Any gays going this year?

[oafc0000]

The problem with expecting there to be no gay village is that you're expecting gay people to abandon what is a safe, comfortable environment for many of them as a price for acceptance. Why, as an individual, should a gay person make a choice to go a straight club where even if they're lucky and there isn't any violence aimed at them, at the very least they will be viewed as some oddity. The other thing in all this is that a lot of people, gay and straight, will go out with the intention of meeting people they might be interested in terms of sex or relationships. Now imagine, for a second, a gay man in that position at any non-gay bar or club. For one, since only about 10% (or whatever number you'd agree on) of the population is gay, so odds are stacked against him. For another, any mistaken advance towards what turns out to be a straight man may well have unpleasant consequences.

I'm not attempting to have some sort of argument with you. I'm just to get across that it really isn't as simple as you might think. These notions that if only gay people were like everyone else, and stopped having pride marches and going to gay bars and clubs everything would suddenly be alright is just not rooted in the reality of society. You say it's a free world and you should be able to comment where you want, and you're absolutely right. By that same token, it's a free world and gay people should be allowed to go to places where they're more comfortable and where they feel they can meet other people. This certainly should not be held up as an excuse for denying acceptance.

[t77]

I am straight and had no problem with the perfectly valid question asked in this thread, its a shame some people do have.

And to put the record straight the gay village in Manchester is not a remotely segregated area, it is however one of the friendliest, nicest areas of town to go out and drink in, mainly because those narrow minded few who are homophobic avoid it like the plague for fear of being hit on, which is ironic because all the gay people i know tend to have much higher standards than most straight people i know.

We know Glastonbury is diverse and all inclusive but surely there's nothing wrong with wanting to meet and have a drink with some like minded souls?

[oafc0000]

I am straight and had no problem with the perfectly valid question asked in this thread, its a shame some people do have.

And to put the record straight the gay village in Manchester is not a remotely segregated area, it is however one of the friendliest, nicest areas of town to go out and drink in, mainly because those narrow minded few who are homophobic avoid it like the plague for fear of being hit on, which is ironic because all the gay people i know tend to have much higher standards than most straight people i know.

We know Glastonbury is diverse and all inclusive but surely there's nothing wrong with wanting to meet and have a drink with some like minded souls?

[wigstonmania]

I'll tell that to the next guy that gets his face beaten in for holding his boyfriend's hand at the bus stop after a night out. Or the thousands if not millions of young people unable to admit to their friends, families and sometimes even themselves that they're attracted to the same sex because they fear they'll be marginalised in their social group. Chocscoffer made a very good post upthread - perhaps you should read it if you haven't. There are huge parts of British society not the least bit welcoming of gay people. It's extremely offensive to tell gay people that it's all in their heads.

[mouth]

If you're straight you have the advantage of knowing that 90% of the population has the same sexual orientation as you, won't take offence and discriminate against you for it and you can pick out potential partners by the tell tale clue that they're the opposite sex. For these reasons most bars could already be termed straight bars - they serve the majority, who are straight.

About 5 years back I was in a pub in Derby (having researched a bit I'm certain it was The Babington Arms, just to shame them) with a few acquaintances and my then girlfriend. The barman comes over and asks us to 'cut it out'. We think he's talking about our noise level so we tone it down a bit, but back he comes and points to a couple of guys in our group who were a couple and states that though he has no problem with them, their holding of hands and shows of affection to each other might upset other customers and that there are places they can go elsewhere for that kind of thing. My girlfriend and I had been in there all afternoon, arm in arm, but being straight there was no problem. So there's a straights only pub for you right there.

[dtox]

thats why i added the word generally, maybe you should read it if you havent.........

[oafc0000]

"i think generally that the only people that think being [X historically oppressed minority] is a big deal are [X historically oppressed minority] people."

As I've said before, I'm not here to pick fights, but surely you can see how someone might find that offensive?

Edited June 1, 2008 by oafc0000

[dtox]

Come on guys......im not expecting anything.... Im just pointing out my feelings on the subject. Im not after running around the village with banners saying this is wrong And I certainly dont think its easy....because of all the points you make above.

I hope no one wants an argument with me because im a nice guy

[wigstonmania]

"i think generally that the only people that think being [X historically oppressed minority] is a big deal are [X historically oppressed minority] people."

As I've said before, I'm not here to pick fights, but surely you can see how someone might find that offensive?

[edraver]

I think there's a separate fenced off section for them...

[beergut100]

That's just the point, you wouldn't see a thread entitled "Any heterosexuals going to Glasto?", and I'd expect people to shout it down as an unneccesary thread.

Now if the thread had been asking about a "gay meet" or something similar it would have made sense.

[Chocscoffer]

I hope no one wants an argument with me because im a nice guy

[oafc0000]

Only over whose round it is next

Right now that some sense of glastonbury love has been restored how about us organising a gay meet up (starts looking round for that can of worms re-opened )

Seriously though, who is up for a bit of a boogie at the Horsemeat Disco on the Friday night! (gay or straight). Come on don't be shy!

[oafc0000]

Haha. Indeed you are!

Thanks for being nice about it. I'm always a little hesitant about replying to things like this - things can degenerate so quickly sometimes online. :-)

Edited June 1, 2008 by oafc0000

[Chocscoffer]

Only if i can wear my tight string vest....

[clockworkpurple]

Chocscoffer and Dtox you encapsulated my feelings so perfectly i don't need to write anything here!

apart from +1 for the lezzas

[newladnewc]

i think generally that the only people that think being gay is a big deal are gay people

[t77]

Aww peace and love again.

Horsemeat disco, Friday night - I'm there!

[boover]

Only over whose round it is next

Right now that some sense of glastonbury love has been restored how about us organising a gay meet up (starts looking round for that can of worms re-opened )

Seriously though, who is up for a bit of a boogie at the Horsemeat Disco on the Friday night! (gay or straight). Come on don't be shy!

[showmethestones]

.. and if there aint, there should be.

[Chocscoffer]

If there are 150,000 people on site and the population of the country is around 10% of people gay, then you could expect about 15,000 of us!

[talullah]

I so like them odds

Yeah

I really wanted to go and spend some time in Trash City (ideally NYC Downlow) but out of fear of being 'outed', I couldn't. As that has happened since last year I can't wait Bring on the boogie!

[boover]

can I come with you? Im not gay but I love a boogie!

[Chocscoffer]

You don't have to be gay to boogie

[Paul ™]

Count me in

I love a boogie