Gay Bashing in a Straight Bar - an ABC Experiment (A Must See)

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Shannon on March 26, 2009 at 6:39pm

I was pleased with the reactions, even brought a little tear to my eye... But what if the couple were not so attractive? Someone I knew once (a straight guy) told me that lesbians were disgusting basing his opinion on a girl we knew who was not exactly pretty. When I asked him what if the girl looked like me and had a pretty girlfriend, he changed his mind. Now, that's disgusting.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by MW Savant on March 26, 2009 at 9:26pm

This reminded me of a very Key West reaction. I have seen even the most macho straight guys defend the rights of GLBTI people on the island. That's what makes it such a phenomenal place and its residents so cool. I can remember big ole contractors telling trouble fetes to get the heck out just like in the piece for the same reasons!

Times? They are a-changin!

Interesting piece. Thanks for posting.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Unidiversal Pastor Robbie Ousley on March 27, 2009 at 7:32pm

Very good and very interesting - glad to see such a great experiment report on widespread news and online.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dot on March 28, 2009 at 2:30pm

This is very cool. I'd like to see if the same thing would happen in Small Town, USA though. I'm thinking of moving to a city in a few years only because I have little to no gay community around me...let alone...find a date. I don't mean to be pessimistic. This segment really was a breath of fresh air.

Dot

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Coach Sappho on March 28, 2009 at 3:29pm

I'm just so relieved that I have 'guardian angels' out there. Unfortunately, in many places, it still isn't safe at all to be oneself. Either way, it's obvious me being myself in any sort of 'sexual' way with a partner in public brings out 'intense' emotions, pro or con. Which means, I can't just blend in if I am being myself, like a straight couple would probably fit in, unless of course they are actually 'doing it' on the stools! ;-)

I think the person who said they wondered what would happen if the couple wasn't attractive makes a good point, and, while gays and lesbians are more tolerated now, if it were a transgender person(s), observers may not be as accommodating.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ChristopherSays on March 28, 2009 at 5:24pm

Debra...

Thank you for the insightful and very well thought out response. While I agree much has changed. I too have been back to Arkansas a few times since adulthood. I’m afraid my experiences have not been as welcoming there or in the other small towns throughout the U.S. I’ve visited since I’ve been an adult. In fact, I was quite surprised upon returning to Arkansas, after having been away for ten years, to hear the N word still commonly used amongst the Protestant Anglo majority in the place I once knew as home. It is true as youth replaces those on death’s doorstep; attitudes evolve as those who welcome education and change become leaders. Just as you admitted there is not a day that goes by, even in the city in which I now live, that my behavior is not modified for safety’s sake. It is just as important not to underestimate those who oppose us. But having admitted this, I have gained a sense of pride like I’ve never had before due to forums such as GayWallet. My voice, OUR voice is being heard. When I lived in Arkansas, I was alone. And prior to finally being able to leave at 17 years old, I was sure my only way out was death. If nothing more, I hope that youths in such places (mentally and physically) can see there is away out beyond their own demise. The movement is much greater than any one individual and soon our day will come. We will walk equally amongst all...thanks to the many brave souls willing to put their lives on the line for nothing more than being themselves.

Debra said:

ChristopherSays said:

Put them in Arkansas. See how the crowd reacts when the two gay actors must contend with rural America.

Christopher, I grew up in rural Arkansas. My impression growing up is that gays, blacks, jews, Catholics, Muslim, Latinos etc were never a part of my daily life. I never felt indoctrinated to dislike any of these groups. My first view of the real world was when I went to college. I was totally turned on by the "bigger world" and could hardly wait to get out of what I felt was a very limiting Arkansas into a broader world. I embraced the differences in folks. Today, I am a lesbian in a 16 year committed relationship and I make occasional trips "back home". I feel the folks there are great and many, many have changed with the times. I'd hope not to underestimate them. I look at it as though there are a group of folks back there who just can't take surprises - of any kind: political. philosophical, in sexual preference, in religious viewpoints, in intellectual challenges. I feel kinda sorry for them. But do I alter my behavior back there? Do I kiss my sweetie on the street or hold hands on the sidewalk or gaze into her eyes in restaurants? I am ashamed to confess that I do alter my behaviors - sometimes... And sometimes I feel it is a good thing to show them a bit of a bigger world even after assessing the dangers. Take them out of their comfort zone a bit... Times are changing. I was delighted to see the folks in the bar take the case for the gay men. Whoever said it would have been different 10 years ago was right. How will it be in 10 more years? The answer to that question is why we must keep standing up to say we are here. We are just like everyone. We deserve respect. We deserve not to be fired or discriminated against because we are LGBT. We deserve our children and our families. We deserve...

