'Not that it matters, or that there would be anything wrong with it if it were, but no, I don't happen to be ______.'

Would be my reply to someone spreading misinformation.

that there is something wrong with being part of the lgbt spectrum

is simply to ignore it, or to say 'Not really any of your business'.

There are probably still people to this day who think I'm gay, simply because I was a member of the LGBTA group on campus back in school. I could really care less, unless it adversely affects my ability to get hired, since we don't have ENDA yet.

Here are the SirPatStew tweets on the issue. First on the Guardian reporting that he is not gay.

"So what if I am?" when asked. What's funny is that he's not.

Too many people are quick to say. . ."I'm not gay, but I'm ok if somebody else is. . ." They're afraid they'll be branded as queer. Shit, it's NOT an insult. . .

Henry David Thoreau had it right. That's the kind of summer I've been having.

So I'm pretty sure I won't be able to dispense any useful advice, but you know you can always cry on my shoulder.

without re-stigmatizing a group.

To be succinct, when I feel like others around me are getting too pushy, I deliberately disengage. (That's kind of what happened this morning, but the problem was that I was confined to a crowded subway car, and I got seriously claustrophobic, and it set me off. So there was no way effectively to disengage from the drama queens who were competing for public air space.)

By "disengage" I mean, I put maximum distance between myself and that person, that group of people, that area, stretch of street, whatever. So in this situation, I would simply make a decision to not respond.

While this is a small board, it is still a public forum where you and your views will - over time - attract those (like me) who love you for them, and those who hate you. Some of the talking heads on Fox and elsewhere apparently will browse threads here on occasion, just like anyone else, and so you've got to try to exercise a bit of self-restraint. Or at least, that's what I do. It helps me stay calm when I let these things go and then move on. I actually left a board recently after something like this happened to me, and haven't been back for months, even though I posted there every single day, multiple times, for years and years. But I'm happy with that decision.

Peace to you.

they are doing it - in part - because I am letting them engage me in some kind of dialogue - verbal, non-verbal, territorial, etc.

I suppose that's part of why people here where we live have a reputation for refusing eye contact and being cold. But you know what, it's an effective survival technique.

We commiserated recently on the topic of the cultural significance of "eye contact" and decided that.... for whatever reasons... it (i.e. making eye contact ) is a "survival technique" in all natural human settings.... as it promotes the interdependence necessary for survival.

EXCEPT for NYC. Here one maximizes one's odds for survival by AVOIDING eye contact.

I'm taking her on the 7 train next week so she can practice.

as well as others involved - at every level - in the entertainment industry, and social gatherings sometimes feel like an audition for the benefit of any unrecognized big shots within earshot of whichever drama queen is carrying on, soaking up energy in a sponge-like parasitical way, when really all YOU want to do is to GET TO FUCKING WORK ON TIME.

and was accused (very hatefully) of it in high school.

my response now is 'nope, just an ally but it wouldn't matter if i were."

"I never denied those rumors because I was offended and didn't want to offend my friends who were gay — as if being gay were some kind of f---ing disease..."

http://celebrities.ninemsn.com.au/?blogentryid=1075913&showcomments=true

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In my opinion, it may be worth simply saying "yes" or "no" if someone asks in person. Just a nonchalant answer. Because it really doesn't matter. Don't be defensive about it, that suggests that you have something to be defensive about, which of course you don't. It wouldn't matter if you were or weren't. The error in perception comes from their point of view not yours.

But, as you're talking an internet forum. I'd laugh about it. And then ignore it. It's not worth the hassle. Let them seem stupid.

first -- it's like there's something wrong with it -- by it's very 'accusation'.

second -- i would assume that peron is straight.
'splaining stuff to straights -- and DU taught me t5his -- is useless.
their minds are made up -- and they know better than we do about our own lives.

(although i would amend that to 'some straights' or 'not-allied straights')

I don't socialize with straight people? Ever? Okay, so maybe TWO but even then only on occasion.

They. Don't. Get. It. and don't WANT to get it.

particularly when talking in favor of LGBT rights.

I don't feel like a denial is appropriate. I think I have settled on the tactic of saying "Since I don't regard being LGBT as a bad thing, I don't feel the need to deny your accusation."

I have a problem with people saying or implying I'm "admitting" it like it's some sort of crime.

I reveal, acknowledge, disclose, celebrate my homosexuality. I'd NEVER admit it.