Is the "gay lifestyle" family-friendly?

[cursillo255]

Whether or not homosexuality is genetic, learned, trained, etc. - what’s with all the homoerotic pagentry in the “lifestyle” ??? Does anyone else feel repulsed by the “gay pride” parades and the like ??
Without condeming the gay individual or over-simplfying their trials, - this “gay mardi gras” we see at most of the “gay events” I find really disturbing. Gays and their most ardent supporters want to be accepted by everyone (even children), but as a parent how does one explain all the “drag queens”, immodest dress, public groping, simulated sex, chanting (“were queer where here!”, etc.), and all the the homo-erotic pagentry that seems to envelope most of the “gay pride” parades and gatherings which I’ve had the misfortune to witness both in person and on television ??

Most gays want to liken their “struggle for acceptance” to that of the civil rights movements of the '60s or Woman suffrage in the early 20th century, but were these minority and woman’s groups so vulgar, “in your face”, disrepectful, neo-pagan, and R-rated ??
No, not at all. I do believe that much of the “gay community” brings a great deal of scorn upon themselves by behaving as the neo-pagans which many Christians believe their lifestyle alone would amply categorize them as being. I think a “movement” such as gay rights or a gay agenda, etc., being premised on grave mortal sin, brings out the worst behavior in many of it’s adherents. Fornicators and adulterers commit grave mortal sin as well, -but they don’t generally feel a need to rally for their way of life and wear their “Fornicators pride!” t-shirts while professing a mantra that “Adultery is all about love”.

discuss …

 

[havala]

I agree, some gays and lesbians defeat their own purpose by making a mockery or a spectacle out of their condition. While these people have some growing up to do, the media flocks to their aid, as sensationalism sells. The media has done a lot to alter the world’s perception of what gays are really like. Probably, most gays do not participate in public displays of affection, and many of them remain celebate in fear of exposing their sexual orientation to public judgement. I suggest that we should not support media that exploit immaturity, and explain, as parents/guardians, the situation of homosexuality in society in our own words to children when the time is right.

 

[Edwin1961]

havala wrote…I agree, some gays and lesbians defeat their own purpose by making a mockery or a spectacle out of their condition. While these people have some growing up to do, the media flocks to their aid, as sensationalism sells.

it sounds like an emigna.
Self pride that is displayed at their ‘festivals’ is very destructive.
I used to condone such events and even took part in them.
Once I was exposed to The Truth. I have found such festivals a destructive form of advertising ever.

The gay ‘lifestyle?’ is most certainly NOT family friendly. Two parents of the same sex, you gotta be kidding!
My father did not know how to bond with me since I had/have a visual impairment so I bonded more closer to my mother. Even with my father still a major part of my upbringing, I could be said that it was like being raised by one parent.
(Later, five years ago, my father lived with me until he passed away in 2002). As an adult, he saw how I conducted my life with my eyesight and gave me praise and encouragement.

Go with God!
Edwin

 

[snuffy]

Absolutely NOT family-friendly.
I think these gay pride parades are disgusting. In fact they should be illegal. But who would make them illegal when many many politicians actually participate in these disgusting parades.
What is this world coming to?
Obviously, these homosexuals who parade around in these parades have NO morals… Sick
Jeanette

 

[Jennifer123]

I think there’s a movement within the gay community to try to tone down these type of events. The community is becoming very saavy about presenting more “acceptable” images in order to if not get people to agree completely with homosexuality, then to make it seem “not so bad”.

If you see coverage of gay marriage on TV these days, you’ll see images of attractive women together, there’s very little physical contact, and less images of two men together.

The public is being “marketed” and I imagine that soon only the very militant activists will be making these spectacles. IMO - The “mainstream” gay community will soon denounce this behavior in an effort to better market their lifestyle - make it seem more “middle america”.

