The Gay Thread

[AkSaber]

Hmmm, I didn't know that June is LGBT Pride Month. Anchorage doesn't have much of a Pride Parade to attend. I don't even know if there is one. O_o But I'm not much on parades anyway, so I'm not completely devastated.

Though if there was one, I would try to go. I'd want to see for myself what one is really like to be at.

[J-Mann]

Guilty as charged, heh heh.

To be fair, I’m not so much closeted as much as I don’t like to talk about my sexuality. Well, in real life at least. Online I’m much more relaxed about it. But I actually have a really difficult time telling people I’m gay. I’d like to think I’m not homophobic in the least, I gave a thumbs up to a girl I saw who was participating in the day of silence, but it’s just something I have trouble admitting, especially when it comes to complete strangers. Flusters me like nothing else.

I am getting better though, hopefully. I finally listed my sexuality as gay on my Myspace like six months ago. And I have flirted with a few guys, which I utterly suck at. Most of my friends know I’m gay though, and I only lost one due to it, so that’s pretty good. But anyway, doubt I’ll ever be out completely, and you know what? I think that suits me. I can safely say that where I’m at now I’d not lie about my sexuality if asked, and that works for me, I guess.

You shouldn't have to talk about your sexuality or make an announcement about it every time you meet someone new. No one believes that straight people are obligated to declare their sexuality, and those of other orientations shouldn't feel such an obligation either ... sexuality shouldn't matter a bit (key word being shouldn't).

I think that someone's orientation is a private matter and that others shouldn't make assumptions one way or another. I'm extremely private about my sexuality, but that doesn't stop most people from making assumptions when they meet me. Part of me feels guilty for allowing them to hold such assumptions (for long periods of time, in most instances), but whether or not one feels completely comfortable with sharing that part of their life depends on a lot of circumstances outside their control: their family and friends' temperaments and beliefs and the environment in which they were raised and / or live. 

If you're deliberately keeping your sexuality a secret from those close to you because of a fear of their reactions, then I don't know that you'll ever be truly satisfied; however, those anticipated reactions are a very real and legitimate reason to keep your true orientation guarded. You've got to decide which route will make you the happiest in the long run, and sometimes that means keeping one foot in the closet

[MK]

Hypothetically speaking.     One you openly gay guys happened to meet a bi-curious or bisexual guy and liked him sexually very much.   But you wanted to date him, however with him being unwilling to being open in public and not even willing to talk to you on the phone( preferring texts instead).   Would you get upset at the guy and move on or keep attempting?

[© tweed]

Hypothetically speaking.     One you openly gay guys happened to meet a bi-curious or bisexual guy and liked him sexually very much.   But you wanted to date him, however with him being unwilling to being open in public and not even willing to talk to you on the phone( preferring texts instead).   Would you get upset at the guy and move on or keep attempting?

have something you'd like to tell us?

[J-Mann]

Hypothetically speaking.     One you openly gay guys happened to meet a bi-curious or bisexual guy and liked him sexually very much.   But you wanted to date him, however with him being unwilling to being open in public and not even willing to talk to you on the phone( preferring texts instead).   Would you get upset at the guy and move on or keep attempting?

Won't talk to you on the phone? Move on ...

[MK]

Hypothetically speaking.     One you openly gay guys happened to meet a bi-curious or bisexual guy and liked him sexually very much.   But you wanted to date him, however with him being unwilling to being open in public and not even willing to talk to you on the phone( preferring texts instead).   Would you get upset at the guy and move on or keep attempting?

have something you'd like to tell us?

NO.

Just a question.  In other words, what I'm asking is do openly gay guys get offended when they meet a bi curious or bisexual guy who acts like they don't want to be seen in public with them?  Kinda like the jock who sleeps with the ugly chick, but doesn't want to take her to the movies.

This question is only for those who are openly gay.

[Ban my account ffs!]

Hypothetically speaking.     One you openly gay guys happened to meet a bi-curious or bisexual guy and liked him sexually very much.   But you wanted to date him, however with him being unwilling to being open in public and not even willing to talk to you on the phone( preferring texts instead).   Would you get upset at the guy and move on or keep attempting?

have something you'd like to tell us?

NO.

Just a question.  In other words, what I'm asking is do openly gay guys get offended when they meet a bi curious or bisexual guy who acts like they don't want to be seen in public with them?  Kinda like the jock who sleeps with the ugly chick, but doesn't want to take her to the movies.

This question is only for those who are openly gay.

