Quote:
Originally Posted by imtoomuch
There is a huge difference between discrimination and abuse.
|
While I will agree that there is a difference between the two, they do sometimes go hand in hand.
Quote:
Originally Posted by imtoomuch
How many of the things on your list have happened to you? Be honest.
|
How many times have you been beaten for being a white male?
(If you count being slapped or punched by another girl. I have never been attacked by a group or anything in any physical way though)
How many times have you been verbally abused for being a white male?
(I've had some pretty mean things said to me)
How often do you get threatened for being a white male?
(I wouldn't really count them as threats)
How often do you have people tell you that you are disgusting because you are a white male?
(It has happened a number of times)
How many times have you been told that you are going to go to hell for being a white male?
(I've heard this one plenty of times, it is part of where my screen name comes from)
How many times have you had food or animal waste thrown at you for being a white male?
(Food? Yes. Waste? No)
How often do you have people refuse to let your kids play with their kids because you are a white male?
(It happened last year. It was my son's best friend and I cried for 2 days because it hurt him so much. He didn't understand it and thought that his friend suddenly didn't like him anymore. He kept talking to my girlfriend about all the thing he could do to get the other boy to like him again. It was heartbreaking. I am actually tearing up a little thinking about it right now. Of all the things that have happened to me or my girlfriend in our lives I count this as one of the worst because it hurt my son so much.)
How many times have you been fired because someone discovered you were a white male?
(It has happened once that I know of for certain)
How many times have you been sexually harassed (as in do this or lose your job) as a white male?
(No, I have not had to deal with this and I am thankful. I have been hit on at work by coworkers and had some very inappropriate offers.)
How many times has someone attempted to kick you out of a group or club because you are straight?
(Happened in high school and in college a few times.)
How often do the other guys leave the locker room when you enter because they know you are straight?
(This happened a lot to my in high school)
How often do you have to hide your straightness for fear of the repercussions?
(Not too often, but it has happened. I am typically pretty open about it though.)
Do you and your significant other ever have the possibility or option of getting legally married?
(We can't get married where we are and even if we went to place where we could, it wouldn't be recognized here.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by imtoomuch
The locker room subject is a touchy one. Men are not allowed in women's locker rooms for obvious reasons - physical attraction. Plus, we'd never leave! Therefore why should lesbians be allowed in the same locker rooms as women? Sure you are the same sex, but not the same sexuality. And theoretically lesbians could be oogling these straight women as much as guys would. Are we going to have to create locker rooms and bathrooms for lesbians and homosexual men so that straight people aren't harassed? Next time I'm in a public locker room or bathroom should I sue when a homosexual man checks me out? Do you see my point? Where does discrimination/harassment/hurt feelings end????
|
I do see your point and I understand it. However, I will say that most (I say most and not all) gay men and women aren't really checking everyone out in locker rooms. We are in there doing the same things that everyone else is, changing clothes. I will admit that I have looked at other women in the locker room before and I have seen women (who I know are straight) looking at me too. I can't say that I know what goes on in a men's locker room because I've never been in one, but I can't imagine that it is all that different. If there was a place where straight people were actually getting harassed by gay people then I would say that a separate locker room might be appropriate or at the least the owners of the gym (just an example) should do something about it. If you informed the owners and it continued to happen then you may actually have a case, I'm not sure. However, I will say that the gym I used to go to had a very large number of gay and straight members and I never once saw or heard of any problems with any of the . I also never heard or saw any orgies going on in the locker rooms.
As far as someone checking you out? That is really up to you. I take it the same way if a man or a woman checks me out. I take it as a complement and I enjoy it. Someone finds me attractive or at least appealing enough to take a look at and I think it is a cool little 10 minute ego boost.