Gay clubs/bars are fun. They're one of those few places where, regardless of your sexual orientation, people feel free to be whatever they are.
Straight, gay-friendly people sometimes go there to accompany their homosexual friends and to enjoy the night in an open-minded environment.
However, straight people (men, mostly) can have concerns regarding their attendance to these places:
- I don't want a gay/lesbian person to hit on me, (assuming that I'm gay because I'm in this club) because s/he would be entitled to, since I'm in his/her environment.
- I don't want any acquaintances I might run into to misinterpret my presence and then go to my boyfriend/girlfriend/parents/friends saying I'm gay.
The "I'm Gay friendly" bracelet would be given to you upon request, charge-free, at the entrance of the club. This way, straight people can put their concerns aside, enjoy the night just like everyone else and, why not, even hook up with another straight, gay-friendly person across the dance floor, making the approach completely safe.
These bracelets would also help gay people (at least in countries like mine) realize that there's a lot of straight poeple out there who respect their sexual orientation, as an encouragement to live a more open/honest life, regarding their sexuality.
Some people are trying to open their minds to the acceptance of everyone's sexual orientation, even going against the conservative values they were raised with, which is hard. The idea here is to make that transition easier so that, eventually, people won't feel the need of the bracelets.
"I'm indecisive" and "I've been dragged here" bracelets also available.-- Pericles, Mar 13 2005 Midwest http://www.princeto...nal/map_midwest.gifFor [po] [Worldgineer, Mar 17 2005] Oh, come on! Someone previously posted a similarly stupid idea.
If you're comfortable going to a gay bar, then you should be perfectly at ease with spurning unwanted attentions, and are unlikely to be in the least bit concerned about potential misconceptions.
Do you think it is an insult to be asumed gay, either by would-be lovers or by work mates and relatives?
There's nothing different or special or obnoxious about gay people that requires that those of us who are not mark ourselves in some way. If you are at ease with your sexuality, you only care that your own love interests know that you are interested in them. Everyboy else is irrelevant, whether gay, straight or blond.-- DrCurry, Mar 13 2005 This is why I post so little. Most people, even some halfbakers I respect, think the reality they see in their little hometown is equal across the globe.
Just so you know, [DrC], homosexuality is, sadly, not as well-seen/accepted as in your country.
Some people are trying/wanting to broaden their perspectives, but the transition is hard. This idea was intended to make that transition easier for everybody so that maybe, some day, the acceptance of people -disregarding their sexual orientation -will be equal all over the world, .
To answer your question [DrC], no, I don't think being assumed gay is an insult. I have a gay brother, and many close gay friends. I thought this would be helpful for some of their friends who love them and would like to come closer to their world, but still find it hard to do so because rejecting homosexuality is what the society they grew up taught them to think.-- Pericles, Mar 13 2005 This is just about people having a clue about other people!. I don't care if the bar is gay, straight or vegetable, I don't think that any legislation is required, and I certainly would not like to over-legislate. Get over it!.-- gnomethang, Mar 13 2005 please don't take this personally, i can see that you are an open person, with no problems with gays. however, this is one of the worst ideas. i see your heart is in the right place, but putting labels on people is bad. if a straight person doesn't want to go to a gay bar for either of the reasons you mentioned, they should stay in their own mildly homophobic world.
putting a label on straight [but not narrow-minded] people is just as bad as putting labels on the gays. you think you're only labelling one group, but by not labeling the rest, they become the 'not-gay-friendly.'
your bracelet idea is too much like an armband. after this, they'll make armbands with pink triangles on them. then stars of david. what next?
labels separate people into categories. you don't make people closer by dividing them.
we need social change, more positive role models, and less hate.
i don't know what country you are in, but i know it's not great anywhere. i hope for new ideas to help grow diversity and end bigotry, but this is not it.
please don't be discouraged, Pericles. keep thinking!-- changokun, Mar 13 2005 Pericles: I was going to add an aside that I know you live in a place where men aren't so comfortable with their sexuality.
But really, even in Mexico, the best way to deal with this is to act the way you know is right, whatever the rednecks around you are up to.-- DrCurry, Mar 13 2005 [gnome] - Who suggested legislation? Are you reading the same idea as me?
