Gay friends

Niksik · February 10, 2011, 7:08pm

Re: Gay friends

Inspired by the multitude of threads, I want to put out a more practical reality and question.

For those of us living in the West where there is social acceptance of gays, lesbians and transgendered people and most of us likely know first-hand a person who lives the lifestyle, how many of you would choose to be friends or if not friends, then at least friendly with a GLT person? Would any one you choose to not be friends and keep a distance - if so, why?

Where would you draw the line on your friendship or acquaintance?

Personally, through work I had two colleagues who are gay. We were pretty friendly at work and even after they left our place of employment, I will meet up for lunch or coffee just to catch up with one another.

For people living in the East, where the same reality exists but it’s brushed under the rug, how many of you would choose to be friends or friendly with someone who was G/L/T?

I had a gay colleague many years ago and he was a very nice gentleman. My friendship was limited to coffee at break time in the office, a casual exchange of the days events and that’s pretty much it. I didn’t have any issues with him or his behavior. Then we had a gay realtor but that dude was really feminine..the only thing he didn’t do was wear nail paint but I can almost certainly say he wore blush. Anyway, aside from that, he was good at what he did and I again, had no issues with him.

The thing is that I really don’t care what anyone does with their life until it flows into mine in some way that I feel is negative. At that point I create a distance. It doesn’t matter if that person is a homosexual or heterosexual.