The 'GAY CREW' section

[exeng]

I appreciate this is a very controvercial subject, and and I mean no offence to anybody by this post.

I just wonder if it appropriate to have a 'special' section for gay crew. At times members of the gay community have found it difficult to be accepted by society.(Understatement I'm sure!) Having a special section for them maybe is in effect setting Gays apart from normal society, whereas what we should all be trying to achieve is normal integration into society for gay people.

Again I repeat, no offence intended to anybody.

Any thoughts out there?

[Erin]

Exeng,

I am gay and like to say something about your topic: there are gay bars, gay parades, etc., etc.So why not have a gay crew section on a bulletin board? In fact I think it's quite refreshing, it's a simple facrt that in aviation, especially among FA's there are a lot of gays. On the other hand, what you say makes sense: maybe gays are kind of pushed in a corner. But let's face the facts, society still doesn't accept it for 100 %; how many gay topics are there on the other BB's? Maybe I am wrong but not that much?? Anyway, let's see and I am curious to read other replys!

[Prada_Fake]

How sad, exeng

So you think that having a seperate 'Gay Crew' section sets "...gays apart from normal society." You believe that we should have "normal intergration into society for gay people." How very noble and caring of you. How do you define what is normal? Perhaps you mean 'mainstream' or 'acceptable'?
As far as I can tell, I am quite 'normal' and
lead a very 'normal' life. I eat, drink sleep, breathe the same air that you breathe,
bleed when I'm cut and laugh when I'm happy.
The only tangible difference between the 'Gay' and 'Straight' communities, is that gays have a much superior dress sense, and flair for the ironic.
I say "Vive la difference!"

[exeng]

Prada Fake,

Your question, <How do you define what is normal?>

Yes a very good point that, it was a most unfortunate choice of words, my apologies. My statement earlier, <setting Gays apart from normal society> was an even more unfortunate choice of words.

Perhaps my point is that gays have been a part of our society scince way before Pontious was a pilot, so why do we feel it is necessary to separate them as a group apart from the rest of us on this forum, in other words giving them a different status.

I accept that it fair enough to have gay bars etc. or gay bulletin boards, as it is also fair enough to have straight bars etc; but I wouldn't expect for instance to have a separate section for pilots on a gay bulletin board.

For Erin your statement, <On the other hand, what you say makes sense: maybe gays are kind of pushed in a corner> Yes that is my point really.


Regards
Exeng

[Kimberley]

Exeng,

I think I understand your point...your personal belief is that hetero or homosexuality is a poor gauge to use when measuring the quality of a human being. You find sexuality based bigotry baseless and therefore, you would like to proceed as though that understanding were the norm. The hope, of course, is that if we stop catering to prejudice it will lose steam and disappear.
Assuming I have understood you correctly...

Your point is a good one, what IS the best way to combat bigotry? I agree with you, in that it, does seem to gather strength from our acceptance of the walls that divide us. It's that old proverb: Silence implies consent.
While I encourage (and practice) individual compassion, I'm losing patience with its seeming inability to penetrate the awareness of those who are incapable of thinking for themselves (opting instead to use prejudice in place of reason). If only kindness and logic were so insistent as bigotry is insidious.
Until then, I am at least satisfied that there are "safe" places for those who would be groundlessly judged otherwise.



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The meek shall inherit the earth, but not the mineral rights. - J. Paul Getty

[exeng]

Mriya225,

I believe you understand my point exactly.

I have no fixed views on this subject by the way.


Regards
Exeng

[RiverCity]

I'm a journalist who teaches part-time in a college. The campus is, pretty much, one big (generally) happy family. But there are groups within it: football players, dorm students from New Jersey, and college radio disc jockeys. Sometimes one group likes to be in its own spot, most of the time they mingle with the others. And it's not an issue with anyone.

There are topics here which might be of interest only to one group (of whatever type), and they have a spot to chat while also being active on the general boards.

It's not inclusion or exclusion; just a corner of the room where a bunch of like-minded people can hang out when they aren't mingling with the others at the party.

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My whole life is CFIT.

[busty]

well, to aDD to those stories, i don't know if there is a point in having that section or not, but there is discrimination going on, and at BA, it comes from pilots.
I don't think they're getting payed extra money to do that..

[Siakapu]

Exeng:

You only have to look at the animal world to know what's NORMAL.

Heard of anyone with a gay pet?

[Girt-bar_Gal]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Arial, Verdana ">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Siakapu:
Exeng:

You only have to look at the animal world to know what's NORMAL.

Heard of anyone with a gay pet?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Oh for crying out loud...

[Erin]

Siakapu,

I have a nice website for you! ( although I doubt that your views on pet sexuality are liberal and open ( required!)


Adopt a gay virtual pet! (http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/1039/)


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If we are what we eat, then some pilots should eat more chicken

[This message has been edited by Erin (edited September 30, 2000).]

[Siakapu]

Erin/GBG

I accept all peoples in this world. The operative word is ACCEPT. Acceptability does not validate normality.

Acceptable =

Normal =

Just fill in what you please! As for me I love flying with all of ya!

[flyboydc]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Arial, Verdana ">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Siakapu:
Exeng:

You only have to look at the animal world to know what's NORMAL.

Heard of anyone with a gay pet?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Actually, homosexual activity in the animal kingdom is quite common and documented.

[blacksheep]

I am not gay, but I think there is nothing wrong on a forum based on people with similar interests, and the gay forum only demonstrates that gays have lots of things to talk about. Women have things they don't discuss with men, and men are the same.
So why don't you let them do their business and stop fussing about it?