I've been out lots with the gay people I know, but never to a 'gay' bar. //If you're comfortable going to a gay bar// - I'm not. Maybe I should be, but I don't have that level of confidence. 'Gay friendly' bracelets would serve another function here, they would show you that this is a gay bar where straight people are welcome, after all there are some where they aren't.
This won't change the world, but in countries where the gay population is still collectively in the closet, it might bring things into the open a little. [+]
[chango] - There's a world of difference between labelling people and people labelling themselves. I label myself - a badge, a hat, a hoodie, these all give clues to people about who I am, surely this is just a variation on that theme?-- wagster, Mar 13 2005 Exactly, [wags]. Thanks for helping me be more clear.
I would like to post more often. It's not that I don't have more ideas, but most of them refer to a context most halfbakers don't relate with. This is one of them. I should have known that people who live in more gay-friendly environments won't understand the need for these bracelets and see only the negative side.
I've have straight friends who have said: "I don't mind gay people. I've heard gay clubs are fun but I won't dare going in there to risk for an uncomfortable situation if a guy approaches me".
This sort of guy has so much to learn. The important part is that he is willing to learn. If somehow you could guarantee him that there won't be misunderstandings, he could go and see that there's nothing wrong with being gay, or with saying "I'm not gay, sorry". The aim is that, after a while, he feels ridiculous wearing the bracelet.-- Pericles, Mar 13 2005 sorry [wagster] legislation was a poor choice of word. I do however think that my point stands, if only because you have to state that there are gay bars where straight people are not welcome. I am suggesting that there are bars where some people are not welcome and I do not differentiate between gay or straight bars, merely on type of clientel and music bars. The fact that birds of a feather flock together is all!. As a bloke who likes rock music I do not like hip hopand rave joints but I don't feel the need to have a 'E friendly' bracelet in order to enter and show my solidarity.-- gnomethang, Mar 13 2005 [Pericles], I thought this was a silly idea at first read, but then realized I'd already seen precedent for this.
In an invitation to what I shall refer to as a "social sexual occasion", the host and hostess mentioned that if you had no qualms about male/male approaches, simply attend bare-wristed.
If you preferred not to be approached in such a manner, they asked that you wear your watch on your left wrist. [+]
Since the invitees were all men, and the center of attraction was the hostess, one could safely assume a high proportion of straight men. But the host said they'd found this to be a simple means of clarifying such issues.-- normzone, Mar 13 2005 // Pericles: I was going to add an aside that I know you live in a place where men aren't so comfortable with their sexuality. //
[DrCurry] that's a ridiculous summary. The gay men of Mexico are as comfortable with their sexuality as the gay men of any country. It's the society in which they live which is uncomfortable with them.
[pericles] have conviction in your ideas. Post away. I believe that there is plenty of need for such a thing.-- jonthegeologist, Mar 13 2005 I don't think this idea's silly at all. In fact, I think you have something there. Instead of having to tell gay people who approach you with interest "Sorry, I'm straight," your wristband lets them know and saves them the mustering up of courage to come on to you in the first place. The only reason people are calling this "labeling" is because gays are involved. I wonder if they would call it that if this idea was for bracelets for straight people who want other clubbers/bar goers to know that "Sorry, I'm already taken."-- Machiavelli, Mar 13 2005 jtg, DC said *men*, not *gay* men //aren't so comfortable with their sexuality// there is a difference.-- po, Mar 13 2005 [Mach] - That was baked many moons ago with the invention of the wedding ring.-- wagster, Mar 13 2005 Nah, [wags]. I'm referring to non-married couples--boyfriend/girlfriend.-- Machiavelli, Mar 13 2005 [po], yep, I understand what [DrCurry] said. He talked of men, not gay men. I believe all men are comfortable with their sexuality, gay or not gay, so my comments still hold true.-- jonthegeologist, Mar 13 2005 jtg: we're talking observations, not beliefs, here, and your belief is patently false, not only in Mexico but in significant portions of Britain and the US too.-- DrCurry, Mar 13 2005 even so, your observation is incorrect : it's not the individuals that have a problem with their sexuality, it is others around them.-- jonthegeologist, Mar 13 2005 I don't think you read what I atually wrote, and you're just trying to nitpick.-- DrCurry, Mar 13 2005 life's too short.-- jonthegeologist, Mar 13 2005 // the best way to deal with this is to act the way you know is right, whatever the rednecks around you are up to. //
Good advice. That's exactly what Matthew Shepard was doing.-- waugsqueke, Mar 13 2005 You've got my bun.-- contracts, Mar 13 2005 Years ago, I read about a preference-signalling system for gays that involved the use of colored bandanas in the back pockets of one's trousers. I just got back from the _Lambda_Rising_ gay bookstore in Washington, DC, where I asked the clerks about the system. They had to go find the bandana chart, which may indicate the system is either seldom used, or that everybody knows it. They did have various colors of bandanas for sale, but the rack was on a lower shelf. The chart is divided into left pocket and right pocket. Left pocket indicates the desire to do, right pocket indicates the desire to be done to, with the colors indicating the specific activities (whew!). An orange bandana in the right back-pocket indicates "not tonight." So there is a signal, already in place, invented and perhaps used by the gay community, that could keep [Pericles] from making new friends--an orange bandana in the right back pocket.
