Does that make me a monster? No
Does that mean I’m belittling someone by putting an “asterisk” beside their name? Not in my opinion.
It’s a preference. Just as some people have racial preference, it doesn’t make them inherently racist, just they’re attracted to some more than others.

And for me it’s not so much things that are “gay” as it is I don’t enjoy feminine things. I’m a masculine guy and I enjoy masculine guy things. And when I’m looking for a partner, I want a guy, not just someone of the physical male sex, but someone with the same masculine persona.

If thats wrong or unacceptable, then oops, you got me. Guilty as charged. I don’t judge people that do act differently, and I’d never discriminate against them, but that doesn’t mean I’d want to date someone who doesn’t fit my criteria, or hang out with people that I couldn’t be friends with.

So take it or leave it, but just don’t assume that people are trying to take away from a groups place in society with “asterisks”.

There is a slow everchanging new trend in ‘mainstreaming gays’ into our society. At least here in Canada.

In my own personal experience… I have witnessed an amazing shift in attitude by Canadian gays in general.

Most of us still go to parades, however only for ‘entertainment’ purposes, not for ‘human rights’ or ‘equality issues’ or even legal rights cause.

This movement is quite a drastic departure from just 10 years ago because some of my friends who used to be ‘flamers’ and ‘we’re in your face’ people which is great… now are not.

Suddenly one by one of these very visible people are becoming quieter and fading in the background. What’s happening???

Some of them seem to say that well we can marry, adopt and basically we can do anything we want.

So in other words… it sounds like they’re saying they are now ‘mainstreamed’ that there is no purpose of them to be proud of who they are.

I then ask… so why not march in the parade and be proud?

Their replies in generalization is something along the line of, “It’s not that we’re not proud of who we are… we are. It is that why do we need to make a big deal of it? We feel that marching in parades doesn’t really reflect who we are. We are just like everyone else. There are blacks, catholics and disabled people – they don’t have a parade. Why should they? That goes for us too. Why should we be special when everyone themselves are part of same society that we all live together?”

I was just floored and astounded. I mean we really aren’t just like everyone else, are we?

And does this mean our gay communities especially in Canada will slowly become more of ‘entertainment’ social clubs rather than everyday living in 20-50 years from now?

Regardless what is happening today in some parts of Canada or else in world. Be proud of who you are and don’t be afraid to be LOUD, VISIBLE and GAY!!!!!!!!!!!

I’m DONE with being “tolerated”! It’s about time we’re CELEBRATED!

John, I think you misunderstood what he was saying. He didn’t say, and I don’t think he meant, that he is naturally flambouyant but hides it in public. If he had then your critique would be valid. He said that he “can” be flambouyant in public, and IS when he feels like it but when he’s being his natural self he’s passable by whatever standard his community, for what ever reason and however ignorantly, set for such unnecessary judgements. Some people are more flambouyant naturally, and that’s perfectly cool with him too. His point was, and I agree with it, that people should be their natural selves, whatever that is, all the time and make no apologies for it; to hell with those, gay or straight, who don’t like it. I’m a gay redneck who’s his natural redneck self around his gay friends and his natural gay self around his redneck friends. If ANY one of them told me I was “too redneck” or “too gay” I’d tell them to bite my gay redneck ass.

Oh hellll no!

I hope the writer throws away any men like that.I just can’t stand men like that.TO THE CURB!! OUT THE DOOR! OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!

Ohh look we got owerselves A gay Dr. Phil in here.Mr.John.

The motivation and observation are good, but the analysis here falls short. Sorry.