 

[system]

The gay lifestyle is by definition anti-family. All the prergonal in the world will not make a lesbian a mother without a man. By setting up a counterfeit sex life they try to have a happy home but the foundation is built on a falsehood. Catholicism is so good at telling the truth. Sex is for love AND children. Not either/or, but both/and.

It is the natural consequence of their misguided attempts to be happy, that they parade so shamefully. One cannot ignore God’s plan and find joy.

Gay sex is very different than heterosexal sex. The fruits of sodomy are therefore very different than the fruits of a married couple. How exactly does anal sodomy and fellatio benefit the society?

We are following an interesting parallel to the Reformation. Ordination was redefined and while ministers today may lead others to Christ they are no more ordained than a layman. Gays may say they are married but the matter involved to eefect the sacarament is wrong and therefore illegitimate from the get go and will stay that way forever.

 

[xthread]

I understand this thread hasn’t been active in something like five years. It’s my hope that commenting on this will make it active again, but I’m not sure how this works so it may not, who knows.

First, I would like to say that The American Psychological Association believes that homosexuals are no threat to the family, as many are parents and may more wish to be parents. In the 2000 U.S. Census, 33% of female same-sex couple households and 22% of male same-sex couple households reported at least one child under the age of 18 living in the home. Furthemore, social science has shown that the concerns often raised about children of lesbian and gay parents—concerns that are generally grounded in prejudice against and stereotypes about gay people—are unfounded. Overall, the research indicates that the children of lesbian and gay parents do not differ markedly from the children of heterosexual parents in their development, adjustment, or overall well-being (source).

Second, the behaviors so many of you consider “vile” such as oral sex and anal sex are accepted by the American Psychological Association (and many other associations) as normal. Whoever says otherwise has clearly not done any research or read any studies on sex and sexuality lately. Not only is anal sex “normal” but it’s being talked about more and more, meaning that it’s becoming recognized. We would also have to get into what the word “normal” means. Which really, is completely subjective. Oral and anal sex both are prevalent in heterosexual marriages. Why is it only unnatural when occuring between others?

Third, the supposed complementarity of the sexes is a God-ordained requirement for sexual relationships… But “masculinity” and “femininity” are stereotypes. Personality traits in real people are mixed and cover the map. Any two people, men or women, could easily qualify as complementary on some psychological characteristics or other. Therefore, the complementarity in question must be biological, and appeal to complementarity is just a roundabout way of insisting that only a male and a female may share sex. Thus, the real argument comes down to this: Homosexual sex is wrong because it is not heterosexual; homosexual couples may not share sex because only sex between a man and a woman is allowed. The argument explains nothing; it is circular. The argument of complementarity appears to claim that the only permissible sexual act is penile-vaginal intercourse—but no reason is given for this claim, and few believe it anyway (see point two).

Fourth, Pride Parades are a terrible representation of the Queer Community at large. A significant portion of the pride parades are overtly sexual, and sex in public is possibly not the best image the queer community could present people with, since it is only such a small part of who they are and what their lives are about. Queer people live just as varied lives (with just as varied beliefs and values) as heterosexual people, and the idea that they have either a lifestyle or agenda–which are both myths–will not be put to rest if their public displays involve men gyrating in thongs, drag shows, immodest dress, public groping, simulated sex, or anything else homo-erotic that occurs at these events. People already think that there is a “gay agenda” that involves corrupting the next geneation, so, to turn on the news and see these parades, well, it does not do the queer community ANY good, frankly.

HOWEVER, these parades are, basically, public representations of the behavior generally kept hidden within the club and bar setting. The events that occur in these clubs and bars (drag shows, same-sex kissing, immodest dress, groping and grinding and wild dancing) are part of gay CLUB AND BAR “culture.” Nothing more. Gay pride attempts to show the world that they are proud of who they are – even proud of the things they do in private. Again, not all gays do this and not all gays feel this way. Many gays are just as horrified by gay “pride” as straight society is. The real question is, where exactly does one draw the line between freedom of expression and what the pride events presently involve? I personally stand on the side of the issue that says the queer community pushes what is allowed in public a little too far. But, understand, there are plenty of people who do not feel that public sexuality is anything that one should be ashamed of, or anything to protect your children from seeing. I am just not one of those people.

