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!

 

[Blasto]

It is simple, put it right here and those that want to visit the section can and those that are just appalled (sarcasm) don't have to go there. TA DA!!
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That's actually a good way to go about it.

I don't see a real need for a LGBT-etc forum, because, in my experience, the diving community tends to be very open/enlightened regarding just about every discrimination point imaginable. Traveling the world and relying on strangers from every possible country, ethnicity, political affiliation, gender, family status, physical size, financial means and whatever else for your life tends to do that to you.

That said, this community has subforums for just about anything already, so as long as it's not placed in a way that draws unwanted attention to itself, why not. But it's a bit hard to think of LGBT-specific issues in diving (unlike, say, disability-related or women-specific ones), so it might end up like the WCSDO subforum.

 

[diver0008]

and has nothing do to with exclusion.

It was you who said you were requesting a "safe space". But if not from ideas or people from which or whom you seek to block or who lack the pre-requisites, then why?

Just to play? Play with everyone. We welcome you. Why do you need your own pool?

Is this activism?

 

[Brandon]

LGBTQIA discrimination is real and I understand (and support) the desire for the forum. This thread proves the need.

-B

 

[diver0008]

LGBTQIA discrimination is real and I understand (and support) the desire for the forum. This thread proves the need.

-B

Of course it's real. Discrimination is something everyone deals with. I just don't see how sexuality is relevant to scuba diving.

Would forums specifically for black people or muslims for example serve any real purpose, or just create alienation.

I thought we were all supposed to be doing diversity and inclusiveness. How can this be so if we endeavor to divide ourselves up?

 

[Emnb]

Murky Waters--I've been hesitant to join this conversation due to being an (extremely) new member to SB...However, I feel the need to add one small thing. Consider that LGBTQ members do occasionally have issues related to their identities that need to be discussed (this is true whether or not you believe it is, and frankly your resistance to taking people at their word is absurd). Frequently when those identity related discussions take place in the larger group, the actual issues are completely derailed by people such as yourself arguing the need for the discussion in the first place. The purpose of the "safe space" is to allow gay members to have the discussions they want without having to prove (each and every time) the legitimacy of the conversation, just like they do in the outside world every single day, and just like they are doing here for you.

 

[diver0008]

Murky Waters--I've been hesitant to join this conversation due to being an (extremely) new member to SB...However, I feel the need to add one small thing. Consider that LGBTQ members do occasionally have issues related to their identities that need to be discussed (this is true whether or not you believe it is, and frankly your resistance to taking people at their word is absurd). Frequently when those identity related discussions take place in the larger group, the actual issues are completely derailed by people such as yourself arguing the need for the discussion in the first place. The purpose of the "safe space" is to allow gay members to have the discussions they want without having to prove (each and every time) the legitimacy of the conversation, just like they do in the outside world every single day, and just like they are doing here for you.

Please give me an example of a scuba diving discussion that gay people would have that straight people could not understand, help with, or ignore?

Scubaboard is already a safe space. People are helpful, polite, sincere, and playful, and it is well moderated.

 

[Emnb]

A number of issues have already been discussed in this thread, which have been immediately dismissed by those in denial. You can easily find them by reading it through. I'm guessing any example that you "couldn't understand" would be useless, as...you inherently wouldn't understand. You are demanding examples because you cannot find it in yourself to take people at their word. Take this 19 page thread as an example in and of itself as proof that gay people are consistently made to justify any conversation or issue they may have, and so they desire a specific place to have those gay-related discussions without getting derailed by others. A separate thread is not divisive in any way, and nobody who plans on using that thread plans to keep away from all other places on SB, I'm sure of it. What is divisive is unsupportive straight people being so insistent that gay people "integrate" that they are personally affronted when gay people want to talk about their gayness as it relates to their hobbies.

 

[Ana]

This quote is incomplete and some may say is out of context, but here it goes

That said, this community has subforums for just about anything already, so as long as it's not placed in a way that draws unwanted attention to itself, why not.

When I read that, it immediately reminded me things some of my relatives tend to say when they assure me they are open minded. They only speak of lesbians and gays because the rest of the BTQIA is a bit much for them, so it goes something like : "I don't have a problem with what "those" people do in the privacy of their home but I don't want it in my face"
Pushing for clarification, it turns out simply seeing 2 men holding hands is way over the top to be done in public. Of course as I listen to my relative I make a point to caress my husband, but since we aren't like "them" is OK , if we kiss when we greet each other is perfectly acceptable regardless of location, ..... yes most of us are oh so open minded and accepting.

So back to scubaboard..... I wonder how could a sub-forum draw "unwanted" attention.

 

[diver0008]

A number of issues have already been discussed in this thread, which have been immediately dismissed by those in denial. You can easily find them by reading it through. I'm guessing any example that you "couldn't understand" would be useless, as...you inherently wouldn't understand. You are demanding examples because you cannot find it in yourself to take people at their word. Take this 19 page thread as an example in and of itself as proof that gay people are consistently made to justify any conversation or issue they may have, and so they desire a specific place to have those gay-related discussions without getting derailed by others. A separate thread is not divisive in any way, and nobody who plans on using that thread plans to keep away from all other places on SB, I'm sure of it. What is divisive is unsupportive straight people being so insistent that gay people "integrate" that they are personally affronted when gay people want to talk about their gayness as it relates to their hobbies.

Just give me an example please, or at least point me to the page number where I can inform myself. You don't know me and are misjudging me.

 

[Emnb]

The example that I gave is this thread in itself. Please tell me how I'm misjudging you?