What's up with all the random rejections in the gay dating world and how to deal with it?

Guys seriously , I'm fed up with this. I'm a good looking guy and I always try to be myself when I meet a guy but being myself seems like it's never good enough for more than 3 dates. The worst part is I always feel like it's cool , like I'm having a good time with the guy and he's enjoying his time too.

I'm usually a pro when it comes to first dates, I go there confident, and usually give a good impression, the guy usually texts me right away to tell me he wants to see me again. I keep seeing the guy and all of a sudden he just gets distant and I get dumped.

I was just seeing this guy, he'd text me handsome everyday and ask me for another date. All the dates we went on were awesome, snowboarding, bowling, movies, cuddling, ranchy sex, and then boom , nothing!! Today I find out he met someone else while seeing me . Wtf? I didnt see this one coming

How the hell do u deal with constant rejection without it affecting your self esteem? Now I keep thinking there's something wrong with me, and can't trust a dude when he tells me he's into me, I get so fuckin insecure. I think I'm not good enough for no one. And this constant rejection doesn't give me the drive to wanna work on myself and keep believing that I'm a better person! I have no idea what the hell I'm looking for on here, maybe reassurance, someone that can relate, or tricks to stop taking rejection so personally. I've been single for 3 years and dated about 20 guys since then that all dumped me!

Gaybros of reddit, I'm going to a event at a gay bar. What do I need to know?

About me: I'm a 23 year old male. I'm thinking I'm bi but am not sure. I'm reasonably good looking(not that that matters).

I'm attending a BDSM event(not a specifically gay one). The event is at a gay bar. According to my mentor, The patrons of the bar are very active in these events.

Does anyone have any advice? Etiquette knowledge? Etc?

Attending this event is a huge step for me. I'm just trying to take it one step at a time.

Spoiler How I think Season 4 will be (should be)

Well, we all noticed that there are many things that lack in Season 3. Frank was off his game. Season 3 was about Frank and Clair as well as Doug. The season also finished on Clair walking out on Frank leaving him to deal with a campaign which will likely fail due to the controversy that will arise.

But you already know that.

Next season hopefully will be something like the following.

Clair leaves, obviously. Frank being who he is decides to let her walk because he can do anything. This I believe will help with the idea that the journey towards power is a lone one. Now, Dunbar will attack Frank with the whole Clair leaving him bit. Frank could do three things in this situation:

The first:

Frank tells the truth. Clair left him because of her reasons. Frank loves Clair; therefore, when she walked out on him he received some sort of epiphany and decided to change his ways. This will ruin—slaughter—the chances of him successfully achieving the win.

The second:

Frank would play it off as something else. He’ll cover it up with a lie which will eventually be discovered due to Clair no longer wanting to be part of lies and Frank’s plans. When the truth is finally discovered, Frank’s empire will crumble.

The third:

Frank could stop Clair from leaving. As she is walking away Frank goes up to her, grabs her, and makes her go with him. Eventually, he will poison her with some sort of disease (EBOLA 2016). She will die and Frank would use that to gain the public’s sympathy winning him the election.

Now, perhaps, one of these sound more dubious than the others. I like to think that the First one is what is going to occur.

Clair leaves and, just like she did in Russia with the Gay-Petrov thing, she will come out publically and say that she is leaving Frank. Due to the love she does feel for Frank however, she will play ball and soften up the blow. Frank will be attacked by Dunbar. Frank loses many states.

Frank will not go down without a fight, though. Frank is known to do the impossible. He became vice-president. He became president. House of Cards has talked about impeachment, PACs, interest groups, unions, and so on. However, they still haven’t talked about the Electoral College. This is where Frank is going to strike next. He has Doug back on his team. Doug has connections and is great at finding the dark secrets. I believe, since Frank knows he is about to reach his downfall, Frank will target the Electoral College. Of course, he’ll still campaign and try to gather as much support as he can. But Frank will do what Frank does best: whip votes.

Frank will whip the Electoral College. Frank will become President of the United States of America once again. The season will end with Frank looking at the camera and saying, “it feels good to be a gangster” or something along the lines of “was there ever any doubt?” and then the credits role.

Australian guy calls christian help line, pretending to be gay for Jesus.

http://ift.tt/1aCYRYX

2 tips to making any apartment nice, no matter how shitty it is!

Okay, so everyone would love to be the guy who has the coolest penthouse apt in the coolest part of town. But that is simply not possible for many of us, so we have to work with what we can get.

If you (like I do) have an inherently shitty apartment, for whatever reason, be it a shitty part of town, a leaky roof or something else, there's two ways that you can get your apartment to be a hell of a lot nicer fellas.

Step 1: Get that bitch clean. Really. I know this has been said about a billion times, but for the love of the holy Spaghetti Monster, please clean your home. A clean apartment is so much nicer for everyone to be in, and you yourself will be a lot happier about being home, either alone, with friends or with a potential hook-up if your place is clean. But I know that you've heard this before, so I'll go onto the most important part:

Step 2: PLANTS MOTHERFUCKER! I can't stress this enough. Plants is such an underrated thing for most guys, and I can't for the love of god figure out why. And I'm not saying that you should have roses or tulips or some other gay-looking plant (no disrespect), unless that's what you want man. If you want something masculine, then how about a fucking TREE?! That's manly as a mofo! There's a lot of indoor trees that doesn't require much care.

And now you're asking: Why should I have plants? First off: they make a room look really nice! It brightens the whole room, even if it's just an aloe-vera plant (one of my favorites, because the plant can actually be used practically, instead of just being there for the lookz). When you have plants in a room, it naturally makes the room more oxygenated, which will impact the way the room feels. If you just bring ONE single little plant, it brightens the room and makes it more spacious, instantly!

Furthermore, there are like a fuckton of plants that you can have indoors, so you just find one that you like! And it shows that you can actually care for something, that you care about nature - and bitchez dig those nature-dudes! Why do you think that the "lumberjack look" is considered so manly?

So guys. Please clean up your apartment, and bring just one or two plants in, and I promise you, that everyone will have a better time at your place.

Tl;Dr: Plants are the shiz

*Edit: Grammar and such. Don't hate. Or hate a little. I'll fix it if there's enough hate. I promise<3

Learning how to find mr right as a gay man

I've been out for 6 years and for the first 5 I approached the gay scene in a similar way as traditional hetero men do.

I was trying to ascertain the qualities and values of men on dates which if they went well moved onto making out and a some oral stuff. I was holding off on the more naughty acts for MR right and it also seemed like the safe thing to do. Hold off on penetration till in a closed relationship presented itself so this way I had a low chance of getting any nasty std's.

This approach sucked ballz. I got myself into two long term relationships where the sex ended up sucking and the chemistry was all wrong.

This year I took a new approach which has been fun, fulfilling and much more successful in finding compatible mates and great sex.

• 1) Men want to hang out with other men and find common shit to do together.


• 2) If your horny and you want a hook up its all about the pics, dont get into other shit, its pointless


• 3) If your looking for a boyfriend, don't!


• 4) Just look for new gay friends to hang with.


• 5) Find guys on hookup and social media sites/apps and at bars/clubs, etc... and ask about what they like to do when hanging.
  


• 6) Find guys with common interests and fucking hang out - u already know the two of you are attracted to each other (because otherwise you just wouldn't have gotten so far) and if hanging goes well you going to hook up so dont even bother asking for that


• 7) have actual sex, not the half way act, the whole kit and kabudle - you want to give each other a chance to really bond and find something in the act which brings you together.


• 8) Either both of you find that something or one of you will find a reason to leave that night. if that person is you and you really weren't into the sex, leave. don't fucking cuddle and send mixed messages. if the other guys leaves or you offer for him to stay and he find a reason to leave then write it off. you can remain friends but he's just not that into you. their is the odd possibility he really needs to be somewhere the following morning, if thats the case he'll text you and make it clear he want to see you again.


• 9) keep hanging out and fucking. either its going to stick or someone is going to move on.

Maybe a lot of you already do this but coming from a very traditional upbringing and having a lot of ideas of what a proper mate was supposed to be like, my expectations got in the way of having fun and actually exploring. I chased after guys who where obviously not interested and mixed up horny hookups for something more just because the sex was awesome.

with this new way of thinking I'm moving through men much quicker and finding more guys of my type. also im not waiting on anyone. i accept its a combination of good chemistry and timing. sometimes someone is just not emotionally available at that moment. dont wait up, keep moving and you'll eventually find the right man for you.

I just hate myself...

I'm a 19 year old male and simply put, just hate myself. This might sound like I'm whining but I just feel like typing.

I hate my sexuality (gay or something, I honestly don't know), I hate that my taste in guys is teens younger than me, I hate that I'm not out to people, I hate that my homophobic roommates have girlfriends and are happy and I'm sad and lonely, I hate what they teach in college but love my degree in principle, I hate that I feel stuck and can't move forward, I hate that I expect so much from myself yet can never live up to my own expectations, I hate my state, I hate my friends, I hate that I'm so introverted and shy, I hate being so self-conscious. I could go on, but I don't want to bore you.

I just feel stuck and hopeless. I used to be excited about school and tried my best, but recently I just don't care.

I just sit in my room all day and let my potential and youth wither, I haven't left my room in 2 weeks.

I fantasize about self-harming myself, nothing extreme, but I want to give myself a blue eye, give myself a gashed lip, bloody nose, bruised knuckles...

If it were up to me I'd like to escape. I'd move to Iceland, build up a fake persona and act extroverted and confident., but I can't do that... Not yet at least.

Gay Cartoon Series!

http://ift.tt/1wqXAIK

Netanyahoo coming to dis POTUS in US Congress, cool with that?

http://ift.tt/1G3SvPd

What's up with all the random rejections in the gay dating world and how to deal with it?