I'm pretty sure that that would suck in any situation, straight, bi, or gay.  If I was really attracted to someone and I was with them and they liked me but refused to be be seen with me in public, I'd probably show them the door.

[Ban my account ffs!]

I"m not gonna lie Keller.. but the post seemed like a thinly veiled cry for help.  Maybe it wasn't... but still... it seemed like you were looking for confirmation more than you were curious.

[Ban my account ffs!]

lol... I think you can probably handle it on your own.

[Landslide Lyndon]

Keller, if you came out, the opinion of you on this forum would probably shoot up pretty quickly

Hey, you think after Coburn in 2012 we found another closet conservative in the forum?
Cool!!!

[Marokai Backbeat]

Eh, let's not pick on him, guys. I think I'll just delete my posts there.

[Platypus]

Hypothetically speaking.     One you openly gay guys happened to meet a bi-curious or bisexual guy and liked him sexually very much.   But you wanted to date him, however with him being unwilling to being open in public and not even willing to talk to you on the phone( preferring texts instead).   Would you get upset at the guy and move on or keep attempting?

Been there. done that. Never again.

[CubOB]

Yeah, that'd be a horrible situation - anyone who would treat a partner like that is a bastard, regardless of gender or orientation.

[Brittain33]

Hypothetically speaking.     One you openly gay guys happened to meet a bi-curious or bisexual guy and liked him sexually very much.   But you wanted to date him, however with him being unwilling to being open in public and not even willing to talk to you on the phone( preferring texts instead).   Would you get upset at the guy and move on or keep attempting?

If I were single... move on. I'd understand and empathize, but I wouldn't want to be in a relationship where we couldn't even go out in public. (That's not dating at that point, is it? Sounds like little more than sex.) Some discretion is ok, like being kept apart from family for years or even from work colleagues, but no phone calls? Ridiculous.

[Fritz]

Bump.  I'm bumping because my concert with the Twin Cities Gay Mens Chorus is this weekend, and I just want to talk about it.  The show is called "Divas: In Praise of Gay Mens Female Icons".  Here's a rundown of the songs we are performing:

Judy Garland: Get Happy, Happy Days are Here Again
Diva Drive-By: Stand By Your Man, Jolene, Where the Boys Are, Its My Party, Judy's Turn to Cry, These Boots are Made for Walkin, I Will Survive, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
One Night Only
Donna Summer: Heaven Knows, Last Dance, Hot Stuff
New Attitude
Motown Divas: Lady Marmalade, Freeway of Love, Proud Mary, You Keep Me Hangin On, Aint No Mountain High Enough
From a Distance
Houston/Warwick Dynasty: I Will Always Love You, Walk On By, Its Not Right, I'll Never Fall in Love Again, I Wanna Dance with Somebody, Then Came You, I Say a Little Prayer, Heartbreaker, The Greatest Love, What Friends are For
Barbra Streisand: My Heat Belongs to Me, The Way We Were, People, Enough is Enough
Holding Out for a Hero
Madonna: Like a Prayer, Vogue
Cher: The Way of Love, Dark Lady, Strong Enough, Believe
Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Its gonna be a simply fabulous concert!  If you are in Minneapolis this weekend, buy a ticket!  Straight audience members are more than welcome!

[J-Mann]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWPMkDDAb7w

[CubOB]

That sounds like it'll be brilliant Fritz - wish I could go! Especially love that you'll be doing Last Dance, my favourite Donna Summer track

[Brittain33]

Bump.  I'm bumping because my concert with the Twin Cities Gay Mens Chorus is this weekend, and I just want to talk about it.  The show is called "Divas: In Praise of Gay Mens Female Icons".  Here's a rundown of the songs we are performing:

Judy Garland: Get Happy, Happy Days are Here Again
Diva Drive-By: Stand By Your Man, Jolene, Where the Boys Are, Its My Party, Judy's Turn to Cry, These Boots are Made for Walkin, I Will Survive, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
One Night Only
Donna Summer: Heaven Knows, Last Dance, Hot Stuff
New Attitude
Motown Divas: Lady Marmalade, Freeway of Love, Proud Mary, You Keep Me Hangin On, Aint No Mountain High Enough
From a Distance
Houston/Warwick Dynasty: I Will Always Love You, Walk On By, Its Not Right, I'll Never Fall in Love Again, I Wanna Dance with Somebody, Then Came You, I Say a Little Prayer, Heartbreaker, The Greatest Love, What Friends are For
Barbra Streisand: My Heat Belongs to Me, The Way We Were, People, Enough is Enough
Holding Out for a Hero
Madonna: Like a Prayer, Vogue
Cher: The Way of Love, Dark Lady, Strong Enough, Believe
Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Its gonna be a simply fabulous concert!  If you are in Minneapolis this weekend, buy a ticket!  Straight audience members are more than welcome!

