The Gay Thread

[Irvine511]

Originally Posted by Galeongirl

What's the general response in the states that just got legalised like?

Hard to say. A few governors are making a point if refusing to comy with the law, but that's just grandstanding. With so much else going on in the world, it doesn't seem like this is grabbing the headlines it did in 2008 or 2003. It looks more and more like the only people who view this as a motivating political issue either way are the religious right, or peole on the left who care about equality. Once it happens, it just happens. And nothing else happens.


Sent from

[Galeongirl]

So no mass protest and fox news declaring the end of the world? That's pretty good news then. Finally people are starting to realise that it's just a human thing to do.

[BoMac]

Alaska has now joined the fold.

[BoMac]

Baby steps. But this, on the surface, appears to be a move in the right direction.

Vatican stuns Catholic world with greater openness toward gays and lesbians - The Washington Post

[Irvine511]

Originally Posted by BoMac

Baby steps. But this, on the surface, appears to be a move in the right direction.

Vatican stuns Catholic world with greater openness toward gays and lesbians - The Washington Post

I hate the line of thought that goes "we are all sinners so who am I to condemn gays" -- it's very patronizing, and implies a less-than status to gay people. And most gay Christians would agree that, yes, they are sinners, but not because they are gay.

However, this is a major step for the Catholic Church, and a welcome one.


Sent from

[corianderstem]

Oops, never mind.

Vatican backtracks on gay comments - CNN.com

"Vatican Backtracks on positive gay comments"

"Cardinal: 'Not what we were saying at all.'

[digitize]

Originally Posted by Irvine511

I hate the line of thought that goes "we are all sinners so who am I to condemn gays" -- it's very patronizing, and implies a less-than status to gay people. And most gay Christians would agree that, yes, they are sinners, but not because they are gay.

Agreed. It really bothers me that people praise that line.

Honestly, anyone expecting a remotely progressive stance from the Catholic Church on homosexuality is deluding herself or himself.


Sent from my iPhone using U2 Interference

[stray dog]

Originally Posted by corianderstem

Oops, never mind.

Vatican backtracks on gay comments - CNN.com

"Vatican Backtracks on positive gay comments"

"Cardinal: 'Not what we were saying at all.'

Lol was watching the nun not flinch.

[Galeongirl]

Originally Posted by corianderstem

Oops, never mind.

Vatican backtracks on gay comments - CNN.com

"Vatican Backtracks on positive gay comments"

"Cardinal: 'Not what we were saying at all.'

[PennyLanePHINS]

Arizona added, bumps it up to 61% of the population. Before the end of the year it could reach 75%.

[Irvine511]

while this isn't exactly "news," it's so flawlessly written that i can't not post it somewhere:

Tim Cook Speaks Up
By Tim Cook October 30, 2014


Throughout my professional life, I’ve tried to maintain a basic level of privacy. I come from humble roots, and I don’t seek to draw attention to myself. Apple is already one of the most closely watched companies in the world, and I like keeping the focus on our products and the incredible things our customers achieve with them.

At the same time, I believe deeply in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, who said: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ ” I often challenge myself with that question, and I’ve come to realize that my desire for personal privacy has been holding me back from doing something more important. That’s what has led me to today.

For years, I’ve been open with many people about my sexual orientation. Plenty of colleagues at Apple know I’m gay, and it doesn’t seem to make a difference in the way they treat me. Of course, I’ve had the good fortune to work at a company that loves creativity and innovation and knows it can only flourish when you embrace people’s differences. Not everyone is so lucky.

While I have never denied my sexuality, I haven’t publicly acknowledged it either, until now. So let me be clear: I’m proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me.

Being gay has given me a deeper understanding of what it means to be in the minority and provided a window into the challenges that people in other minority groups deal with every day. It’s made me more empathetic, which has led to a richer life. It’s been tough and uncomfortable at times, but it has given me the confidence to be myself, to follow my own path, and to rise above adversity and bigotry. It’s also given me the skin of a rhinoceros, which comes in handy when you’re the CEO of Apple.