Guys seriously , I'm fed up with this. I'm a good looking guy and I always try to be myself when I meet a guy but being myself seems like it's never good enough for more than 3 dates. The worst part is I always feel like it's cool , like I'm having a good time with the guy and he's enjoying his time too.I'm usually a pro when it comes to first dates, I go there confident, and usually give a good impression, the guy usually texts me right away to tell me he wants to see me again. I keep seeing the guy and all of a sudden he just gets distant and I get dumped.I was just seeing this guy, he'd text me handsome everyday and ask me for another date. All the dates we went on were awesome, snowboarding, bowling, movies, cuddling, ranchy sex, and then boom , nothing!! Today I find out he met someone else while seeing me . Wtf? I didnt see this one comingHow the hell do u deal with constant rejection without it affecting your self esteem? Now I keep thinking there's something wrong with me, and can't trust a dude when he tells me he's into me, I get so fuckin insecure. I think I'm not good enough for no one. And this constant rejection doesn't give me the drive to wanna work on myself and keep believing that I'm a better person! I have no idea what the hell I'm looking for on here, maybe reassurance, someone that can relate, or tricks to stop taking rejection so personally. I've been single for 3 years and dated about 20 guys since then that all dumped me!

Gaybros of reddit, I'm going to a event at a gay bar. What do I need to know?

About me: I'm a 23 year old male. I'm thinking I'm bi but am not sure. I'm reasonably good looking(not that that matters).I'm attending a BDSM event(not a specifically gay one). The event is at a gay bar. According to my mentor, The patrons of the bar are very active in these events.Does anyone have any advice? Etiquette knowledge? Etc?Attending this event is a huge step for me. I'm just trying to take it one step at a time.

Bro'ing trumps religion every time!

http://ift.tt/189PkXu

23 [M4M] - gay guy looking for straight friends

I don't know what it is, but straight guys are so cool! I would love to talk about anything really, not just sex. But here are some things related to that. i'm 5'7". I love sucking cock, it's honestly one of my favorite things in life. I know that straight guys are not attracted to guys, but if you want to talk about anything, even getting blowjobs from girls, or to show off... if you are just looking for a friendship, why not? that could also work! kik is mculloch.

The amendments to this transgender rights bill are rather depressing...

http://ift.tt/1FIMbZO

Gay people skeptical about conservative Christians rights to adopt children

http://ift.tt/1wzBO5z

Benny - Little Game. A song about gender roles and how they are harmful.

http://ift.tt/1EWFjbg

The amendments to this transgender rights bill are rather depressing...

http://ift.tt/1FIMbZO

CMV: Using "Gay" as an Insult is not Inherently Wrong

Hello! This is my first submission to CMV. The word Gay, when used as an insult, is generally divorced from it's original meaning. (The original meaning being "One who is attracted to members of said person's gender") Thus, the idea that when you use Gay as an insult you are insulting all Gay people is false. Just because the two meanings share the same semantic shell, they mean different things depending on the context they are used in. To further articulate this view, let me express a metaphor. Words are like packages. The actual meaning of words are the contents of the packages. Imagine that two objects are shipped in the same package. The receiver of the packages opens it up, and angrily exclaims that one of the objects suck. This would not demean the other object, just because they are shipped in the same package! I fully sympathize and understand people who claim that using the word Gay as an insult is wrong. With the current and past discrimination towards Gay people, it is perfectly understandable that people are sensitive in matters such as these. I just happen to disagree. So, Change my View!

---

Hello, users of CMV! This is a footnote from your moderators. We'd just like to remind you of a couple of things. Firstly, please remember to read through our rules . If you see a comment that has broken one, it is more effective to report it than downvote it. Speaking of which, downvotes don't change views ! If you are thinking about submitting a CMV yourself, please have a look through our popular topics wiki first. Any questions or concerns? Feel free to message us . Happy CMVing!

[REQUEST] Source ?

Hi, Looking for the full video ? http://ift.tt/1aDnULe Thanks

MRW my gay best friend said things could work between us physically only if I was a guy; then I find out he hooked up with a girl at my house at my birthday party

http://ift.tt/1aDnUuW

Ex - amish etc against gays on facebook

http://ift.tt/1aDnUuI

Benny - Little Game. A song about gender roles and how they are harmful.

http://ift.tt/1EWFjbg

[Serious] Have you ever had/been a sugar daddy?

What is it like? What are your experiences?(For the purpose of clarity, I'm primarily talking about those who are/were in an honest medium or long term relationship that someone would not have entered otherwise, if not for material compensation from one of the partners. Both partners should be aware of that tradeoff.)

Matt Barber’s BarbWire: Gays, Unitarians, and Satan, Oh My!

http://ift.tt/1BqH955

Bryan Fischer: Pro-Gay GOP Activists Are Pushing The Party 'Backwards Into The Darkness' Of Sodom And Gomorrah

http://ift.tt/1awEOes

Bryan Fischer: Pro-Gay GOP Activists Are Pushing The Party 'Backwards Into The Darkness' Of Sodom And Gomorrah

http://ift.tt/1awEOes

When was it said that Craig was gay?

Like, did I miss something?

24 [M4M] - horny straight guys on? Want ur cock / bod rated by a gay guy? K IK me - nickbarbs

No text found

my girlfriend has a gay crush on these characters in American Horror Story, so I made this for her.

http://ift.tt/1vL5guk

CMV: There is a litany of information regarding the shooting of Michael Brown being extralegal and that the investigation into his death was corrupt. Claims that all the facts support Darren Wilson and that the black people of Ferguson just became irrationally "emotional" are inaccurate and racist.

Please leave the footnote below the following line, but remember to delete this sentence by replacing it with the body of your post. Thank you!

Lisa Bloom does an excellent job pointing out all the investigatory and legal errors in the proceeding against Darren Wilson.

The highlights are these:

1. 
   

   The prosecutor refused to recuse himself for bias despite having several police officers in his family.

   
   


2. 
   

   The police illegally attempted to distort the narrative by presenting a video of Brown appearing to commit a crime to give the impression that the cop was responding to it when he was called.

   
   


3. 
   

   There were inconsistencies with witness testimony (as there are in most trials), but numerous witnesses agreed on the fact that Brown had his hands up when he was killed and that Wilson fired on him while he was running away.

   
   


4. 
   

   Two of the witnesses who "supported" Brown included a man a football field's distance away from the shooting and a woman who was an admitted racist.

   
   


5. 
   

   Despite the constant toting of the autopsy as "proving" Brown wasn't shot in the back, most of it was based on the fallacious notions that autopsies can provide definitive answers about body positions before death and the fact that the publicly available drawing made it appear that his hands were at his side when he was shot.

   
   


6. 
   

   The grand jury was read an outdated and unconstitutional law about what justifies a police shooting that was never substantially corrected.

   
   

Whether or not you believe the shooting was legally justified has no bearing on the fact that there is plenty to suggest that it wasn't and the questions of fact should have been presented to jury in a real trial. Unfortunately many could not see past their own ideological agendas and the property destruction to recognize the obvious larger issues of police overreach and corruption in our justice system that the shooting highlighted. The racial issues in the trial were always far more subtle and nuanced than our horrible media is capable of analyzing, but I think the blatant dehumanization of the people of ferguson and thugs who couldn't "look at the facts" think was indicative of a type of racist reductionism that is almost exclusively applied to large swaths of black people. Change my view.

---

Hello, users of CMV! This is a footnote from your moderators. We'd just like to remind you of a couple of things. Firstly, please remember to read through our rules . If you see a comment that has broken one, it is more effective to report it than downvote it. Speaking of which, downvotes don't change views ! If you are thinking about submitting a CMV yourself, please have a look through our popular topics wiki first. Any questions or concerns? Feel free to message us . Happy CMVing!

Parents won't let me get my ears pierced...

Hey guys, I'm new here, but I wanted to hear somebody else's 2 cents regarding this issue. Anyway...

A little background, I'm 17 years old and gay, parents have known since I was about 13, accepting of it. I'm essentially out at school and work. I haven't officially came out to everybody sort of thing, but I don't hide it if somebody asks or people start talking about guys, etc.

Now, I've wanted to get my ears pierced for a while because I like the way it looks. My parents said maybe, now come the day my mom was going to take me (today), they didn't think it was a good idea considering it would make me a target to get beat up, considering my school has a lot of people with "backwards" views. My parents thought it would call attention to the fact that I was gay (even though I told them I'm out at school), and that I could get beat up as a result and that they wanted to protect me. We argued over it, and things got really heated, and they asked me if I knew any straight boys with both of their ears pierced, and I told them a lot of the jocks did, but they said it's different for me because I'm gay. The jocks wouldn't get beat up for it, but I might.

Now at this point I'm really upset. I've never been told that I can't do something because I'm gay. I argued with my parents, told them they were being moderates and just trying to please people they shouldn't be worried about (no... they're protecting me), and I told them I didn't care if I got beat up, because in all actuality I've never heard of an LGBT person getting beat up at my school and there's a handful of open people, and I'd just press charges blah blah blah. And then my dad charged towards me and I ran out of the house and up the street in nothing but underwear and socks. His point? I just ran away like a baby, so I couldn't defend myself if I got into a fight.

I just felt so frustrated. They said they were doing it to protect me, and I think they thought I was just mad that I couldn't get my ears pierced, but I was mad at the bigger picture -> I should conceal myself. Now my question is, are my feelings toward this valid, or should I maybe take their view into consideration. I feel like they think the way to protect me is to oppress me, but I'm not about that. They said I could do it when I'm 18 because then it's my problem, but it's already my problem.

Well either way I know what I'm gonna get myself for my next birthday and ain't no one gonna stop me. (:

On being homosexual and pursuing a career as a dentist.

As I am about to enter the process of dental admissions, what are some of the policies in place to protect discrimination? Also, are there any prominent gay dentists that stand as proof it is possible? Any and all information pertaining to this will be appreciated. Will it be a factor I even need to concern myself with?

I'm a PRUDE... and I don't fit in

I don't feel comfortable with the in your face sexuality of the gay community and I feel like this automatically makes me BORING to most guys. I WONT have sex with a guy I just meet after 1 date or even a couple. I WILL only have sex with a guy I am in a relationship with, I don't feel like I am wasting my youth as some guy told me. I'm 20 years old and I am a virgin. I know guys talk about me behind my back, I'm pretty well known at my local bars as a PRUDE or a NUN... I just wish there was someone else like me.Where can I met guys like me? Don't say church LOL

What's up with guys using a sauna fully clothed?