Sounds great, but all those songs in one concert? It's like the queer Ring cycle.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Bump.  I'm bumping because my concert with the Twin Cities Gay Mens Chorus is this weekend, and I just want to talk about it.  The show is called "Divas: In Praise of Gay Mens Female Icons".  Here's a rundown of the songs we are performing:

Judy Garland: Get Happy, Happy Days are Here Again
Diva Drive-By: Stand By Your Man, Jolene, Where the Boys Are, Its My Party, Judy's Turn to Cry, These Boots are Made for Walkin, I Will Survive, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
One Night Only
Donna Summer: Heaven Knows, Last Dance, Hot Stuff
New Attitude
Motown Divas: Lady Marmalade, Freeway of Love, Proud Mary, You Keep Me Hangin On, Aint No Mountain High Enough
From a Distance
Houston/Warwick Dynasty: I Will Always Love You, Walk On By, Its Not Right, I'll Never Fall in Love Again, I Wanna Dance with Somebody, Then Came You, I Say a Little Prayer, Heartbreaker, The Greatest Love, What Friends are For
Barbra Streisand: My Heat Belongs to Me, The Way We Were, People, Enough is Enough
Holding Out for a Hero
Madonna: Like a Prayer, Vogue
Cher: The Way of Love, Dark Lady, Strong Enough, Believe
Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Its gonna be a simply fabulous concert!  If you are in Minneapolis this weekend, buy a ticket!  Straight audience members are more than welcome!

Sounds great, but all those songs in one concert? It's like the queer Ring cycle.

Amen, Brother! 

[Fritz]

If I gave a title or a name followed by a colon, then some song titles, those all count as one number in the show.  So we are doing thirteen "songs", its just that many of the numbers are a medley of several songs.

Gotta go, the show starts in three hours!

[Hatman 🍁]

What? No Kylie Minogue? And you call yourself gay...

[Fritz]

http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/music/49429202.html

Men's chorus gives pop icons a delightful twist

Gay Pride concert hit high notes, from Judy to Patsy, Patti to Liza.

By WILLIAM RANDALL BEARD, Special to the Star Tribune
Last update: June 30, 2009 - 5:57 AM

The conventional image of gay men as campy queens was celebrated in high style last weekend with the Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus' Pride concert, "Divas: In Praise of Gay Men's Female Icons." This was a chance for the chorus to let its hair down -- or put it up. A group of elegantly dressed drag queens and their escorts sat at cabaret tables onstage at Ted Mann Concert Hall in Minneapolis, giving the feel of a stylish club.

This theme gave the chorus the excuse to survey many decades of the best in popular music. There were the usual suspects, songs immortalized by Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand and Cher. And Connie Francis' "Where the Boys Are," Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" and Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" were given delightfully, if predictably, queer twists.

More unexpected was a set of country tunes invoking Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton and Patsy Cline, as well as medleys featuring Motown divas Diana Ross and Patti Labelle. It was obvious from the enthusiastic performances that the chorus loved each and every number.

Artistic director Stan Hill conducted with passionate commitment and stylistic sensitivity. And the singers produced a warm, robust sound that reached right to the heart. Accompanist Timothy De Prey provided a strong musical foundation for the success of the evening.

Occasionally, the organizers got carried away, trying to cram too many songs into too little medley. The rapid succession of truncated melodies proved jarring. Why not cut much of the text that over-introduced the numbers anyway?

Additionally, some of the arrangements were overly complicated, marring the beautiful simplicity of pop songs. Ironically, that gave too many of the songs a monotonous sameness.

But the small group OutLoud! did Karen Carpenter proud with a poignant, unpretentious medley. Their homage to musical-theater divas from Ethel Merman and Liza Minnelli to Patti LuPone and "Wicked's" Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel was another highlight.

Overall, this was a great celebration of some great music -- and of the men who performed it. TCGMC proved itself to be a whole chorus of divas.

William Randall Beard is a Minneapolis writer.

[CubOB]

Brilliant! Any chance of some Youtube videos of the show?

[Holmes]

India's High Court legalizes homosexuality and gay sex just now.

But non-consensual, non-vaginal sex is still a no-no. So no gay rape!

[Platypus]

India's High Court legalizes homosexuality and gay sex just now.

But non-consensual, non-vaginal sex is still a no-no. So no gay rape!

Hetero rape only! Thats what the bible says, anyway.