Bandage

You wee party animal Well, the system in Belgium is different than that too, lol! When my exams finish (June 19 atm ) I'm free of school until September 22 (Semester-based ftw ) Of course, I will have to work in the mean time :wacko:

...4? *Blushes some more*

I do think I will be accepted, but I live somewhat on the 'country'-side, and people tend to gossip a lot here, and that's what I'm afraid of.. They will remain polite in my face, but when I'm not around... Can't tell, because I won't be there then I do think there lives a gay couple in my street, not that certain, and I REALLY REALLY want to ask my family what they think of that... But I don't dare because they could ask me why I would be so interested in them... *Sigh* And I won't dare because I would totally sink into the ground from embarresment.. :wacko: And now back on topic: Well, Apearantly it was just a few days ago! Belgian Pride Parade I mean Watched some pics from their site... I didn't see any dildos, but I did see the (half-)naked guys... *Sigh* Of course, there were a lot of ordinary people as well... I could still be wrong though, because I wasn't really there, and I only saw 200 pics from the 1000+...

Happy birthday!! Enjoy your day!

I hope I can reach that point too one day :wacko: Meh, I wouldn't dare to either... :wacko: I am kind of curious now though, if the Gay Pride Parade in Belgium (Or whatever it is called) does the same? It's not really in the media here, so I don't have a clue... Care to explain? If anything, I'd rather be straight... A lot less problems to deal with!

Yups, I've had my share as well... *blushes*

Happy birthday!!! Enjoy your day, and have lots of cake!!

Welcome to the community!! :wave:

It's a pity that you'd lose a good friend over such a thing... Well, you can always practice in front of the mirror? That can help with the tone in which you'll say it But of course, you can't sound accusatory, because that will indeed send him off... It's great that you'll do it soon though, otherwise it will keep on tormenting you and he will feel a lot better around you when it's out in the open and dealt with And Yikes!! Good luck on your exams!! I'm sure you'll do fine!

I mean the ordinary "straight" guy/girl, that they feel uncomfortable about their own sexuality... Well, if there were already out bi people in your friends group it sounds rather like she didn't really notice that you guys were ok with it... But didn't you get suspicious when she kept that homophobic talk up? I think I would lol. Same here in Belgium about those pride parades... I don't even know if we have gay villages in Belgium! And why would it annoy the locals that straight people visit those villages? Because they see unreacheable meat or what? Well, I don't think it's wrong to have our own celebration, but the abundance can be overwhelming sometimes for your ordinary straight people... Why not? It's just that ignorance that will harm our cause! Ok, it only lasts until they really meet a GLBT, and they see nothing's wrong with us, but that can take a while because they will behave rather angry towards GLBTs... That's funny though Well, where there's money... *Sigh*

You dirty mind (And we like it very much ) Well, we don't really have a prom here in Belgium... We do have a party at the end of our years at high school, but the accent is on having fun and collecting money, not on King/Queen, or having a date... (The money is to sponsor a day out with all last year students ) That's maybe a better way... And besides, I was waaaaaaaay inside the closet, still am, so not really helping there I guess

I've voted for Yes, they harm our cause. This because that, while you and I know it's a party, the ordinary straight guy/girl doesn't know it. They don't know any GLBT people, so they don't know how we deal with everyday life. And the only image they get from us is that party... That while in Mardi Gras, they know other (stable) straight couples, and they know it's just a party... Never been to a parade myself either, Celia. I think there is one in Brussels, but not that sure Don't think I'mma go to one either, because it's not really the style of my friends... I in fact like to see Drag Queens They're just funny And as Kevin said, it's just for the show, so relax, and enjoy the show! Of course, some people are bothered with it. But they can stick it where the sun doesn't shine Question though; Aren't they bothered with it because of some doubts about their own sexuality? I used to scare away, or pull a face at them, because I didn't want to be seen as friendly with them, so as my friends would get doubts... Geez, the life of a closet gay is full of lurking dangers

