America's First Woman In Space Was A Lesbian

finehoe · July 24, 2012, 09:16:09 PM

In what is perhaps a stellar example of the new trend in coming out quietly, Sally Ride, the first American woman to rocket into outer space, came out as a lesbian in her obituary, a day after her tragic death due to pancreatic cancer.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michelangelo-signorile/sally-ride-american-hero_b_1697871.html

spuwho · July 24, 2012, 10:57:09 PM

I respect her immensely as an American pioneer in space, but I respect her even more now because she kept to herself what was no one's business but her own.

Way to go Sally Ride.

sandyshoes · July 25, 2012, 07:55:26 AM

That's called "class". Her brilliance was first and foremost in the public eye, not her sexuality. Bravo for her not allowing society to boil her down to her essence and plaster it all over the front pages. Elegant manners means keeping some things to yourself, that people don't need to know. I favor a return to that for everyone. Even if you can't stand someone for whatever reason, you just smile and nod graciously, (pretend you're Jackie Kennedy) until they leave. Besides, it was a lot more fun sneaking around with gays before they came out of the closet; now it's become another political platform and they want to be all out there, loud and proud. They're all angry and aggressive now instead of fun and secretive. It used to just gall my female peers in high school when I would get secretive winks from a cute, tall guy they all had a crush on - because I knew he was gay and they didn't - they were so jealous and mean to me, but I didn't care. WE had a secret!! Same thing at work a few years later - the most gorgeous hunk at the company would drop names of gay bars, and I dropped some back at him. Instant friendship! Instant jealous females! Sneaking around to discos! Those were very fun days, and no one seemed angry or upset or wanting rights. Sorry for the tangent, it was just a different, wonderful world back then. May Sally always orbit the earth whenever she feels like it - I'm sure that was her Heaven.

finehoe · July 25, 2012, 09:13:36 AM

Curious if ya'll think the straight male astronauts should keep their wives hidden away as "nobody's business" and if you consider them "classless" when their wives attend a function with them.

Dog Walker · July 25, 2012, 09:18:18 AM

Wow! That has to be the best, shortest, most complete rebuttal of an opinion ever written on this forum. Well done, Fineone!

fsquid · July 25, 2012, 09:57:50 AM

I'm sorry, but somebody named Sally Ride should have been straight.

sandyshoes · July 25, 2012, 11:33:42 AM

I'm sorry, I had mistaken this for a forum where everyone was welcomed. My experiences are different from a lot of yours, but I don't think that's a reason to keep handing me my ass on a silver platter every time I dare to join in. Is some sort of degree or background experience now a requirement to participate? The same way I can't speak for you because I haven't walked in your shoes, neither can you speak for me because you haven't walked in my shoes. But I would never treat you so viciously for not having done so. I leave the viciousness to you, as you have certainly mastered it. See ya.

LTTurner · July 25, 2012, 01:32:28 PM

Sandy Shoes, I am sorry that you feel beat up on. I have to say that I was very angry when I read your post and purposely didn't repond because of that anger so I waited a few hours.
I find it hard to accept that you would want people to stay in the closet because it was more fun for you. You didn't sound like you had any ill feelings toward gay people but seemed pretty apathetic towards our human rights. This is exactly why we are fighting to get some degree of equal protection and equal rights in Jacksonville, in Florida, and in the US. Not only are there bigoted and repressive people fighting against us, there are people who are tired of hearing about it. Don't you think we are tired of trying to get civil rights?
So Sally Ride was a lesbian - should it make a difference? Not in a better world, which I hope that we are moving towards.

Tacachale · July 25, 2012, 01:42:10 PM

Quote from: finehoe on July 25, 2012, 09:13:36 AM
Curious if ya'll think the straight male astronauts should keep their wives hidden away as "nobody's business" and if you consider them "classless" when their wives attend a function with them.

Yeah, can you believe that drama monger Robert L. Gibson shoving his wife Dr. Margaret Rhea Seddon down everyone's throats?

Non-RedNeck Westsider · July 25, 2012, 01:42:15 PM

Quote from: fsquid on July 25, 2012, 09:57:50 AM
I'm sorry, but somebody named Sally Ride should have been straight.

http://www.youtube.com/v/fsjFi4KkOZc?

ChriswUfGator · July 25, 2012, 02:50:42 PM

Quote from: sandyshoes on July 25, 2012, 11:33:42 AM
I'm sorry, I had mistaken this for a forum where everyone was welcomed. My experiences are different from a lot of yours, but I don't think that's a reason to keep handing me my ass on a silver platter every time I dare to join in. Is some sort of degree or background experience now a requirement to participate? The same way I can't speak for you because I haven't walked in your shoes, neither can you speak for me because you haven't walked in my shoes. But I would never treat you so viciously for not having done so. I leave the viciousness to you, as you have certainly mastered it. See ya.

I don't think Stephen was being vicious, nor the other posters who also had a problem with your post. I think the issue is that your post came across as homophobic. The issue people have with the post is that you're applying standards to homosexuality that aren't applied to heterosexuality, and the discrepancy is what we call discrimination. It's really rather simple. If your post wasn't meant that way, just clarify, and I think you'll be fine.

wsansewjs · July 25, 2012, 05:31:02 PM

Sandy,

You are more than welcome to hang out and share your thoughts with us. I understand where you are coming from, and other posters (majority) have no intention to disrespect or upset you with their responses.

I think your article just need a little more clarification. More people respect you if you admit or clarify further more on the topic you are trying to express as your own opinion.

Best,
Josh

JeffreyS · July 25, 2012, 05:42:06 PM

Miss Ride couldn't even have received security clearance until 1996 and effectively even longer than that if she had come out. I like when people want to take a stand but some straight and gay people like to keep private life private and that is fine.

finehoe · July 25, 2012, 05:52:07 PM

Quote from: JeffreyS on July 25, 2012, 05:42:06 PM
Miss Ride couldn't even have received security clearance until 1996 and effectively even longer than that if she had come out.

And even today Dr. Ride's partner will receive NONE of the federal death benefits available to married heterosexual couples.

ChriswUfGator · July 25, 2012, 06:27:52 PM

Quote from: JeffreyS on July 25, 2012, 05:42:06 PM
Miss Ride couldn't even have received security clearance until 1996 and effectively even longer than that if she had come out. I like when people want to take a stand but some straight and gay people like to keep private life private and that is fine.

Well then it's not her choice is it? If the reason she made that choice was because, if she didn't, she'd have less opportunity for advancement than her heterosexual peers, then you've kind of shot your own argument on that one, haven't you? Textbook example of discrimination there.