BG,

I know that it was a sad thing, but my thoughts are it's progress, b/c the topic was broached in a highly viewed, very mainstream, media.  The fact that it was even presented impresses me as to the progress being made.  Next step, they won't feel the need to be masogynistic about the content.  It's a step.

You know, I don't think it was the whole kiss thing that every one was in arms about, it was the "machisimo" reaction of having to beat each other and drink motor oil, that was the catalyst to the uproar. Physical violence shouldn't be the response to supposed gay undertone of the commercial.

I think the commercial really showed how insecure american men, in particular, are about the whole gay thang; and the sterotypical perceptions that our society place on men's actions.

This may be controversial, but I think the super bowl was a huge move in the right direction.  Homosexuality was approached with humor and not disgust.  When it becomes okay to have a laugh at something in a non demeaning way, it is a sign of it becoming more mainstream. 

I know a lot of people in the gay community were up in arms, but I was cheering Snickers on.  Finally, it's okay to laugh about the gay lifestyle.  Finally.  We crack jokes about mishaps between men and women in hetero relations, even casual relationships.  Now, as a community, we have been included in the humor of mainstream society.  The way they chose to do it may have been slightly off, but that they chose to do it at all is awsome. 

It shows that corporate america is opening its collective mind to the world standing right in front of them.

I think acceptance will happen also, but I want to do everything I can in life to educate people. Ignorace in numbers is scary, the last totally fixed "elections" are proof of what can happen when ignornace gets power. I'd rather people, if they are going to be ignorant, to at least be ignorant in a non-determential way to what they don't understand.

You know, corporate America recognized us (LBGT) as having disposable income some time ago.  I believe we are largely responsible for breaking through the lavender glass ceiling, and we should be proud of that alone.  We are the reason "equal opportunity" flourished; we were the ones willing and able to accept the challenges of doing "a man's work".  Didn't see too many men crossing over the other way, alhough acceptance of those who did came easier....thanks to us.

We have never been as offensive as gay men.  You just don't see Lesbians running around in short shorts, with their junk hanging out, sporting a boa.  But anytime there's coverage of a Pride event, that's the one the media always find.  We (GLBT community) seem to be drifting away from that sort of behavior and and believe the world is seeing us in a much more accepting light.  People aren't shocked to see to two womyn (I like the symbolism of womyn, but often forget to us it) kissing and the other day I read a comment that "you can't turn on TV without seeing gays".  Hello.  We're everywhere and have been for centuries.  I can't believe people still don't understand how much they interact with members of the GLBT community on a daily basis. 

At this point I believe we can probably just "get on with business".  I don't feel I have to prove anything to anybody.  I don't have time to live my life the ways others think I should, especially if they keep messing up their own lives.  They just need to get over themselves.  In fact, they need to accept that we are, in so many ways, ahead of the game. 

I sense total acceptance just around the corner.  I have to believe that the vast majority of Americans are intelligent and fair.  Ignorance drives those who don't understand.  Let them be ignorant.  It's their loss. 

 

 

 

I can't help but disagree girliegirl(GG).  I think thay being known as women or a woman was never a derogatory thing.  I think that we should embrace ourselves and quit trying to stand out in the community, so much as trying to stand up.  We need to knock down the predetermined assumptions made about us.  Most people think of lesbians and they get one of two images in their head.  One is the raging man hating, diesel dykes, and the other is of the *** variation which is made for and by men for primarily masculine consumption.  As lesbians, we need to stand up and make the world see our sameness.  Not our difference.  In order to be accepted, the world needs to embrace us first for our commonalitles and second for the good our differences bring to the world.

WOW...Great change in the word wo-man to womyn....I love your thinking....YOU GO GIRL!!!!  We definetly need our sense of individuality from the masculine form of words. 

Wow!  Can’t agree with you more!  You put it wonderfully!  I also feel that lesbians and lesbian mindset inspire womyn in general; being lesbian is an evolution of attitude, confidence, and self-worth. Lesbians are trailblazers.  

 

I love your idea of creating new words; we shall have a section of “urban lesbianary”, where new words are voted and embraced, and a good idea to start a topic!

I think that lesbians are paving the ways not only for other lesbians but for womyn in general. I feel as an out and proud lesbian, wife, musician, artist, writer...that my strength is shared with the womyn around me who feel oppressed by the male strength in politics and finances.

I think a lot of womyn look to lesbians for strength in their community because, lets face it, people like us, like me, don't give a *** about what people think of me, or percieve me to be. Life is too short to live in a box and if people can't get over who I'm shagging than I don't want to have anything to do with them. And now, because of womyn like Melissa Etheridge, Ellen, Rosie, we have womyn who see their financial success and realize they can be strong and assertive, yet passionate and caring and still be succesful.

I think it's an incredible of a time to be a lesbian and a womyn!!!! (the reason I use the "y" in womyn is because it is my way of moving away from dichotomy into a future where we as a society are more enlightened to embrace difference, recognize the oppresion of words like wo-man or fe-male, and to hopefully induce conversation with people who might not have realized the silent implications language can have on society).

Let us not forget the Meg Christen's, Cris Williamson's and Holly Near's of the world. These artists paved the way for the Melissa's and the Indigo Girls to reach the kind of success they have had as out and proud lesbians.

We're just a bunch of rock stars. 

I just think it is sad that it has taken society so long to figure out that we are what we are. Wonderful women with different life styles.It seems people now think that being a lesbian is cool. They don't get it! It was always cool. I love me the way I am. I know I was just born this way, so for me it is normal...........What does normal mean?

                                                    eexcitin47

It was just a matter of time before the world realized the who, what, when and how of Lesbians.  The other day I was just thinking about our representation in the entertainment world, and how fortunate we are to have such stellar leaders.  And since the entertainment world is such a major influence on society, we are coming through loud and clear.

 And the smiles are only a small hint to how much fun we are or can be.  There is still a large number of sisters who are oppressed, but I believe that we, those who have discovered the fun inside us, will reach out and let them know it's OK to laugh...out loud and proud.

 

It's sad to say the only way people have decided to accept homosexuality is through " positive" bashing in the media and making it trendy. When I was in high school I was a total outcast although I was the Basketball Team captain, in choir, drama and most everything else there was a big no-no for homosexuality period. Now I see kids in junior highschool, celebs, and television shows that say hey its okay to be gay now, its fun!! You can always be straight again when you go home. Its just pathetic...