For some context I'm originally a Brit now living in LA. Something thats been really confusing me is dudes in full work out gear or even regular clothes, sneakers, track suits etc in the sauna.So anywhere in Europe you're either naked, got a towel on, or at most wearing trunks in a Sauna. Footwear is most positively banned and you'd get thrown out (and in some countries wearing anything would too). But I've been going to a local Fitness 24 in Hollywood and dudes in the sauna are pretty often in full work out gear, sneakers, socks t-shirts, sweatshirts etc.This may be naive, but is this like part of a work out program, is it a cultural thing (all of the guys seem Latin).. I've never come across this before.

I'm a PRUDE... and I don't fit in

I don't feel comfortable with the in your face sexuality of the gay community and I feel like this automatically makes me BORING to most guys. I WONT have sex with a guy I just meet after 1 date or even a couple. I WILL only have sex with a guy I am in a relationship with, I don't feel like I am wasting my youth as some guy told me. I'm 20 years old and I am a virgin. I know guys talk about me behind my back, I'm pretty well known at my local bars as a PRUDE or a NUN... I just wish there was someone else like me.

Where can I met guys like me? Don't say church LOL

#HisNameWasZander

http://ift.tt/18yNr7S

Any tips for taking a 9 inch cock? lol

I'm not a bot I promise. Sydney Mardi Gras is coming up on Saturday, and I want to bottom for my boyfriend. Any tips would be great. Thanks bros

How to keep chin up?

So, I've posted several times. I'm going though a down period.I feel comfortable with myself, and I much less anxiety when meeting guys and what turns me on. Which is good, because if I imagine a date with the opposite it would be difficult unless she was perfect.So, I have several unpleasant experiences recently...1) I had been chatting with an older man, who was very pleasant, upbeat and respectful in our chats. I needed to take a day for a late appt, so we decided to meet at my place. This the first time I've ever invited a stranger to meet for a hookup, male or female. So, I was a little nervous. He gets here, we kiss move to the bed to start to fool around. He is a pleasant but an insistent guy. LTDR; I am GGG, but I end up peeing in his mouth a little, thinking he was going to blow me after I repeatedly and politely declined golden showers. Earlier he also wanted me to fuck him with my dildo. So, I put a condom on it and he objects and wonders why I want to put a towel under his bum as well. All very pleasantly though. Then, unexpectedly, my property manager shows up. I want to conclude because of that and the totality of what I mentioned. I tell a gay friend this and that I blew him. He chided me for completing that action. He told me the guy was a user and couldn't respect boundaries.2) Another older man too, is very pleasant and respectful to talk to. We meet after a lull in the snow. I meet him a subway terminal near him, not near me. I get in his car, he complains that it was difficult to get here and we should have met near me. I apologized, and told I thought I was doing him a favor by not making to drive him into town. He then asks what we should do... I tell him, I don't know maybe get something to eat. I figured he'd have this covered since he owns a restaurant and would know where to go. I tell him I did not want to insult by suggesting Chili's or BK. The dude is way surly, complains about where we met and then remarks how it works only for me? Then he says his blood pressure is rising and asks me to leave. So, I do.3) I was chatting with a younger guy and he wanted to meet up at my place. I don't pay for any sites, so in the past I've told this dude to get a throwaway email address so we can chat. He does not. He also blew me off once. But I figure, stuff happens., whatever. We chat again, he wants to meet at my place. I tell him I need a face pic because I don't want a stranger coming to my house. He never replies back.Now, perhaps, I've done some things you may not agree with; but I am feeling my way along. I'm older, so I don't have the easier environment of college or going to bars every night.Am I an idiot for thinking people over 30, 40 or 50...should be more responsible...? Am I wrong to meet someone 'age-appropriate'? I'm 47. Maybe I should meet younger guys, could they be more mature?I'm just disheartened and feeling alone.

How to keep chin up?

So, I've posted several times. I'm going though a down period.

I feel comfortable with myself, and I much less anxiety when meeting guys and what turns me on. Which is good, because if I imagine a date with the opposite it would be difficult unless she was perfect.

So, I have several unpleasant experiences recently...

1) I had been chatting with an older man, who was very pleasant, upbeat and respectful in our chats. I needed to take a day for a late appt, so we decided to meet at my place. This the first time I've ever invited a stranger to meet for a hookup, male or female. So, I was a little nervous. He gets here, we kiss move to the bed to start to fool around. He is a pleasant but an insistent guy. LTDR; I am GGG, but I end up peeing in his mouth a little, thinking he was going to blow me after I repeatedly and politely declined golden showers. Earlier he also wanted me to fuck him with my dildo. So, I put a condom on it and he objects and wonders why I want to put a towel under his bum as well. All very pleasantly though. Then, unexpectedly, my property manager shows up. I want to conclude because of that and the totality of what I mentioned. I tell a gay friend this and that I blew him. He chided me for completing that action. He told me the guy was a user and couldn't respect boundaries.

2) Another older man too, is very pleasant and respectful to talk to. We meet after a lull in the snow. I meet him a subway terminal near him, not near me. I get in his car, he complains that it was difficult to get here and we should have met near me. I apologized, and told I thought I was doing him a favor by not making to drive him into town. He then asks what we should do... I tell him, I don't know maybe get something to eat. I figured he'd have this covered since he owns a restaurant and would know where to go. I tell him I did not want to insult by suggesting Chili's or BK. The dude is way surly, complains about where we met and then remarks how it works only for me? Then he says his blood pressure is rising and asks me to leave. So, I do.

3) I was chatting with a younger guy and he wanted to meet up at my place. I don't pay for any sites, so in the past I've told this dude to get a throwaway email address so we can chat. He does not. He also blew me off once. But I figure, stuff happens., whatever. We chat again, he wants to meet at my place. I tell him I need a face pic because I don't want a stranger coming to my house. He never replies back.

Now, perhaps, I've done some things you may not agree with; but I am feeling my way along. I'm older, so I don't have the easier environment of college or going to bars every night.

Am I an idiot for thinking people over 30, 40 or 50...should be more responsible...? Am I wrong to meet someone 'age-appropriate'? I'm 47. Maybe I should meet younger guys, could they be more mature?

I'm just disheartened and feeling alone.

Serious, do some guys actually find fat girls attractive?

Im gay, but have been attracted to women before and can tell if they are good looking or not. I hear stories about men finding overweight women attractive, but cannot wrap my head around it. Is this a real thing?

Ember Saturday in Lent (28 February): Scripture, prayer, and canticle. “Praised be my Lord for our sister, mother earth, The which sustains and keeps us And brings forth diverse fruits with grass and flowers bright.”

The Ember Days are a quarterly series of 3 days (Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday), which the Roman church began observing near the beginning of the four seasons of the year.

The Lenten/Spring Embertide always falls after the First Sunday of Lent (which is sometimes closer to the beginning of Spring than this year). With Pope Bl. Paul VI’s calendar revision in 1969, the official observance of the Embertides were removed, but many of the traditions remain (as do liturgical observances in the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite).

This Embertide, along with a selection of readings and prayers, /r/Catholicism is presenting a short series on the teaching of the Church on God’s will for our use and protection of his creation (the environment), which is a common theme of the traditional Ember Days, along with fasting and prayers for vocations.

• Ember Wednesday in Lent (25 February): Scripture, prayer, and catechesis. “There is a need to place ever greater emphasis on the intimate connection between environmental ecology and ‘human ecology.’”
  


• Ember Friday in Lent (27 February): Scripture, prayer, and catechesis. “The natural environment is more than raw material to be manipulated at our pleasure; is a wondrous work of the Creator containing a ‘grammar’ which sets forth ends and criteria for its wise use, not its reckless exploitation.”
  


• Ember Saturday in Lent (28 February): Scripture, prayer, and canticle. “Praised be my Lord for our sister, mother earth, The which sustains and keeps us And brings forth diverse fruits with grass and flowers bright.”

---

St. Francis’s Canticle of the Sun:

Most high, omnipotent, good Lord,

Praise, glory and honor and benediction all, are Thine.

To Thee alone do they belong, most High,

And there is no man fit to mention Thee.

Praise be to Thee, my Lord, with all Thy creatures,

Especially to my worshipful brother sun,

The which lights up the day, and through him dost Thou brightness give;

And beautiful is he and radiant with splendor great;

Of Thee, most High, signification gives.

Praised be my Lord, for sister moon and for the stars,

In heaven Thou hast formed them clear and precious and fair.

Praised be my Lord for brother wind

And for the air and clouds and fair and every kind of weather,

By the which Thou givest to Thy creatures nourishment.

Praised be my Lord for sister water,

The which is greatly helpful and humble and precious and pure.

Praised be my Lord for brother fire,

By the which Thou lightest up the dark.

And fair is he and gay and mighty and strong.

Praised be my Lord for our sister, mother earth,

The which sustains and keeps us

And brings forth diverse fruits with grass and flowers bright.

Praised be my Lord for those who for Thy love forgive

And weakness bear and tribulation.

Blessed those who shall in peace endure,

For by Thee, most High, shall they be crowned.

Praised be my Lord for our sister, the bodily death,

From the which no living man can flee.

Woe to them who die in mortal sin;

Blessed those who shall find themselves in Thy most holy will,

For the second death shall do them no ill.

Praise ye and bless ye my Lord, and give Him thanks,

And be subject unto Him with great humility.

---

Readings

Lesson 1: Deuteronomy 26:12–19. Declaration Concerning Tithes.

Lesson 2: Deuteronomy 11:22–25. Need for Fidelity.

Lesson 3: 2 Machabees 1:23–27. While the Sacrifice Was Being Burned.

Lesson 4: Sirach 36:1–10. A Prayer for God’s People.

Lesson 5: Daniel 3:47–56. The Song of the Three Holy Children in the Furnace.

Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 5:14–23. Church Order.

