In light of all the demonization and discrimin- ation against gays, how do you ladies cope with it and still keep your sanity? It seems like every day, someone with a public profile is making demoralizing comments aimed at the gay community. Ann Coulter, Isiah Washington, etc. And 2 days ago, General Pace said that gays are immoral and should be not permitted to serve in the military. Just today, Senator Brownback publicly state he agreed with Pace. I'm speaking as a straight, but politiy-aware person. I've lived in SF for awhile now and know and socialize with many gay friends. Still, I don't understand why the gay community is taking the most beating. Would Pace say the same of a non-white? Why isn't there any outrage?

we consider the source

We them up & give them a piece of our mind Yes indeedy. Although arguably it makes a bigger difference when straight people raise hell about stuff like this, because as long as straight people tolerate the behavior it'll never stop. So be outraged, by all means.

i can't wait for tuesday... ...especially after the poem you wrote to me...<333 haha. ;)

Here's another one! Gary Snyder wrote it, I didn't :-z There Are Those Who Love To Get Dirty There are those who love to get dirty and fix things. They drink coffee at dawn, beer after work, And those who stay clean, just appreciate things, At breakfast they have milk and juice at night. There are those who do both, they drink tea.

Why would we (non-gays) be outraged by it? If an issue doesn't affect us personally, we don't feel the need to do anything about. For me, it's about civil liberties and equality. I'm not affected by the military's ban, but I do think Pace has just insulted many men/women who serve under him (albeit in secret). In the early years of the AIDS epidemic, it was the gay community that raised hell and made AIDS a national issue. The gay community need to be equally aggressive in responding to homophobia.

imagine where the civil rights movement would be if whites hadn't been outraged by segregation and discrimination! Imagine where the women's movement would be if men hadn't stood up for women. Its one thing for homosexuals to demand equal rights and respect. Its another thing entirely for heterosexuals to make it a priority as well.

Of course I'm outraged. I made this post didn't I? I'm just replying to your post that it'll be a difference if straight people made a fuss. They're not. Most don't even care because the issue doesn't personally affect them. Just like the straight community didn't care that AIDS was killing people people they assumed only gays can get it.

Well again, why are you asking us? I'm not really sure what you're saying. You're saying we should stone Ann Coulter, or something. You want to see us jump up and down and throw tantrums. But you won't act yourself. *shrug*

Look, every day of our lives is a radical act. What are you doing, as an ally?

We vote for people who don't support the social conservative agenda. I steer clear of any and all persons who view gays as non-equals.

Excellent. If these people's remarks bother you -- goodness, let them know it. We *already* know it's ridiculous. You know?

do you remember what an impact the 'straight' celebrities had when many spoke out early in the aids epidemic? and publicly wore the red ribbons.

+x! i always run out of points so quickly...

Reminds me of this They came for the Communists, and I didn't object - For I wasn't a Communist; They came for the Socialists, and I didn't object - For I wasn't a Socialist; They came for the labor leaders, and I didn't object - For I wasn't a labor leader; They came for the Jews, and I didn't object - For I wasn't a Jew; Then they came for me - And there was noleft to object. - Martin Niemoller, German Protestant Pastor, ***

great quote, this is believed to be the original He is best known for a single poem – "First they came..." – a warning about the consequences of not resisting tyranny at the first instances of its rising. The exact order of groups and wording are subject to dispute, and many versions exist. The best known version, but historiy inaccurate and not the original version is as follows: "First They Came for the Jews..." First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me and there was noleft to speak out for me. -Attributed to Pastor Martin Niemoller

we are outraged that's why it's even being brought up, the recent pressure to do away with don't ask, don't tell. maybe the media doesn't cover our outrage like it does the RW's hate?