed towards the fact of my posting. You may think I was being belligerent, but John Simmons was positively clamouring to offend me. He didn't succeed, though, in spite of my possible overreaction.
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Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
Funny, I don't remember saying that
Really? You said it here[^] and here[^] and here[^] among other places.
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering” - Wernher von BraunOK, the first link has nothing to do with acceptance, but a justification for why being openly gay might serve a purpose outside of simply enjoying being flamboyant. The second link was a reaction to John Simmons' inflammatory comments. You should appreciate that he started it. And the third link ... I can't even understand how that's relevant.
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ahmed zahmed wrote:
You didn't need to "announce" it.
But you don't know the reason that I said it.
ahmed zahmed wrote:
Note that's what John objected to, your "announcement", not your being gay.
He used the words 'abhorrent' and 'freakish', and I don't think they were directed towards the fact of my posting. You may think I was being belligerent, but John Simmons was positively clamouring to offend me. He didn't succeed, though, in spite of my possible overreaction.
Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
don't know the reason
No, not entirely, but I remain sure that part of the reason was your need to feel accepted.
Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
You may think I was being belligerent
I don't know what I said to give you that impression, but I don't think you were being belligerent at all. Forceful? Yes. Belligerent? No. Just know Ravel, that I do accept you (as far as I can anyway, after all you're just some anonymous person on the web). I accepted you before your "announcement" and feel no differently now. If I were to meet you in person, I would hope we could be friends.
Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
He used the words 'abhorrent' and 'freakish
Yes he did. But, if I remember correctly, it was the lifestyle he was addressing, not you personally. But, I understand it's hard not to take it personally. But, then again, maybe he meant it personally. I don't really know. I just prefer not to think so negatively.
Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
positively clamouring to offend me. He didn't succeed
Perhaps he was. Being offended is a choice. I'm glad you're mature enough not to take offense. More mature than I'd likely have been if I were in your shoes.
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering” - Wernher von Braun -
OK, the first link has nothing to do with acceptance, but a justification for why being openly gay might serve a purpose outside of simply enjoying being flamboyant. The second link was a reaction to John Simmons' inflammatory comments. You should appreciate that he started it. And the third link ... I can't even understand how that's relevant.
It's all part of a pattern. In any case, I don't wish to belabor the point, issue, whatever you want to call it. If it wasn't a cry for acceptance what was it?
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering” - Wernher von Braun -
It's all part of a pattern. In any case, I don't wish to belabor the point, issue, whatever you want to call it. If it wasn't a cry for acceptance what was it?
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering” - Wernher von Braunahmed zahmed wrote:
If it wasn't a cry for acceptance what was it?
I was proving to someone that I'm not afraid of people knowing, just because I hesitate to 'de-closet' in real life. I'm very private about it in the flesh.
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Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
don't know the reason
No, not entirely, but I remain sure that part of the reason was your need to feel accepted.
Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
You may think I was being belligerent
I don't know what I said to give you that impression, but I don't think you were being belligerent at all. Forceful? Yes. Belligerent? No. Just know Ravel, that I do accept you (as far as I can anyway, after all you're just some anonymous person on the web). I accepted you before your "announcement" and feel no differently now. If I were to meet you in person, I would hope we could be friends.
Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
He used the words 'abhorrent' and 'freakish
Yes he did. But, if I remember correctly, it was the lifestyle he was addressing, not you personally. But, I understand it's hard not to take it personally. But, then again, maybe he meant it personally. I don't really know. I just prefer not to think so negatively.
Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
positively clamouring to offend me. He didn't succeed
Perhaps he was. Being offended is a choice. I'm glad you're mature enough not to take offense. More mature than I'd likely have been if I were in your shoes.
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering” - Wernher von BraunI admit, I overreacted to John Simmons, and perhaps the original post was inappropriate. But it was not my wish to belabour the issue or draw excessive attention to it, which is why I skipped any heartfelt personal testimony.
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ahmed zahmed wrote:
If it wasn't a cry for acceptance what was it?
I was proving to someone that I'm not afraid of people knowing, just because I hesitate to 'de-closet' in real life. I'm very private about it in the flesh.
I see. Well good luck to you.
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering” - Wernher von Braun -
The difference here is that DD and others who post "hetero" stuff are just acting "hetero", they didn't proclaim "Hey, I'm a hormone riddle male chauvinist, or some such". If Ravel were to post similar postings, but gay-oriented, then that would be comparable. But that's not what he did. He said, "Hey, look at me! Boo! Accept me! And if you don't you're a jerk!"
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering” - Wernher von Braun