Life in Gay New York

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TrueLight

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Yesterday I was on the train, and directly across from was a gay couple. The men were entwined in each other’s arms. One had his hand on the other’s thigh. They took turns nuzzling each other.

I did everything I could to not look at them. I looked at the train ads and read them over and over. I looked to my left and two my right, every now and then sneaking a glance at them. Now grant you I was wearing my crucifix. I could see them sneaking glances at me too. Did I imagine a look of defiance?

Finally one of them went to sleep in the arms of the other.

I tried so hard to maintain a neutral expression on my face but I couldn’t help but think that just 5 years ago, they would not be so openly affectionate.

I was relieved when I got off the train. I had to transfer to another train, and that involved going up a staircase. As I got to the top of the staircase, I saw a female, gay couple. They were french kissing at the top of the stairs.

My how bold we’ve become.

Is this the world we have to look forward to?

How many of you have experienced anything like this in your face homosexuality?
 
That kind of behavior is inappropriate whether the couple is homosexual or not.
 
I think you’d have to go back more than 5 years not to see that in NYC. But if it’s accepted for heterosexual couples to have PDAs like that in public, you’re going to have a hard time making the case that homosexual couples shouldn’t. Mind you, my beliefs on homosexual behavior are in line with the Church’s, but obviously not everyone shares that belief.
 
TrueLight said:
Yesterday I was on the train, and directly across from was a gay couple. The men were entwined in each other’s arms. One had his hand on the other’s thigh. They took turns nuzzling each other.

I did everything I could to not look at them. I looked at the train ads and read them over and over. I looked to my left and two my right, every now and then sneaking a glance at them. Now grant you I was wearing my crucifix. I could see them sneaking glances at me too. Did I imagine a look of defiance?

Finally one of them went to sleep in the arms of the other.

I tried so hard to maintain a neutral expression on my face but I couldn’t help but think that just 5 years ago, they would not be so openly affectionate.

I was relieved when I got off the train. I had to transfer to another train, and that involved going up a staircase. As I got to the top of the staircase, I saw a female, gay couple. They were french kissing at the top of the stairs.

My how bold we’ve become.

Is this the world we have to look forward to?

How many of you have experienced anything like this in your face homosexuality?
Click to expand...
TrueLight, if this is the worst thing you’ve experienced in New York City, then consider yourself fortunate. Anyhow, as a veteran subway rider, I can tell you that when riding the subway, the law is you MUST either be reading a book or newspaper, listening to music with your earphones attached, or tweeting. At the same time, ALWAYS watch out for pickpockets and terrorists but NEVER look at other people in the subway car for more than two seconds.
 
Smile when you detect a look of defiance. Say a prayer for any stranger you see who is engaged in immoral behavior. Look away when you see a couple engaged in over the top public displays of affection, no matter if it’s a gay or straight couple. If they’re strangers to you, I highly doubt an encounter in the spirit of fraternal correction or spreading the Gospel would be in any way productive.

Unless we work for Catholic organizations, like a parish or a Catholic charity, in many moments in our everyday lives we’re the only face of practicing Catholicism others encounter. I have to constantly, constantly remind myself of this. My words and my actions represent the Faith in my secular, public life, and I frequently stop and ask myself, “Luna, would someone want to be Catholic after what you just did or what you just said?”

Also keep in mind that - as distasteful as it is - people don’t engage in PDAs to make you uncomfortable. My personal theory is they do it because they’re insecure about the relationship they’re in.

Luna
 
meltzerboy said:
TrueLight, if this is the worst thing you’ve experienced in New York City, then consider yourself fortunate. Anyhow, as a veteran subway rider, I can tell you that when riding the subway, the law is you MUST either be reading a book or newspaper, listening to music with your earphones attached, or tweeting. At the same time, ALWAYS watch out for pickpockets and terrorists but NEVER look at other people in the subway car for more than two seconds.
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Oh, yes. And I usually keep my sunglasses to avoid any prolonged eye contact.
 
meltzerboy said:
TrueLight, if this is the worst thing you’ve experienced in New York City, then consider yourself fortunate. Anyhow, as a veteran subway rider, I can tell you that when riding the subway, the law is you MUST either be reading a book or newspaper, listening to music with your earphones attached, or tweeting. At the same time, ALWAYS watch out for pickpockets and terrorists but NEVER look at other people in the subway car for more than two seconds.
Click to expand...
😃
 
TrueLight said:
Yesterday I was on the train, and directly across from was a gay couple. The men were entwined in each other’s arms. One had his hand on the other’s thigh. They took turns nuzzling each other.

I did everything I could to not look at them. I looked at the train ads and read them over and over. I looked to my left and two my right, every now and then sneaking a glance at them. Now grant you I was wearing my crucifix. I could see them sneaking glances at me too. Did I imagine a look of defiance?