When I am politely approached by someone that I am not interested in, I attempt to convey to them my thanks for the compliment, and regrets that I am unable to increase their happiness. If they are rude, I deal with it.
If my family and friends hear stories about my sexual orientation, they can ask me for the truth.-- baconbrain, Mar 13 2005 Those colored bandanas you talk about [baconbrain] have a different aim. Gay people wear them, for a start. These bracelets are for straight people and the intention goes beyond being or not being "disturbed" by potential gay lovers.-- Pericles, Mar 13 2005 Okay, let's go with Dan Savage's advice from his _Savage_Love_ column: talk to people. Actually, he says, "Open your mouth, solve your problem." But in this context that sounds a bit odd. But, really, talk to the other folks. I always appreciate it when a woman manages to convey the information that she's married fairly early in the conversation. Maybe the key word is conversation. I don't like noisy bars, and I certainly don't like people who make snap judgements and never change their minds. There's more than one kind of oral sex.-- baconbrain, Mar 13 2005 Did you read any of the above, [bacon]?-- Pericles, Mar 14 2005 waugs: and your point is?-- DrCurry, Mar 14 2005 will complement my "some of my best friends are gay" t-shirt. (+).-- neilp, Mar 14 2005 //I believe all men are comfortable with their sexuality// HAHAHAHAHA!!! [jtg] - I think you'll find you're WAAAAY out on this one, maybe you're just better adjusted than most men in which case I congratulate you. In my experience most men are deeply neurotic about at least one aspect of their sexuality, even more so than women (who tend to be neurotic about other things). I'd be interested to see if any women agree with this.-- wagster, Mar 14 2005 [wagster] in the sense that they are comfortable with their own homo- or heterosexuality, yes I believe that most men are comfortable.-- jonthegeologist, Mar 14 2005 I thought this was baked as drinking a beer rather than a mixed drink.-- johnmeacham, Mar 14 2005 [jtg] - Put like that, yes most of us are.-- wagster, Mar 14 2005 What a crazy coincidence, [baconbrain] - - I was in Lamba Rising just a few weeks ago. :-D-- contracts, Mar 14 2005 I have been in this situation and speak from a position of exprience. I was aware of the bandana situation and feel it is almost enough, except that it doesn't cover hetero people. The way i see it, the idea is to send a message to people who might otherwise think you are homosexual. This is necessary because people gossip without necessarily getting back to you.It doesn't follow that if some people are homophobic, you should have nothing to do with them, since for some people it's an unthinking, knee-jerk reaction which needs to be challenged but which never will be unless they know people who are not so homophobic. Also, this assumes that you yourself are utterly non-homophobic, which may not be so, and if you aren't, all you're doing by ostracising people you consider more homophobic than yourself is setting yourself up on an artificially totally non-homophobic pedestal above everyone else. This sort of perceived role is likely to make the situation worse.The idea is good.-- nineteenthly, Mar 14 2005 //The aim is that, after a while, he feels ridiculous wearing the bracelet.//
i'm sorry, i think i may have been a little reactionary. but this line you wrote, Pericles, makes it all much more casual. i like that. i should have waited before annotating. i'm changing my vote, and suggesting that we could also develop a tradition of bringing straight people to gay bars and promising to stay close to them. pretending to be their hetero lover or interrupting homosexual advances with introductions. like a beard, only it would need a better name. maybe a mustache since it has a certain popularity with the tom-of- finland crowd. [+]
[wags] your hat and hoodie are non- religious and apolitical. they aren't labels as much as they are self expressions. nobody ever killed somebody because of the sweater they wore. but it's the fact that people get killed for being gay or black or pro- choice that got my fur ruffled on this one.-- changokun, Mar 14 2005 Not exactly on-topic, but I just remembered something this reminds me of.
