Legion World Forums LEGION COMPANION Spaceopoly Kill This Thread X: The Sixth 24-Hour Thread

I started with the Justice League broth moving on to the Legion. The team's youth appealed to me more as they were about my age.

When I first read the Legion in the late '70s, they were young adults, many of whom were wearing outfits showed lots of skin. I always said that Cosmic Boy's bustier costume helped me discover that I was gay.

Did your lack of reaction to Saturn Girl's pink bikini help cement your conclusion?

I'm sure that didn't even register. It does, though, remind me of when a friend asked me what it was about women that I wasn't attracted to. I could only reply "they're not men."

And that's the only answer that is needed

Well, I don't get the attraction to men at all. Really, lesbian relationships are the only ones that make any sense to me.

Speaking of gay relationships, I met a bunch of gay Chinese-Malaysians while traveling. Their situations are much the same as those of many gay Chinese-Filipinos (and indeed of many gay Filipinos in general). Communities are small and tight-knit and familial pressure is plentiful, hence the need for discretion. The guys I met are not out at all except to a small circle of friends.

I've been openly gay for so long, I can't imagine what it would be like to have to be closeted now.

What's tough for me is that I can't openly celebrate my relationship with Blaze. And of course, dodging questions about my relationship status, why I'm often unavailable for gatherings, my plans etc. Other than that, I don't really have to act differently. My words, actions, look and style of dress are generally compatible with society's limited perception of how a straight man should be.

The world is changing. Ten years ago, only one US state, Massachusetts, recognized same-sex marriage. It's now available in 32 states, with more expected soon. It's even legal in places like Idaho and Utah (though, alas, mot yet in Texas). Marriage equality is not the only issue that affects LGBT people by a long shot, but it's certainly an important one.

Thankfully, several countries have also legalized it.

When I first came out in my early 20s, I never thought we'd get this far this fast.

It's nice to know that cultural and societal change is somehow keeping pace with technological change.

Well, both good and bad.

One of the comments I used to make about the Florida town where I lived as a teenager was that the only culture was in the yogurt case at the Winn-Dixie.

The backpacker I met also commented that American culture is self-contained, in the sense that most Americans consume American shows and products and songs. Contrast with Southeast Asia, where people tend to watch shows from Korea, learn to cook dishes from Japan, study English or European languages...

But I told him that in my opinion, Americans ate becoming more open-mined about the world now. Certainly, the fine folk here on LW prove my point

Physically, the United States in fairly isolated, with land borders only with Canada (whose dominant culture is very similar to U.S. culture) and Mexico (whose culture is familiar to most U.S. folks on at least some level). Add to that the American ideals of "rugged individualism" (blecch!) and (worse yet) American exceptionalism and you get a very inward-looking nation.

Individualism is in stark contrast to the importance of community in most Asian nations. Extended families live close together; inheritance is very important and children are expected to continue the family line and name. And Asians very much care what other people in the community think about them. This "saving face" often leads one to do impractical things like throw extravagant feasts during festivals just so you fit in and contribute.

One of the great things about the Internet is that is has facilitated communication among people in different parts of the world so they can learn from one another. Americans certainly can get a dose of the importance of community and mutual dependence over the idealized "lone cowboy".

At the same time, Asians can learn that duty to family must not necessarily always be put ahead of duty to oneself. I know more and more peers who are fighting familial pressure to take over the family business or go into "safe" and approved fields like business or engineering. Many are starting their own businesses or working abroad for experience.

It seems like there needs to be a balance. It's also important to remember that there is no "one size fits all" model. Some people are by nature loners while other people have much more of a need for integration into a broader community. I don't think there's anything wrong with either way, except when it get set up as an ideal for everyone to follow.

Well said, EDE. Choice and balance are very important elements in the way each person should live life.

Fitz Hall is a professional footballer. His nickname is "One Size"

As a gay man... let's just say that size is a very important topic

I like that in most of the world, the game American call "soccer" is called "football". American football involves relatively little foot-to-ball contact. I also find American football incredibly tedious.

I feel the same way about most team sports.