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ChristopherSays on March 28, 2009 at 5:34pm

Yeah...like if your ugly brother were to sit in the SportsBar... At least I would have Jay (the pretty one) at my side to protect me. And of course my beautiful sister would be there to put everyone in their place!

Shannon said:

I was pleased with the reactions, even brought a little tear to my eye... But what if the couple were not so attractive? Someone I knew once (a straight guy) told me that lesbians were disgusting basing his opinion on a girl we knew who was not exactly pretty. When I asked him what if the girl looked like me and had a pretty girlfriend, he changed his mind. Now, that's disgusting.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ChristopherSays on March 28, 2009 at 5:43pm

I hope I didn’t sound too pessimistic. It is because of Erin and leaders like her that we will gain acceptance throughout the country. And for me, one who is not so brave, I will hopefully bring continued recognition to those who are making the difference by blogging, reading and getting the word out.

SistersTalk said:

I agree. This experiment would be interesting to see in different parts of the country.

Erin (the girl behind FagBug.com) takes her rainbow colored VW everywhere - even Fred Phelps land. She's really testing the waters in some not-so-safe territories.

ChristopherSays said:

Put them in Arkansas. See how the crowd reacts when the two gay actors must contend with rural America.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Shannon on March 28, 2009 at 5:52pm

You're just as beautiful as your sister... But she is pretty tough. :)

ChristopherSays said:

Yeah...like if your ugly brother were to sit in the SportsBar... At least I would have Jay (the pretty one) at my side to protect me. And of course my beautiful sister would be there to put everyone in their place!

Shannon said:

I was pleased with the reactions, even brought a little tear to my eye... But what if the couple were not so attractive? Someone I knew once (a straight guy) told me that lesbians were disgusting basing his opinion on a girl we knew who was not exactly pretty. When I asked him what if the girl looked like me and had a pretty girlfriend, he changed his mind. Now, that's disgusting.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Shannon on March 28, 2009 at 6:00pm

Being a straight girl, I also find straight couples making out more disturbing.
A lot of straight couples appear to have no inhibitions and it's accepted. Just look at the difference in what is portrayed in Hollywood movies. A kiss, or worse, a love scene, in a straight movie is much more graphic than in the few mainstream gay movies. Why is it okay for straight couples to slober all over one another, but a big deal is made if a gay couple leans in a little closely?

Scott said:

Being a gay man, I find straight couples making out more disturbing.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Susan on March 28, 2009 at 7:53pm

I so LOVED the one woman who went off towards the end!! I've done similar things in my time. I think the reatction would very greatly depending on the area of the country. From what I can tell typically, the more "Urban" the area, the more acceptance that you see. But, yes, it's nice to see thinks change, if slowly. I just came from a lovely wedding (straight) and we were sitting with a couple who happened to be gay (and married in Canada). A song came on and "ALL" the marreid couples were encouraged to get on the dance floor. The Bride and Groom would have welcomed the gay couple openly. But, despite our gentle proding, they did not want to possibly "ruin" the wedding for their friends. Very thoughtful of them, but yet sad that they must take that into consideration. Sad that a committed, loving couple can't dance at their friends wedding for fear of "ruining" the celebration. (Granted, MY dancing had ruined MANY a celebration....but that's another story!!!!)

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Terrible on March 28, 2009 at 10:28pm

The guy in the first scene that got mad at the abuser actor was good too. But the true down deep heart felt anger of the the women towards the end you're talking about is how we all should feel about any discrimination. It's true that shit just ain't right.

Susan said:

I so LOVED the one woman who went off towards the end!! I've done similar things in my time. I think the reatction would very greatly depending on the area of the country. From what I can tell typically, the more "Urban" the area, the more acceptance that you see. But, yes, it's nice to see thinks change, if slowly. I just came from a lovely wedding (straight) and we were sitting with a couple who happened to be gay (and married in Canada). A song came on and "ALL" the marreid couples were encouraged to get on the dance floor. The Bride and Groom would have welcomed the gay couple openly. But, despite our gentle proding, they did not want to possibly "ruin" the wedding for their friends. Very thoughtful of them, but yet sad that they must take that into consideration. Sad that a committed, loving couple can't dance at their friends wedding for fear of "ruining" the celebration. (Granted, MY dancing had ruined MANY a celebration....but that's another story!!!!)

▶ Reply to This

▶ Reply to This

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next ›
• Page