Well, I'm glad I could witness their reactions, it did help me. There were a few guys in high school that were not quite out, but everyone knew they were, they were also somewhat popular, but everyone gossiped about them and that was a bit frightening as well... It's "nice" to see you got the same kind of reactions in high school, maybe pointing out that 3 years don't really make that big of a difference, or it's just that my country is a bit behind on that part, since we're on the other side of the world? Thanks for the :thumbup:s I admire you, lol. If I were in your position, all I would be thinking about while talking to him, is that he's actually gay and doesn't want to tell... And when I think about something, I just HAVE to say it lol... I'd go for a slight confrontation, like: "Ow, You know what I happen to have heard some time ago? You having a boyfriend? Why didn't you tell me?" But if you tell him that, keep your tone light and happy, otherwise he might inch away from you... If he sees that you know, and don't have a problem with it, he might be relieved... But that's my point and my big mouth But if you keep that to yourself, you can really damage your view of him, and a friendship can't really thrive on that...

This is exactly how I feel about that; A big in-the-closet-pusher for me was, when in high-school, a fellow student came out, publicly. Now, I must say, no one really liked the guy, from before, because of his personality, but let's say that kind of worsened when he came out... And that's not really a good thing to see while being in the closet yourself... A female friend of mine recently got into a relationship with some guy, and to get her friends to know him and his friends to know her, she invited us to an evening of bowling. Now, he invited 2 guys, and both were gay. And seeing how my friends all reacted friendly towards those 2, really helped me to get a little confident about coming out... So there you have some evidence (not clearly stated though, sorry for that ) that it really can help, and that the opposite is true as well... Have a nice evening

Happy birthday!! Enjoy the day

Personally, I would prefer a monogamous relationship, because I'm a very loyal person... I don't really like open relationships, because I do feel that at some point, the other person may not feel the same about it anymore... I can't really say I'd be really supportive if one of my friends had such a relationship, but I wouldn't show my disapproval (much). But that can be a cultural dogma here? O well, if you and your significant other are both comfortable with the way your relationship is, who am I to disapprove of it?

Happy Birthday!! And all the same that Kev Kev wrote so beautifully

Happy birthday!! Enjoy the day, and have lots of cake!!

Well, a few of my best friends always write HUGE mails and such, so I guess I'm kinda used to it I am a bit jealous though, I can't be as lyric as them/you... Well, I think I need to come out, somewhat in the near future, to become totally accepting of myself, so I'm trying to gather up enough courage to come out lol And thanks for the support And now back on topic: Well, I think that bi people should come out as well, if they are of course accepting of it themselves, and in a good environment to do so, with the same reason gay and lesbian people should come out: Society may become more tolerant, if not accepting of bi/gay/lesbian people. And I think it's like Kevin says: Well, I certainly hope it will be the same for me Cheers

I think a few of you are misunderstanding Kev's words... No offence though (Tell me if I'm wrong though, Kev) He means that, if you're able to come out, as a gay or bi, and there are no repercussions and you feel ok with it, that you should come out, so as to show to the world that there are actually LOADS of us, and that we're everywhere... This might help for others, who are still in the closet, to get a little courage to come out as well, as they see a positive attitude towards those other gay/bi people. I hope I didn't confuse anyone Me myself am still in the closet, and nowhere near being actually ok with it... But I think it would help me to see other gay/bi people on the street, and see that they are in fact accepted by their friends/family... (Wewt... Even writing this makes me sweat profusely... Sigh lol) And I think I'm 100% gay too... Sigh... I have tried sleeping with a woman... I did get aroused, probably from the friction, but I could never 'finish'... Always something would come up, like, I'm getting tired or aww, this hurts.... So I have to disagree as well on the matter of everyone's bi.

Just for the record, for me it doesn't matter what attire they wear, just as they both enjoy their day and that they may celebrate that day together for a long time to come (A guy in tux/suit does look verrra nice in my eyes though )

HUGE CONGRATZ!!!! although I said it already Hahaha, yea, planning and organising everything can become hectic!! Btw, for a straight couple, the groom can't see the bride's dress before the wedding itself... Does that count here as well? Just wondering

I agree with your point there, since when one would hide that part, you'd base your relationship and/ or marriage on a lie... And when the other one finds out, it can be rather painful I think...

That's fantastic!! Enjoy the party!! and HUGE CONGRATZzzz!!!!

Happy birthday Menzo! I hope you got lots and lots of cake!!