Originally posted by spikegifted Ok, I'll try not to stray too far from the topic...
IMHO, everybody has some kind of prejudice against one thing or another. This is only natural since we're brought up in certain culture and has taken in certain education. By its own meaning, prejudice is the result of pre-conditioning. Whether the prejudice will show externally or remain a hiden item is entirely up to the individual. I can say, very honest, I have certain prejudice but I try very hard not to discriminate - the 'person' is more important than the 'stereotype'... 
With regards to gay people, as I've mentioned before, I don't really have a problem with them. Ok, I don't necessarily like all of them, but then again, it's like asking someone to like every person he meets - it's just not possible. However, I like to stress that I don't like gay people who bang on about 'gay rights' while they themselves are actively pre-judging other gays or straights simply because they don't share their views - that's what I call hiding 'behind an agenda'. These will never be happy because no matter what you're willing to give them (rights or otherwise), they'll never feel they're capable of being equal to the rest of the world - they just keep demanding more and more.
For me, I'm straight and have never had any homosexual incline or desires. That is not a crime. I don't think I'm homophobic, but certain gay practice make me feel uneasy. I so happen to be a minority in the country, but then again, I don't have an issue with it as long as others don't make it an issue. That is what I try to get across - usually being gay or being a minority is not an issue until someone make it one. For those gay folks in NY, why do they want to make a fuss when their children are not being discriminated against?
I agree with some of what you have said, but I think there is an important point in terms of people banging on about gay rights.
The reason people bang on about it is because homosexuals dont have the same rights as heterosexuals in the UK, the US, or indeed pretty much anywhere. I agree that sometimes people use it as an excuse to be bigotted, maybe like the people that asked you to leave the bar for being straight, but the fact remains that people will complain about it (and have a right to do so, IMHO) up until the point at which they have the same rights as everyone else, and rightfully so.
I think we have two issues here.
1. Gay people do not have the same rights as straight people. This p&&&es them off and they complain about it. This I have no problem with. This is fine.
2. Some people DO use the gay rights issue as an excuse for having bigotted views. This I do not agree with.
I think you need to be very careful about identifying which area you are talking about, as it is very easy for people to get the wrong end of the stick and assume that you are badmouthing gay people on account of them being gay. I dont believe you are, but it can come across like that.
What I am interested in, spikegifted, is the fact that you stated the following:
With regards to gay people, as I've mentioned before, I don't really have a problem with them.
You dont have a problem, or you dont
really have a problem? Why the "really"? I know it's being pedantic, but it does make a significant difference to the tone of the statement. It sounds as if you do have a small problem but it's not really enough of a problem to warrant you saying so. See what I mean?
and secondly:
certain gay practice make me feel uneasy.
I assume you are talking about sexual practise? I'm curious as to why on earth people seem to make a constant reference between homosexuality and sexual practise. Certain heterosexual practise makes me uneasy, but I feel no reason to mention it whenever we are discussing heterosexual couples. Why mention it when discussing homosexual ones?