Doesn't a GLBT forum go against what "Homosexuals" wish to rid themselves of? Read Below, Carefully

Question

It seems to me you guys are Plagued a little. Whom you are attracted to doesn't define you in the least bit, it seems as though that very same small bit of information is what separates you.

Look at Yahoo Answers for example. There are Hundreds of topics to choose from Love money Sports whatever, most of the Gay Community bring thier Questions to the section marked of for GLBT and it's not all about thier attractions. It's about everything but most feel the questions need to be asked in GLBT.

The segregation is very subtle but it sends a powerful message to those who aren't GLBT, the forum is a small example.

So is the slight but very apparent segregation needed to help one find thier way, but once the individual is found is he/she stuck with the segration. Meaning: at first you didn't know if "Homo" was a part of who you are, once you found out you can't lose the Lable you sought to find.

When I say lose the Label I mean you don't want people to think the most interesting thing about you is that your Gay.

It's almost like the label becomes a solvent, it's still there but not apparent.

Um...Panda Chill out. It's an objectional question, I never once got personal so there was no need for you to.

If you noticed you never answerd the question, all you did was rant at a guy that you don't know and assumed that he hates you, I'm sorry the world has made you such an angry person. Peace

Answer 1

I understand what you mean. It wouldnt make sense to come and ask about your car's tires in here just because you are gay, according to common sense. BUT, many people feel safe in here I guess. And let me give you an example: I was asking some questions about physics and how things work, and half the answers I got were homophobic remarks just because people checked my Q and A. I would still use the same way of asking questions, but I guess not everyone can take it. You have a valid point, but I think we shouldnt make any rules and respect every individual's way of acting and thinking accordingly.

Answer 2

Hi! First off, I am a lesbian, and I assume from your wording that you are a straight male. SO I will nswer based on that assumption, if I am wrong you have my apologies. I personally, and this is strictly my opinion, wish that I felt more comfortable posting questions in the rest of answers. I do post under other headings as appropriate, but there is a part of me that feels almost safer in the GLBT section. I think it's because of the segregtion I have felt in the past - a self-imposed segregation hurts less than risking others segregating you. I live a fairly closeted life for the most part. My family and friends know I am a lesbian and they treat me just like they would treat others. I only disclose my sexuality when I am asked point blank or when it seems appropriate. I believe that it should not be a defining feature of who I am. Unfortunatly, more often than not, I am met with not necessarily hate and even pity (although that has happened) by that weird uncomfortable silence that you try to make go away but never really does. Anyway, I hope that in some way I have answered your question - whether some LBGT people admit it or not it is not necessarily the reaction we will get out in cyber and real life, but the one we are afrid of getting that keeps us in the LBGT sections of sites such as this. Cheers~!~

Answer 3

Um, it's you non-GLBT people who gave us the label in the first place, you know. I personally see no difference between me (a lesbian) and a straight person. I do not segregate myself but sometimes it is nice to be in a group of other GLBT people who understand issues specific to us, such as discrimination which happens ALL THE TIME because of people like you. If you have a problem then stay out of this section of Yahoo! Answers, okay?

I don't secregate myself. For that matter I want to become Catholic and as mentioned I'm a lesbian. I don't think sexual orientation should matter but it's the straight people who are making a much bigger deal of it than us. Try being gay, it's pretty hard in today's society. Can you blame people for not want to deal with homophobia and ignorance? If you're not gay then none of this concerns you, does it? Why don't you go mind your own business or go join PFLAG and tell them all what you think, okay?

Edit: Sorry to offend you, but I was personally offended by what you had to say and see very little purpose in it. I actually didn't really see much of a question in what you had to say either. Just that there are some things you clearly don't understand. So either sit back and learn or just stay out of it. And what's up with the quotation marks around homosexual? And saying "at first you didn't know if "homo" was a part of you"? What do you mean because it sounds very ignorant. Homo is offensive. And it's really not a label to me or something I seek to "lose" I love women. plain and simple.

And by the way, you don't know me either...

Edited again: Spooky, do you think heterosexuals understand us? Not at all. And I'll admit that I don't understand heterosexuals. I found a lot of what he had to say as quite offensive and am still wondering why on earth he bothered to even say it...