In an old Heinlein story, men commonly carried small lasers for dueling purposes, and this was the manner in which certain social disagreements were resolved.
If you chose to walk around unarmed, you wore what was termed a brassard, to show those around you that you were exempt from such games.-- normzone, Mar 14 2005 Heh.-- Worldgineer, Mar 14 2005 Not a bad idea. I do think the title needs work. Being Macho doesnt necessarily mean being straight, or vice versa.-- energy guy, Mar 14 2005 Surely this already exists with nasty, traditionally-hetero, student-targeted traffic light clubs where each attendee is given the opportunity to sport a badge: red for "no chance"; yellow for "convince me"; green for "Must fuck. Help me", the only differences here being (a) the orientation of the intended audience (b) the medium of the message and (c) the intensity of the feeling conveyed (though this last one is, I suppose entirely independent of the invention as proposed).-- calum, Mar 14 2005 Although the words on the bracelet would say "gay friendly" the meaning of the bracelet would be the opposite "gay uncomfortable" it would symbolize this to at least to a sizeable portion of the bar. I think it would be a rude thing to wear. I would prefer the orange bandana because it simply communicates "don't hit on me" which is all I care about.
People suggest that we need to increase communication skills, however even if i chose to be direct in my conversation and communicate my sexuality and interest, it may be that i am dealing with a person who tends to be indirect and this will always muddy the conversation. or I might be dealing with a person who didn't care what my orientation was and now I’ve asserted my boundaries and ruined the nice vibe of a casual conversation for nothing.-- RBStimers, Mar 14 2005 Hit me with your rhythm stick, hit me, hit me Je t'adore, Ich liebe dich Hit me, hit me, hit me Hit me with your rhythm stick Hit me slowly, hit me quick Hit me, hit me, hit me
and I will try to avoid licking your ear!-- po, Mar 14 2005 <claps, readjusts bracelet>-- k_sra, Mar 14 2005 heh! I missed his cheek, and its sure big enough.-- po, Mar 14 2005 There could be a corresponding bracelet to be worn by a woman when she is out to dance, have fun, be with friends, but is not interested in getting hit on. This will ensure that she gets no unwanted attentions during her night out.
I guarantee there will be guys who try their luck anyway. I guarantee that gay guys are still guys.-- bungston, Mar 14 2005 What's brown, sticky and has regularity?-- FarmerJohn, Mar 14 2005 //Being Macho doesnt necessarily mean being straight, or vice versa//
Oh, I agree. I chose that title because I've always liked the irony surrounding that macho macho man song. It's one of the gayest songs I've heard, popular among the homosexual men crowd and, still, talks about the opposite. It's like the idea: I want to play the "macho" guy but I'm in a gay club. So, after all, I don't care about being macho. I'm gay but I sing a song that praises my "manhood" because being gay doesn't make you less of a man/woman. It's a bit about making fun of one's sexual orientation (either gay or straight) as if it didn't matter. Anyone can be a macho man.
//I would prefer the orange bandana because it simply communicates "don't hit on me" which is all I care about//
If a straight person wears an orange bandana would be like admiting s/he is gay, too. I refer you to the second "concern" that keeps straight, potentially gay-friendly people from going to gay bars, written in the body of the idea.
[bungston] that's a good idea. You know how I came up with this bracelet thing? I went to a gay bar to accompany my best friend. As I walked in, I see this gorgeous man, drinking alone by the bar. "Damn", I thought. "Why do all the good looking men have to be gay?".
As we left the bar, he had hooked up with a girl and they were kissing. Had I known he was straight, it could have been a different story! I thought about an "I'm not gay" bracelet for people to wear in gay bars, but thought it could have more benefits than just having straight people hook up in a gay bar.-- Pericles, Mar 15 2005 How do you know he hooked up with a woman?-- Worldgineer, Mar 15 2005 I saw them kissing :(-- Pericles, Mar 15 2005 But how do you know she was a woman?-- Worldgineer, Mar 15 2005 Obviously she was using [froglet]'s Male/Female Identifier.-- wagster, Mar 15 2005 I'm telling you, World. I've seen transvestis, but this one was for sure a chick.-- Pericles, Mar 15 2005 Is it fair that gay men get to use the Men's Room and gay women get to use the Women's Room?-- thefullrob, Mar 15 2005 Well, [fullrob], yes it's fair. The Men's room is for men and the Women's room is for women, no matter what their sexual orientation.-- Machiavelli, Mar 15 2005 I would have liked to have seen a gay bar from the inside (I mean, info is good isn't it). I felt I could'nt, due to the negative stigma that could have resulted should someone I know have seen me enter.