Finally one of them went to sleep in the arms of the other.

I tried so hard to maintain a neutral expression on my face but I couldn’t help but think that just 5 years ago, they would not be so openly affectionate.

I was relieved when I got off the train. I had to transfer to another train, and that involved going up a staircase. As I got to the top of the staircase, I saw a female, gay couple. They were french kissing at the top of the stairs.

My how bold we’ve become.

Is this the world we have to look forward to?

How many of you have experienced anything like this in your face homosexuality?
Click to expand...
So?

Were you wearing a crucifix or were you wearing your faith on your sleeve by wearing it on top?

One of them went to sleep in the other’s arms, how grossly indecent is that?

uh okay.

They should be like some heterosexual couples I’ve seen and groped each other enough to moan…

I’ve seen worse, much worse from heterosexuals.
meltzerboy said:
TrueLight, if this is the worst thing you’ve experienced in New York City, then consider yourself fortunate. Anyhow, as a veteran subway rider, I can tell you that when riding the subway, the law is you MUST either be reading a book or newspaper, listening to music with your earphones attached, or tweeting. At the same time, ALWAYS watch out for pickpockets and terrorists but NEVER look at other people in the subway car for more than two seconds.
Click to expand...
The rules
Luna_Lovecraft said:
Smile when you detect a look of defiance. Say a prayer for any stranger you see who is engaged in immoral behavior. Look away when you see a couple engaged in over the top public displays of affection, no matter if it’s a gay or straight couple. If they’re strangers to you, I highly doubt an encounter in the spirit of fraternal correction or spreading the Gospel would be in any way productive.

Unless we work for Catholic organizations, like a parish or a Catholic charity, in many moments in our everyday lives we’re the only face of practicing Catholicism others encounter. I have to constantly, constantly remind myself of this. My words and my actions represent the Faith in my secular, public life, and I frequently stop and ask myself, “Luna, would someone want to be Catholic after what you just did or what you just said?”

Also keep in mind that - as distasteful as it is - people don’t engage in PDAs to make you uncomfortable. My personal theory is they do it because they’re insecure about the relationship they’re in.

Luna
Click to expand...
Yes, we are frequently the public faces of religion.

Or perhaps it is hormonally drive, you know basic biology and all.
 
I am shocked.

Shocked that this is some kind of new experience for you. I live in what New Yorkers would call po dunk. And I see it all the time. But, I also see kids in thier early teens who give PDAs that testify to their sexual inappropriate. I am far from a Gay apologist but I have to wonder why this disturbed you so much. It is the world we live in. The society we have created. We live in sinful times and what you described was not a big deal in the scheme of things.

Yup, gay people go out in public. Yup, they are bold. Yup, they are sinning. One just has to wonder, where have you been for the last 20 years or so.🤷
 
meltzerboy said:
TrueLight, if this is the worst thing you’ve experienced in New York City, then consider yourself fortunate. Anyhow, as a veteran subway rider, I can tell you that when riding the subway, the law is you MUST either be reading a book or newspaper, listening to music with your earphones attached, or tweeting. At the same time, ALWAYS watch out for pickpockets and terrorists but NEVER look at other people in the subway car for more than two seconds.
Click to expand...
I second that. No matter how packed the subway car is, you never look at another person. And as far as affectionate homosexual couples (and heterosexual couples), I too have seen it many times and have learned that you just turn the other way.

It doesn’t seem like it makes sense, but there are just too many people in NYC to let anyone know you actually are aware of them.

BTW, I often find our mayor and other government officials a lot scarier than “terrorists.” 😉
 
katy said:
As a non-New Yorker, what is the problem with eye contact?:confused:
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It is an unwritten rule in this city that the only people who make prolonged eye contact are ones with nefarious motives. The others are too busy just trying to get where they’re going and battling thousands and thousands of people to do it.
 
Brooklyn said:
I second that. No matter how packed the subway car is, you never look at another person. And as far as affectionate homosexual couples (and heterosexual couples), I too have seen it many times and have learned that you just turn the other way.

It doesn’t seem like it makes sense, but there are just too many people in NYC to let anyone know you actually are aware of them.

BTW, I often find our mayor and other government officials a lot scarier than “terrorists.” 😉
Click to expand...
To your last statement, LOL! Especially Mayor Bloomberg’s new role as food police monitoring the size of sugary soda drinks. Unlike cigarette smoking, which can harm others, which foods we eat, drink, and can afford is none of the government’s business. (Don’t mean to derail the thread, however.)
 
