Ask Amy

This is hilarious and illustrative of the great divide in American society.

Taken from Monday's Washington Post -- Style Section

Monday, February 20, 2006; Page C12
Dear Amy:
My husband and I have lived in our quiet suburban Denver neighborhood for six years.

About two years ago two young gay men moved in across the street. They've taken the ugliest, most run-down property in the neighborhood and remodeled and transformed it into the pride of the street. Hooray for gays!

When it snows, they shovel out my car and are friendly, yet they mostly keep to themselves.
Last month I went out to retrieve my newspaper and watched them kiss each other goodbye and embrace as they each left for work.

I was appalled that they would do something like that in plain view of everyone. Yes indeed, how dare they be gay in anything other than a helpful and socially uplifting fashion?

I was so disturbed that I spoke to my pastor. He encouraged me to draft a letter telling them how much we appreciate their help but asking them to refrain from that behavior in our neighborhood.

I did so and asked a few of our neighbors to sign it.

Since I delivered it, I've not been able to get them to even engage me in conversation. Funny that...

I offer greetings but they've chosen to ignore me. What vile creatures. You tell them you are disgusted by their behaviour and suddenly they're not shovelling snow from your driveway anymore. I just goes to show dunnit?

They have made it so uncomfortable for the other neighbors and me by not even acknowledging our presence. THEY have made it uncomfortable for YOU? What the Fu........?!

How would you suggest we open communications with them and explain to them that we value their contributions to the neighborhood but will not tolerate watching unnatural and disturbing behavior.

Wondering

You're lucky that these gentlemen merely choose to ignore you.

Your neighbors could respond to your hospitality by hosting weekly outdoor "gay pride" barbecues and inviting all of their friends to enjoy life on our quiet suburban street.

I can hold out hope that they will choose to do this, but I'm spiteful in that way. Your neighbors sound much more kind.

In your original petition to these men, you basically stated that while you value them when they are raising the standard on your street and shoveling your driveway, you loathe them for being who they are.

The only way to open communication with your neighbors would be to start by apologizing to them for engaging your other neighbors in your campaign. Because you don't sound likely to apologize, you are just going to have to tolerate being ignored.
Amy

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Just what I said. Hooray for the freedoms that this country was built on and which allows morons like this to have their say in a national newspaper and then be made to look like a complete idiot for holding such views.