Gospel: Matthew 17:1–9. The Transfiguration of Christ.

^{From Mass in the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite, for Ember Saturday in Lent.}

---

Prayer

O Lord, the God of my salvation, by day I cry out, at night I clamor in Your presence. Let my prayer come before You; incline Your ear to my call for help, O Lord. (from the Introit for today (EF), Ps 87(88):2–3)

O Lord my God, in You I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and rescue me. (Communion Chant for today (EF), Ps 7:2)

California LCR asks to use front door of plantation

http://ift.tt/17GsAhF

For my LGBT studies class we have to go to an LGBT event and write about. I am looking for one in Montgomery County(in Maryland) to go to in March.

No text found

Dear Republicans - Is a Republican President likely to revert all progress made in decriminalizing/legalizing marijuana and ending the most failed parts of the failed war on drugs?

I get the feeling you all really really want the whitehouse and may have the momentum. If a republican president wins, assuming the Congress is also republican and/or broken/useless, do you think Republicans will fuck up all the progress we've made in legalizing marijuana? Given that Alaska is typically Republican and Colorado sort of is too, maybe not. But given the way Republicans have always been against it at the federal level, maybe so. Then again, states rights are good for Republicans when it comes to gay marriage, so maybe also pot? Although honestly I think this issue will be 1000% about for-profit prisons if there is a political agenda involved.

Regressing may be a deal breaker for me. I don't even like pot, but I sure as hell don't see any benefit in the way we've treated it for the past 20...uhhh 60 years (unless you count social harm to at-risk populations and prison profits as benefit --- and some people truly do)

[26/M] I anal masturbate myself while sleeping.

First of all I apologize for my English, it isn't my first language.

The last night it happend again. I woke up after the first hour of sleeping and I was with my hand in my butt, trying to masturbate, and in the next 3-4 minutes I got very strong gay fantasies. Then I came back to normality. I'm a 26yo married guy, and I don't have an active sexual life 'cause my wife has a thyroid disfuntion and this causes no libido, but I'm dealing with it. It's not the first time I have these desires, and these days I'm alone at home (since she went in her hometown for a month). During the day I don't have any sexual triggers neither with other women or men, only with my wife! Onestly I don't know what's happening to me.. Looking for help! I'm scared because I don't have anyone to talk about it and I already know what my wife think about bisexuals because my dad is...

The 50 weirdest and coolest facts from LGBTI history

http://ift.tt/1DQ2HKh

I [22 M] don't like my girlfriend [19 F] sexually

So I've been dating this girl lately, pretty cool, we have similar interests, she seems to be quite into me, and we have a good time.

But I don't like her sexually.

Lately I've been imagining that I'm actually on a date on a guy, and that turns me on more than her (and I'm not gay by the way just in case you're wondering).

So like when I'm pounding this girl in the V, I just like imagine it's a guy's ass, it's quite disturbing, but the male-male power play gets me off for some reason.

Anyway yeah she's a hot girl, if I was into that sort of thing, but like I don't like her sexually. Picturing guys helps even though I'm not gay.

I have insecurity issues, and would rather cut myself than break up with her. What shall I do??

tl;dr: Don't like my gf, but don't want to break up.

Getting girls jealous

I [20M] am currently in the friend zone with Sarah [20F] but I really like her. However, I'm not super attached to her and have been meeting other girls like Ashley [20F]. Ashley is pretty hot and I definitely want to get with her, but Sarah is still my first choice. I'm 90-95% sure Ashley likes me. Also, Sarah and Ashley don't know about each other at all and I don't think Sarah has ever seen me with any other girls before (partly the reason why I'm in the friend zone). Honestly, I was a late bloomer socially speaking and I've known Sarah from the time when I still the socially awkward kid. I'm trying to change her perception of me from a socially awkward nerdy guy to an outgoing chill sexual person.

Anyways, tonight there is college party happening hosted by members of our university's salsa club. Both me and Sarah are members and we are allowed to bring one guest if we want, and I chose Ashley for a couple of reasons

1) To make Sarah jealous as a way to escape the friend zone. I don't want to just ask her out because she currently has very little, if any, attraction towards me and I want to build that first before making any big moves (otherwise I feel like I'm doomed to failure). Sarah hasn't seen the sexual side of me (she probably thinks of me as her gay guy friend) so I was hoping to demonstrate that new side of me to her as I hang out with Ashley and make moves on her.

2) Even if my attempt to make Sarah jealous fails, I can use this party as a way to escalate with Ashley.

My question is, as I'm hanging out with these 2 girls tonight, what are some tips/advice to maximize jealously and competitiveness between them? Assuming jealously works, how do I make sure I don't take things too far and make one girl feel alone or second-choice thus ruining any attraction I might have built up?

Also, I want to invite both girls over to my place before the party to pregame. Is that a good idea? I was thinking that if these 2 girls initially meet at a more private setting (my place vs crowded party), the chances that they'll get jealous faster will increase. Additionally, a little bit of extra alcohol would probably be helpful in this case. Both girls will be more receptive to my moves, I'll be even more confident, and if something goes wrong like Sarah rejects me, I can just blame it on me being drunk thus saving saving our friendship from getting awkward

.

UPDATE: Sarah just texted me saying that she's not going out tonight because she has 2 exams next week. Should I ask her once more to come along with me by saying that she should take a break from studying all day or just leave her be?

Gay for Jeus

http://ift.tt/1aCYRYX

ELI5: why do (most normal) guys get turned on by lesbian porn but girls aren't even interested in gay (male) porn?

I never really understood this phenomenon

Michael Sam has been invited to the NFL Veteran Combine

http://ift.tt/1aviQsq

If You Care About LGBT Rights, Don't Travel to These 7 Countries

http://ift.tt/1EvpxG1

[M4M] I owe my pot dealer money, but I'm broke. He has an idea on how to pay him back.

We sat in the parking lot of the adult bookstore, passing a joint between each other in your beat-down Kia. I never knew why you insisted on meeting in front of those place. The guys I say coming in and out always gave me the creeps, but you had the pot, so you made the rules.

This was our ritual. We met in the parking lot, I hopped into your car, and we shared a joint together before we made the deal. Like the location, I wasn't sure why you insisted on smoking together before we made the deal, but I wasn't going to complain about free weed. I just relaxed and made small talk with you.

"Alright," you said as the joint neared its end, "You got the cash?"

Now was the time to do what we came here for. I reached into my pocket, looking for my wallet. No, it wasn't in that one...must be the other one...not that one either, maybe my coat pocket...?

Shit. I had forgotten my wallet. My place was a twenty-minute drive away.

I sheepishly admitted to you that I must of forgotten my wallet on my counter. A look of anger immediately appeared on your face, and it scared me. Not only was I high as hell and in a shady place to begin with, you were much tougher than me. You had a don't-fuck-with-me demeanor and were wearing a shirt that showed off your well-toned muscles, I was a skinny college kid who had never been in a fight before in his life. You had only ever sold me pot, but I knew you were probably involved in some heavier criminal activities on the side. I knew who would come out on top if things ever got physical between us, so I had always tried to stay on your good side.

Sure that I was about to get cussed out, or worst, I braced myself, only for your pissed-off expression to settle down into a thoughtful look, then abruptly to a smile.

"Actually, that's not a problem," you said, using that smooth salesman tone that a lot of small-time yet successful pot dealers seemed to have, "You're not the first one to fuck up like this, so I've learned to deal with it. What we can do, is set you up a payment plan."

You took one last puff of the joint before tossing it out the car window, not seeming to care if anyone saw you.

"In fact, I think this 'payment plan' would be perfect for you."

I listened attentively as you explained, the sly grin on your face growing wider. You reached down and adjusted your crotch as you spoke to me.

I was too high to understand where all of this was going, but if I hadn't been, I might have ran away from the vehicle right then. Instead, I ended up sucking my first dick in a nasty adult bookstore parking lot.

---

Hello! As you can probably tell, I'm looking to write a first time gay story with strong elements of humiliation, reluctance, and domination. If this prompt interests you, send me an orange letter and we'll work out the details together. Hope to hear from you!

Bicurious but hesitant...

Well, I don't think I've ever posted on Reddit before. Here goes nothing, eh?

I'm a young guy who's always sort of been in to other dudes. While my attraction towards the same sex is only physical, I've never had much time or inclination to experiment. I've tried giving blowjobs a couple of times, and while I didn't walk away feeling terrible, I didn't feel very fulfilled, either. Yet, for whatever reason, I keep getting this annoying, powerful urge to go out and try doing it all over again. I have a girlfriend who likely wouldn't be okay with this, so I'd have to hide it from her. In my mind, this wouldn't be a regular thing - I just want to see if I like doing it under better circumstances than before.

I don't want to prattle on and on, but here are my concerns and questions:

1. I have a girlfriend and would feel bad doing this.


2. I've given oral sex to men before and didn't enjoy it very much. Why do I keep wanting to try again?


3. I'm not romantically attracted to men and am rarely physically attracted to men. However, I do occasionally find myself staring at very attractive, masculine guys and wishing that I could do more than simply have their good looks, lol.


4. Since I'm not romantically attracted to men, I don't want to be "outed" by the close-knit gay community here, of which several of my best friends are members of. I'm sure they wouldn't care, but I don't want to deal with the "straight boy gone gay" shit, especially since some of them don't think it's possible to be bi.


5. Every time I've tried going to a gay club for a hookup, I've walked away disappointed. I'm not a built guy, but I act masculine. Most of the guys at clubs seem to be very skinny and clearly gay, which is a big turn-off for me. Am I setting my standards too high? I just want to meet a dude who will be a bro about things and won't make me feel uncomfortable to be around.

Has anybody been in a situation like this before? What should I do? I've tried using Tinder to meet up with guys in a big city I'll be going to soon, but they all seem to want relationships or be that sort of really gay type that I wouldn't want to be around. Nothing on them - it's just that that's not what I'm attracted to.