I havereadall of these comments because I am a native San Franciscan – you wouldn’t believe the conduct of some of the gays. Several years ago on a Sunday I went to downtown San Francisco – it definitely wasn’t the day of the Gay Pride Parade – I would have had enough sense not to attend that – BUT the street car was loaded with gays and they were all over one another – kisssing, hugging – you name it. In spite of the fact that there scores of gays in SF I was totally aghast at the behavior. This isn’t correct for anyone – straight or gay – I do believe this kind of behavior should be private!!!
 
katy said:
As a non-New Yorker, what is the problem with eye contact?:confused:
Click to expand...
Well, it’s kinda like if some strange city slicker was staring at you on a tractor for a prolonged period of time. Only in a subway it is hundreds of weirdos not just one.😃
 
Brooklyn said:
I second that. No matter how packed the subway car is, you never look at another person. And as far as affectionate homosexual couples (and heterosexual couples), I too have seen it many times and have learned that you just turn the other way.

It doesn’t seem like it makes sense, but there are just too many people in NYC to let anyone know you actually are aware of them.

BTW, I often find our mayor and other government officials a lot scarier than “terrorists.” 😉
Click to expand...
From what you and meltzerboy are describing, Brooklyn,

Methinks I prefer being close enough to hear the numerous rattlesnakes at Badlands National Park in South Dakota than deal with, and/or try not to make eye contact with, the New York Subway people. :bigyikes:

And I say this as one who just returned from a trip to the Badlands having heard the aforementioned rattlesnakes up close and personal. The Badlands of course has its own share of things to beware of if you want to both survive and do so in a healthy manner.

As further background, I was raised in Western New York near Buffalo / Niagara Falls and currently live in the Cleveland, OH area. (But would love a more rural environment.)

And besides, I love it when a thread topic gives me a chance to use my favorite CAF emoticon, namely … * drumroll please * … :bigyikes:

Good-naturedly, 🙂

~~ the phoenix
 
katy said:
As a non-New Yorker, what is the problem with eye contact?:confused:
Click to expand...
Everything, you just don’t do it.
Brooklyn said:
I second that. No matter how packed the subway car is, you never look at another person. And as far as affectionate homosexual couples (and heterosexual couples), I too have seen it many times and have learned that you just turn the other way.

It doesn’t seem like it makes sense, but there are just too many people in NYC to let anyone know you actually are aware of them.

BTW, I often find our mayor and other government officials a lot scarier than “terrorists.” 😉
Click to expand...
New York City or Fahrenheit 451?

It’s not like they’ve framed people to meet quotas, brutalized protesters/journalist or done extreme racial profiling…
 
TrueLight said:
Yesterday I was on the train, and directly across from was a gay couple. The men were entwined in each other’s arms. One had his hand on the other’s thigh. They took turns nuzzling each other.

I did everything I could to not look at them. I looked at the train ads and read them over and over. I looked to my left and two my right, every now and then sneaking a glance at them. Now grant you I was wearing my crucifix. I could see them sneaking glances at me too. Did I imagine a look of defiance?

Finally one of them went to sleep in the arms of the other.

I tried so hard to maintain a neutral expression on my face but I couldn’t help but think that just 5 years ago, they would not be so openly affectionate.

I was relieved when I got off the train. I had to transfer to another train, and that involved going up a staircase. As I got to the top of the staircase, I saw a female, gay couple. They were french kissing at the top of the stairs.

My how bold we’ve become.

Is this the world we have to look forward to?

How many of you have experienced anything like this in your face homosexuality?
Click to expand...
No. We don’t have to look at it. We don’t have to acknowledge it.

Peace,
Ed
 
the_phoenix said:
From what you and meltzerboy are describing, Brooklyn,

Methinks I prefer being close enough to hear the numerous rattlesnakes at Badlands National Park in South Dakota than deal with, and/or try not to make eye contact with, the New York Subway people. :bigyikes:

And I say this as one who just returned from a trip to the Badlands having heard the aforementioned rattlesnakes up close and personal. The Badlands of course has its own share of things to beware of if you want to both survive and do so in a healthy manner.

As further background, I was raised in Western New York near Buffalo / Niagara Falls and currently live in the Cleveland, OH area. (But would love a more rural environment.)

And besides, I love it when a thread topic gives me a chance to use my favorite CAF emoticon, namely … * drumroll please * … :bigyikes:

Good-naturedly, 🙂

~~ the phoenix
Click to expand...
I’d actually prefer to be in the Badlands myself, just because it is so beautiful. But in defense of my city, there are literally millions of people who ride the subway every day, and the vast, vast majority are very good people and even though it may not seem like it, most of us look out for each other. A couple of months ago I got off a train and had unknowingly left my bag on the train. The guy I was sitting next to actually got up and ran out of the train to give it to me. The problem is, you can never be sure who the bad guys are or when they will show up, so you always have to keep your guard up.
 
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