[Skyjob]

Siakapu, I am not gay either, but several of my friends and a few relatives are. So does that make them different or less human? I think not.

I do think that you ought to shape up your act towards your fellow humans, yes humans, not gays! They are as human as you are and do all the things you do and just a few things differently. You said that you accepted everyone, so try and accept them for what they are, human beings (like yourself?)!

Get your act together, mate.

It is because of people like you that the gay society has become as it is now, because of people like you trying to corner them and saying they are different and therefore should be treated as such. I don't blame them from having a separate section on this bulletin-board at all. Because it is due to people like yourself that they cannot ecpress things that are important to them amids postings of you.

To all you gay gauys out there, I respect you guys and hope to see this stupid mentality from people like Siakapu disappear in th enear future. Plesae help and educate them for their own sake.

Greetz

[Siakapu]

Like I said, I ACCEPT and like all peoples, which is more than what some seem to do.

Then again, why is any opinion not suitable to gays considered "out of line" ?

Then again whose is the know all whiz-bang who knows what is "out of line"?

[Captain_Anonymous]

I notice that almost all of us have the right attitude towards our gay colleagues. Let just ignore the one who doesn't.....

[HKG-GAM]

Gays are also humans. Why should we be pushed into the corner and be treated any different than any of you? Are you any better than us? We all deserve the same opportunities in this world. People can't deny us of our rights as humans just because we have different sexual orientation. Besides, we are here to work. Does our sexual orientation have anything to do with our performance at work? I think not.

[Captain_Anonymous]

Agree 100 % HKG-gam!

[Siakapu]

You guys...like all guys, don't listen, and you don't read.

I said!

I like and ACCEPT all peoples. But, do you accept me. Probably, only if I accept your ideals.

Captain, sir, you're right...I think your are right, I shall ignore!

[Prada_Fake]

what a big heart you have!
you have know idea how much better i feel knowing that you "accept" gays.

i would love to talk more about your views on acceptance, normality, and what is natural...

but as you are well aware, as a gay man, i can't survive in earths atmosphere for long.
i have to return to the gay planet orbiting pluto, where lesbians and queers live under rocks, where we eat children for breakfast, wear pink bras, and impersonate judy garland all day...

[suthernbelle]

Ya'll need to get a grip!

As a matter of fact, a friend of mine has a gay basset hound.

Look, why does someone's sexual preference seem to be such a big, freaking deal? What's the deal - are you unsure of yourself???? Hey, let him without sin cast the first stone(or something like that - I'm no Biblical scholar) I am sorry that the gay community is so badly discriminated against. However, the gay community is not the first and only group to be discriminated against. It is indeed a shame when any quality individual is discriminated against because of his or her sexual preference, color of his or her skin, religion, education, economic status, etc.

So, if those who enjoy what many consider, an "alternative" lifestyle, want to have their own "Gay Crew Section," then I say "Go for It." Talented people come in all shapes and sizes.

By the way, one of my gay roommates explained to me that the word "straight" implies that gay people are crooked. Something to keep in mind.

Have fun and fly safe. Be back in touch around Tuesday or Wednesday.

Regards,
S'Belle

P.S./FYI - I discrimiate against trash, child abusers, animal abusers and intentionally mean buttheads of any color, race, religion, sexual orientation/preference, etc.



[This message has been edited by suthernbelle (edited November 12, 2000).]

[Siakapu]

Yeah, yeah, honey belle, I'm one of those...

You happy now!

[HKG-GAM]

We are not asking for your acceptance. I understand that not everyone can accept the idea of homosexuality. So be it. The only thing that we, or at least I am asking, is that no one should judge my performance at work on the basis of my sexual orientation. It's just not right. Agree or not agree?

[Captain_Anonymous]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Arial, Verdana ">quote:<HR>We are not asking for your acceptance. I understand that not everyone can accept the idea of homosexuality. So be it. The only thing that we, or at least I am asking, is that no one should judge my performance at work on the basis of my sexual orientation. It's just not right. Agree or not agree?.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

HKG-GAM,

of course we agree, I am sure that 99% of "us-heteros" don't only accept you, but really like to work with you and don't see any differnce at all. As a pilot I am a bit ashamed of what 1(!) person said here on the forum. Just don't think that this is a majority!

best regards

Captain Anonymous

[traveler]

I second that.

[Siakapu]

Well, Erin & Co

You've got your own 'gay' thread on the FA Rumours and News. So what is/are "the gays" problem which you are relating to me in 'this' area.

Also, thank 'you' for inviting me to join in, and must admit I did read through all the threads, and enjoyed the world-wide comments/questions in your specific domain. I am pleased to hear you all like tech crew. Probably with the exception of myself.

I don't have a problem with you Erin or anyone else, and I am sorry that I have upset so many, who unfortuneately have a problem with ME.

[Erin]

Well Siakapu,

thanks for letting me know you don't have a problem with us, really nice to hear. After reading this I have to say I don't have a problem with you either anymore. Let's just say that maybe we did not really understand each others posts...

best regards
Erin

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If we are what we eat, then some pilots should eat more chicken

[bacsd]

well this one is going on and on....all I ask of my pilots is that they fly the plane safely and treat me with the same respect that I show them, in all the years that I have flown, I can count on one hand those tech crew that have made derogatory remarks , on the whole I feel very fortunate to work with some very professional people