The world has changed so much since I was a kid. America is moving toward marriage equality, and the public figures who have bravely come out have helped change perceptions and made our culture more tolerant. Still, there are laws on the books in a majority of states that allow employers to fire people based solely on their sexual orientation. There are many places where landlords can evict tenants for being gay, or where we can be barred from visiting sick partners and sharing in their legacies. Countless people, particularly kids, face fear and abuse every day because of their sexual orientation.

I don’t consider myself an activist, but I realize how much I’ve benefited from the sacrifice of others. So if hearing that the CEO of Apple is gay can help someone struggling to come to terms with who he or she is, or bring comfort to anyone who feels alone, or inspire people to insist on their equality, then it’s worth the trade-off with my own privacy.

I’ll admit that this wasn’t an easy choice. Privacy remains important to me, and I’d like to hold on to a small amount of it. I’ve made Apple my life’s work, and I will continue to spend virtually all of my waking time focused on being the best CEO I can be. That’s what our employees deserve—and our customers, developers, shareholders, and supplier partners deserve it, too. Part of social progress is understanding that a person is not defined only by one’s sexuality, race, or gender. I’m an engineer, an uncle, a nature lover, a fitness nut, a son of the South, a sports fanatic, and many other things. I hope that people will respect my desire to focus on the things I’m best suited for and the work that brings me joy.

The company I am so fortunate to lead has long advocated for human rights and equality for all. We’ve taken a strong stand in support of a workplace equality bill before Congress, just as we stood for marriage equality in our home state of California. And we spoke up in Arizona when that state’s legislature passed a discriminatory bill targeting the gay community. We’ll continue to fight for our values, and I believe that any CEO of this incredible company, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation, would do the same. And I will personally continue to advocate for equality for all people until my toes point up.

When I arrive in my office each morning, I’m greeted by framed photos of Dr. King and Robert F. Kennedy. I don’t pretend that writing this puts me in their league. All it does is allow me to look at those pictures and know that I’m doing my part, however small, to help others. We pave the sunlit path toward justice together, brick by brick. This is my brick.

Tim Cook: "I'm Proud to be Gay" - Businessweek

[LuckyNumber7]

Sounded like news to me...

[Irvine511]

Originally Posted by LuckyNumber7

Sounded like news to me...

really? i thought his being gay was common knowledge. oh well.

[nbelcik]

Originally Posted by Irvine511

really? i thought his being gay was common knowledge. oh well.

It was common knowledge, but he never has officially acknowledged it in public until now.


Sent from my iPhone using U2 Interference

[LuckyNumber7]

Are we talking common knowledge like Anderson Cooper seen with a man common knowledge? Or are we talking looks gay sounds gay gives gay vibes must be gay common knowledge?

[LuckyNumber7]

Because if it's the latter, I think you all need to step back and consider what you're doing.

[Irvine511]

Common knowledge as in it was speculated about whether or not it would be an issue when Cook took over the company as Jobs' health declined. The consensus was that it wouldn't be an issue and Apple would stand by him regardless.

I'm far from an Apple fanboy, but I certainly knew he was gay.


Sent from

[Diemen]

Originally Posted by LuckyNumber7

Because if it's the latter, I think you all need to step back and consider what you're doing.

I think there are more options than just the two you presented.

[PhilsFan]

I know some sites like Gawker more or less "confirmed" it with sources back when rumors first started that Jobs was stepping down, which would have been, what, 2010 or early 2011?

[nbelcik]

Originally Posted by LuckyNumber7

Are we talking common knowledge like Anderson Cooper seen with a man common knowledge? Or are we talking looks gay sounds gay gives gay vibes must be gay common knowledge?

Confirmed as in what other posters talked about. Not based on "looks gay sounds gay gives gay vibes must be gay." That wouldn't be okay.


Sent from my iPhone using U2 Interference