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From: sdyer@bbnccv.UUCP (Steve Dyer)
Newsgroups: net.motss
Subject: Leeper's amazing misperceptions
Message-ID: <22@bbnccv.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 26-Mar-85 15:39:40 EST
Article-I.D.: bbnccv.22
Posted: Tue Mar 26 15:39:40 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 28-Mar-85 02:37:22 EST
References: <201@bbnccv.UUCP>, <536@ahuta.UUCP> <576@ahutb.UUCP>
Organization: Bolt Beranek and Newman, Cambridge, MA
Lines: 36

Having read many of Evelyn's postings in the past, and often agreeing
with them, I can only guess that she simply doesn't know much about
gay people, nor the kind of things which may be important when choosing
a roommate of any persuasion.

Would she take exception to:

"Vegetarian M seeks same to share apartment..."
or maybe
"Non-smoker seeks same, M or F to share house..."
or maybe
"Roommate wanted, no pets."
and even
"Christians sought to share communal fellowship..."

Of course not.  It is no less appropriate to identify oneself as gay
or specify that one is looking for a gay roommate.  This prescreens
the audience.  Homophobic straight people or those who are simply
uncomfortable need not apply.  As for the potential for harassment,
it depends on the enviroment--I am sure Robert has taken that into
account (and in any event, at least in the New England high-tech
professional corridor, it doesn't appear to be an issue.)  Her attempt
to demean the desire to to live with compatible people, with her neo-
liberal "why should it be an issue at all?" is a slap in the face to
gay people.

When the new age arrives, I'm sure it won't be a big issue anymore
to have to state one's sexual preference in a roommate ad.  But until
that comes, the fact is that many straight people are uncomfortable
dealing with gay people, especially in a roommate situation.  It is
a waste of both parties' time to let an inquiry get as far as a phone
call.  Better to let everyone know up-front.
-- 
/Steve Dyer
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