Most of my friends would completely understand, but my employer? I felt the necessity to hide from television cameras during a gay pride parade in case my boss saw me on TV. I actually rode in the parade in a classic car with a good friend who once worked with me, but as he understood - in engineering, it's not good to be labeled as gay (at least here it's not).
I feel in conservative countries there may be some benifit to being able to point to a wristband and declare difference of opinion rather than difference of Great Difference.(I wish I knew how to say it better) If only the Times they are a changing (faster).
Sorry I had to ramble on. My main point is: would you all you straight enter the gate, should you not have to face the fate of labling, fabling, hatred, & dirty coffee if only you had a bright cyan wristband?-- Zimmy, Mar 16 2005 Gay clubs are for gay people- so that they have an environment where they can approach potential lovers without the fear of an angry or even violent reaction. Straight people can go to _any_ bar they please for this purpose. In my opinion, straight people should only go if accompanying a gay friend, and then wearing a bracelet is insulting. Personally, I think it's flattering when a girl hits on me, and giving a polite no is much more becomming than a "buzz-off" wristband.
A big problem in my city is that the "gay clubs" are getting clogged with straight people wanting to look "trendy," "hip," or "daring" by going to gay clubs... making them into de-facto normal clubs where gay/bi people feel uncomfortable. The actual ratio of straight to gay people gets rediculously high.
If you don't want to be hit on an any situation, I reccomend wearing a "decoy" wedding ring, (not that it discourages some men!) If it isn't noticed, or is ignored, you can just smile and tap your ring- an effortless and face-saving solution for both parties.-- dumpstergirl, Mar 16 2005 [dumpstergirl] You should see the gay clubs in Prague, which I saw when I was passing by one holiday.-- froglet, Mar 16 2005 [Zim] That's quite sad. Though I haven't known any openly gay engineers, I'm certainly not aware of any stigma against them. What country are you in?-- Worldgineer, Mar 16 2005 [dumpstergirl], please read my first annotation to this idea. I don't feel like re-writing it. Saying it once should be enough.
Is the aim of the idea so unclear? is it so hard to understand that despite some people won't mind saying "no" when hit upon a gay person, there are cultures when this still doesn't happen but people want to open their perspectives?-- Pericles, Mar 16 2005 Shouldn't this be called "Nacho Man", as in the Nacho Cheese joke?-- theircompetitor, Mar 16 2005 What is that nacho cheese joke?-- Pericles, Mar 16 2005 The punchline is "this is NACHO cheese!" (not your cheese)
So Nacho Man would seem apropros-- theircompetitor, Mar 16 2005 The point is totally moot. Straight people are almost always easy to spot. A coworker of mine told many stories of hitting on the straight guys clogging the clubs just for sport, to watch them squirm. If you feel you need a bracelet, then you better re-check your comfort level with your sexuality: I bet it's not so secure as you let yourself believe.-- oxen crossing, Mar 17 2005 I wonder if everyone comprehends the intention of the idea? It seems to me that it is a demonstration of sorts that indicates acceptance and/or tolerance of the idea of homosexuality and allows the demonstrator to proclaim such without being made to suffer along with the discriminated agianst. (If I misunderstand, please correct me [pericles]).