AS style cartoon about a gay wolf at liberal arts college

http://ift.tt/1wAiAlo

This is what the incest activists want to legalize

http://ift.tt/1LSqzMG This story really starts with OP's grandfather being a porn addict but look at how it ripples through the whole family. Granfather is a porn addict, OP's (female) cousins get molested by their dad, cousins do shit with OP, OP almost gets his sister pregnant, and the story ends with OP as a married man getting cucked and blowing niggers in public restrooms. There's probably a few more details I skimmed over but you get the idea.

Literal cock-blocking

So I'm completely gay and enjoy porn as much as the next friend-o'-Dorothy. I don't get str8 porn, for many reasons. It is always odd to me how str8 guys can watch a str8 porn and not get equal parts turned-on and turned-off. How do you avoid that huge cock that's, like, RIGHT THERE? It may be doing what you'd like to be doing, but i mean, its very visible. What do you do? Block out part of the screen? Tell me, o tell me.

That's why I don't watch str8 porn: I do NOT want to a see a vag.

Please advise

(1ST GAY RAPPER EDITION)...IM GAY MY NUMBER ONE FAN BY JAVON HUNT

http://ift.tt/1JWpuIb

In Fact, Jesus was not against to Same-Sex Marriage.

http://ift.tt/1ACf8qC

Promise I'm not one of those people who sees injustice everywhere they look, but does the community seem to like pretty white queens best?

It's just something I've sort of noticed recently, maybe because we're at the very beginning of a new season. Sometimes it seems like the gay community likes queens of color or size but goes absolutely bat-shit crazy over pretty-looking caucasian queens. So this season, it's LOVE LOVE LOVE for Miss Fame, Pearl, Violet, and Katya. Some adoration for Trixie and Max. And the rest are appreciated for their contributions, and certainly celebrated when they do something notable, but they're just not looked upon the same way. Older queens, black queens, plus-sized queens, Latina queens, Asian queens. We like them, but we aren't rabid about it like we are with the pretty white queens.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not saying everyone's racist or ageist or size-ist. I'm just wondering if anyone else has felt this, and if so, why do you think it happens?

Also must be noted: there are plenty of Drag Race queens of different colors, shapes, and sizes who we LOVE after they've been on the show. And there are examples of queens who've won Drag Race without being a fishy, bodylicious, caucasian queen. But I feel like we grew to love them over time.

This isn't a waterproof argument. It's just something I think I can see from the corner of my eye. And if it's real, it makes me worried. I don't want the same thing that sometimes happens in the gay community (valuing attractive, white, and masculine above all else) to happen in the drag world (valuing attractive, white, and feminine above all else).

Remember That Super Gay Dude Who Screamed “I DON’T LIKE MENS NO MORE!” In Front Of A Congregation? Turns Out He’s Still Pretty Gay

http://ift.tt/1AiVlrg

Good, original gay comedy

Most comedies where gay people are the focus/main characters are overflowed with stereotypical up-to-eleven Bruno-ish type of guys. And not there's anything wrong with being effeminate and liking different things, but there are way too much of these movies and it's getting old.

Does anyone know about any comedy movies with gay main characters where the main source of humor isn't the fact that they like dick? For example I like dark comedies, such as Big Nothing, 11:14, Snatch, Shaun of the dead, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, What We Do In The Shadows etc. Do we have anything of this sort? I understand that this is very specific request but I wanted to ask just to be sure.

How come Splashing isnt working?

Im in PvP, negative 69 mage bonus, aid off, no multi.

Why the fuck is it not working?

(Its a money sink so stop saying its gay)

Good, original gay comedy

Most comedies where gay people are the focus/main characters are overflowed with stereotypical up-to-eleven Bruno-ish type of guys. And not there's anything wrong with being effeminate and liking different things, but there are way too much of these movies and it's getting old.Does anyone know about any comedy movies with gay main characters where the main source of humor isn't the fact that they like dick? For example I like dark comedies, such as Big Nothing, 11:14, Snatch, Shaun of the dead, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, What We Do In The Shadows etc. Do we have anything of this sort? I understand that this is very specific request but I wanted to ask just to be sure.

‘I’m not gay no more’ viral video star says God still hasn’t made him straight

http://ift.tt/17E2YSK

Going On a 1.7 million Pack Opening, Will Update Every Pack! (Part 2)

This is Part 2, but I will put all of the players already packed in it as well.

Pack #1: Rashean Mathis 85 CB. Not bad at all!

Pack #2: Desmond Bishop

Pack #3: Lyle Sendlein

Pack #4: Pierre Thomas

Pack #5: Benjamin Watson

Pack #6: Rod Streater

Pack #7: Dante Rosario RTTP

Pack #8: Aaron Donald

Pack #9: Roman Harper

Pack #10: Kyle Long

Pack #11: Mr. Sepia Fake Legend Morgan Moses

Pack #12: Marcedes Lewis

Pack #13: Legarette Blount, and then Network Timeout...

Pack #14: Perry Riley, and then Network Timeout...

Pack #15: Michael Brockers

Pack #16: Louis Delmas

Pack #17: Derek Sherrod

Pack #18: Barkevious Mingo

Pack #19: Earl Wolff

Pack #20: Shareece Wright

Pack #21: Patrick Robinson

Pack #22: Marcus Gilchrist

Pack #23: Darqueze Dennard

Pack #24: Hakeem Nicks

Pack #25: Matt Kalil

Pack #26: Laron Landry

Pack #27: Willie Colon

Pack #28: Rod Streater, Again.

Pack #29: Steven Hauschka and Ted Ginn

Pack #30: Jermon Bushrod

Pack #31: Cedric Thornton

Pack #32: Jon Asamoah. Second best player so far. Says a lot.

Pack #33: Mike Devito

Pack #34: Denarius Moore

Pack #35: Logan Ryan

Pack #36: Patrick Robinson, Again.

Pack #37: Jerraud Powers

Pack #38: Sean Lissemore

Pack #39: Michael Brockers, Again.

Pack #40: Eric Winston and Brad Nortman

Pack #41: FIRST ELITE!! Except it is only the Warren Moon 3/4 Milestone. Also James Jones.

Pack #42: Erik Walden

Pack #43: TWO ELITES IN ONE PACK!! Except they are both Captain Collectibles. Dontari Poe and Bryan Bulaga. I think they go for a decent amount though. Also Danny Trevathan. Will start putting overalls and positions. Best so far have been 84 Jon Asamoah and in the first pack, 85 Rashean Mathis. All others have been below 82.

Pack #44: Our Best player so far! 85 Kyle Fuller CB TOTW 2!

Pack #45: Getting better! 82 RTTP Eric Ebron TE

Pack #46: Fernando Velasco 75 C

Pack #47: Aaron Donald 84 RTTP DT

Pack #48: Cam Newton 84 QB

Pack #49: Jorvorskie Lane 73 FB

Pack #50: IT'S HAPPENING. OUR FIRST ELITE AFTER 50 PACKS! Xavier Rhodes Final Edition 93 CB! Not complaining!!!

Pack #51: Back to reality. D'Brickashaw Ferguson 81 OT

Pack #52: Earl Mitchell 72 DT. A 72 rated gold...

Pack #53: Austin-Seferian-Jenkins 75 TE

Pack #54: Vontaze Burfict 83 LB

Pack #55: Joseph Fauria 75 TE

Pack #56: Danieal Manning 76 S

Pack #57: SECOND ELITE!!! A.J. Green 89 WR. Will probably put into MVP set then sell.

Pack #58: Andy Dalton 86 RTTP QB, not bad.

Pack #59: Donald Stephenson 75 OT

Pack #60: Tarell Brown 82 CB

Pack #61: Ryan Wendell 75 C

Pack #62: E.J. Manuel 73 QB

Pack #63: Luke Joeckel 74 OT. These packs have been Joecks so far.

Pack #64: Terrell Thomas 75 CB

Pack #65: Zane Beadles 75 OG

Pack #66: Trevor Robinson 75 C. I've been told all Centers go for 10k, so I am at least making back some of my money.

Pack #67: Sammy Watkins 74 WR

Pack #68: Joe Flacco 80 QB

Pack #69: Morris Claiborne 75 CB

Pack #70: Antonio Gates 85 TE

Pack #71: THIRD ELITE!!! Brent Grimes 88 CB!!! He should sell for a decent sum!

Pack #72: Jimmy Smith 77 CB

Pack #73: Joe Berger 75 OG

Pack #74: Anthony McCoy 75 TE. aaannnndd Network Timeout

Pack #75: Sammie Hill 74 DT

Pack #76: Cecil Shorts 77 WR. He goes for like 8k because of the Jags MVP.

Pack #77: Brandon Boykin 77 CB

Pack #78: Kendall Wright 79 WR

Pack #79: Jorvorskie Lane 73 FB, Again.

Pack #80: Chris Canty 79 DE

Pack #81: Justin Gilbert 74 CB

Pack #82: Well, it's a duplicate, but I am not complaining! Another 93 Xavier Rhodes Final Edition CB!

Pack #83: Mike Ditka 2/4 Collectible, Montee Ball 74 HB

Pack #84: Michael Brockers 77 DT... Again...

Pack #85: Anquan Boldin 86 WR!!

Pack #86: Bobby Wagner 84 MLB. Things are looking slightly better!

Pack #87: Warren Moon 4/4 Milestone, and Star Lotulelei 83 DT

Pack #88: Brandon Meriweather 75 S

Pack #89: Matt Elam 76 S

Pack #90: M.D. Jennings 73 S

Pack #91: Anthony Spencer 79 DE

Pack #92: Kevin Vickerson 72 DT

Pack #93: Parys Haralson 76 LB

Pack #94: Nolan Carroll 74 CB

Pack #95: Anquan Boldin 86 WR Again.

Pack #96: Brandon Gibson 74 WR

Pack #97: Tracy Porter 75 CB

Pack #98: Rey Maualuga 73 MLB and Josh Scobee 85 K

Pack #99: Brandon Gibson 74 WR again, and 85 Pat McAfee, but it is Breast Cancer Awareness, does that go for anything?!?!?!?!

Pack #100: Donald Stephenson 74 OT

Pack #101: Luke Joeckel 74 OT again.

