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I've decided to open this discussion to all of you because, well, I don't have to worry about people coming in and flaming me for the topic. So, right, this kind of only applies to those who live in the U.S. (not to be oppressive or anything), but I'd really like some feedback on the subject.

Ever since Bush's presidency and *gulp* re-election I've started to fear for my rights as an American Citizen. I may not be 18, but I'm terrified of all of this anti-homosexual publicity. I feel as if my own country is trying to seclude people like me, trying to force them into hiding. And in truth, it is. The media exhibits, more commonly then uncommonly, an oppressive and downright bad outlook on homosexuality. The president, the leader of my (our) country asks that a bill be signed depriving us of rights of marriage. We have to pay tens of thousands of dollars just to adopt a child, because we're not fit to be parents, hence a lawyer needs to be involved just to pound it through the governments heads that we're damn well going to be good parents.

The point I'm trying to make is this: not only is this "bad publicity" harming the mental stasis of those who let their flame burn bright, but it's also effecting those who've yet to come out of the closet. It's effecting those ever so many who are just afraid to admit that they're gay, to anyone else or themselves. And how? Well of course, according to the majority of the peoples currently residing in the United States of America, being gay is bad! Why? 'Cause it's in the bible. Anymore I just don't feel welcome, I feel like I'm not supposed to be here, and should that bill restricting the legality of homosexual marriage be passed I might just up and leave when my time comes. Sure, I'm giving in, I'm giving good old Bush what he wants; a f**-free country.

Agree, disagree in any of this? Too intense? Too much to read. I want some feedback.

i think its stupid that they are doing all this crap. what about the seperation of state and church? sure, some people think its gross and wrong, but i think that war and fighting in irauqe is wrong. there are plently of people who agreee with me on that, does that mean that gets outlawed? NO! mad im so pissed of!

I agree with most of what you're saying. I think it's crazy that Bush can get away with the things he does, and that so many of the country support him. But I don't think it's that things have gotten worse, I think it's just that we haven't reached the level of progress where everyone would agree that laws against gay rights aren't constitutional. We just need to keep working hard to secure our rights.
Its true that a lot of people in the US look down on us, but the more they try to restrict our rights, the more people see how crazy it is, and come to our aid. Politically moderate people, who wouldn't normally care much about GBLT rights, are now starting to notice us more, and side with us against the radical president.

But I definitely know what you're talking about. I've recently, within these last two weeks, started feeling unwelcome within my own school, which is a new experience for me, despite the fact that I've been out for over a year. I don't plan on letting it get to me though. If I make people uncomfortable, that's their problem, not mine. I'm not going to make things easier.
What gets to me the most is the effect this has had on friends of mine, both closeted and out. I don't really care what people say about me, but I hate to have them talking about, or in the case of last week, threatening my friends. I hate to see my friends upset because they can't express themselves due to the anti-gblt sentiment within the school, and within their own families.

I think that we'll eventually secure our rights. May just be my optimism, but I really think we're making progress. I think if we keep on working, we should get them eventually. Not any time soon, I'm sure, but sometime in the future, it will happen. I mean, just look back a bit, and you can see the effect that a few decades of activism have had.

*growl* I hate Bush. Counting down the days 'til he's out of office...

We all have a voice but sadly Bush as the most powerful one and can influence alot of people. I was so sad when he was re-elected, I may not be from the states but I felt the sadness of it all. He is focusing on gays when there are things like education,health and other important things that he needs to focus on.
I live in Canada and alot more people are coming up here to get married. I live in Nova scotia and a few months ago Rosie O'Donelle(sp?) brought a gay cruise ship up here to get married and alot of people did. It was showing everyone that Canada isn't as confired as the states and because of our marriage laws in certain provinces people will leave the states.
It's just sad.

Also going against Bush has proven to be a media thing. Celebrities were attacked when they went Bush and it just proves you are all living in a society where you have to hide your opinion in order to not lose everything. It's the McCarthy era all over again.