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Jim Jackson said:
Would I feel alone when with str8 men, or do I feel alone? Sometimes a bit isolated, yes. Particularly at work. I'm not out at work, and i work in a very gay-unfriendly place. So I feel somewhat isolated there.



Man, what kind of job do you have? I didn't realize that this type of prejudice was still socially acceptable, or, prevalent. Perhaps it's just my own environment, but, I've generally ran into few sincere homophobes. And, the ones that I've encountered really only made more of a case that they were in the closet themselves. It's like Elton John once said: "There's nothing more irritating to me than out-and-out queens going around screaming 'Oh I hate fags!'..."

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Does sexual orientation define my feelings of brotherhood? That's really a great question. I have to say with all candor, I tend to view men I see in a sexual way. Like the way men often check women out. I've done this for years, even when I was married.



That's understandable. I think every hetero-man always checks a woman out sexually, before relegating her to the friend-department. Women do the same. It seems to be a nuiance of nature on both sides.

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But I have many, in fact, mostly str8 friends. My gayness doesn't affect how I see them as friends. But it's still a good question.



Back in college, I had a group of friends that consisted of mostly straight guys, one gay, and two lesbians. And, although this may be a special case, there was never any unusual conflict or stigma attached to it. He is as much my brother as all the rest. When we all hung out together at the bar, he would give us the downlow on the women we checked out, as much as we gave him our critique of the men he checked out. He was one of us, and, in our eyes, there was no difference. We had his back when it came to getting him hooked up, as much as he did when he would help us meet some of his female friends.

And, again, maybe our situation was unique. But, just so you know, this all took place in Mississippi. And, if this can happen in the prejudice-capitol of the country, then, I would sincerely hope it can happen anywhere.

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I have to say, I have been very welcomed and uplifted by the good feelings directed my way on these boards. Most everybody was very supportive when I came out formally on the "McGreevey" thread.



Honestly, it never even crossed my mind that you were, or, were not, gay (until I read your sig, of course). And, while I know the internet is the great equalizer, I would hope that you can surround your day-to-day life with just as many sincerely open-minded friends.

Besides, in this forum, it doesn't matter if you're gay or straight.......just whether you support Bush or Kerry!!!