Answer 4

Very intriguing question.

I think my take on it is this: we are not all the same. That's just the truth. Now, we all have the same inherent value, and we should definitely all be equal in the eyes of the law/government. But other than that, we all have different experiences and ways of looking on the world, and that is called 'culture'. Racism is unfair; culture is the truth. Not every person in a certain race belongs to a culture, but for those who do, it allows them to have an identity instead of proclaiming 'We're all the same! There's no difference and if there is, it's racism!". Take that and extrapolate it to homosexuality, and while who you are attracted to certainly doesn't make you anything but a differently-sexually-oriented human being, the experiences you go through in life may give you a certain outlook on the world shared by others of the same. So you seek these people out as friends, comrades, and advisors.

That's what I think it is. Is it segregation? Nah, not for most. Instead, it's trying to establish a community.

Hope that helps.

Answer 5

I've actually contemplated this myself, so don't worry you aren't the only one who senses a tad bit of contradiction there. I don't really look at this as a way of socialising between gays or grouping ourselves together. I usually gripe at people for asking what I consider spam questions here. I think that this place should be used only for dealing with problems you face because of your sexuality, anything else doesn't belong here, regardless of the sexuality of the poster. I especially hate the art question because it's not only spam but it's stereotyping.

Most of my friends are straight and many of the people I dislike are gay, I don't judge people on sexuality. However we do have some problems that others don't. Coming out of the closet, how people deal with your family, religious conflicts put upon homosexuality, advise on relationships and how others will treat us for those relationships, gay rights, and in a way just knowing you aren't the only one with these problems. You get to talk to people who have been there and have some insight into your issues.

Answer 6

The thing with putting same-sex relationship questions in a "more appropriate" category (such as relationships) on the site is a majority of the answers you will get are "lol i dont know, im not gay" or "ew gross" which, needless to say, isn't very helpful and are rather disheartening when you're probably already stressed out as it is. (Because if someone's going to ask for romance help on the Internet, they really must be at the end of their rope.)

Though the LGBT section is plagued by trolls, at least you have a better chance of hearing from people who have been in your position and less from people who really just don't agree with your "lifestyle".

I don't think the "segregation" is used to help anyone find their way, but I think it helps with feeling more secure, with an equal footing around others.
The Internet to begin with is a place for escapism and humans just naturally cut themselves off from those whose opinions don't work with their own. Naturally it would be reflected even on here.

But I also agree that it's a problem, as looking at the above answers and seeing them all so jaded and spiteful, filled with assumptions that you must obviously hate homosexuals and that you obviously don't understand them.

Answer 7

That's a really interesting point (and very carefully-worded), but I don't see having our own forum as segregation, it's more about community spirit. We like to feel supported, and surrounded by friends and people with similar interests.
And as so many straight people post questions and answers here, it's not at all exclusive, either - it's just where we can be ourselves.

Answer 8

Everything anybody does defines who they are. Your comments don't make a lot of sense. It appears that you come in the GLBT forum and criticize us for using it when you are using it yourself. I'm sorry. I just don't get it. There are several of us that go in other forums as well. Every group of people in every forum have a common bond. The GLBT forum includes prodominately GLBT participants or people that are interested in the opinions of the GLBT community. Most of us aren't trying to rid ourselves of anything. If you hang around for a while you will see that most of us are proud of who we are. We just enjoy conversations with people of similar interests.

Answer 9

You clearly have no understanding of the difficulties people have in finding a place where they feel totally acceptable as they are. Other forums exist, but try posting LGBTQ questions there and watch the fur fly. You're being insensitive and obtuse. Sit back, read, and learn. When you've gotten an understanding of what LGBTQ people endure on a daily basis, then ask a question that reflects that understanding.

Answer 10

I am straight but i read your last question and wondered what you were talking about. i believe it is just a comfort zone to ask questions and to have your own category, to not be judged by your peers. sort of like sitting with your friends and rapping about different things and knowing these are the people that know exactly where you are coming from. just like i asked a question before and only wanted married couples of five or more years to answer.