EnglishGentleman said:
Hi Royston
Living in the UK you're obviously aware that there are plenty of people who'll happily sit and enjoy people like Graham Norton and Julian Clary on TV, and then use terms like "queer" and "faggot" to tease and abuse their friends and peers.
Gay men in the west have to go through a trial by fire in their adolescence that you and I as straights don't. Admitting to oneself, let alone the world at large, that one is gay is still, unfortunately, a huge step to take.
The net result is that gay men are often more open to talk about sexual topics and (with exceptions) can be much more candid and honest than the rest of us. The most courageous men I've met in my life have all been gay.
... and as Zora said... It's a site about dicks, so what did you expect. They can't look at all the pictures properly unless they join, and have you seen some of the guys on here? Some of them bring a new meaning to the term "hung".
Hope your next post doesn't upset anyone and that we can offer you something worthwhile.
EnglishGentleman: Thank you. I believe this is one of the most sensitive, insigtful things I have ever heard from a totally straight man. You obviously have had some close friends who have been gay, and suffered with it, and confided in you to have such understanding. As far as our young friends post, he DID try hard to ask what I believe was an honest question in the most sensitive way he knew how. I have to give him kudos for trying. As he mentioned, his best friend is gay, and he respects him because of the person he is, not because, or inspite of, his being gay. Ultimately, I think that is what we are striving for in the world---to paraphrase the great Dr. Martin Luther King--to be judged not by the color of our skin (or sexuality, or sex, or creed, or religion) but by the content of our character. If someone is a bad person, treat them as a bad person. If they are a good person, treat them as a good person. If someone makes an honest effort, but doesn't posesses the knowledge to say exactly the right thing, then be sensitive enough yourself to be willing to help them understand. He asked to be educated, and did his best not to pass a judgement in asking. We are all guilty of ignorance in one or more areas on knowledge. Someone willing to learn should be helped to learn. They are striving to better themselves. Shouldn' this be encouraged? Stupidity and closed minds should be treated as trolls. Open minds should be encouraged and rewarded. My two cents, anyway.