Comfort is a result of truly believing that you will not be discriminated against.

Thats kind of why DADT was enacted in the first place. I've always been opposed to homosexual service members getting discharged under DADT but you can't deny that DADT did protect gay service members as well.

You know what (off topic), I was thinking about the idea of "comfort" the other day. You bring up a really good point. Although I am mixed, I look very "white" and I realized something the other day, while talking to my fiance'-after getting involved in some of the discussions on here...I'm comfortable. I mean, I don't walk into a room or apply for a job and wonder how much my race may effect the outcome. I don't even think about it. Just like, I don't think about how my sexual orientation will be discriminated against because I've got a rock on my finger and to many people-that's all they need, to know that I am straight. I am comfortable. The idea of sexual orientation or race hindering my participation in certain organizations, getting certain jobs, or anything like that-it just doesn't happen.

Sorry, I know that was off topic but, it really is something we must all think about.

This is on topic and an awesome reflection. :)

You know the markers that identify you as heterosexual and "white" (by many conceptions of race). Having those makes you comfortable to the point where you take them for granted and they are normalized. Imagine what would happen if heterosexual and "white" were the power minorities. How would you feel about those identifying markers and how comfortable would you feel if you felt that having that ring on your finger could lead to discrimination.

You're right. You don't realize it until you've had race relations/ sexual-orientation discussions with other people of various backgrounds. I take for granted that I am "white" and "heterosexual" and never think about how others may perceive me. In fact, I want to work with the LGBTQ community and, now that I am engaged and have a ring on my finger to prove it, I don't feel as "weird" openly talking about wanting to work with such a population. It's sad, really. Before, I wasn't as comfortable saying, "Hey, I want to work with the LGBTQ community and serve as an ally," because (deep down) I asked, "What would people think about me? Would they question my orientation?" While there is nothing wrong with being a member of that community, I grew up in a very small town with close-minded people. Why should that sway me, though?

I realized how close-minded I had been. Before, I wouldn't have stood up or even cared about DADT (even though I'm former military). After getting engaged, it's as if talking about that population as an ally made it "okay" because-hey, I've got proof of my sexuality on my finger. How horrible is that? I even wrote an article for the local newspaper about how I don't believe in discriminating against the LGBTQ community in the military. Has anyone else ever dealt with this type of stuff?

And it didn't work. Gay service members were routinely outed against their will. It did NOT protect them. I can deny that. You have to start somewhere. This is the next step. Rome wasn't built in a day. This is the next step. Do you think it would be better without it? This legislation does what it can. Society has moved along farther than this already in the younger generations. It's time the military does, too. As for comfort, tell the gay community that they shouldn't be happy about this, and that it means nothing. I think the majority will disagree. They've been fighting tooth and nail for every inch of ground they can get for a long time. Every inch is a victory. Job security is comfort.

In addition it required them to violate their honor codes by lying. Even though you weren't supposed to ask them if they were gay, they were asked about having a girl/boyfriend, why they weren't seeing anyone, what they did over the weekend, etc. You pretty much made things up if you wanted to make it through that. There are some really good books about gay servicemen/women's experiences.

The repeal of DADT is irrelevant.
 

Most gays are in the closet by choice. They don't want to come out and the repeal of DADT is not going to make them come out.

Hollywood is the most liberal click in the world and half the actors are still in the closet. Hal Holbrook, LeVar Burton, Randy Jackson, James Franco, Kevin Spacey, and Richard Gere are all queer.

There is no DADT policy in sports. Do you seen many athletes coming out? Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas are both gay. Didn't anyone other than me find it strange that they would kiss before their games?

Is there a male figure skater that is not gay?

Just look at the Rutgers student that jumped off the bridge. Gays do not want people to know they are gay.

madmax or another troll?

Either madmax or someone else in his "click." :rolleyes:

I would venture to say that most "gays" shouldn't have to "come out" because their relationships should be as accepted as heterosexual ones. Heterosexuals aren't expected to "come out." Why's that?

Because he's a troll.

Stop blocking my troll baiting. :mad:

Damn, sorry! He posted in another thread too, the poor people one.

I didn't know whether to post in this thread or http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ghlight=repeal.

I am so glad that DADT is over.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...1KiK_blog.html