Aspies For Freedom

Where I live in California, there is a gay community center with discussion groups and social events for Lesbians, and i feel more or less comfortable there. most of the women are civil, and seem to be understanding and tolerant of women who are different. i've never had a problem with anyone there. i don't go to the bars because they're too noisy, and I'm not sure I want to do internet or singles ads because I can't read between the lines and don't want to deal with someone who isn't what they say. I've found gay people to be more accepting of me than many people, maybe because they've experianced prejidice and sympathize with other "outcasts". I want to have a girlfriend, but I know I'd have to find just the right woman. I keep telling myself there's someone for me and with luck we'll find each other. :smile:

I am gay and live in New Zealand.

Perhaps by that theory it wouldn't, but whoever said that ASD's could affect one's sexual preference? Keep in mind that thus far no actual 'triggers' or 'brakes' have been found for homosexuality, let alone the cause itself.

That should say 'biological triggers or brakes'.

I don't think that sexuality (homo, hetero, asexuality) is either a disease or a choice.  It's, how to put it, where one finds oneself.  All sorts of choices about what to do (or not do) with your sexuality, though.  

When I was growing up, neither gayness nor aspieness was talked about...people whispered about the former and were clueless about the latter. Things are WAY more open and accepted now. I think that my teenage years would have been easier had I know about both of these possibilities for myself.

I think that shows that gender-based behaviour/relationships is also (for an important part) influenced by the culture and environment that one finds himself in.

Though of course everyone is different, I think this stems from a lack of a prejudiced stance towards gender-relations, possibly amplified by our hunger for information and maybe even some negative experiences with people from your own gender (though I don't think that the latter is of great influence).

For instance, I never saw a clear cut difference between male and female behaviour in the sense that I didn't understand why it was wrong for me to like certain 'chick flicks', or why it was wrong to hang out with girls too often. I just went out there and was myself (except for attempts to pose as an NT) and developed my own stance towards gender based culture.

But you can also spot this in people in general. Take the 'alpha male' and the 'regular joe' for instance. Or the 'uber-girly' vs 'girl next door'.
Most people prefer not to be uber-girly or an alpha-male, but prefer to be in the center of the two extremes. And naturally they expect a similar kind of attitude of their possible spouse.

So basically they want some kind of combo - with behold of certain masculine/feminine features that attracts the opposite sexes to eachother. As long as they're not too 'masculine' or too 'feminine', they're OK. Many of these people grow into this and never grow out of it, save for a few alterations to their preference after some experience.
All without wondering why, taking for granted how arbitrary that mentality was developed.

But hey, when you're the majority you can get away with it.

Yes, we have a very contraceptive minded society these days.

It's a fact though that most people wouldn't want to go back to the time when a woman had another baby every year or so and her health was often wrecked by the time she was 40.

Plus, it has now got so expensive to raise children and they find it harder to get work without an extensive education.

I don't know of any other answers besides the kinds of financial incentives some governments are giving for people to have more children.

Hey now, have you some facts and figures to back up this assertion? Also, have you got something against white people having more babies?

Batman55, some of it could be due to higher levels of education. More educated people tend to delay childbearing. If it is any consolation, there are large numbers of Italian people in Australia and no doubt in the US.

I too have seen pictures of what is done in abortions (dad showed me some when I was 12 because I didn't know what was wrong with abortion and since then, I have been very strongly anti-abortion) and it made me sick and gave me nightmares.

I would never want to have one - even giving birth in less than ideal circumstances eg. poverty would be preferable to living with myself I had one.

It might indeed be.

It's because there could be poo.

No I do not engage in the type of behavior that Larry Craig indulges in. Larry Craig also most likely 'did stuff' in bushes, parks, pono theatres, isolated places etc. --Most gay people do not indulge in this type of behavior.

Larry Craig also was quite anti gay in his voting record as well. Oddly enough, a lot of gay people will probably be quite forgiving towards his past voting record now that he's 'out' so to speak. I am not. To Quote Anton LaVey, 'Those who spread lies as truth, and truth as lies are an abomonation unto man'.

His voting record caused damage to gay people, and quite frankly I see no reason to offer forgiveness to the man.

A lot of people think that gayness is a choice (I don't agree, just reporting what many think.)  Autism and skin color would generally not be considered choices.  Speaking for myself, I had a hard time coming to terms with attraction to women, because of the overlay of moral judgment, especially as it existed back in the early 70s when I was acknowledging this. Maybe it'd be easier in today's climate.  On the other hand, realizing I'm aspie came as a relief, even though during the course of my life I've caught more flak for the aspie qualities than I ever did for gayness.  

I do think there are parallels.

hey Ocampa, welcome to AFF

I'm aspie, female, bi/asexual, and ancient (compared to most people here).  I never grokked the make-up thing with women either.  Most of my deepest friendships have been with gay men.

Oh so true, speaketh the perpetual student.
(Cool pictures--you look robust, Tim)