posted on September 10, 2001 07:42:40 PM new
Spazmodeus, I do see your point. Any group which has the potential to be persecuted by another stands to be hurt by stereotypes. I still believe there are inherent differences, but it doesn't do any good to highlight those, especially when they don't apply to all members of a group. Sometimes I forget how dangerous stereotypes can be because many people are less tolerant of differences, or perceived differences, than we are. I will politely back out of this discussion and go watch TV now.
posted on September 10, 2001 07:56:40 PM new
Actually some stereotypes are correct but it is often hard to know the reasons behind them. Where stereotypes are destructive is when they assign negative reasons and bad motives for an action.
As an example when I was younger in the 50's and 60's Black people were stereotyped as favoring big cars. If they could not afford a Caddy you could figure they would have a Buick. Lincoln, Oldsmobile or a Pontiac.
But it was true. You very rarely saw a black person drive a compact or sports car or an import.
Today that just is not true and if some older person puts forth that stereotype they just have not been paying attention. Now you see black people driving about the same spread of size and makes as everyone else.
I suspect that that was true when I was younger because they were much more restricted from spending their money on a nice house because of discrimination in realestate sales and mortgage lending. So if you have a decent income and can't buy a nice house what will you spend it on? - Often a nicer car.
I think some of the stereotypes about gay men are also true but that again does not tell you why.
Perhaps whatever changes there are in a persons brain that dispose them to be gay effect their creative bent also. Gender characteristics are formed very early in the formation of a fetus and male and female brains do have different strengths.
On the other hand perhaps some occupations are more open to gay men and some are more closed. It could be in a few years if public attitudes and actions change so will the professions gay men pick.
posted on September 11, 2001 04:08:05 AM new
Virtually all the gay men I know are into antiques. Of course, I meet them because I'm an antiques dealer...
Some are friends (or friendly acquaintances), and of these...2 are bakers, one is a chef, 2 are bankers, 1 a travel agent, 1 an optometrist, 1 manages a plumbing company, 1 is a librarian, and naturally, several are antiques dealers.
All of the interior decorators I know (and I know many ) happen to be women.
posted on September 11, 2001 05:24:03 AM new
The one fellow I actually know is gay does not do interior decorating but he does flower arranging and designs gardens - a similar creative thing. Of course I am 54 years old and I think gays my age tend to still be in the closet and probably are not about to change.
