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Time for a Gay/Lesbian forum
- Thread starter Chip NoVaMac
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I am the creator of the original post. My intention was not for it to be an outpost for any political agenda, but rather just an innocent question that was on my mind at the time. Do gays indeed visit this forum, and maybe it would be fun to "come out" and identify ourselves as such and have fun with it.
Going back and reading the incredible amount of pages and pages of responses - I think it's very cool that a small initial thought grew to such an outpouring of responses and coversation. Even more encouraging is the lack of trolls and negative/hateful posts.
When I made the first posting - I though surely it would be deleted within a day or so due to member objections. Myself - and others - are very pleased that this wasn't the case. I would ask that the MacRumors team allow this thread of healthy discussion and sharing continue here on the forums. Personally, I don't care if a specific sub-topic for gay Mac users is created. It makes no difference to me. I don't want - nor would I ever ask for extra special consideration for my being gay; however, I do ask that the forum leaders take this opportunity to be fair and allow this topic and future topics to continue.
"Think Different" is more than just a slogan for a computer company. Let's see if we can all tap into that stream of consciousness.
Going back and reading the incredible amount of pages and pages of responses - I think it's very cool that a small initial thought grew to such an outpouring of responses and coversation. Even more encouraging is the lack of trolls and negative/hateful posts.
When I made the first posting - I though surely it would be deleted within a day or so due to member objections. Myself - and others - are very pleased that this wasn't the case. I would ask that the MacRumors team allow this thread of healthy discussion and sharing continue here on the forums. Personally, I don't care if a specific sub-topic for gay Mac users is created. It makes no difference to me. I don't want - nor would I ever ask for extra special consideration for my being gay; however, I do ask that the forum leaders take this opportunity to be fair and allow this topic and future topics to continue.
"Think Different" is more than just a slogan for a computer company. Let's see if we can all tap into that stream of consciousness.
I'm not aginst it adn f it did come about i would not protest against it but if we have a forum for that why not one for striaght people, and one for bi people and one for republcians and one for democrats or one for each 3rd part, and one for USA people and one for UK people and one for iMac owns and one for PowerMac owners??/. when do we draw the line? that could be 100 new forums
Just some food for thought
Just some food for thought
im against it just being a gay/lesbian forum, but maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to put a "Lifestyle" sub-forum in "community" or something where anyone of any group could post a topic relating to people and how they live? Sounds reasonable to me...ps im not gay either 
i would like a black forum, a white forum, a straight forum and a fish and chips forum.
please
ok, maybe not.
please
ok, maybe not.
Count me as "not in favor", I don't think we should start creating such subgroups for the many reasons listed above. Just wanted to weigh in too.
I doesn't have anything to do with opposing certain members, or even gays, I just think it is a bad idea, just as I would if there were a sub group for blacks, Christians, liberals, conservatives, Brits or any other group. I like the community and the diversity that it brings.
I realize that we could just not go in that particular forum, but it is also true that you can just post in the overall community forum.
I want to stay one big dysfunctional family.
Woof, Woof Dawg
I doesn't have anything to do with opposing certain members, or even gays, I just think it is a bad idea, just as I would if there were a sub group for blacks, Christians, liberals, conservatives, Brits or any other group. I like the community and the diversity that it brings.
I realize that we could just not go in that particular forum, but it is also true that you can just post in the overall community forum.
I want to stay one big dysfunctional family.
Woof, Woof Dawg
Nothing personal against Chip (and I hope he doesn't take it that way), but I'm against the idea, personally.
I think we can do all of our chit-chatting in that thread.
For those who say that thread should be closed - and comparing it to the pube-shaving thread?
That was closed down because one member decided to take it to the next level (which was pretty gross, by the way), so I PM'd edesign and said, come on, this is just not tasteful.
I think we can do all of our chit-chatting in that thread.
For those who say that thread should be closed - and comparing it to the pube-shaving thread?
That was closed down because one member decided to take it to the next level (which was pretty gross, by the way), so I PM'd edesign and said, come on, this is just not tasteful.
shoot... was away on business and missed the end of the pubic hair thread... disgusting though, maybe i won't do a search...
as for subforums... i'll echo what iGary and some others have said, more fun to have one big pile of different exciting community discussion.
as for subforums... i'll echo what iGary and some others have said, more fun to have one big pile of different exciting community discussion.
MR has been a tremendously accepting place since it's inception, it would be rude to demand segregation now. Besides, all you queens can chitter on iChat or something
If the gay thread du jour (there have been, what, six?) were to be wastelanded or sent to political, I might change my mind on that.
If the gay thread du jour (there have been, what, six?) were to be wastelanded or sent to political, I might change my mind on that.
Chip
I'm not sure i agree with the idea of a separate gay sub-forum. If we have any gay specific stuff i don't see any reason why we can't just start a thread in the community section. If we have a specifically gay sub-group i think that the straight guys and girls around here may be less inclined to contribute their thoughts and ideas on gay topics. Also i'm not to hot on the thought of segregating ourselves from the general community here.
