I listen, as I write, to a radio documentary on New Zealand passing the homosexual law reform of 1986. It removed legal prosecution of homosexuals and made the legal age of consent at 16--importantly, the same as heterosexual. Thereby bringing laws more nearly into agreement. Then civil unions bill passed in 2004 and people generally accept that marriage and adoption will eventual follow.

I think about this as I read comments in other threads, of people afraid of how others would treat them if they knew they were middle-aged and gay, athletic and gay, religious and gay, straight-acting and gay, famous and gay, or all the etc. I regret that there are small-ego bullies that herd people into feeling bad. I understand how it can be. But one thing a friend told me early on in my opening up to others was that I would be surprised by the general goodwill of most people. I didn't believe him then but found he was right.

Comments by Coach Gumby in some threads are similar to my experience. The crazy stuff we imagine out there that we most fear, just isn't there. Sure, people will play to television and the guys, but many of us are role-players. My sports mates were as easy going or supporting as other friends. We are more likely to be prisoners of our own ideas than of others. Give people some credit.

Lastly, many thanks to a great lady called Fran Wilde who moved critical legislation though New Zealand parliament, 20 years ago--and to the majority who acted with reason and fairness. We don't have gay-pride events any more in this country and it may be that it isn't an issue anymore, or we may just be boring.