<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by EPS:
Does a gay forum make sense in FlyerTalk Travel? Quite simply, no, for reasons I've already explained. Does it mean no "gay content" in our universe? Of course not. First of all, there is one place where a "gay" forum really does belong, and that's in FlyerTalk Dining. The other sense I get from the community is that there's a strong (or at least a vocal) desire for "one stop shopping"--not a gay forum per se, but something on an equal level with FlyerTalk Miles, FlyerTalk Dining, FlyerTalk Travel, and FlyerTalk Airports. Yes, I'm referring to "Gay FT." And, you know what, I don't oppose that. Part of FlyerTalk's mission is to be a viable business proposition, and many advertisers would love to target a homosexual demographic. I just feel that there's no place for a "gay" forum in FlyerTalk Travel (nor FlyerTalk Miles, for that matter). There's no point pursuing something that is so blatantly divisive and discriminatory, especially when there are better alternatives.</font>
First, why would you suggest a forum related to gay dining?
What do you find divisive and discriminatory about have a gay-specific forum in FT Travel? Gay people face different issues when traveling than straight people.
There was an article a couple days ago saying that dozens of men were sentenced to jail time in Egypt for being gay. This is an example of an important piece of information for gay travelers planning a trip.
Gay travelers also face discrimination when checking in to some hotels. Apparently, some hotel staff thinks it is their business to be rude to gay guests staying at their hotel. A gay forum would allow us to discuss issues like this, so that gay travelers who were planning a trip could take this into account.
Of course, as with every forum, anyone would be welcome to post. FT relies on members having access to different information. The purpose of having a gay specific forum in Travel would be to aggregate the information as well as deal with the problem of overlap of fora.
Gay travelers face discrimination (both good and bad) around the world. Since this transcends airlines, hotels, cities, states, countries, continents, it would be difficult to contain the conversation in any one of the existing fora.
You claim that a single gay forum or women's forum is divisive and discriminatory, yet you believe that there should be an entirely separate message board for gay frequent flyers? Not just a forum, but you think homosexuals should be banished to a "Gay FlyerTalk?" That sounds divisive and discriminatory. A single forum to discuss issues provides nothing more than a forum - an entirely different Web site is divisive.
EPS, as someone who lives in America, where the First Amendment guarantees our right to free speech, you should welcome a gay forum. Available fora for open discussion is what makes this country great. Anyone is free to set up a parade, write letters to government leaders, hold public meetings, participate in town hall type meetings, watch the discussions in congress and at congressional hearings, etc.. If we limit people's ability to discuss issues of import, we may as well live under a government that tells us what to think.
Finally, EPS, your profile lists you as a consultant. As any business consultant knows or business school will teach, diversity is one of the most important things to have. Providing a gay specific travel forum will (1) attract new members and (2) provide an organized place for discussion of issues of importance for travelers, both gay and straight. As there is presently no good alternative forum, we are missing out on plenty of possible discussion and learning opportunities.
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