What makes a MINORITY?

[TRAYLORTRASH]

What is it, is it skin color? Is a nationality? What is it? Out in California the gay community is protesting a law that was passed by calling themselves a minority. I am sorry to say but I don't believe that a lifestyle choice makes you a minority. If thats the case then as a biker we are part of a legitimate minority in our own right, and deserve certain privilages because of it. Just wanna hear some oppinions on the matter

[claydbal]

a minority is someone who leaves their HD stock.

almost 20 years ago, i remember reading the largest minority was the white male, age 18-34, with a job. that of course was during the last time the dems had complete control of our country-----the carter years.

[TRAYLORTRASH]

Minorities are based off of who is a majority. It is classified by sex, and race, not by sexual preference... If you choose a lifestyle unpopular by the general public that doesn't make you a minority, it makes you an outcast, or a rebel...

[jnvultraclassic]

It seems as though a "minority" is the favorite term for any segment of society to use for their own gain, whether it's related to color, race, sexual preference, abortion, caged pregnant pigs (yes, here in Florida, it was a law that was passed regarding caged pregnant pigs, don't ask!)

The media likes to use the M word to stir the masses and incite the mob mentality!

I'm just sayin'....

[Alex93Sportster]

First let me say I am straight and married. That aside, you are making an assumption that people who are gay have "chosen" to be that way, or that wanting to be with their same sex is a "preference.". If that is your beleif, that's fine, but I beleive that they are born that way. In that respect, if they are being discriminated against, it would be no different than skin color, ethnicity, or male/female, as it is in their genes. Personally, I don't see how two men or two women deciding to enter into a marraige has ANY effect on my marraige. Will it cheapen what I have between me and my wife? Absolutely not. The marraige and what it represents is between her and I. I wish the majority of people worked as hard on keeping their own marraiges in tact, as they do in trying to disrupt others from entering into them.

[TRAYLORTRASH]

Originally Posted by Alex93Sportster

First let me say I am straight and married. That aside, you are making an assumption that people who are gay have "chosen" to be that way, or that wanting to be with their same sex is a "preference.". If that is your beleif, that's fine, but I beleive that they are born that way. In that respect, if they are being discriminated against, it would be no different than skin color, ethnicity, or male/female, as it is in their genes. Personally, I don't see how two men or two women deciding to enter into a marraige has ANY effect on my marraige. Will it cheapen what I have between me and my wife? Absolutely not. The marraige and what it represents is between her and I. I wish the majority of people worked as hard on keeping their own marraiges in tact, as they do in trying to disrupt others from entering into them.

It has been scientifically proven that there is NO SEXUAL ORIENTATION GENE. Noone is born gay, they can have feminine qualities that could lead to a gay lifestyle, but NOONE IS BORN GAY. We're all born with the gene that makes us attracted to the oppisite sex... Thats fact. It is in the nature of our being. That being said, I too believe that the community should focus on their own marraiges, but my point was, does sexual orientation make you a minority? I don't believe it does. You made good points though.

[Alex93Sportster]

I'm sure there is documentation out there from valid scientists who also claim that there is some sort of chemical imbalance, or SOMETHING internally that leads to it. That it is not a choice, but a compulsion, just as those who are straight want the opposite sex. I know for a fact I have seen young kids (3,4,5 years old) who show obvious tendencies towards a sexual orientation, well before they would even know what it is.
Whether it is a byproduct of nature or nurture will always be argued. I know that I had read an article a few years back on a study that for each successive boy a mother gives birth too, the higher the likelihood that the later boys may be gay. Had something to do with the estrogen levels passed on from the mother to the son. Regardless, if THEY feel as though they do not have a choice in who they fall for, and want to marry someone they love, why not let them.
I realize some of those who have taken the position to fight gay marraige, base their choice on their religious beleifs. Again, their choice to follow a religion, and I have no issue with that. On the religious note, how would gays marrying eachother be any different than a straight couple divorcing. Or a straight person remarrying? I expect those are both as big a sin in their eyes, but they are not fighting divorce. I for one, do not have a specific religion, but do beleive that there has to be a higher power, whether it be your god, their god, or aliens. I'd much rather live my life as best I can, and not choose to push anything on others. I guess when I die, I'd hate to be wrong, and find out that the god I chose to beleive in was not the right one. Call me careful.
Just think...generations back, whites were the majority in the US. Can't say that anymore. We've come to realize and accept that the US is a melting pot, and the best place to live. What if generations from now, those who are gay outnumber those who are straight. I'd hate to have them tell me I can't marry the woman I love. Sorry to be so long winded. Slow day at work.

[TRAYLORTRASH]

After reading your first post, I did do some searching, and here are the findings. They did believe it could be GENETIC, but were unable to prove that theory thus throwing it out. What they did find, but has not yet been completely proven is that there is a difference in the brain... What that means to me is it is just as I say, they have more feminine qualities, which in turn can lead them in that direction. It too has not been proven though, it is all speculation, and no 2 cases are alike. I do base my oppinion on religious beliefs, but I hold no ill feelings towards the gay community. Once again you make good points

[IRONMAN0fCLEVE]

My brother is gay. Knew him all my life. Trust me...they are born that way. I knew by the time I was 8 and he was 10. At a time neither of us new anything. I struggle with his salvation but that part of his life is none of my damn business. Just don't put it in front of me as "normal". It isn't. I judge the individual, not the group they look like they represent.

All that being said, the biggest minority?
Working, middle-aged, overweight white guys who ride Harley's!
I say we march on Washington and insist Mr. Obama acknowledge our hardships. Careless cages, road snakes, poor parking, bike only rest stops, national holiday, etc. I sense a grassroots groundswell starting!

