Is there/should there be a gay/lesbian nurses association?

Energizer Bunny · Jul 20, 2004

You know I will say this and leave

Bye!

Rustyhammer · Jul 20, 2004

Whew!

Just read through this thread.

Sounds to me like a lesbigay nurses assoc. may be good for some.

Might even be good for those who are NOT lesbigay to maybe bring up some issues (and it does sound like there are a few) that hetero nurses are not even aware of.

I'm the first to admit I'm ignorant about the gay culture. There are other cultures I don't know much about either. As I meet different people then it sparks my interest to learn more about lifestyles.

-R

Frau Blucher · Jul 20, 2004

I do not appreciate the lectures that were in my direction, for me using the word 'preference', because i was NOT using that word to mean someone is CHOOSING to be gay . I already stated that i lacked a word for what i was trying to say at the time, and i don't feel right about saying 'lifestyle', because that to me sounds like it's being called a hobby, which it is not. I do 'live in the now', i'm not ignorant where this subject is concerned, and nor did i "miss" anyone's "point,

Those lectures aimed at you for using the word "preference" were unfounded since it is a suitable term, which can be used in this context legitimately.

Ex. Anne Heche. Julie Cypher. Preference fitted those two like a glove!

Frau Blucher · Jul 20, 2004

I dont understand how having a g/l nurses association is going to change how you are viewed by your co-workers or pts. By all means, start one if you want to. Im tired of having peoples sexuality stuffed down my throat!!! If you're grown up enough to be homosexual - then be grown up enough to handle the consequences. We all have "issues" that make us different. You overcome peoples prejudices and earn their respect by doing your job and doing it well. That will make you stronger. Why do you need an association to validate your worth.? If you show up for work, pull your weight and help others - then I dont care what you choose to do at home , just like you dont care what I do at home. Do we really need an association for short nurses, blond nurses, overweight nurses, etc....

Unfortunately, sometimes some people feel the need to campaign for a sympathy vote.

Nobody deserves special treatment, no matter how much they think they are entitled to it!

fergus51 · Jul 20, 2004

Unfortunately, sometimes some people feel the need to campaign for a sympathy vote.

Nobody deserves special treatment, no matter how much they think they are entitled to it!

Right.... It couldn't possibly be that they face discrimination on a daily basis and would just like to have a place where they know that won't happen... :rolleyes:

Frau Blucher · Jul 20, 2004

I wasn't going to respond to this thread, but you just had to go there didn't you? WHY oh WHY must people always correlate the struggles that face African-Americans with the issues facing gays? It is true that NOONE should be discriminated against, regardless of ones sexual orientation, but to equate it to the history that African-Americans have had to undergo is very offensive. This has always touched a nerve with me and I find it very unnerving. :angryfire Thousands of people were legally enslaved and beaten, looked upon as inferior and ignorant, people were killed just because of their color......well, providing a history lesson is not necessary. I'm sure you know what I'm getting at. Mind you, I don't think it is important to have a black nurse organization either. There are organizations already in place for both African-Americans and gays that involve making sure civil liberties are being met. Why attempt to divide on every level imaginable? Next thing you know their will be a Gay and Lesbian PTA or an African-American PTA......give me a break!

You made some good points! For her to bring in a modified version of the "race card" for comparison was not valid imho.

Frau Blucher · Jul 20, 2004

let me remind you that people have been beaten and killed and enslaved for many other reasons-including sexual orientation and religion.African Americans don't corner the market on suffering -but you can start educating yourself by reading about the Holocaust) ....

Both tragedies, but in a recent televised program, gay rights and the civil rights were being presented on the same platter to force feed the masses, even though one has absolutely nothing to do with the other; no matter how one might try to rationalize it. However, rarely do I see the same correlation attempted involving the holocaust.

Frau Blucher · Jul 20, 2004

So White and straight people are not allowed to be proud of who they are? That's odd because a whole lot of people didn't get that memo.
Honky? I haven't heard anyone use that word since George Jefferson......

