You go girl!
Feb. 20th, 2006 12:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mysidMy local newspaper carries the syndicated advice column "Ask Amy." I always liked it; Amy Dickinson gives good no-nonsense advice and doesn't pull her punches. And with today's column, in which she tells a homophobic busybody, "They're right; you're wrong," she wins my undying love.
I reprint here and hope she doesn't mind!
Dear Amy:
My husband and I have lived in our quiet suburban Denver neighborhood for six years. Two years ago two young gay men moved in across the street. They've taken the most run-down property and transformed it into the pride of the street. When it snows, they shovel out my car and are friendly, yet mostly keep to themselves. [I'd like them as neighbors.-mysid]
Last month, I went out to retrieve my newspaper and watched them kiss goodbye and embrace as they left for work. I was appalled that they would do something like that in plain view of everyone.
I spoke to my pastor. He encouraged me to draft a letter telling them how we appreciate their help, but asking them to refrain from the behavior in our neighborhood. I did, and asked a few neighbors to sign. [She turned an "I'm uncomfortable" letter into a petition!]
Since I delivered it, I've not been able to get them to even engage me in conversation. I offer greetings but they've chosen to ignore me. They have made it uncomfortable for other neighbors and me by not even acknowledging our presence. [They have made it uncomfortable?]
How would you suggest we open communications with them and explain to them that we value their contributions to the neighborhood but will not tolerate watching unnatural and disturbing behavior? [She just wants her driveway shoveled again.]
--Wondering
Dear Wondering:
You're lucky that these gentlemen merely choose to ignore you.
Your neighbors could respond to your hospitality by hosting weekly outdoor "gay pride" barbecues and inviting all of their friends to enjoy life on your quiet suburban street.
I can hold out hope that they will choose to do this, but I'm spiteful in that way. Your neighbors sound much more kind.
In your original petition to these men, you basically stated that while you value them when they are raising the standard on your street and shoveling your driveway, you loathe them for being who they are.
The only way to open communication with your neighbors would be to start by apologizing to them for engaging your other neighbors in your campaign. Because you don't sound likely to apologize, you are just going to have to tolerate being ignored.
--Amy Dickinson
askamy@tribune.com
Yes! You tell her, Amy!
.
I reprint here and hope she doesn't mind!
Dear Amy:
My husband and I have lived in our quiet suburban Denver neighborhood for six years. Two years ago two young gay men moved in across the street. They've taken the most run-down property and transformed it into the pride of the street. When it snows, they shovel out my car and are friendly, yet mostly keep to themselves. [I'd like them as neighbors.-mysid]
Last month, I went out to retrieve my newspaper and watched them kiss goodbye and embrace as they left for work. I was appalled that they would do something like that in plain view of everyone.
I spoke to my pastor. He encouraged me to draft a letter telling them how we appreciate their help, but asking them to refrain from the behavior in our neighborhood. I did, and asked a few neighbors to sign. [She turned an "I'm uncomfortable" letter into a petition!]
Since I delivered it, I've not been able to get them to even engage me in conversation. I offer greetings but they've chosen to ignore me. They have made it uncomfortable for other neighbors and me by not even acknowledging our presence. [They have made it uncomfortable?]
How would you suggest we open communications with them and explain to them that we value their contributions to the neighborhood but will not tolerate watching unnatural and disturbing behavior? [She just wants her driveway shoveled again.]
--Wondering
Dear Wondering:
You're lucky that these gentlemen merely choose to ignore you.
Your neighbors could respond to your hospitality by hosting weekly outdoor "gay pride" barbecues and inviting all of their friends to enjoy life on your quiet suburban street.
I can hold out hope that they will choose to do this, but I'm spiteful in that way. Your neighbors sound much more kind.
In your original petition to these men, you basically stated that while you value them when they are raising the standard on your street and shoveling your driveway, you loathe them for being who they are.
The only way to open communication with your neighbors would be to start by apologizing to them for engaging your other neighbors in your campaign. Because you don't sound likely to apologize, you are just going to have to tolerate being ignored.
--Amy Dickinson
askamy@tribune.com
Yes! You tell her, Amy!
.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2006-02-20 11:22 am (UTC)I heard of something similar happening at a South Beach condo recently. The Board complained to one of the owners because he kissed his boyfriend at the pool area, and that was considered "inappropriate behavior". He then answered that he had briefly kissed his live-in boyfriend, but there was a straight couple almost having sex in the water.
He mentioned to the Board that any other instance of complaints of that sort would be treated as discrimination.
As far as I know, the complaints stopped.
Important things to remember: there are no children in the condo, only adults AND this is South Beach, for crying out loud. You don't want to see two men kissing, please move to another place in Miami!
Sorry - I got carried away there. I'm stepping off my soapbox. Things like that irritate me to no end, as they do to you.