[Worldgineer] I live in the country of Texas, by way of The country of New Orleans, by way of a small city in the eastern Midwest US. I really feel badly about the hiding from the TV cameras, but we've all got to keep food on the table I guess.-- Zimmy, Mar 17 2005 Ah, the south. Say no more. Strange country, indeed.-- Worldgineer, Mar 17 2005 eastern Midwest US? - o.k. have I got this straight? the mid west is the centre of the left bit of the states and the eastern Midwest is the bit to the right of the centre of the left bit of the states.-- po, Mar 17 2005 you n me both [po]!
eastern midwest is, like, so central?-- jonthegeologist, Mar 17 2005 The midwest is actually the middle of the north half of the US, centered a bit east (link). I blame the east-coasters for this (where the european settlements started) - everywhere is west to them.-- Worldgineer, Mar 17 2005 Sorry, I have read only the idea, and the first comment. Dr. Curry, I see you have returned to your asshole behaviors. Pericles does not deserve the rude response you posted. (A + for the idea, anything that facilitates others to become more aware of those who differ from the "norm".)-- blissmiss, Mar 17 2005 oh right, world! so it's not *actually* the east Mid-West!
makes as much sense as our northerners going to the foot of our stairs :)-- po, Mar 17 2005 //it's not *actually* the east Mid-West// More like the middle east. Yet not at all like the middle east.-- Worldgineer, Mar 17 2005 <welsh accent> Bracelets? Well, who would need those? Obviously, I'm the only gay in the 'bakery. </welsh accent>-- Fishrat, Mar 17 2005 Damn European settlers, messing everything up.-- Shz, Mar 17 2005 [Zimmy] and [bliss] have got it.-- wagster, Mar 17 2005 apply cream twice a day - prognosis good.-- po, Mar 17 2005 I think that when you intentionally broaden the appeal of something (like a gay bar) to a wider audience (like straight people) you tax the soul of the thing. A gay bar is a place where people celebrate gayness and a bracelet that says "I'm not totally comfortable being here" is a drag on the festivity. I'm sorry some people feel uncomfortable being percieved as gay but I don't think giving them an option of having a watered down experience is a help to either themselves or the bar.
how would you like it if you went to a concert and saw a bunch of peoples with t-shirts that said "I don't like your band but i like you" I would kind of spoil the group party atmosphere.
if you don't like the theme of the party that you go to, you should not need to broadcast that (with a bracelet), keep a low profile and try to have fun anyway.
just stick a orange bandana in your right pocket if you want.-- RBStimers, Mar 18 2005 Help there's a gay rat roaming about, that smells rather fishy. Eeekkk let's toss him out. Not for being gay, or even a rat, it's the fishy part that I can't tolerate.-- blissmiss, Mar 18 2005 You leave my fishy part alone.-- Fishrat, Mar 18 2005 good to see you back though [fishrat]. Building work coming along nicely?-- jonthegeologist, Mar 18 2005 I've been mistaken for gay both by some violent homophobes and by my gay ex-boss, and I don't think one of these bracelets would have repulsed either.
Although the humanitarian intent of this idea appeals to me, I'm going to fishbone it. This is because I believe that sexual preference is much more nuanced than the categories of 'gay' and 'straight' suggest, and a scheme like this might militate against a proper understanding of those nuances by re-inforcing those categories.-- pertinax, Dec 14 2006 As a reformed homophobe, and Klan member( well kinda, twas my upbringing you see) I understand totally the idea behind the bracelet, but yeah its only going to segregate, not intermesh peoples of different natures together,
yes i see the significance of the star of david, ask any bergen-belsen survivor.
maybe a club signal, somthing discreet, an orange shirt, some form of silent flag, not a bracelet that proclaims "Not Gay Not Gay"!!!-- Stork, Dec 14 2006 I was recently pleasantly surprised by the liberal-mindedness of my home football team’s fans. There’s always one fella who shouts insults at the other team and the other fans, of course, agree and shout it too. This time the shouts and replies went like this (rough translation):
Shouter: People from Hof are all bastards! Fans: All bastards (yeah they’re all bastards) Shouter: All people from Hof are lame! Fans: Yeah they’re all lame! Lame bastards! Shouter: All people from Hof are queer! Fans:…….? And? How is that an insult?
I was very impressed.-- squeak, Dec 14 2006 why stop with nightclubs? i see a charity type bracelt business opportunity here - the proceeds going ofcourse to some gay-related fund, well maybe just 75%. need to obviously provision some revenues for overheads, my new lambo etc.
big gay bun for you my friend.-- shinobi, Dec 14 2006 must..not...say... buns...and...bones-- Voice, May 13 2008 I think there's a bit of a difference between a symbol that you wear voluntarily and one that you are forced to wear in order to identify you as someone with less rights or as subhuman.
It would be a problem if it is mandatory; I would not go to such a bar. But as Mr. Barclay said, "Just because you don't want to go to the party doesn't mean that it's not nice to be invited."
