This seems like one of those stand up and be united and show the world that we're a segment of society type things. I agree with everything you said, too. The world is well aware of the fact that homosexuals are a segment of society along with every other segment of society. Creating an exclusionary event like the "Gay Games" is simply that... exclusionary.

If the stipulation for entry into any event is anything but "you must be human," we are discluding people and creating further division. We need more events like, say, those cultural celebrations where everyone is invited to share in the beauty of a culture. I attended a Latin festival last summer with fine cuisine and dancing and literature and it really had a spirit of sharing.

I would not have attended were it a "We're Of Latin Origin Watch Us Come Together And Play Sports With Ourselves And Not You Because You're NOT Of Latin Origin" festival.

That's just cultural masturbation.

I don't believe I've ever had the occasion to use the phrase "cultural masturbation" and I'm very excited about that.

"Just sit back and let the AFA look foolish, forcing their kids to eat sucky Velveeta shells and cheese."

Velveeta is a Kraft product. And your whole post is stupid. Why don't you do some research before you hit the post button.

You're right, Charles. I didn't research the parent company of Velveeta. My whole argument is baseless.

I guess the poor AFA kids don't have any good cheese and noodle products to choose from now.

Get a life, Charles. Just because Elyas isn't fellating every event championed by leftists doesn't make him bigoted or stupid.

I'm all for gay rights, and gay pride, but I think this sort of self-imposed segregation goes a bit too far. The entire point of the movement is to eliminate the differentiation between heterosexuals and homosexuals, but apparently that can't be done without first much trumpet-blowing and "Look and me: I'm gay!"

Certainly, it's a sensitive issue, and I certainly understand that this sort of candor is necessary to make heterosexuals understand and accept that there are homosexuals in the world. This is why I support gay pride parades. But Gay Games seems to me to cross the line from raising public awareness to flaunting their differences. Is there anything about sports that are at all changed by sexual orientation? No. Leave it alone.

OK, Let me explain why the Gay Games exist in a way that is so simple that everyone here should be able to understand it.

Homophobia and prejudice against gays and lesbians is _extremely_ pervasive in many sports. In most sports, being openly gay means you get kicked off the team. If you don't get kicked off the team, you get harassed until you leave the team for your own safety.

The reason that the Gay Games exist is so that gay atheletes can participate in sports without being harassed. It is not about "flaunting", "trumpet blowing", or saying "Look at Me: I'm Gay!" If you actually attended the games, or even did the slightest little bit of research on the subject other than knee-jerk reactions, you would understand this.

Let me clarify my statements:

I can understand why the Gay Games exist. I'm not against them. I just don't think it's an issue that is worth politicizing.

If homophobia is extremely pervasive in sports, then I would actively support a campaign for integration. That is a civil rights issue. That is a gay rights issue. The Negro Baseball League existed for a similar reason, but ultimately it took the courage of someone like Jackie Robinson to force the major leagues to accept an integrated game.

I can understand the value of the Gay Games for the gay and lesbian subculture. But if I am going to politically support something, petition corporations and whatnot, then I want it to be something that advances the cause. I want the openly gay athletes who are kicked off the teams you mentioned, Byron, to take it to court, to raise hell about it in the media, and to confront their harassers instead of hiding from them.

Where's the gay Jackie Robinson?

FYI, some folk are already boycotting Kraft because another part of the same corporation makes cigarettes.

Anyway, the folk who would boycott Kraft for sponsoring the Gay Games are probably already boycotting every company that advertises in gay magazines (I suspect Kraft does).

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