[Alex93Sportster]

Ok sounds good. So let's say for the sake of answering your initial question, that a person's reason for being gay is due to some sort of chemical imbalance, be it a hormonal issue, a brain function issue, or something else. For the sake of this argument, we are ruling out that genes play a part. Now lets say that scientists are some day able to isolate what causes the imbalance, and perfect a vaccine or medicine that would reverse or "fix" it. We as a people could not force those who are gay or lesbian to accept the vaccine. That would be their choice. If it is something within the body that causes it, and not just a choice to not be straight, then it would technically be no different than someone who has autism, tourettes, or are bi-polar. Once again, those who have those afflictions can not be forced to take medicine to stifle it, even though they may be available.

Straight from Wikipedia...

"A minority or subordinate group is a sociological group that does not constitute a politically dominant voting majority of the total population of a given society. A sociological minority is not necessarily a numerical minority — it may include any group that is subnormal with respect to a dominant group in terms of social status, education, employment, wealth and political power.

In socioeconomics, the term "minority" typically refers to a socially subordination ethnic group (understood in terms of language, nationality, religion and/or culture). Other minority groups include people with disabilities, "economic minorities" (working poor or unemployed), "age minorities" (who are younger or older than a typical working age) and sexual minorities.


The term "minority group" often occurs alongside a discourse of civil rights and collective rights which gained prominence in the 20th century. Members of minority groups are prone to different treatment in the countries and societies in which they live. This discrimination may be directly based on an individual's perceived membership of a minority group, without consideration of that individual's personal achievement."

So, according to that, my theory above holds true. Those with autism or tourettes would be no different than those who are gay. They have an affliction they cannot get rid of, but may be controlled. Either way, they are a small amount of people in respect to the vocal majority. The only outlier would be a person with down syndrome, as that is an effect of an extra gene, in which case, they can STILL legally marry. We do not prevent those with autism, bi-polar disorder, or any other pysical or mental ailment from marrying, despite the fact that they are a minority. Why is it then, that we as a people are choosing to withhold something from someone else that really has no effect on us personally?

[TRAYLORTRASH]

I saw that movie... X-Men.... I don't think it would be fair to make them take the vaccine, those who wanted to (which according to statistics is a good bit) could have the vaccine. I do how ever take the Medical comparison between people with Tourettes, and GAYS to offense. That is NO KIND OF COMPARISON... I am done with this though, I'm not much of a political arguer... I am a happy GUY

[trhoton]

Since the gay marriage issue came up, let me post my opinion.

I don't care how people want to live their lives. That's their business and not mine. I don't care who people live with or what they do on their own time, and I expect the same from them for me. If guys / girls want to spend their lives together, fine. I don't care; however, it's not a marriage.

This isn't a complex issue, and there are already laws in place protecting domestic partnerships and granting rights to those that choose that lifestyle. Live and let live. Just don't try to tell me that this is the same as a marriage. I recognize that there's a relationship, commitment, etc, but it's not marriage. Call it something else.

And stop the stupid discussion about not allowing gay marriage as taking away somebody's rights. Domestic partnerships already have rights.

We all know what a marriage is. This is something else. No judgement on the people that choose it.

[TRAYLORTRASH]

Good post. Thats what my wife and I said, why don't they just call it something else. They don't have to call it marraige, and it is not a MARRAIGE

[Alex93Sportster]

I guess that's where I am confused. Domestic partnerships are not the same as marraige. They do not offer all of the same benefits. And some institutions, like medical insurance carriers, are not required to see a domestic partnership as a marraige. Therefore denying the ability to offer your partner your medical benefits. Not sure about preparing taxes, but I don't remember seeing Domestic Partnership as an option, although i could be wrong. And in the event of death, or serious medical emergency, a hospital is not required to call the partner, but instead may opt to contact blood relatives, despite the actual relationship between them.

I defer to Wikipedia...

"Marriage is a social, religious, spiritual, or legal union of individuals. This union may also be called matrimony, while the ceremony that marks its beginning is usually called a wedding and the married status created is sometimes called wedlock.

Marriage is an institution in which interpersonal relationships (usually intimate and sexual) are acknowledged by the state, by religious authority, or both. It is often viewed as a contract. Civil marriage is the legal concept of marriage as a governmental institution, in accordance with marriage laws of the jurisdiction. If recognized by the state, by the religion(s) to which the parties belong or by society in general, the act of marriage changes the personal and social status of the individuals who enter into it."

I am not trying to cheapen the purpose of marraige. In fact, I think it is not taken seriously enough. With a divorce rate of 50% in this country, we are a species of people with short attention spans, and tend to think the grass is always greener on the other side.

If Marraige is exactly the same as a Domestic Partnership legally, then they wouldn't be bothering to fight. There is obviously a difference. I guess I don't take offense to them wanting to be married, since I don't see how it effects my marraige. They expect to be treated equally in regards to how they are viewed. If a domestic partnership does not offer EVERY single right that a marraige does, then calling it something different doesn't matter, as it IS something different.

I am not trying to argue with either of you, nor do I consider myself a "defender of the gays." Maybe it is a byproduct of growing up tolerant of those around me. MA allows same-sex marraige. A person sexual orientation has never been something I questioned. If two people love each other, and want to marry, then they should go for it. If two people fall out of love, or decide to divorce for whatever reason, that doesn't cheapen what my wife and I currently have. Just my 2 cents.

[Alex93Sportster]

On a side note, I respect each of you for even entertaining my point of view. I meant no disrespect with my questions or thoughts, and truly appreciate that we could even have a discussion without resorting to name calling or the like.