Great things about Gay life

HyperHulk

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I'm personally over reading so many threads that focus on either the "perverted" things gays do or how rough life is for gay people (and for many, it's very rough) so I thought I'd start a thread dedicated solely to the fun, awesome, incredible, great things about being gay. I'd love for this to stay positive, so if we could focus on that, even better.

I'll start about the stuff I like (oh yes, I'm bisexual but I still get to enjoy lots of the fun gay life stuff when I want):

  1. Access to more sex and more options for partners. It seems rather difficult to meet women and have sex when you're a single straight guy.
  2. Interacting with and meeting cool people throughout the world. By using gay chat rooms and websites I've been offered some of the nicest hospitality in various places. I like that there are whole networks that can be tapped into that make traveling easy and fun.
  3. Friends who are focused on having a good time and enjoying themselves.
  4. Being comfortable interacting with men and women in social situations and having most people enjoy you're "edgy" views on life and relationships.
  5. Having partners who get you and you easily relate to and share many of your interests.
  6. Being more open about sexual interests.
Ok, does anyone else have others they want to add to the list? If you're straight, maybe you add things that are great, awesome, fun about having gay friends or family?
 

marleyisalegend

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there's an intimacy in gay relationships that i think is unrivaled. being in a relationship with the same sex is a bond straight relationships can't attain. when you're in a relationship that's taboo, there's a sense of you two against the world, it can make the relationship stronger.
 

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Being bisexual has allowed me to be more sympathetic & empathetic with people on many different levels. It has greatly enhanced my personal & intimate relationships. A really great thing for me is when I talk to someone that is curious about gay life, then they make the decision to try something in the gay life because of a conversation that we had. The great part comes in after they tell me what they did and that they're happier with their lives & themselves because they did it & say that they're glad that they talked to me about it.
 

Bbucko

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To me, the best thing about being gay is the fact that, within our own community, there were (and still are) social equalizers that don't exist in greater society, and these equalizers exposed me to people to whom I'd have never otherwise been introduced.

In my first several years of independence (18-25), I was very lucky in whom I met: older men of a sophistication and intelligence on a real world-class level, in Boston in the late 70s and early 80s. These were architects, published authors, Broadway veterans, recognized artists...you get the idea.

I was just a kid from a working-class suburb scratching out a living in any number of menial, entry-level jobs: I never went to college. If I'd been straight, these men would never have entered my sphere.

I brought an innate intelligence, a pretty face and a killer set of legs, along with an openness to learn and and a vast sexual appetite. But because of the equalizers I mentioned above, I was the object of their fervent attentions and interest.

This was not, in any way, a financial gain for me: I have never been attracted to, nor sought, money from my dalliances. Nor was any ever offered. Instead, I was offered something much more valuable. I was given their respect and undivided attention. I was treated as a peer sometimes, as someone to be mentored and coached at others. It was always mutually-advantageous in ways that straight men never get a chance to explore.

As I was very much a pragmatist when it came to sex, I was always able to separate carnal fun from romantic interest, and my lovers were chosen from my peers in age and income. I never married up and never married for money.

But without the benefit of having been exposed to such a stratum of men, I'd never have been able to accomplish so much of what I have and would be a far different person today.
 

gjorg

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I have learned so much from the gay men I have been with, something great from each one of them.
I forgot to mention, hook up with one your size and you double your wardrobe!:tongue:
 

marleyisalegend

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i think the BEST part of gay life is the versatility. there are skinny twinks, muscle-heads, cubs and bears, queens, trannies, masculine gays, feminine ones, in betweens, and when you get us all together we're a colorful bunch. imagine a bag of skittles that only had one flavor, boring right?

we know how to party, we know how to support each other, we fight we bicker, we bitch and piss and moan, and make all kinds of dirty, raunchy, sweaty, love in between.

lord do we know how to party, check out miss thing andre mizrahi

YouTube - The Show Stoping Andre Mizrahi

our culture is so beautiful and diverse and we contribute so much more to mainstream america than anyone cares to acknowledge. who do you think does britney spears hair (before all the ratty wigs). who designs those beautiful gowns at the oscars? think these movie-producers and hit-songwriters are all straight? think again. gay men contribute so much and whether or not we're given credit for it, there'd be a giant hole in pop culture if it weren't for our input. we're so creative and brilliant that it's only a matter of time before we're seen as equals because we're a force to be reckoned with.
 

B_The Greek Dude

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Oh I forgot to mention that. All the parties and parades around the world to go to--such a fun, free time!


I personally find gay pride parades to be a huge embarrassment; large masses of men with their shirts off, waving rainbow-colored flags. . .men in drag, people making out with each other. . .this makes you STAND OUT rather than blend in with society.

Go to Amazon.com and type in "Androphilia."
 

Pendlum

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I think I'll (possibly) be the first straight guy to post in this.

Not only is my gay friend (I really only know one in person, I'm not going to count online) extremely fun to be around, he somehow bolsters my confidence. Not like hitting on me, more like a parent. Also he has a pulse on the fashion world so a lot of times he picks out my clothes if we're shopping.
 

jason_els

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I personally find gay pride parades to be a huge embarrassment; large masses of men with their shirts off, waving rainbow-colored flags. . .men in drag, people making out with each other. . .this makes you STAND OUT rather than blend in with society.

Go to Amazon.com and type in "Androphilia."

God, who wants to blend in? Society would be horribly dull without gay people. Just look at Iran.
 

B_The Greek Dude

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God, who wants to blend in? Society would be horribly dull without gay people. Just look at Iran.

