OK,
I'm back.

First, everyone to a corner and chill a minute. I am locking this thread for two days to give "all y'all" (in the Texas vernacular) a "time out."
Michelle: I want you do do something for me, very seriously. Go back and read this entire thread three times. First time, everytime you see the words "gay/homosexual" insert the word "Jew". Second time insert the word "Black/Negro/African American (whichever is most PC for you). THEN go back and read it a third time.
I encourage everyone else to do the same. NOW, in a discussion, legitimately historical by all accounts, it is quite appropriate for someone similarly situated to bring their personal experience to the discussion.
For example: I am Jewish, my grandparents lived under Nicholas II in Poland. My family's experiences and my personal experiences ARE quite reasonably expected to come up in a discussion of Russian Jewry under the Imperial Regime, right?
Am I "Flaunting" my "Jewishness"?
As someone wrote me earlier on this subject "If I mention that I am married and have children, that necessarily implies that I am heterosexual and have sex, but am I flaunting my bedroom habits in anyone elses face?" Merely saying one is gay divulges no different information.
Both sides have to relax a little bit. Trust me, I applaud Robert, Art, Louise, et al for publicly even admitting their lifestyle. Many gay/lesbian people will not do that. But, try to remember, we MUST keep this as civil and to the point as possible. Believe me, I have lost my cool in the past, in another forum, and frankly, it was not appropriate for anyone involved on either side. Fortunately, everyone calmed down, and in the long run, cooler heads prevailed, and all parties now are friends and bygones are just that.
I hope we all take some time to just get back on track.
Any problems, comments or questions on this subject are to come directly to me privately in the next two day.
Fair enough?
FA