Pack #102: Jarvis Landry 81 RTTP WR, and that's all I can do today. Be back tomorrow morning and afternoon.

Pack #103: One more! Game glitched out, but I know it was an 80 LB

---

I'M BACK!!!

Pack #104: Malcom Floyd 76 WR

Pack #105: FIFTH ELITE!!! Tom Brady 92 QB FO

Pack #106: Tavon Austin 74 WR

Pack #107: Stephon Gilmore 82 CB

Pack #108: Kraig Urbik 75 OG

Pack #109: Darren Sproles 81 HB

Pack #110: Roberto Garza 79 C

Pack #111: Cam Newton 84 QB and Heath Miller Captain Collectible. Good pack.

Pack #112: SIXTH ELITE!!! They are streaming in now! Alec Ogletree TOTW 10 91 LB

Pack #113: Donte Whitner 85 S

Pack #114: Harrison Smith Captain Collectible, and Alex Boone 84 OG. Pretty good pack!

Pack #115: Tyrann Mathieu 82 S

Pack #116: Lorenzo Alexander 75 LB

Pack #117: Pat Angerer 73 MLB. Pretty much sums up my emotions at getting him.

Pack #118: Eric Wood 79 C

Pack #119: Xavier Rhodes, but this time the 75 CB version.

Pack #120: Derek Newton RTTP 82 OT, and now I'm off to school. Finish up this afternoon.

BACK AGAIN!

Pack #121: Osi Umenyiora 73 LB

Pack #122: Orson Charles 73 FB

Pack #123: Khalil Mack 76 LB and Matt Bosher 85 P.

Pack #124: Jacob Tamme 78 TE

Pack #125: Seventh Elite!!!!!! Jacquies Smith 88 Final Edition DE. Stoked!

Pack #126: Joe Mays 75 MLB

Pack #127: Andre Ellington 75 HB

Pack #128: Rafael Bush 76 S

Pack #129: Joe Mays 75 MLB AGAIN! At least give me a variety of golds...

Pack #130: Michael Floyd 77 WR

Pack #131: Nick Mangold Captain Collectible and Ryan Fitzpatrick 75 QB

Pack #132: Reshad Jones Captian Collectible and Kevin Vickerson 72 DT

Pack #133: George Iloka 75

Pack #134: Joe Flacco TOTW 6 86 QB! Decent pull.

Pack #135: Brandon Fusco 86 OG. That's two good packs in a row.

Pack #136: Jameel Mcclain

Pack #137: Eighth Elite!!! Aqib Talib 87 CB

Pack #138: Mike Williams 77 WR

Pack #139: Tavon Austin 74 WR

Pack #140: Alfred Morris 83 HB

Pack #141: Nolan Carroll 74 CB

Pack #142: Erik Walden 75 LB

Pack #143: Stevie Johnson 81 WR

Pack #144: Jonathan Stewart 75 HB... and network timeout.

Pack #145: Robert Ayers 75 DE

Pack #146: Rey Maualuga 73 MLB. The packs are drying up.

Pack #147: Riley Cooper 72 WR

Pack #148: Chris Ogbonnaya 77 FB

Pack #149: Stevie Johnson 81 WR. If you are going to give me duplicates, make 'em good duplicates.

Pack #150: My will is broken. All I wanted is Dan Dierdorf, and there I see him. Elite, shiny, and only the 1/4 Milestone. Also got Eli Manning 76 QB

Pack #151: My will is back! Ninth Elite! Logan Mankins 88 OG

Pack #152: Scott Chandler 78 TE

Pack #153: Derek Cox 74 CB

Pack #154: Sean Lissemore 72 DT

Pack #155: Shaun Phillips 75 LB

Pack #156: Jeremy Lane 74 CB

Pack #157: Sean Weatherspoon 73 MLB

Pack #158: Julius Peppers 78 LB

Pack #159: Tyron Smith Captain Collectible and Desmond Bishop 78 LB

Pack #160: Jeremy Maclin 77 WR

Pack #161: Brad Nortman 80 P and K.J. Wright 78 MLB

Pack #162: Morgan Burnett 82 S

Pack #163: Rod Streater 74 WR

Pack #164: D.J. Williams 75 MLB

Pack #165: Rob Ninkovich 81 DE

Pack #166: Desmond Trufant RTTP 83 CB

Pack #167: Garry Williams 75 OG

Pack #168: Orson Charles 73 FB

Pack #169: Dustin Colquitt 80 P and J.C. Tretter RTTP 84 C

Pack #170: Benjamin Watson 80 TE

Pack #171: Michael Floyd 77 WR

Pack #172: Jadeveon Clowney 81 DE

Pack #173: Joe Berger 75 OG

Pack #174: Fletcher Cox 77 DE

Pack #175: Justin Blalock 73 OG

Pack #176: Joel Bitonio 79 OG

Pack #177: Derek Sherrod 74 OT

Pack #178: Lamarr Houston 83 DE

Pack #179: Mike Devito 81 DE

Pack #180: Curtis Lofton 75 MLB

Pack #181: Donald Butler 78 MLB. Thirty packs since last elite.

Pack #182: William Gay 77 CB

Pack #183: Jim Dray RTTP 80 TE

Pack #184: Donald Brown 75 HB

Pack #185: Josh McCown 78 QB

Pack #186: Kyle Cook 75 C

Pack #187: Still not an elite, but something decent. Jarius Wright TOTW 14 86 WR

Reddit chooses my text response to my mother. Whatever gets the highest up votes will be sent, responses will be posted.

Here's the back story if you're interested:

http://ift.tt/17EhpWT

tl;dr - I'm disassociating myself. The announcement will be made Wednesday. My calls for the first time in nearly 3 years to tell me she loves me (manipulate me). I've just been inactive these 3 years.

Here are the texts between us:

My response to her voice mail:

I appreciate your message, but I no longer need your love. I've made a new family that will love me, this includes speaking to me, not matter what I believe. If you ever want to leave that high control, oppressive, child abusing (sexually and mentally - youtube the pbs video) cult know as the Jehovah's Witnesses, please let me know. I'll be here with open arms, but I'm not holding my breath. I'm living my life to the fullest, viewing every days as a new adventure. No longer are my decisions hindered by an organization. If I was a parent, I know there isn't anything that would stop me from talking with my child, not even if s/he decided to be a Jehovah's Witness. "Religion is an insult to human dignity. With or without it you would have t good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people people to do evil things, that takes religion." Like Whitney once said, "I want to dance with somebody who loves me.", well I no longer have to want, I've got it. And I'm going to keep dancing through life. -- shun me or not I'm happy.

Mother's response:

That's all I want for any of my children, is to be happy. I will always be your mother and nothing with change that. In fact the only being I love more than you is God. Know that your father and I will always be there if you need us. Mom

My response:

[Sent some pictures of be being happy and shit]

Mother's response:

I guess all that's left is for me to learn how to be happy without you in my life. Mom

My response:

Do whatever makes you happy.

The next day...

I text:

The announcement has probably already been made, but I just wanted to say that I think about you all the time. Even though we have a muddy past, I'm starting to forget the bad memories and only remember the good. You're in my dreams at least twice a month if not more; notice I said dreams, not nightmares haha. It's a shame my sexuality and beliefs have to stand in between us now. I'm not sure what kind of just God would ask as mother to abandon her own child... certainly not one worth of my praise. I wish I could share my happiness with you. I wish you would love me for who I am (this includes speaking to me). So I guess this is me signing out. My only hope is that the next time I see you, it is not in a hospital bed or a casket. I do love you Mom, and I miss you terribly. Thank you for respecting my decisions to be myself. I have a midterm tomorrow so I have to get back to studying. Take care.

Mother's response:

It's funny how parents and children view the same situation so differently. I think of you as one of the sweetest and adorable babies and child. You seem to be so well-adjusted through the teen years and happy. I wish you had told us all you were going through. It's all water under the bridge now, the announcement is next weds. All decisions and choices were made without consulting me, I would have begged and pleaded for you not to write the letter to the elders. Always know that I love you and try to forgive me for all the ways I have failed you. Your [sic] a beautiful and gentle soul. I would love to sit down with you in the next week and just talk to see the man you have become.

Me:

If I would have told you, I probably would have been taken to the elders to try and 'fix' me. I wrote the letter for a few reasons. I waited for two and a half years fore something normal to come out of it, and that never happened. I've been going to therapy sessions because the only time I get depressed is when I have communication with my family. We decided that family relationships are toxic for my mental health. Every time I'd talk with Dad he'd tell me that if I tried hared enough I could be "not gay". I'm as queer as they come, just like your sister. It's taken a long time for me to accept it myself, but now that I have, the last thing I need is my own father telling me how wrong my love is for another man is. Every time he said something like that, it made me feel dead inside. It's like telling you that you're wrong for being a female, you can change your gender sure, but you should have to due to something that was written in a book 5,000 years ago by sheep herders. If you taught me anything growing up, it's to stand up for what I know is true, despite the adversity. I know "The Truth" is not the actual truth, so I can no longer associate myself with it. Truth is indisputable, there's a lot to dispute about the JW's, let alone religion in general. If it was true (indisputable), every atheist would convert, including myself. Lastly, I did it because my father said if I were to get married to the man I love, he'd shun me. That is the definition of conditional love. I will not tolerate it. I don't plan on getting married until I'm 30, but we're consenting adults, I'm not going to allow him to hold his love on a string over my head until conform to the person he wants me to be. So before I agree to sit down with you, answer me this, would you shun me if I got married today? Are there any conditions on your love? Do you think it's okay to abandon me on the basis of a difference in beliefs?

