i'm lost on this as i've been on both sides of the issue.....
2006-09-15 17:22:50 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Men's Health
Of course they can.
Friendship isn't about attraction it's about respect.
If it was about attraction then every party would turn into a gang bang ... oh hang on ;~)
2006-09-15 17:27:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have gay friends who are friends, I have straight friends who are friends. I think the more heterosexual people support gay people and are friends with them, the more hatred will decrease. From personal experience, after I came out at age 19, I only hung out with gay people because I didn't know how to meet straight people, and was afraid how they'd react. To this day, I'm 33, and most of my close friends are gay. Would I like support from straight male friends, sure. Life issues are life issues. I go through the same job stresses, unemployment, every day issues that straight people go through. Having been "out" for so long it would be nice to feel welcome in a social event where I can be out and be among a mixed crowd. Also, if I know someone is straight, why would I hit on them? I mean, it's setting oneself up for failure. You ruin the friendship and knew the person is straight to begin with. There's no such thing as gay people trying to "convert" straight people.
2006-09-15 21:23:49 · answer #2 · answered by DNBursky 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on so many factors. I think most posters have described a scenario of 'just friends,' but it seems like you are asking about a close intimate staight 'buddy' relationship.
I think the one who decised this is the gay party. Belonging to that camp (ha-ha-ha) myself, I have had to make decisions about what level of friendship I feel comfortable.
If there's no sexual attraction, but I can relate intellectually, spiratually, no problem. But if I am finding myself 'tingling all over,' and I know the guy has a girl, then it's up to me to proceed with caution. On his part, there are no attraction issues, but there is no point in my pursuing a crush that is never going to go anywhere. So, in that situation, no, I can not be 'best friends,' but maybe 'friends-at-work,' or 'racket-ball-partner,' etc.
If you ask me, the issue in your Q is not really about sexual orientation, but about sexual attraction in general. The same rules apply for str8ts. happens all the time in the work place. Consider a str8t man and woman, both married, but realize they have an atrraction. Sensibly, if they can not keep it under control, one or both must transfer, or even leave their job.
Common sense is the best guidance in these situations.
2006-09-16 02:21:12 · answer #3 · answered by inprimeform 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes and no. It's the same as a straight guy and girl being friends and a lesbian and a straight girl being friends. You can't really help who you're going to be attracted to.
Personally, if I'm attracted to a friend and I know that nothing will happen, I'm content to think they are cute and not really dwell on it. If you like men and you have a male friend, it's likely you consider for a tiny second if they are good looking or your type, regardless of sexuality. Your friend shouldn't think much of it either. If a deeper attraction occurs, you have to roll with it.
2006-09-15 17:28:32 · answer #4 · answered by Protagonist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can a hetero woman and a hetero man be best friend, without an attraction issue??? (this is rhetorical)
It all depends upon the parties involved. You cannot make a blanket statement either way about this (or my) question.
Is it possible? Of course.
2006-09-15 17:26:47 · answer #5 · answered by rhubarb3142 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I am straight and my best friend is gay. We are best friends because we see eye to eye on most issues. Sex is only brought up in a joking manner so it never is an issue.
2006-09-15 17:25:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Naturally! I have plenty of gay friends and the issue has never come up. Of course we do the usual clowing and ribbing about it, but all in good fun.
2006-09-15 17:26:51 · answer #7 · answered by quickblur 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
why not? I'm straight and have a very good friend who is a lesbian....not attraction issues here
2006-09-15 17:26:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
well--is a straight guy attracted to all his gal pals-? a straight girl? nope--so-i would say--most likely yes--if they share common interest
2006-09-15 17:30:03 · answer #9 · answered by baby-face 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends on how the particular people in the situation really and truly feel.
2006-09-15 17:26:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