Thanks Holden,HoldenIsHere wrote: ↑November 23rd, 2023, 1:32 amActually, it was a poster at the old TCM message boards who requested an LGBT sub-forum there, and that poster made a point of letting everyone know. And it was not just any poster, I might add, but probably the most obnoxiously self-aggrandizing regular poster on that site. On more than one occasion, he posted in public threads about the deep, private discussions he had with one of the moderators. This same person regularly antagonized and belittled other posters but would boohoo and threaten to report someone who dared to challenge his perceived cinematic authority.
I chuckle when I remember the time when he thought he had craftily outed me. Geez Louise! You can’t out someone who has never been in!
I appreciate your honesty. I likewise was being honest when I previously said that I find the idea of distinct LGBT sub-forums on media discussion sites offensive.Swithin wrote: ↑November 21st, 2023, 6:22 pm I think calling my request for a gay sub-forum segregation is offensive. I don't consider myself thin-skinned, or overly sensitive, I just find that line of argument offensive. I hold no grudge against those of you who've used that line, I'm just being honest.
So we'll see what Lomm decides. This is not the kind of issue that can be put to a vote. But I go back to what I wrote earlier: For heaven's sake, WHAT HARM WOULD IT DO?
Yes, I realize they are the “norm” today, but just because something is the norm doesn’t mean it’s a good thing. My sexual orientation (I wish there was a better term) is only one aspect of my humanity albeit an important aspect. I see those kinds of demographically based sub-forums as a step backwards and harmful. And, again if I’m being honest, they make me feel sad and more marginalized. I don’t want to be shoved into the margins!
I'm sure Lomm will make the right decision when he logs back on, and I understand that we have different views on what the right decision may be!
I want to make one further point. You must be aware of the controversy surrounding LGBTQ+ books in public libraries these days. In some parts of the country, library and school boards have demanded that the books should not be in the library at all; in other places, they simply don't want them to be the focus of exhibits, or separate sections. Sometimes they use the "segregation-type" argument. Although that argument may be used by people who mean well, it is also used by people with other agendas.
On Long Island last year, a library board voted that all separate displays of gay-themed books must be removed. There was an outcry, including from Governor Hochul, and the board reversed its decision.
I'm not an activist. I've never been discriminated against because of my sexuality, which is only one part of who I am. When I was younger, I was pretty closeted, although working in the arts from the time I got out of college made it easier to come out. I'm now on an LGBTQ+ committee of my alma mater. The committee consists mostly of much younger men and women. They ask me if I think the situation for gays has improved since I was in college. They seem to think maybe it hasn't improved that much. But I tell them, despite the current challenges, and a resurgence of hate, things are incredibly better now. And of course, thank goodness AIDS isn't the issue that it was...
As you know, when the TCM Board folded, one of the posters there founded a new site. I guess that person is controversial around here. I certainly had my share of arguments with him, but I don't remember what they were about, and they never sunk to the level that I experienced from one poster here. But, although I frequent the SSO more than his site, I want to share a link, so that you can see how a separate LGBT section can exist, even though those subjects can also be addressed in other sections of that Board. Is this such a terrible thing? And it is just SO convenient, to be able to access the discussions and various gay-themed threads this way!
https://classicfilmtvradio.freeforums.n ... d/28/lgbtq
Btw, who was the poster who lobbied for the LGBT forum at TCM? You can PM me, if you're not comfortable mentioning it here. I'm curious. I was on that board from 2006 to its close, and I don't remember that.