That said, i really disagree with all those guys that want the 'Any Gays here' thread closed. I mean what harm is it doing? If you're not interested then don't read it. There are quite a few of us that find it interesting and enjoy posting there (Some more regularly than others). There have been plenty of threads that have turned into small conversation groups where the discussion has eventually drifted off-topic (as all real conversations eventually do). If no one were interested the thread would eventually die. By all means rename the thread, but there really is no reason to close it down.
I'm not sure i agree with the idea of a separate gay sub-forum. If we have any gay specific stuff i don't see any reason why we can't just start a thread in the community section. If we have a specifically gay sub-group i think that the straight guys and girls around here may be less inclined to contribute their thoughts and ideas on gay topics. Also i'm not to hot on the thought of segregating ourselves from the general community here.
That said, i really disagree with all those guys that want the 'Any Gays here' thread closed. I mean what harm is it doing? If you're not interested then don't read it. There are quite a few of us that find it interesting and enjoy posting there (Some more regularly than others). There have been plenty of threads that have turned into small conversation groups where the discussion has eventually drifted off-topic (as all real conversations eventually do). If no one were interested the thread would eventually die. By all means rename the thread, but there really is no reason to close it down.
I must be out of the loop here...who is complaining about "the gay" thread?
Although we (the mods) haven't actualy spoken about this, I am 99.99% sure that a gay sub-forum is not on the cards.
Although we (the mods) haven't actualy spoken about this, I am 99.99% sure that a gay sub-forum is not on the cards.
I like the idea, but I'm fine with staying in our one little (or not so little) thread. The reason why a gay/lesbian sub-forum would be more successful than a poop forum is that people have a prolonged, sincere interest in the issues that arise because of their sexual orientations. There is so much baggage that comes along with being gay, and it isn't baggage that is going away any time soon. You have no idea how often I have to deal with stereotypes. What I'm saying is that gay themed issues don't go away in a gay man or woman's life, and it isn't always easy to find a crowd that is as accepting and understanding as MR to help you sort through these issues. As of now, we are all in one, highly unorganized thread. A sub-forum would allow us a little more organization.
One of the reasons that the thread usually only has a couple of the same people posting is that often the thread only makes sense to those who have read through a good portion of it. People would be more likely to post in a gay setting if they didn't have to go through 66 pages of unorganized postings.
Let's look at it this way. If we look at MacRumors as a directory service and each post as a file, it is as if we are putting 1631 files in the same folder. If you are looking for a file in that folder, it would be a pain in the ass. If you were trying to understand the general idea of what is in that folder, even that would be a pain in the ass. If that folder had more folders in it, it might be easier for everyone.
To tell you all the truth, I think GayWay/the thread at hand is just beginning (I like that name btw, Kevin). As I said before, gay/lesbian issues don't go away. I don't get the support that I need from my friends because they are younger. Actually, I do get the support I need from my friends, my friends on MacRumors. I don't regard them as 'other people' at all, we are all very good friends in that thread. Frankly, I would rather have the support of the people here than anyone else in this world.
But, let's give it some time. I think people will be more susceptible to the sub-forum idea when the thread gets to 3k posts.
As for closing the thread, I think anyone who supports such a notion would immediately change their mind after reading through the whole thread. Tears have been shed, laughs have been shared, and it is obvious that some people needed this thread. People won't stop needing this thread, it's unsafe to bottle emotions, and not all of us have a group of people who can understand, relate, and help us with gay issues. If being off-topic is a big issue, I have no problem starting a new thread, or having the thread at hand's name changed. But there really is no need to worry about frivolities like staying on topic in a thread that doesn't lend itself to that.
_Emerson
One of the reasons that the thread usually only has a couple of the same people posting is that often the thread only makes sense to those who have read through a good portion of it. People would be more likely to post in a gay setting if they didn't have to go through 66 pages of unorganized postings.
Let's look at it this way. If we look at MacRumors as a directory service and each post as a file, it is as if we are putting 1631 files in the same folder. If you are looking for a file in that folder, it would be a pain in the ass. If you were trying to understand the general idea of what is in that folder, even that would be a pain in the ass. If that folder had more folders in it, it might be easier for everyone.
To tell you all the truth, I think GayWay/the thread at hand is just beginning (I like that name btw, Kevin
). As I said before, gay/lesbian issues don't go away. I don't get the support that I need from my friends because they are younger. Actually, I do get the support I need from my friends, my friends on MacRumors. I don't regard them as 'other people' at all, we are all very good friends in that thread. Frankly, I would rather have the support of the people here than anyone else in this world.But, let's give it some time. I think people will be more susceptible to the sub-forum idea when the thread gets to 3k posts.
As for closing the thread, I think anyone who supports such a notion would immediately change their mind after reading through the whole thread. Tears have been shed, laughs have been shared, and it is obvious that some people needed this thread. People won't stop needing this thread, it's unsafe to bottle emotions, and not all of us have a group of people who can understand, relate, and help us with gay issues. If being off-topic is a big issue, I have no problem starting a new thread, or having the thread at hand's name changed. But there really is no need to worry about frivolities like staying on topic in a thread that doesn't lend itself to that.
