"Coming Out"

[PINEDAXP]

Exactly, maybe some "come out" to their families, because they want them to be fully aware (hey, they're their family) but it's not necessary....

If they want to state it, hey, be my guest, you're a brave one knowing that some might pick on you. Nonetheless it's not either stupid, nor a social requirement/obligation

 

[Venetia]

There's a stigma against anything that isn't considered typical, or "the norm". Does it mean everyone who doesn't fall into that norm should be secretive and quiet for fear that they'll get bullied?

Sadly, yes. In this country, you have to keep your sexuality a secret. It's a liability, not something to be proud of (if you're not hetero or are into fetishes). It's a sad state of affairs.

People should not have to keep their crap a secret, but right now the only time it's okay to be proud of your swing is during gay pride festivals, and maybe not even then--down here in the backwards south, people throw eggs and tomatoes to folks in gay pride parades. The City Council of Tampa actually stated that they do not and will not recognize homosexuality.

What the hell does that mean--it sounds like they're pretending it doesn't exist. In actuality it means they can't be respected for being a class of people, such as a race or gender. That means they get no "special privelages", even if that means making them equal to everyone else.

When City Manager Susan Stanton (who was then "Steve Stanton") decided to "come out" with her choice to be female, the City Council fired her. That's not the same as homosexuality, but it is about sexuality.

A City Council member publicly stated that gay people were a "vice" on society, likening them to prostitutes and criminals. What happened to her? She was elected a state representative like 2 years later.

Also, did you know sodomy and fallacio are illegal in this state? They don't state "man-man" specifically but it's implied.

Reasons #1,344,458+ I hate Florida.

I'll be happy to see the day when people quit judging others for who they are and what they can't help, and just mock ignorant people.

 

[corporate @merica]

"Homosexuality" is a Sin against God(SaG).

It is very plain and simple. If you choose to become a "homosexual", you are effectively destroying any chances at a Good Afterlife(GA) with the Lord. I will not tell anybody to not become a "homosexual", but I will always warn them against it. It is their own choice after all, whether it is the right one or now.

 

[PINEDAXP]

Shit, you did this here too huh?

Like one said: Get a life dude, there's nothing wrong with that, you choose what you want. This forum doesn't need more of you, so please stop posting those US Average cliche positions, I bet everyone hates you now...

Besides your post is irrelevant to this topic, go grab some ass. Gays have the right to choose whatever they fucking want to and to tell or not to tell

 

[lunarea]

@ Venetia:
Agreed. And that kind of thing is present in any imaginable community.

I've got a friend in New York who was refused an apartment in the 'gay' district because she happens to be married to a guy. I mean they never came out right and told her that this is why they won't rent her the apartment, but it was pretty obvious. It's completely backwards from the rest of the state (where she'd be outcast if she were gay), but it happened nevertheless.

A few years back when Wicca was a teenage craze, my neighbor used to come home in tears every day because she happens to be Christian and she was bullied for her beliefs.

One of my friends living in Louisiana was shocked to learn that their town celebrated the fact that African American kids were allowed to go to the same prom as white kids. In 2007, they allowed interracial prom for the very first time ...

And there are countless and countless other examples of this kind of thing happening.

I don't think there's any way we can escape discrimination in one form or another. So I think that those people who choose to put themselves in the spotlight and be different are pretty darn brave. A little crazy, maybe, but brave nevertheless.

 

[Ellie]

"Homosexuality" is a Sin against God(SaG).

It is very plain and simple. If you choose to become a "homosexual", you are effectively destroying any chances at a Good Afterlife(GA) with the Lord. I will not tell anybody to not become a "homosexual", but I will always warn them against it. It is their own choice after all, whether it is the right one or now.

"Homophobia" is a sin against nature (SaN).

Please don't post your religious hatred in my thread, I didn't ask for them, it's not relevant to the topic (coming out), and it's... not wanted.

 

[Rare]

Shit, you did this here too huh?

Like one said: Get a life dude, there's nothing wrong with that, you choose what you want. This forum doesn't need more of you, so please stop posting those US Average cliche positions, I bet everyone hates you now...