Mother:

[throwawayjw1914_2], just as sure as you believe what you believe, I've had 30 years to examine, study, and mediate [sic] on my scriptural beliefs. I'm willing to put my life on the line for Jehovah and the truth. Make sure you are willing to do the same for what you believe. Please remember you made every single choice in your life without once giving me a chance or a say. I will always love you and wish you a happy life. You can always contact us if you need us and we will keep you informed of urgent matters. Mom

---

So I haven't responded to anything just yet, but I'm fired up. I've written out a draft and I think maybe this is what I should send. Though I'm taking suggestions in the thread, so post away!

draft:

Thank you avoiding all of my questions, much appreciated. Secondly I do not come to you for advice for many reasons. When I was 17, I told you, with tears in my eyes, that I was going to commit suicide because of how I felt about the Jehovah's Witnesses. Your classic response, "Just pray harder." Also you threw my new laptop across the room, then denied it, because I wouldn't let you leave the house drunk. Later that day you tried to set my grandmother's house on fire. You also used to slap me so hard across the face that my glasses flew off. You abused me as a child. I don't go to a person like that for sound advice. Next, I'm sure you've read and studied the Bible for decades, I don't doubt that. How convenient it was for God to have birthed you in a location were Christianity is so popular. Thank him for not birthing you to Saudi Arabian parents, because you'd most certainly be Islam. I doubt you have even read a passage from the Torah or the Qur'an, and evidently a Biology book. How can you definitively say you have the one true religion and the truth when you've only studied only a hand full of religions in the vast sea of religions. I know the scripture goes, faith without works is dead, but love without works is dead too. Don't say you love me and then tell me to "have a happy life" in the same sentence, as if you're writing me off. If shunning me is love, then war is peace. I feel sorry that my whole family has been trapped in the greatest cult since the People's Temple, but I know there is nothing I can say to convince you that you're religion is lying to you. "Make sure you are willing to do the same for what you believe." Please don't try to give me advice and definitely don't try to be a mother to me now, it's a bit late for that. If you choose to abandon me, then you are surely no mother of mine.

Yes, I'm salty as fuck about this. Is this too harsh?

‘I’m not gay no more’ viral video star says God still hasn’t made him straight

http://ift.tt/17E2YSK

What Jesus Really Said About Gay Marriage?

http://ift.tt/17EhpGq

George Takei's Gay Test

http://ift.tt/1AiKNZo

Fischer: Pro-Gay Republicans Pushing GOP 'Backwards Into The Darkness' Of Sodom And Gomorrah

http://ift.tt/1awEOes

Internalized biphobia (Mild spoilers for House of Cards up to S3 E1/2)

Does anyone else have internalized biphobia to the point where they have trouble believing other people are bi, especially in media?

Case in point: I'm a huge House of Cards fan and started watching the new season today. Frank, the main character, has been shown to have sex with men and women, but I never believed he was truly bi but gay. I rationalized it by the sex he was having a reporter was solely about manipulation (he says something to this effect, but I was convinced he didn't enjoy it all and was just doing what he had to), and that his wife was just his very trusted beard. No matter what evidence was presented (including his wife having an abortion with what was implied his baby), I rationalized it as him being gay and willing to do whatever needed. It wasn't until the first (or second; I can't remember) episode of the new season where it shows him and his wife having sex that I finally started to believe he was actually bi. I guess I'm just really not used to seeing bi characters in media. Does anyone ever feel like this?

(Also, I haven't gotten beyond S3E2 so please no spoilers!)

Going to try this out; I want to stop being gay

Hi I'm gay. Or perhaps I should say, I was. Hope anyone who is gay won't be offended by how I feel, but I dislike the phrase "coming out of the closet." Recently, an acquaintance of mine posted about his coming out story on Facebook, so it inspired me:

Any gay person can open a closet door and come out of it. But me? I'll pulverize the door, obliterating the closet and whatever's inside of it.

Long story short: I'm sick of being gay. If anyone else is gay, I'm cool with that. But for me, it's a cancer that I want to get rid of.

I figured trying NoFap would be a good first step towards that goal, because for me, masturbation and sexual thoughts tend to feed each other.

Fighting against one's sexuality is impossible? All the more reason for me to do so. I will face this challenge as one determined to conquer my body's desires, not as weakling who begs for their mercy.

That said, I'm a bit conflicted about whether I should try to never masturbate again, or if I should just try to reduce my frequency. I feel like the latter would make more sense because the former hasn't worked for me in the past, and I feel like the more I reduce my frequency, the less I'll feel like I need to masturbate. But I'm worried that if I give in once, then it'll be harder to resist for another x amount of days than if I just went ahead and didn't do it at all.

An explanation of the brief in _Tanco v Haslam_, submitted to the SCOTUS today.

Today was the deadline for the plaintiffs in the consolidated marriage cases to file their briefs with the Supreme Court.The second brief was filed by the lawyers for Valeria Tanco (and others), attempting to get Tennessee to recognize their out-of-state marriages.It can be found at http://ift.tt/1awzvvG the Ohio case, it deals ONLY with the question: can Tennessee refuse to recognize same-sex marriages conducted in other states?It does not directly address the related question: can Tennessee refuse to grant same-sex marriages to its citizens?The other cases consolidated with it will address that issue, but this case does not, and so neither does this brief.The plaintiffs in this case are three out-of-state couples who moved to Tennessee. Two of the couples have children. All three couples were married before moving to Tennessee.Before I proceed, I want to explain some things about the way the fourteenth amendment works. [This is cut straight out of the other analysis, so you can skip if you've already read it. :)]These things are clear to lawyers and are therefore implicit in the arguments being made, but they're not always clear to lay people, and understanding them will make understanding the arguments in the briefs easier.The fourteenth amendment generally operates to overturn state laws under one of two very different sets of theories.[1] Under one theory, the "substantive due process" theory, the state may not infringe on a "fundamental right" unless the law which does so is "narrowly tailored" to meet a "compelling state interest".How do you tell if something's a fundamental right? That's a tough question, but the basic answer is that the right has to be deeply rooted in the nation's history and tradition. The freedom to travel from place to place is a fundamental right, for example, but the freedom to blow through a vuvuzela at midnight is not. Aside from the general idea that anything covered by the bill of rights is included, these fundamental rights are normally determined on a case by case basis - there's no real way to derive a predictable rule from the "deeply rooted" language.So much of the debate in same sex marriage cases has been about how to characterize the right. Proponents of SSM say that the right that's being fought for is marriage, which is deeply rooted in the nation's history and tradition. SSM opponents say no, it's the new right of "same-sex marriage", a creature altogether different from "marriage", and which has no basis in the nation's history and tradition.[2] Under the other theory, the "equal protection theory", the state may not explicitly discriminate against a particular group of people unless the law embodying the discrimination meets a particular standard of review which is different depending on the group being discriminated against.The background for this is complex, but basically the issue is: most laws discriminate in that they treat some people differently than others. That's ok, it's necessary to the function of government for the state to be able to treat (say) people who speed differently than people who don't speed. For the overwhelming majority of things, all the state needs to do is demonstrate that the discrimination in the law is rationally related to some legitimate state objective, and that's good enough.That's traditionally called "rational basis review".But for some discrimination, courts have good reason to suspect that the discrimination isn't based on rational connection to legitimate ends, but there's some insidious animosity underlying it, and that discrimination is what the equal protection clause was intended to prevent - cases where the state just treats people differently because they're part of a class of people that the majority dislikes.The prototypical example of this is race. Discrimination based on race is so suspect that the state can only do it if it's narrowly tailored to meet a compelling state interest. This is known as "strict scrutiny"; it's basically an impossible burden to meet. (Some other classifications fall into this category - religious beliefs being one of the most prominent).Another example is gender. Discrimination based on gender is suspect, but not as suspect as discrimination based on race, and sometimes there are good reasons to use gender to treat people differently based on their gender, because there are actual physical differences in play. So to discriminate on the basis of gender, all the state has to prove is that the discrimination is substantially related to an important government interest. (This is a lower standard than 'narrowly tailored to a compelling state interest' and a higher standard than 'rationally related to a legitimate government objective', and so it is called "intermediate scrutiny".)The Supreme Court has never really articulated in an intelligible fashion where discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation falls. It's said, in Romer v Evans, Lawrence v Texas, and Windsor v US, that it's using rational basis review, but since rational basis review simply requires that the state demonstrate a rational relationship to a legitimate state interest, and it's not hard to come up with plausible sounding legitimate state interests in some of these cases, many legal analysts have believed that the Supreme Court was essentially lying, or misleading itself, about what standard it should use.So ... back to the details of the arguments in the brief.The brief makes {X} arguments.ARGUMENT #1: Tennessee must recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages because failing to do so infringes on the couples' fundamental right to marry without a compelling state interest.the freedom to marry has long been recognized as one of the vital personal rightsthe freedom to marry is protected by the Constitution because relationship decisions implicate deeply held personal beliefs, choices, and values, which are protected (against the state's unwarranted usurpation, disregard, or disrespect) by the fourteenth amendment's due process clausethe freedom to marry includes the freedom to choose who to marrythe refusal to recognize a lawful out-of-state marriage based on the sex of the spouses interferes with that freedomthe discussion of the existence of a compelling state interest is deferred to argument #4 - but as a baseline, if it can't pass rational basis review, there can't be a narrow tailoring to a compelling state interest.ARGUMENT #2: Tennessee must recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages because failing to do so infringes on the couples' fundamental right to travel the length and breadth of the land.the right to move from place to place according to inclination is an attribute of personal liberty, and the right of free transit from or through the territory of a state is protected by the fourteenth amendment.that right encompasses the liberty to migrte, resettle, find a new job, and start a new life.that right includes the right to be free of statutes, rules, or regulations which unreasonably burden or restrict movement.by ignoring the lawful marriages of same-sex spouses travelling through or moving to Tennessee, the state imposes an unreasonable burden on their right of travelTennessee cannot force a citizen of the US to choose between travel and some other fundamental right, without a showing that such treatment is necessary to further a compelling state interest. (this was established by a decision overturning a residency requirement for voting).the non-recognition laws also unreasonably interfere with the parent-child relationship of travelling married same sex couples with children, by treating the families as second-class and by interfering with the parental rights of one of the parents.Tennessee could decline to recognize if it had a really good reason for doing so, but in this case they don't, and they don't have a history of doing so in the past - prior to the SSM issue, Tennessee always recognized out of state marriages even if they would have been not allowed in TN.ARGUMENT #3: Tennessee must recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages for the same reasons the federal government has to recognize state same-sex marriages.Windsor required 'careful consideration' of DOMA because it was clearly targeted at a discrete minority.In so doing, the Court departed from rational basis review and adopted a form of heightened scrutiny.It should do the same thing in this case, because the statute is an unusual measure departing from traditional treatment of out-of-state marriages, and because it treates a discrete group of married couples unequally.Tennessee has created two classes of out-of-state couples and discriminates against a specific group.Tennessee seeks to specifically injure the very people another state is seeking to help, in violation of basic due process and equal protection principles.This is just like Windsor and so should fail for the same reason DOMA failed in Windsor.ARGUMENT #4: Tennessee must recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages because failure to do so discriminates on the basis of gender.The law explicitly discriminates on the basis of gender!The law unreasonably reinforces broad gender-based expectations and stereotypes in a way which is harmfulARGUMENT #$: Tennesee must recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages because failure to do so discriminates on the basis of sexual orientationdiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation should use heightened scrutiny. the Court's been doing that all along, it should come out of the closet about it.laws discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation target a cosntitutionally protected aspect of personal identity and burden individuals for exercising their constitutionally protected right to establish an enduring relationship with a partner of the same sexlaws discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation are suspect because (a) gays have historically been discriminated gaainst, (b) the basis for the discrimination is unconnected to ability to participate and contribute in society, (c) sexual orientation is an integral part of identity, and (d) gays and lesbians are politically disadvantagedlaws discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation reinforce harmful gender stereotypesall of these reasons point to heightened scrutiny.ARGUMENT #5: Tennessee must recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages because all of its purported interests actually support such recognition rather than supporting nonrecognition, and therefore its reliance on those interests is irrational and Tennessee's law can't meet rational basis review.there is no rational connection between a desire to provide stability to children and a refusal to recognize same-sex marriages. in fact, by not recognizing the marriages of same sex couples with children, the interest in providing children with stability is undermined.appeals to tradition or deference to the political process cannot justify the deprivation of fundamental rights