The whole slippery slope argument that this will lead to concentration camps is the silliest type of fallacy. People often wear badges, tags, bumper stickers, and all sorts of silliness to identify themselves as one thing or another. Just yesterday I wore a shirt that said that I was a Democrat. I am only slightly concerned that I will be beaten up for it.-- nomocrow, May 13 2008 I was flattered to have been approached by a gay guy in a straight bar one night. it wasn't off putting, he just expressed an interest in me. I thought it was cool, positive attention is always a good thing.-- Noexit, May 13 2008 Having worked in a couple industries that have a higher than normal percentage of gay people, I've been to gay bars... the higher class ones were okay and I could generally converse and relax and fend off the occasional hit with a sentence including the phrase "my girlfriend"... a couple of the lower class gay bars scared the crap out of me. So, if a bracelet's necessary, I'd rather just leave. [-]-- FlyingToaster, May 13 2008 This is a terrible idea. How the hell am I going to get free drinks if I'm advertising that it wont go anywhere at the end of the night?-- MikeD, May 14 2008 This idea should be called Nacho Nacho Man.-- nomocrow, May 14 2008 Mike D. said "This is a terrible idea. How the hell am I going to get free drinks if I'm advertising that it wont go anywhere at the end of the night?"
QF: You can get free drinks by simaltaneously advertising your friendliness and leaving your wallet in the truck.-- quantum_flux, May 14 2008 What about just red and blue bracelets. If you are a man interested in men, blue bracelet. Man interested in woman, pink bracelet. It would let people know what gender you preferred, and could match up that way.-- rascalraidex, Jul 03 2010 I read somewhere that at gay bars gay people have a powerful straightdar.-- Voice, Apr 23 2022 Can personally attest to the fact that that is merely much overhyped myth [Voice], I've been hit-on on two occasions at gay venues and once in the street in Prague, that admittedly was all a good distance in the past when I could still pass for marginally attractive under poor lighting to the sufficiently inebriated of course but the fact remains.-- Skewed, Apr 23 2022 //Just yesterday I wore a shirt that said that I was a Democrat. I am only slightly concerned that I will be beaten up for it//
And 14 years later .. try a Trump supporters hat in a Democrat area in 2022 for me [nomo], better yet see if you can find a protest with an Antifa presence .. let me know how it goes ;)-- Skewed, Apr 23 2022 The irony of a group that obeys a mematic structure pushed by corporatists and the rich and powerful demanding censorship and reprisals against a particular ethnic group calling themselves anti fascist... "War Is Peace. Freedom Is Slavery. Ignorance Is Strength."-- Voice, Apr 23 2022 //after this, they'll make armbands with pink triangles on them. then stars of david. what next?//
Why pink hearts, orange stars, yellow moons, green clovers, blue diamonds, pink balloons, and purple horseshoes of course.-- RayfordSteele, Apr 23 2022 //And 14 years later .. try a Trump supporters hat in a Democrat area in 2022 for me [nomo], better yet see if you can find a protest with an Antifa presence .. let me know how it goes ;) — Skewed, Apr 23 2022
The irony of a group that obeys a mematic structure pushed by corporatists and the rich and powerful demanding censorship and reprisals against a particular ethnic group calling themselves anti fascist... "War Is Peace. Freedom Is Slavery. Ignorance Is Strength." — Voice, Apr 23 2022//
Probably two of the smartest annotations ever put on this site. The often suggested idea of being able to upvote annos should really be considered. I'd give both of these a ten.
Maxwell Buchanan would be proud.-- doctorremulac3, Apr 23 2022 // Why pink hearts, orange stars, yellow moons, green clovers, blue diamonds, pink balloons, and purple horseshoes of course.//
I think orange stars, blue diamonds, and green clovers are taken.-- Voice, Apr 23 2022 // I'd give both of these a ten.//
What would you do if they were equally insightful, but were opposed to your existing point of view?-- Voice, Apr 23 2022 If they were correct and I was wrong? I hope I'd be a big enough adult to adjust my views.
Would I? Well, I've done it before. On that post about "A- Ike" I made a long list of times I've been wrong and learned from it.
If somebody tells you they've never been wrong about anything, you can probably pretty safely say: "Well, except for that.".
Smart people say "I don't know." a lot.-- doctorremulac3, Apr 23 2022 random, halfbakery