_Emerson
scem0- excellent post, but why is a mac rumor forum the place for a dedicated sub-forum like this? can't all the issues be discussed in the community forum?
Don't bank on it, 3k posts, 10k posts, it wouldn't change my opinion of MacRumors need for a specific "gay" forum. Just to be clear, I'm not against it because it's gay, it could be anything, it would be like breaking down the hardware forum to each machine type, it's just uncalled for in my opinion.scem0 said:
Is this a Mac website, or a 'enter any aspect of life here' website?
Not that I'm opposed to the idea per se, but there really isn't much discussion on the topic to warrent it.
Besides, this is a computer site, not an all-encompassing life site.
Not that I'm opposed to the idea per se, but there really isn't much discussion on the topic to warrent it.
Besides, this is a computer site, not an all-encompassing life site.
Josh said:...Besides, this is a computer site, not an all-encompassing life site.
It isn't?
*Singing... One nation, under the groove!*
I remember when somebody suggested a car-oriented sub-forum, which was heartily voted down by the majority of MR denizens.
At the time I disagreed, since I'm one of the "car guys", but now I've changed my mind.
Why balkanize MR by making more OT sub forums? I say that the lack of special-interest sub forums maintains the focus of the site better and keeps people mixing. With the current setup people can post virtually anything they want in the Community forums. I think this is the best possible arrangement.
At the time I disagreed, since I'm one of the "car guys", but now I've changed my mind.
Why balkanize MR by making more OT sub forums? I say that the lack of special-interest sub forums maintains the focus of the site better and keeps people mixing. With the current setup people can post virtually anything they want in the Community forums. I think this is the best possible arrangement.
Why exactly should someone's sexual preference entitle them to their own forum on MR? If it does can I have one for blokes that prefer petite brunettes in their late twenties-early thirties?
solvs said:Not everyone is so civil. Especially in this political climate. It's a good idea, but one who's time sadly has not come. Were I in your shoes I would simply continue to post in the regular community threads and hope they don't get sent to the Poli forums or get shut down.
I prefer the integration to the separate but equal, but that's just me.
I have to agree chip. Let's leave it alone.
Just my opinion, but I think this is a great site. I come her for mac related information, and to provide some when I can. I think it should remain focused on that.
I'm sure there are lots of sites out there dedicated to other interests that members here might have.
I'm sure there are lots of sites out there dedicated to other interests that members here might have.
Post gay-related topics in the Community Discussion, like so many other topics that get posted in there. Preface it with "gay"; ie: something like "What do gay guys like to drive?". That way, if someone comes in and makes a political statement, that person can't use the excuse he/she wasn't warned when entering the thread. That person can be dealt with appropriately. "BAN" button anyone?
Every mac-related thread has their designated troll. But that shouldn't stop people from making new gay-related threads also.
Since "gay" is still a sensitive subject, I'm quite surprised by MR's liberal views on it. However, I don't think a gay sub-forum is appropriate or necessary.
Every mac-related thread has their designated troll.
But that shouldn't stop people from making new gay-related threads also.Since "gay" is still a sensitive subject, I'm quite surprised by MR's liberal views on it. However, I don't think a gay sub-forum is appropriate or necessary.
while i don't think a separate subforum is necessary, i don't see any problem with the current thread..
i think it'd be a real shame to see the thread close down - although i'm still working through it though (damn, it's looong). it doesn't matter if its 5 people having a conversation or 50 - they're all members of the community..and what kind of community doesn't allow free communication?
so, a subforum is unnecessary (imho) but i think we should keep the thread and perhaps rename it to something more appropriate?
edit: oops..i see the thread has already been renamed..silly me
i think it'd be a real shame to see the thread close down - although i'm still working through it though (damn, it's looong). it doesn't matter if its 5 people having a conversation or 50 - they're all members of the community..and what kind of community doesn't allow free communication?
so, a subforum is unnecessary (imho) but i think we should keep the thread and perhaps rename it to something more appropriate?
edit: oops..i see the thread has already been renamed..silly me
Lacero said:Post gay-related topics in the Community Discussion, like so many other topics that get posted in there. Preface it with "gay"; ie: something like "What do gay guys like to drive?". That way, if someone comes in and makes a political statement, that person can't use the excuse he/she wasn't warned when entering the thread. That person can be dealt with appropriately. "BAN" button anyone?
Every mac-related thread has their designated troll.
Since "gay" is still a sensitive subject, I'm quite surprised by MR's liberal views on it. However, I don't think a gay sub-forum is appropriate or necessary.
I also say no to a subforum, but I think the current thread is fine. And it's too bad that it's still so sensitive a subject. Hopefully, someday it won't be.
Don't know, I'd bet a poop-, monkey-, geek-, or drunk-based forum would probably cause fewer problems.scem0 said:
Since people on this site do have and unhealthy and sincere fascination and interest in these topics that would lead to long lasting forums.
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