An explanation of the brief in _Tanco v Haslam_, submitted to the SCOTUS today.

Today was the deadline for the plaintiffs in the consolidated marriage cases to file their briefs with the Supreme Court.The second brief was filed by the lawyers for Valeria Tanco (and others), attempting to get Tennessee to recognize their out-of-state marriages.It can be found at http://ift.tt/1awzvvG the Ohio case, it deals ONLY with the question: can Tennessee refuse to recognize same-sex marriages conducted in other states?It does not directly address the related question: can Tennessee refuse to grant same-sex marriages to its citizens?The other cases consolidated with it will address that issue, but this case does not, and so neither does this brief.The plaintiffs in this case are three out-of-state couples who moved to Tennessee. Two of the couples have children. All three couples were married before moving to Tennessee.Before I proceed, I want to explain some things about the way the fourteenth amendment works. [This is cut straight out of the other analysis, so you can skip if you've already read it. :)]These things are clear to lawyers and are therefore implicit in the arguments being made, but they're not always clear to lay people, and understanding them will make understanding the arguments in the briefs easier.The fourteenth amendment generally operates to overturn state laws under one of two very different sets of theories.[1] Under one theory, the "substantive due process" theory, the state may not infringe on a "fundamental right" unless the law which does so is "narrowly tailored" to meet a "compelling state interest".How do you tell if something's a fundamental right? That's a tough question, but the basic answer is that the right has to be deeply rooted in the nation's history and tradition. The freedom to travel from place to place is a fundamental right, for example, but the freedom to blow through a vuvuzela at midnight is not. Aside from the general idea that anything covered by the bill of rights is included, these fundamental rights are normally determined on a case by case basis - there's no real way to derive a predictable rule from the "deeply rooted" language.So much of the debate in same sex marriage cases has been about how to characterize the right. Proponents of SSM say that the right that's being fought for is marriage, which is deeply rooted in the nation's history and tradition. SSM opponents say no, it's the new right of "same-sex marriage", a creature altogether different from "marriage", and which has no basis in the nation's history and tradition.[2] Under the other theory, the "equal protection theory", the state may not explicitly discriminate against a particular group of people unless the law embodying the discrimination meets a particular standard of review which is different depending on the group being discriminated against.The background for this is complex, but basically the issue is: most laws discriminate in that they treat some people differently than others. That's ok, it's necessary to the function of government for the state to be able to treat (say) people who speed differently than people who don't speed. For the overwhelming majority of things, all the state needs to do is demonstrate that the discrimination in the law is rationally related to some legitimate state objective, and that's good enough.That's traditionally called "rational basis review".But for some discrimination, courts have good reason to suspect that the discrimination isn't based on rational connection to legitimate ends, but there's some insidious animosity underlying it, and that discrimination is what the equal protection clause was intended to prevent - cases where the state just treats people differently because they're part of a class of people that the majority dislikes.The prototypical example of this is race. Discrimination based on race is so suspect that the state can only do it if it's narrowly tailored to meet a compelling state interest. This is known as "strict scrutiny"; it's basically an impossible burden to meet. (Some other classifications fall into this category - religious beliefs being one of the most prominent).Another example is gender. Discrimination based on gender is suspect, but not as suspect as discrimination based on race, and sometimes there are good reasons to use gender to treat people differently based on their gender, because there are actual physical differences in play. So to discriminate on the basis of gender, all the state has to prove is that the discrimination is substantially related to an important government interest. (This is a lower standard than 'narrowly tailored to a compelling state interest' and a higher standard than 'rationally related to a legitimate government objective', and so it is called "intermediate scrutiny".)The Supreme Court has never really articulated in an intelligible fashion where discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation falls. It's said, in Romer v Evans, Lawrence v Texas, and Windsor v US, that it's using rational basis review, but since rational basis review simply requires that the state demonstrate a rational relationship to a legitimate state interest, and it's not hard to come up with plausible sounding legitimate state interests in some of these cases, many legal analysts have believed that the Supreme Court was essentially lying, or misleading itself, about what standard it should use.So ... back to the details of the arguments in the brief.The brief makes {X} arguments.ARGUMENT #1: Tennessee must recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages because failing to do so infringes on the couples' fundamental right to marry without a compelling state interest.the freedom to marry has long been recognized as one of the vital personal rightsthe freedom to marry is protected by the Constitution because relationship decisions implicate deeply held personal beliefs, choices, and values, which are protected (against the state's unwarranted usurpation, disregard, or disrespect) by the fourteenth amendment's due process clausethe freedom to marry includes the freedom to choose who to marrythe refusal to recognize a lawful out-of-state marriage based on the sex of the spouses interferes with that freedomthe discussion of the existence of a compelling state interest is deferred to argument #4 - but as a baseline, if it can't pass rational basis review, there can't be a narrow tailoring to a compelling state interest.ARGUMENT #2: Tennessee must recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages because failing to do so infringes on the couples' fundamental right to travel the length and breadth of the land.the right to move from place to place according to inclination is an attribute of personal liberty, and the right of free transit from or through the territory of a state is protected by the fourteenth amendment.that right encompasses the liberty to migrte, resettle, find a new job, and start a new life.that right includes the right to be free of statutes, rules, or regulations which unreasonably burden or restrict movement.by ignoring the lawful marriages of same-sex spouses travelling through or moving to Tennessee, the state imposes an unreasonable burden on their right of travelTennessee cannot force a citizen of the US to choose between travel and some other fundamental right, without a showing that such treatment is necessary to further a compelling state interest. (this was established by a decision overturning a residency requirement for voting).the non-recognition laws also unreasonably interfere with the parent-child relationship of travelling married same sex couples with children, by treating the families as second-class and by interfering with the parental rights of one of the parents.Tennessee could decline to recognize if it had a really good reason for doing so, but in this case they don't, and they don't have a history of doing so in the past - prior to the SSM issue, Tennessee always recognized out of state marriages even if they would have been not allowed in TN.ARGUMENT #3: Tennessee must recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages for the same reasons the federal government has to recognize state same-sex marriages.Windsor required 'careful consideration' of DOMA because it was clearly targeted at a discrete minority.In so doing, the Court departed from rational basis review and adopted a form of heightened scrutiny.It should do the same thing in this case, because the statute is an unusual measure departing from traditional treatment of out-of-state marriages, and because it treates a discrete group of married couples unequally.Tennessee has created two classes of out-of-state couples and discriminates against a specific group.Tennessee seeks to specifically injure the very people another state is seeking to help, in violation of basic due process and equal protection principles.This is just like Windsor and so should fail for the same reason DOMA failed in Windsor.ARGUMENT #4: Tennessee must recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages because failure to do so discriminates on the basis of gender.The law explicitly discriminates on the basis of gender!The law unreasonably reinforces broad gender-based expectations and stereotypes in a way which is harmfulARGUMENT #$: Tennesee must recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages because failure to do so discriminates on the basis of sexual orientationdiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation should use heightened scrutiny. the Court's been doing that all along, it should come out of the closet about it.laws discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation target a cosntitutionally protected aspect of personal identity and burden individuals for exercising their constitutionally protected right to establish an enduring relationship with a partner of the same sexlaws discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation are suspect because (a) gays have historically been discriminated gaainst, (b) the basis for the discrimination is unconnected to ability to participate and contribute in society, (c) sexual orientation is an integral part of identity, and (d) gays and lesbians are politically disadvantagedlaws discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation reinforce harmful gender stereotypesall of these reasons point to heightened scrutiny.ARGUMENT #5: Tennessee must recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages because all of its purported interests actually support such recognition rather than supporting nonrecognition, and therefore its reliance on those interests is irrational and Tennessee's law can't meet rational basis review.there is no rational connection between a desire to provide stability to children and a refusal to recognize same-sex marriages. in fact, by not recognizing the marriages of same sex couples with children, the interest in providing children with stability is undermined.appeals to tradition or deference to the political process cannot justify the deprivation of fundamental rights