Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender groups.
Watch this postYesterday I received my copy of the U3A magazine, Third Age Matters. I have been somewhat bemused by a flurry of letters to the editor about the formation of a Lesbian & Gay group in one U3A area. One correspondent wrote that she neither needed to know nor wanted to know about a person’s sexual orientation. Another found this comment insulting and harmful. I have always made friends with people because I like them, and we have mutual interests not because of their religion, colour, political affiliation, education or sexuality.
Am I missing the point somehow? Is it insulting or hurtful if I don’t need to know a person’s sexual orientation before I extend a hand of friendship? Another person asked if she should lie when asked if she has a partner. Why should she lie? If someone asks a question they should expect to hear the truth - whether they like the answer is a different matter!
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Its a bit like me saying by the way I'm black or Jewish does anyone really care.
Seems to me people just want to label themselves not sure why, perhaps they are more comfortable being in a box with others of the same persuasion.
Why would I define myself by colour or religion or sexuality, why would I separate myself from mainstream society by creating a division between me and them.
As I said I don't get it.
However, I see absolutely no reason to need to have a 'label'. With the deepest respect to my queer friends and neighbours who do require it, there is, to me, an insidiousness in this flag waving and foot stamping about LGBTQIA2S+ 'rights' and a need to have a specific recognition for that. Where does it stop? Do we need a separate section for people of colour, for Jews or even mechanics?
Surely, this new surge in 'positive discrimination' is the 21st century version of segregation or, God forbid, apartheid?
Yes I am gay but, first and foremost I am Barry. I am a disabled 55yr old medically retired Christian Spiritualist with too many interests and character flaws to list before the need to 'label' me.
Can't we just accept and value each other?
So sorry to hear about your dog - how are things going?
Because there hadn't been any comments on my post I had assumed that perhaps it was a subject which, like politics and religion, should not be discussed in polite society! 🙂
You have, as usual, written words of wisdom and, like you, I'm sad that people feel the need to be put into a box which can be identified by creed, politics, sexual orientation, ethnicity etc.
A funny story to finish! When I worked in a large A&E department we had to ask all patients for their religion. One day two little girls, aged nine or ten, came to book in as they had been bitten by a dog - no parents accompanied them. When we had filled all the forms in with names, addresses, dates of birth etc we came to the box for religion. They looked at each other and then one said, "Well we're not Catholics so we must be prostitutes". I still have a smile at their innocence!