Being a drama queen and drawing negative attention to yourself is a gay man's idea of making life exciting? Sheesh. . .

The book "Androphilia" is a manifesto encouraging gay men to embrace their masculinity; to be one of the guys, and to be judged for their possible additions to society and NOT who they choose to have sex with.

Example: Ian McKellen; people love his work, but when they find out he's gay they usually say ". . .what?! I never would have thought he was gay. . ." After they get over the initial shock, they say that they still respect him as an actor and that they're willing to look past the fact he's gay.

Now, compared this to people who go around and act like idiots. . .how do you expect people to treat you with dignity and respect when you don't even respect yourself?
 

Hellboy0

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...This was not, in any way, a financial gain for me: I have never been attracted to, nor sought, money from my dalliances. Nor was any ever offered. Instead, I was offered something much more valuable. I was given their respect and undivided attention. I was treated as a peer sometimes, as someone to be mentored and coached at others. It was always mutually-advantageous in ways that straight men never get a chance to explore.

As I was very much a pragmatist when it came to sex, I was always able to separate carnal fun from romantic interest, and my lovers were chosen from my peers in age and income. I never married up and never married for money.

I totally agree with you (didn't put whole quote...was very well written). Though I've never been interested in guys because of their position or wealth, I have been fortunate to be friends and associates of many men of 'social stations' above my own. Without the Gay connection between us, our relationship possibly would have never happened. Back in the 70's and 80's, this happened alot and I never felt used nor did I abuse their trust. Unfortunately, this doesn't happen as much nowadays. Maybe because of some fear of being outed or abused by predatory youngsters or oldsters. It's unfortunate, too, as the role models provided made me expect more of myself and to reach higher than what society would have had me be.

I love being a man and I really love being a gay man.
 

HyperHulk

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I totally agree with you (didn't put whole quote...was very well written). Though I've never been interested in guys because of their position or wealth, I have been fortunate to be friends and associates of many men of 'social stations' above my own. Without the Gay connection between us, our relationship possibly would have never happened. Back in the 70's and 80's, this happened alot and I never felt used nor did I abuse their trust. Unfortunately, this doesn't happen as much nowadays. Maybe because of some fear of being outed or abused by predatory youngsters or oldsters. It's unfortunate, too, as the role models provided made me expect more of myself and to reach higher than what society would have had me be.

I love being a man and I really love being a gay man.

The connection you guys talk about is something I've experienced while traveling. People have been so kind to me and helped make visiting and living in other countries so much easier and I'm so happy have gay people in my life.
 

sam_solo26

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I'm pretty sure that my observation skills were a result of my being outside of the normative heterosexual scene. I learned a lot about romantic and friendly relationships and how people act within and in between them because, I think, of that fact that I knew I was different and not possessive of similar feelings. Many of the crushes I've known have been ones I knew I couldn't act on, whether it was because I restricted myself or it seemed like the other person didn't consider themselves to be slightly curious. I've experienced generally things that very few others have.

But it can be said for anything that there are positive and negative consequences. Also, I have to say that many of the positives listed by the OP could be said of straight, bisexual, gay, transsexual, pansexual, asexual people anyway. And can someone please explain to me what "gay life" is? Because I can't imagine a lifestyle where gayness permeated every single decision, action, environmental condition, and other things that make up a lifestyle.
 

simcha

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I can say that I've met the most amazing people here in the USA and in Europe just through finding other gay men. I know I wouldn't have been able to meet many of the men I've met without having been gay myself. Being a Jew in Paris, not knowing that I would have Arab guys who were interested in me, was an amazing experience. I met Tunisian, Algerian, Moroccan, and Lebonese men with whom I've had some of the most tender and intellectual experiences and cultural exchanges. I truly believe that if Middle Eastern leaders were to leave relations up to we gay Jews and Arabs, that we'd have peace within a month, perhaps less.

In the USA I've met men of all stripes with whom I've been able to share not just sexual intimacy, but spiritual intimacy. I think that heterosexual men have a difficult time meeting on an intimate level (and I'm not talking about sexual intimacy) for fear of coming off as gay. I don't have to worry about that. I've also found, in the Bay Area, many delightful straight men with whom I've been able to be very intimate without being sexual. That's something that might be unique because I'm not sure they'd be the same with other straight men.

And my relationships with women are very different from that of straight men. I get to see parts of their world that many of them are afraid of showing their straight partners for fear of being judged, or rejected, etc.

I get to see a different perspective on life just through having a different sexual orientation from most men. I never would have thought about this before coming out the first time.

Anyway, it's a real trip.

And for me gay life is my life. And it includes most of everything everyone else does. On my gay agenda I have: laundry, housework, budgeting, paying bills, getting to work on time, remaining employed, maintaining friendships, dating, car maintenance, cat care, family relationships, travelling, cooking, grocery shopping, exercise, healthcare, going to the dentist (I just went today), psychotherapy, attending religious services, introspection, spiritual development, reading, creation of artwork, reading, studying, observing life, working with the homeless, etc.

One of the levels of experience, filters, whatever I have is my sexual orientation. It does color things for me in a different light, and yet I'm still engaged in what makes all of us human. So while my perspective might be a minority perspective, it's not unique and exclusive. Others can, and do understand it and even share it who do not share the same perspective.

Also, my "gay life"/"gay agenda" is also not universal to all gay men. We are as diverse as the rest of humanity... Hence, one of the best symbols for our community I think... the rainbow...