Fifth, I’ll concede that a queer lifestyle is anti-Catholic, in that it denies Catholic tenants that sex is for love AND children. In Catholicism, for a valid marriage to take place, the union must be free, total, faithful, and designed to give life. All of these characteristics are necessary. (A couple who agrees to marry and have children, but refuses to be faithful to one another is not “married”. Likewise, a couple willing to have an exclusive and lifelong relationship, but incapable of having the sexual relations designed to give life, would be incapable of marriage. Since their bodies cannot express the vows of a married couple, they cannot get married.) Source.

Anyway, I am not Catholic, nor do I agree with much Catholic doctrine. I can only argue from my perspective. Which stands hand-in-hand with what science can show/teach me.

 

[sanctamaria17]

While I do think that living with a same-sex romantic partner is not compatible with the Catholic faith, I personally have no problem with two men or two women living together in whatever relationship, provided that they are consenting adults and that whatever should be private stays that way. If they should live that way and are kind to everyone else, I see nothing anti-family about it. I feel the same about divorced-remarried-not-annulled couples. Not in line with Catholic teaching (and if you are a practicing Catholic and choose to be or remain as such, that’s a no-no), but for non-Catholics living their lives quietly, whatever. Speak the truth in love, let God be their judge, and allow them to live as they choose, provided they’re not severely harming anyone according to our secular laws.

HOWEVER, I have a HUGE problem with people chanting it in the streets, being provocative. I understand standing up against bullying, etc and I do not condone gay-bashing or people murdering others just because of something they cannot control. That’s wrong. It’s cruel. I can understand the need to stand up against it.

At the same time, if they want to be treated like everyone else, they shouldn’t rub sexual preference in the face of others. I don’t see people running up and down the streets singing, “We’re straight and that’s great” simulating sex with each other. If you want people to see you to be as family friendly as everyone else, you have to actually act family friendly. You can’t have it both ways.

 

[Annn]

Whether or not homosexuality is genetic, learned, trained, etc. - what’s with all the homoerotic pagentry in the “lifestyle” ??? Does anyone else feel repulsed by the “gay pride” parades and the like ??
Without condeming the gay individual or over-simplfying their trials, - this “gay mardi gras” we see at most of the “gay events” I find really disturbing. Gays and their most ardent supporters want to be accepted by everyone (even children), but as a parent how does one explain all the “drag queens”, immodest dress, public groping, simulated sex, chanting (“were queer where here!”, etc.), and all the the homo-erotic pagentry that seems to envelope most of the “gay pride” parades and gatherings which I’ve had the misfortune to witness both in person and on television ??

Most gays want to liken their “struggle for acceptance” to that of the civil rights movements of the '60s or Woman suffrage in the early 20th century, but were these minority and woman’s groups so vulgar, “in your face”, disrepectful, neo-pagan, and R-rated ??
No, not at all. I do believe that much of the “gay community” brings a great deal of scorn upon themselves by behaving as the neo-pagans which many Christians believe their lifestyle alone would amply categorize them as being. I think a “movement” such as gay rights or a gay agenda, etc., being premised on grave mortal sin, brings out the worst behavior in many of it’s adherents. Fornicators and adulterers commit grave mortal sin as well, -but they don’t generally feel a need to rally for their way of life and wear their “Fornicators pride!” t-shirts while professing a mantra that “Adultery is all about love”.

discuss …

I guess it’s important to note that “the gay community” is not a monolithic entity. Using people who perform lewd acts in public to represent the community seems to me like saying, “Oh, well straight folks have strip clubs, so obviously the straight lifestyle is not family-friendly, and it degrades women.” Gay folks come in all kinds just like straight folks do. Some have been with the same person since they were 18, and some couldn’t remain faithful to someone for a day.