Besides your post is irrelevant to this topic, go grab some ass. Gays have the right to choose whatever they fucking want to and to tell or not to tell

I think you need to stop trying to reason and level with him.

 

[Ellie]

Like trying to argue with a scientologist

 

[corporate @merica]

"Homophobia" is a sin against nature (SaN).

Please don't post your religious hatred in my thread, I didn't ask for them, it's not relevant to the topic (coming out), and it's... not wanted.

It is relevant, though. This is the Symposium, is it not? Opinions are allowed- encouraged even, so long as there is no flaming. And I see none (none from me at least).

Maybe I should rephrase my position to make it clearer how it relates to "coming out".

If people simply choose not to be "homosexuals", and therefore do not "come out", then they wouldn't have to face Hell.

 

[Ellie]

Hell?

Jesus...

Not sure I'm allowed to ask this, but it's my thread, so: please leave this thread, it is not about whether or not homosexuality is right or not, I am not interested in your religious beliefs or your sexual interests. It is not relevant to the topic at hand, as it doesn't answer the question. "Because they'll go to hell otherwise" is not a valid answer - as not all gay/lesbian/bi/pan people are Christian, so don't believe in this idea of hell.

 

[corporate @merica]

Just because you don't believe in something doesn't mean that it isn't there.

For example, I could claim to not believe in dairy products- however I could go to the local PigglyWiggly and see milk on the shelves.

Additionally, the thread isn't "your thread". Regardless of who began the discussion, it is public. And as I am not flaming, but contributing to the symposium-level debate, I see no reason why I wouldn't remain here.

 

[Ellie]

That's not my point.

The point of this topic is asking why people decide to "come out". You said, pretty much, because otherwise they'd go to hell. But that's not a reason for coming out because non christian people would not think that.

 

[corporate @merica]

Perhaps they should, then?

 

[topman]

I think people come out to their families for acceptance, My uncle is gay and he said that was his reason, but it might not be everyones reason.

 

[PINEDAXP]

*Follows Elias adivice, not level with the jerk, let him go to hell*

Yeah, Like I said, they choose so mainly for their families, but it's not their obligation. They can do whatever they want. No smart person is going to judge them

 

[sixtyandaquarter]

If you're afraid to come out there;s a reason. It may seem illogical to some, or perfectly rational, but there's a reason.

If you're afraid of the dark there's a reason. It may seem illogical to some, or perfectly rational, but there's a reason. And sooner or later, there is a chance you will face your fear. It's considered a good thing, part of growing up. Part of solidifying your confidence. We tell people all the time to face their fears.

You're afraid the evil things are going to get you. You work up the courage to turn out the lights and let everything now exactly that, there's no lights and no protection. You are vulnerable to the monsters. If you survive, you're that much better.

You're afraid the evil things are going to get you. You work up the courage to turn off the assumptions and let everything know exactly that, there's no more false assumptions and they now know who you are. You are vulnerable to the monsters. If you survive, you're that much better.

 

[lunarhiro2002]

People are afraid to come out cause of peoples reactions. If nobody cared then no one would bother comming out they would just be...

But times are changing people are changing, countries are changing...pretty soon I don't think this will be discussion.

 

[Venetia]

If by soon, you mean about 2-3 generations from now, I might be inclined to agree. But for the next several decades people will remain closed-minded. Hell, racism has only just started to die out a little. Sexuality-bias'll be around for a while to come.

Just being realistic :'(.

 

[PINEDAXP]

I wouldn't hold my breath, racism and xenophobia is reapearing, specially in Europe and the US, therefore, it expands. I hope that stops.

But yeah, it'll keep getting easier each time, nevertheless, hard for them still.

 

[Ellie]

Racism and xenophobia never went away, they just left media coverage as people lost interest. People are still as racist as ever, from what I've seen.

Like my nan, someone was taking their time counting money in a queue in front of her. She said how he was "black as the ace of spades" and couldn't speak English. He was from Poland.

In the same way I guess people are still gonna be homophobic. Like, just because same sex marriage is now legal doesn't mean people will still accept that.