Speaking of "The Jeffersons". The actress who played George's wife recently died and the actor who played George is gay. He kept his professional life and private life separated seamlessly.

Soonstudent · Jul 20, 2004

why I feel this thread shoud be closed because GAY/LESBIAN is a CONTROVERSY it was a choice by you to live this lifestyle so live with it, you knew the consequences before you came out of the closet... come on this is AMERICA!!!! it appears you all want everyone to feel sorry for you because of your preference well whoopty do who cares if you are gay, do your job as a trained nurse,

Just like I chose to be a male.

I just read this entire thread, I've been avoiding it for a few days, but I have to say it was pretty interesting. When I read the first post, my first thought was, is there really a need for a gay/les/bi association. In my previous job I worked with some homosexuals, and we (as in sr8 coworkers) had no problem in hearing about most of their personal lives, and vice versus. In fact we were constantly joking about it. It was a great atmoshere. The area I grew up in is ussually the last to come around when dealing with such issues. I didn't realize there was still such ignorance about the homosexual community throughout the country, but after reading some of these posts, there may be some benifit for an association. Whether it be in nursing community or just the community in general I don't know.

CSLee3, ASN, BSN, LVN, EMT-P · Jul 20, 2004

Lets just keep sexual orientation out of the workplace. Just like politics, everyone has their own life and a lot of what we do should be kept to ourselves. A nurse is a nurse, treat patients like you want to be treated and they shouldn't have to worry about what association or membership you belong to. If you need a club, group or association to be secure, cool with me, just don't discriminate against us heterosexuals.

Peaceout..........chuck

leslie :-D · Jul 20, 2004

Lets just keep sexual orientation out of the workplace. Just like politics, everyone has their own life and a lot of what we do should be kept to ourselves. A nurse is a nurse, treat patients like you want to be treated and they shouldn't have to worry about what association or membership you belong to. If you need a club, group or association to be secure, cool with me, just don't discriminate against us heterosexuals.
Peaceout..........chuck

i think the gays are referencing their social exclusion in the workplace...you know, when we all talk about our spouses, our kids, what we did on the weekend....the gays are maintaining that it is difficult to talk about themselves w/o including their so; and if they mention their so, they are subject to scrutiny, judgement and shame. then there are other social and legal issues to be addressed.

actually, i get the impression that 'sexuality' has little to do with the big picture; as i do not discuss my sex life with others, nor do gays. so it definitely is not a SEX IN YOUR FACE type of intrusion.

but can you imagine if we all showed our understanding of their unique situation? then perhaps there wouldn't be a NEED for their own association.

i worked with an otr who was openly gay; she personally bought the rainbow gait belts ( :rotfl: ) with my adon stating "how pretty" :rolleyes: ...anyway, the more this otr talked, the more mgmt. reacted and finally asked her to leave...."image problem" i overheard someone say. so this poor woman ended up leaving but boy, did our patients LOVE her, she and her fostered battered and abused children; just a gentle, gentle soul and touched the lives of many. it was truly a huge loss but ignorance and fear hastened mgmt. to act unfavorably....very very sad.

rn4booboo · Jul 20, 2004

"Honky girl"? I think maybe its time you turn off the Jeffersons marathon and join the rest of us here in the 21st century!

You just dated yourself- never watched the Jeffersons. Why such the uproar about honky? I am from Tx and if I feel like calling myself a backwoods barefoot honky white trash trailer chic, I think I am good to go.

BTW, whomever said that they didn't believe I was outnumbered and in the minority- I am now in CA and the majority is sure not me. I have also never looked at a gay nurse (male or female) and thought of treating them any different than anyone. I don't do that in my real life, much less my worklife.

The reason for my honky post was just to lighten the moment- but I can see some love to be heavy.

Perhaps if "honky" is so dated than we could call it the "pale nurses association"