Do you mind being called gay?

My best friend is bisexual, but she refers to herself as being gay. I referred to Elton John as being gay once to my boyfriend and he got all uppity on me and corrected me. I countered with this story of my friend and he backed down immediately.
I just wanted to ask, because maybe my friend is a rarity. I only have one bisexual friend. He has, like, 10. Thus I have begun to doubt myself. But then again, we're both straight, so what do we know?
Some people get weird about labels and such, so maybe it doesn't matter to some and maybe it matters very much to others. I was just wondering, from the people who actually live the life, does it matter to you?
Personally, for what it's worth, people have always thought I was bisexual even though I'm straight, so it's never been a big deal to me. I rarely correct them.

 

I I'm straight to all but close friends. To them I'm bi.

 

I guess it depends on whether someone is trying to use it as an insult or simply as a way of describing an aspect of who I am. I mean, theres worse things I could be called, like calling me a republican would be grounds for a fight...now thats ugly to me.

 

i guess i tend to say i'm bi,now that you ask.as do most of my friends who are, if asked. or at least "not straight".possibly just queer would be most accurate,and least constricting as a way of defining oneself.

 

I don't like the way people feel as though it makes any difference in a positive or negative way. Of course it does change the way you see someone but it shouldn't be like for example: (introduction) "hey this is my gay best friend (who is therefore cool/interesting/anti-conformist/sensitive/stereotypical/camp/butch/friendly/open-minded etc.)", nor (in passing) "that guy over there is a bender/fag/cock-sucker/diseased/pussy etc.)"

I don't feel as though it couldn't/shouldn't be acknowledged by the people you know, meet, and interact with, but it is (as far as I'm concerned) a pretty personal side to my character which doesn't mean that I should be treated or seen as any differently whether in support or condemnation because of it. As in it makes you who you are but doesn't define you absolutely. Just as people who play golf for example aren't shaped or shamed by their hobby when it comes up in front of strangers/friends/family etc.

does this make sense? am i getting my point through to anyone? I'll try to re-write it and better express what I mean to say if this is a little unclear.

for me though I don't mind being called gay (even though i am a biseuxal which is essentially an extension to the meaning of gay) as long as it is in neither a derogatory nor an attention directing way.

 

Thanks for insight everybody.

 

so Elton John is bi?

 

I really don't like the labels at all.Some people prefer to have a label i think and in someway brings security.I find them confining and have only told a few people I'm bi other than the forums (alot of people have figured it out on there own).I think it gets misinterperted by alot of people and to explain myself to people who won't understand's a waste.,alot of people are not so open-minded and there are alot of homophobes too.Even people (family friends)can get real wierd around the subject.They may assume you're *different when mostly you're still the same(like I've always been).Making an announcement about my sexuality may put people off towards me but it's nothing new for me and the person they thought I was (before I told them)is still the same guy after,although alot of people might treat me different.Does that make sense?I don't see a need for a label at all except to clarify a little about myself.I don't want to be seen as any different than anyone else,I mean do straight people announce that they're straight,"Hi I'm jim,I'm hetro-sexual,whats your name"lol,..I think we need to accept people as they are and what their orientation is is noone elses business.More seperation between people to me is not good,..Straights to the right Gays to the left Bisexuals stay in the middle,..Were all people.Well that's why I don't like to say I'm Bisexual to people and I don't like labels used in the press.like Melissa Etheridge is a talented song writer and preformer before I think of her as a lesbian.I think gays preformers get more attention cause theyre gay instead of the great talents they are and that pisses me off.

Joy & Peace,
Joey*

 

I hate the whole idea of gay and I don't see sexuality as a part of my public identity. I have a hard time understanding why anyone would feel the need to advertise their sexual preferences at all. Honestly, the whole idea of 'gay' being something you ARE is why so many people are afraid of it.

There's absolutely no reason to have a separate 'gay culture' or 'gay style' or anything. It's all just a big ugly marketing tactic.

 

OK, back to the question "do I mind being called gay?" No, altho I hate to have gay men tell me that I am gay when in fact part of me loves women. I have credentials. Been with men and women. I don't brag about being bi nor do I use it to diffuse or obscure any embarrassment at being gay (as I have been accused) but it is a FACT. Sorry, gay bigots.

When I am sucking cock, I am gay. When my face is buried in a pussy, I hope I am het or I might puke. Therefore the term that accommodates both sides of my sexuality is most accurately Bisexual.

I believe people are best qualified to describe their own sexual identity. How does a gay guy who perhaps would gag if his tongue was circling a clit, think he can tell me I am gay when in fact I enjoy women? Isn't that just as narrow as the straight bigots who call us pervs just because they can't comprehend how a man would want to suck another man's cock?

And, no you don't go up to ppl and say "Hi, I'm gay" or "straight" or "bi." But, eventually you will either out yourself as one of those things or you may want to let someone know so that you can have more intimate relations.

 

I'm bi, never thought of calling myself gay. if anyone says "you mean you're gay?", then i play along and say i'm MOSTLY gay. lol.

 

i love to be called gay. but then it's kinda because i am. i don't readily consider myself bi because there's only one person i go bi for lol! but i like for people to know that i'm not heterosexual. not because i want to be "special" or labeled or anything like that. i'm not big into having this huge gay culture that excludes heterosexuals. but i want people to know that i prefer being with women so that it's not so awkward. like if i ask a woman on a date, i want her to know that i'm asking her on a date, not just going out for girly time, we're just friends thing. it makes it easier when people know who i am. being gay or bi or whatever doesn't define me, but it is a big part of who i am!

 

I have several bi friends, all of whom refer to themselves as both homosexual, and bisexual, mainly because essentially they are really both. A bisexual person is also gay, but a gay person - such as myself - is not necessarily bi. I guess it varies from person to person.

 

I don't like being called gay, though i am mostly, since i haven't been with a girl for 7 years now (well, just once, i was hell drunk, and so was she).
I'm gay, i used to date girls, and for a while, i pushed my friends to call me bi rather than gay.
Now, it doesn't matter, it's almost the same... almost

-x-

 

I dont mind people calling me gay even though i am bi-sexual. some people just dont have the mental capasity to understand that there are some of us out there who swing both ways. I like both men and women equally.

 

Peace

 

I'm bi-sexual. I might love cock, to have a cock in my ass. But i also like to eat pussy, and fuck ass or pussy. I'm more straight than bi but just. So i recent being called gay, although, i feel gay when men are fucking my ass or mouth.

 

i don't mind because hey...their is a possibility of me being with a chick, as well as with a male, so their is a percentage of homosexuality there. its not the other peoples fault that they cant comprehend the fact of bisexuality.

plus...why the hell should i care what OTHER people think anyways?!?!?!?!?!

 

Well as soon as you say gay to some straights they automatically jump to some bizarre assumptions, So I dont bother anymore, sick of giving them little talks to correct them. Talks that sometimes have to do with stuff straight people should know about themselves

 

I guess at this moment it really depends on the person,circumstances also play a very big part.