Well, R.R., I live in Dallas which I am proud to say has the third largest gay population in the US. I am "out" at work and confidently walk in public without the fear of being beaten. Although I am sure that there are small towns here in Texas where that may still be a problem (as seen in "Brokeback Mountain"), I am sure that there are small towns or villages where you live in which the same issues are present. I have lived all over the US, literally, and have travelled internationally as well, and believe me, I find that if you aren't being an innapropriate asshole about whatever "lifestyle" you choose people tend to be accepting. People are people, and the more people are exposed to diversity, the more accepting they are of it. The wild west image of Texas where men were men, women were men, and the sheep were nervous (LOL) are pretty much gone. By the way, I have e-mailed the Great "Q" and he is a decent guy, he even returned a civilized response to my "homosexual inquiry." Stereotypes are not reality, or is everyone in Australia gonna throw another shrimp on the barbie?" ( And yes, I know you call them prawns.) =) PS-I love Australia!!!