Don't you love when the closeted tell those whose of us who are honest how we should live our life.

[hrmjustin]

Makes me sick!

[lunasun]

1. ask them- which "life"?

they sort of have 2 sometimes more!.........

[undergroundpanther]

2. I dunno why

some people so desperately want to control other people's lives,sex lives identities, gender expressions,etc.
I wish the control freak bully assholes would all shut up, leave people alone,and quit the control shit and worry about their own petty pointless lives and get out of yours and mine and every one else's lives.
The world is not church. ugh.Hate control freaks,
Ask 'em if religion to them means being a despicable asshole for jesus.

[Initech]

5. It's power they're after, not control.

People that hide behind religion think it makes them more powerful than the people they look down on. But really they're just liars and bullies, the very kind of people that Jesus preached against. Its really sickening. Reagan gave the uber religious (or as I call them the "hypocritical self righteous&quot absolute power during his reign and they've refused to let go of it and embrace social changes. Argh they drive me nuts.

[uriel1972]

3. The only thing I would tell others to do...

Is to do what makes them happy as long as it doesn't hurt others.

I don't say that "Do unto others" bit as tastes may differ.

[closeupready]

4. I treat closeted gay people like straight people - X

I avoid them and heterosexuals both when I have a choice. I won't make friends with them, I won't go to films with them, parties ditto, I won't socialize with them. With extremely rare exceptions.

Why are people even looking to closeted gay people in order to learn anything useful, or as authorities?

Since they are lying from Day One, you can't trust them to be honest about ANYTHING.

[undergroundpanther]

6. I agree with you,liars are liars.

But Some reasons to lie are legit,have a genuine reason,and sometimes that reason is harmful,benign,or just self preservation done right or wrong.

Like if there was say,a kill the gays campaign to hunt and kill gays by religious nuts gone power crazy,and they came banging on my door you bet I'd lie my ass off that I had the gay or had gay friends,and 20 gays hiding in my attic waiting to be led out of danger by a group doing an underground sorta railroad thing.

I would go to my grave repeating that lie to save others lives who are innocent.
My mom is 86 uses the wrong pronouns and my birth name,shes 86 I'm not gonna get up her crawl over name & gender pronouns.
My sisters the monsters they are,however I will get in their face about it. I'd prefer them to never ever see me again as long as I live though.

[closeupready]

7. Right, I agree that as loved ones age, you have to let go

of a lot of stuff you'd otherwise make a big deal about. And some people are so fascinating or brilliant that it can be impossible to hold their closetedness against them. For example, Anderson Cooper pre-coming out. Or a writer whose books you adore. Or even just someone you've just met who reminds you of an old friend - there may come a time in the establishment of the relationship when you can broach the subject of sexual orientation (for Anglos, that point comes sooner rather than later), but it's likely not the kind of thing you can ask bluntly about without seeming ignorant or rude.

I'm referencing more the social circles or types of activities in which I'll participate willingly. For example, they'll have various parades here or street markets, festivals, etc., and I just don't see the point for someone like myself, who is openly gay. For all its advantages, New York is still in many ways a deeply homophobic place, in most places. Sometimes, Chelsea queens will myopically go, 'oh, Mary, what are you talking about?' and I'm just like sure, it's easy for you to say that.

Anyway, those are my admittedly muddled thoughts. Have a great Thursday, undergroundpanther!

[Fearless]

8. Umm is this a trick question?

Clearly no.

But as an openly gay man, I will play devil's advocate and also say I'm sure they don't like it when we tell them how to live their lives either.

Everyone should just leave everyone well enough alone. Life is too short to squabble amongst ourselves. Be supportive of those seeking support. Let alone those who aren't, but leave a door open in case they ever do. Treat others the way you'd like to be treated. Etc.

EDIT TO ADD: There's a lot of stereotyping and at least one major double standard going on in this thread. MLK dreamed of a world where Black people were judged based on the content of their character and not the color of their skin. We'd all do well to keep in mind the spirit of that statement and not group all people into classifications based on factors which they have no control over, such as sexual orientation.