 

[Matrix_Refugee]

I have a gay friend who’s quietly open about what he is, who admitted to me he’s a bit embarrassed by Pride parades. Not because he doesn’t think people should be honest about who and what they are, but, in his words, “Some of the displays get over the top, and then some Right-wingers start to think we all wear glitter and sequined bikinis.”

 

[xthread]

“…I personally have no problem with two men or two women living together in whatever relationship, provided that they are consenting adults and that whatever should be private stays that way. If they should live that way and are kind to everyone else, I see nothing anti-family about it. …] HOWEVER, I have a HUGE problem with people chanting it in the streets, being provocative. …] if they want to be treated like everyone else, **they shouldn’t rub sexual preference in the face of others. I don’t see people running up and down the streets singing, “We’re straight and that’s great” simulating sex with each other. ** If you want people to see you to be as family friendly as everyone else, you have to actually act family friendly. You can’t have it both ways” (emphasis added by xthread).

I will attempt to respond to this, and explain why some of those in the queer community choose to respond to their place in society in this manner.

First of all, heterosexuals DO, in many other ways, run up and down the streets singing that they are straight and it is great, rubbing their sexual preference in the face of others. Just by being heterosexual they do this, because it is assumed of all people, unless they state otherwise, that a person is heterosexual. They don’t need to petition or scream, because everything sexual they do is accepted (and commonly overlooked) just because it is the norm. And because heterosexuality is the norm, people flip to see gay people embracing their sexuality. When we turn on the television, almost every television show has a heterosexual cast that has heterosexual relations. Many television shows are overtly sexual. I feel like Pride Parades are the queer community’s attempt to show the world (because they can’t do it through the media) their wild side, and the position that sexuality isn’t something that one should be ashamed of, that sex and sexuality are a natural part of human life. There are a significant number of people, homosexual and heterosexual alike, that feel that sex is not something that should be contained to a bedroom or sheilded away from children, shamed, etc. This is not a “gay” thing. Many people feel that children should be exposed to sex and sexuality in a way that is age-appropriate, showing them that it is not wrong, gross, dirty or shameful.

I believe I had more points, but I got distracted and have forgotten.

 

[Dale_M]

Xthread, welcome to Catholic Answers Forums, or CAF as it is often called. I hope you enjoy your visits here and that you are able to learn as well as teach.

Although I agree with much of what you have written, I do want to point out out a rule of CAF. You mentioned that this thread is quite old and hadn’t been commented on for five years. This means it would be considered a “dead thread.” Resurrecting dead threads by adding a comment after years of inactivity is frowned upon, because often the previous commenters have moved on and can’t reply to new comments. The preferred course of action, if you find a dead thread of interest, is to start a new thread on that topic.

I know you just joined CAF and aren’t familiar with the rules. And I apologize for greeting you with what may appear to be a scolding. But I did want to let you know of this policy.

At the same time, if they want to be treated like everyone else, they shouldn’t rub sexual preference in the face of others. I don’t see people running up and down the streets singing, “We’re straight and that’s great” simulating sex with each other. If you want people to see you to be as family friendly as everyone else, you have to actually act family friendly. You can’t have it both ways.

Ah, but you see… its the family-friendly gays and lesbians who blend in, so they are much harder to spot. If they don’t engage in a public display of affection, how would you know if two men or two women are an item?

I have to disagree with your comment that heterosexuals don’t flaunt their sexuality - we hear it in music, and see it on TV, in movies, and in public displays of affection. Its everywhere.

Yes, some of the pride parades have tawdry elements. They embarrass many gays and lesbians, and many do not attend for that very reason. Please don’t judge all gays and lesbians by the most outrageous elements. There is a great deal of diversity in the gay and lesbian community, and contrary to the title of this thread, there is no such thing as a “gay lifestyle.” People are just too diverse for such a sweeping phrase.