What is the dominant religion where you live and how does it affect the gay peop
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We're a global community.
What religion dominates the country, region, or town you're in and how does it affect the gay community or your place as a gay/bi person?
I'm from Los Angeles but I live in Japan which is effectively atheist/agnostic. When the US wrote the constitution they included a clause narrowly defining marriage as between a man and a woman, so unlike many other places, gay marriage is a constitutional issue. Otherwise, gay people, drag queens, transgender (called new-half here) are fairly common on TV. I have never once felt threated or insulted and people are open with me about me and my "partner".
You?
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I live in English Canada which is dominated by "Mainline Protestant" churches. 50% of Canadian believers belong to one of three churches: Roman Catholic (dominant in Quebec), Anglican, or United Church of Canada. These churches tend to be socially liberal on most if not all issues.
Evangelical/Charismatic/Fundamentalist Christians are about 7% scattered the country. At slightly above 8% there are more non-Christians than Evangelicals in Canada.
Arguments concerning evolution, global warming, or the need to punish the poor for being poor aren't a part of the mainstream religious discourse in Canada.
One thing that Americans may find particularly ironic concerning gay rights in Canada. The right to same-sex marriage was won by a Protestant Church (MCC) demanding the right to decide who could be married within their congregations.
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I live in Boston. It's Irish Catholics all the way!
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I live in Boston. It's Irish Catholics all the way!
Does that mean there's more opposition to, say, gay marriage? Is there more concern for your safty being out with your date/partner than in another city? And do you have a Boston accent?
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There is very little opposition to gay marriage. MA was the first state to legalize it. I'm a big guy. I don't worry much about my safety but I'm also not flamboyant and I don't hold hands or kiss or anything in public either (I wouldn't if I was straight either).
I do have a Boston accent.
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There is very little opposition to gay marriage. MA was the first state to legalize it. I'm a big guy. I don't worry much about my safety but I'm also not flamboyant and I don't hold hands or kiss or anything in public either (I wouldn't if I was straight either).
I do have a Boston accent.
OH, DUDE, you have to do a members porn video for us all here! You have to talk through it, too. I LOVE the Boston accent. :cheers:
Go on, talk to me. :hug2:
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Funny how no one ever tells me my native accent is sexy.
Hmmm, Canadians always sound like Terrance & Phillip to me.
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I’m Mongolian race in China. I always worry about my safety. The people in my place is not kind to gay, especially when you have higher social level. Some people are watching you find your bad things(gay is the most bad thing) and you may lose your job in public service area, like officer, professor,lecture,doctor in hospital. If you don’t have a marriage, when you are old enough, you will hear some people around you talk about your privacy very dirty.
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I’m Mongolian race in China. I always worry about my safety. The people in my place is not kind to gay, especially when you have higher social level. Some people are watching you find your bad things(gay is the most bad thing) and you may lose your job in public service area, like officer, professor,lecture,doctor in hospital. If you don’t have a marriage, when you are old enough, you will hear some people around you talk about your privacy very dirty.
So what is the religion like over there? I've seen the pics you've posted of the shrines/temples but don't know what they mean. Is there a codified law/rule against gay people?
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Living most of the year in South Florida, I'd say there's no "dominant religion." Perhaps of note, we have a sizable Jewish population, and they are very supportive of gay issues.
Broward is one of the more liberal counties in Florida, and there's a whole lot of "us" here. We have an abundance of gay churches and synagogues, for those interested. Still, we do run up against religious fundamentalists in our (largely successful) efforts to put laws on the books banning conversion therapy for teens, establishing equal benefits for municipal workers, etc.
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Living most of the year in South Florida, I'd say there's no "dominant religion." Perhaps of note, we have a sizable Jewish population, and they are very supportive of gay issues.
In WeHo and SanFran the gays live in close proximity to the Jews. Is that the same in Fl? It always struck me as a funny happenstance.
You ever go to those churches?
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In WeHo and SanFran the gays live in close proximity to the Jews. Is that the same in Fl? It always struck me as a funny happenstance.
You ever go to those churches?
We are speaking synagogues? No, don't think I ever stepped inside one. Nothing against them. I keep clear of all houses of worship.
As for Jews and gays living in the same 'hood, I would say, not so much. Speaking in generalities, the Fort Lauderdale gayborhood is really centered in nearby Wilton Manors and Oakland Park. Jewish neighborhoods tend to be in beach condos, and other planned (55+) communities inland.
Our tribes are two of the majority "blue" voting blocks, so from where I stand on social/political issues, a positive force. :hug2:
So, to return to cteavin's original question, what's the dominant religion where you (yes, you!) live? Is it a positive or negative force for your gay community?