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It's really so fantastic. I've been so since 19. I've experienced all types of people, lots of slander (but it goes with the territory). I'll say this: I've learned a lot about how to move in and out of society and how het society reacts to us (and how afraid they are - with no real reason to be).

But I conduct myself well in life and have noone knocking on my door. With that said, I'm an upstanding citizen.

This is just a slice of life; wanted to open up the forum and get some dialogue going.

I'll probably remain gay for the remainder of my life - no complaints.

Currently I'm reading May Sarton - very nice writer. I work as a technical writer. I'll soon be moving to Atlanta. I've some things in the fire.

I guess I'm an ordinary person - with stuff going on. Probably not unlike many of you.

I'd appreciate it very much if we could leave God out of this discussion. As I said, I'm only hoping to get some lively dialogue going; I'd be happy to address any questions for those of you who may wonder about gay life: dress, conduct, style, money concerns/retirement -- perhaps even sex (not everyone does oral in the gay life, for example) -- actually some women live together and are celibate! Yes.

So, really it's open....who wants to go first?

This particular sentence stood out for me....
You think you have a choice?
I mean, I'm heterosexual, so I could say the same - but I don't feel as if it was ever a conscious choice or decision. That's the way I was born, so it was never an issue of 'probably' for me....
Does this mean that you're therefore still not 100% sure, or that you feel it's not certain for you?

Hi there, thanks for weighing in.

No...I'm totally sure; I have no complaints. But I think what you're grabbing at is some women swing back.

For some lesbian women, particularly later in their lives, return to a hetero lifestyle.

No, I wasn't grabbing at that at all, I really did get the impression that as you were speaking in the first person, you yourself didn't seem sure.....
Just to help matters, I hope, I may be a heterosexual female, but I am extremely totally comfortable talking about any aspect of sexuality, and have no prejudices, phobias, inhibitions or problems with anyone else's persuasions, at all.

I have to admit as well - that sentence jumped out at me lol! I'm also curious about the comments regarding women " swinging back" and " returning to a hetero lifestyle."
Unless they are bisexual, wouldn't it in essence be returning to the appearance of a hetero lifestyle or returning to an inauthentic life?
I am a gay male, and that would be my take on it. I cannot return to a lifestyle I never was a part of. I could adopt it as a false identity, but nothing more.
With regards to the the question "what's it like to be gay?"...hmmm hard to answer. I don't know any other way of being! No point of reference for being not gay, aside from some forays into relationships with women that were part of my exploration, as opposed to attempts to mask my being gay.
Usually it is other people that cause me to think about my sexuality. I don't, on a daily basis, give it much thought. I just live my life as anyone else does. It is when others say or do something that brings it to my attention, or are in some way uncomfortable or intrigued by my being gay - then and only then is it something I concentrate on.
I imagine if I lived a life more politically involved in gay issues, or if I faced a great deal of discrimination, I would be more conscious of how I am feeling about my gayness. But as it stands, I have more prejudice and more baggage attached to my being Native American than to my being gay. I have to get past all of those labels on me because of that factor before I come to the gay aspects!
I feel happy when my life runs well, my family is healthy, and I am loved and in love. I don't feel happy simply because I am gay. I find nothing inherently inferior or superor to being gay versus being straight. It is only the definition of who I am sexually and romantically attracted to, and that varies from person to person regardless of our sexual orientation.
I guess it is hard to answer " How's it feel to be gay?" because I only know how it feels to be me.

also I think this conversation would be better on the non-relatinoship site. Discussing things other than gay relationships here makes some people uncomfortable.

So, might I suggest we move this to Gay Lesbian???

Feel free...I don't mind what you do...if it floats yer boat.....!

You can do whatever you like! I would hate for others to be uncomfortable.

Geez, what's it like to be straight???

This seems a little condescending. I do understand she was trying to start a dialogue. Perhaps she did not pick the right location ( I always forget to check News & Politics ) but what exactly is the point of your question aside from mocking? Correct me if I am wrong and this is supposed to be humorous.