Solved: LGBTQIA people. Is there a need for a sub-forum?

[El Hefe 612]

Okay… First, I know I'm new here. Second, I'm genuinely curious. And third, I read the entire 18-page thread of the "LGBTQ Divers?" question. As a openly gay, married man I would love to have a place to connect with other gay men, women, and like-minded individuals to discuss dive travel opportunities, to find dive buddies without having to worry about whether or not they might have a problem with me, and to feel comfortable talking about things that might impact us.


If possible, I'd like to have a board created under Non-Geographic Clubs called:


LGBTQIA Divers and Their Friends


I have spent the past week-and-a-half searching the internet (and this board) for such clubs, and I was surprised how lacking they were. It's been six years since the original question was posted in the thread referenced above. I know if I'm interested, that there are probably many others who would be too, but they may just be afraid to ask. Many of the responses in the thread above were not very understanding of what it is like living as an LGBTQIA individual in a predominantly heteronormative global society. Having such a space is not about excluding anyone, it's about having space where we don't have to worry about being who we are and can focus on what we love - diving (among many other things).


Thanks!

 

[divad]

What is so peculiar about LBGTQ,blahblahblahetc divers that they warrant a special forum? Don't they just want to be treated like people?

 

[RyanT]

What is so peculiar about LBGTQ,blahblahblahetc divers that they warrant a special forum. Don't they just want to be treated like people?

Yes, they do want to be treated like people. So once again, if you haven't experienced discrimination for being who you are, then you probably won't get it.

 

[divad]

I don't believe anyone has ever NOT experienced discrimination...... unless they're too, er, naive, to perceive it.

 

[CptTightPants21]

And now your true colors are showing

Those who believe in true equality and are against segregation shall be labeled sexist, racist, homophobes. Your opinion means nothing to me because I know who I am as a person and you have no power over me. Perhaps that is a sentiment that should have been taken by some members of this thread in the first place. I would hate for them to have to step out of the bubble and realize that no one cares that they are gay.

What is so peculiar about LBGTQ,blahblahblahetc divers that they warrant a special forum? Don't they just want to be treated like people?

Some do, and then there are others that don't because then they would not be considered "special" and they wouldn't have any more special privileges. People are just people (or in this case divers), ordinary people don't demand special spaces for them and theirs.

As for other subgroups, I would be all for trimming most of them down. You could kind of understand the women's forum (certain women specific questions/issues) and maybe you could even stretch to the older diver forum. A LGBT forum? Being LGBT covers every race, sex, and age group. There is nothing unique about being gay and scuba diving. You have questions on different countries and their policies toward gay tourists, go to a travel website; you will get more timely, accurate, and relevant information than on a scuba forum.

 

[doctormike]

I wonder why people who I presume are straight have such strong opinions about what is best for gay divers. I wonder why a member's simple request for a SB feature is recast as a "demand". I wonder who the "ordinary" people are.

I think that the two posts in the last few hours mocking the name that members of a group choose for themselves makes the point as well as anything I could write here.

 

[divad]

Oh well, you can't be correct all the time.

 

[tilikum]

And in this case you aren't at all.

 

[tridacna]

Remarkable how bigots always preface their remarks with:

"Some of my best friends/relatives are gay"

and

"I don't really care about gay people but why do THEY need a special place here?". Women, drunks, old people...sure. But LGBTs? Let them use the regular facilities like the rest of us".

Such a give away. Homophobes parading as equal opportunity advocates.

Someone kill this stupid thread already. Netdoc has agreed to allow this. What are we arguing about anyway? It's over folks.

 

[CuzzA]

drunks

Where's the drunks forum? Asking for a friend...

 

[tridacna]

Where's the drunks forum? Asking for a friend...

Rhymes with "cub". Starts with a "p".