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Stourbridgeguy

By Stourbridgeguy
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Stourbridgeguy Contributor

Stourbridgeguy

Posted
Posted

OK peeps here is my question.

 

Have just spent a couple of hours in the pub with freinds discussing why I am unable to follow my dream to live on the canal. The biggest fear I have and I know it should not be, is my sexuality, as a gay man I have felt that I have to conform to a certain criteria

 

I have always loved the canal. The canals have always been there for me, they surround me every way I walk. I have always loved being near them as far back as I can remember. as have boats. I have veiwed so many boats it seems like the ideal on is just round the corner, I have always had the feeling that I want to live afloat. As a child I always said that when I grew up I wanted to live on a boat cus my mother would not visit, cus she hates being afloat, now I joke that all I had to do was tell her that I was gay :lol:

 

Am I being stupid after too many amber nectars, would I be accepted for who I am, are there any other gay guys that have taken the plunge and found acceptance within the boating/liveaboard comunities, or am I being a compleat knob for even asking such a question?

 

PS. I may add to this post when I am more sober or even delete it.

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David Schweizer Veteran II

David Schweizer

Posted
Posted
OK peeps here is my question.

 

Have just spent a couple of hours in the pub with freinds discussing why I am unable to follow my dream to live on the canal. The biggest fear I have and I know it should not be, is my sexuality, as a gay man I have felt that I have to conform to a certain criteria

 

I have always loved the canal. The canals have always been there for me, they surround me every way I walk. I have always loved being near them as far back as I can remember. as have boats. I have veiwed so many boats it seems like the ideal on is just round the corner, I have always had the feeling that I want to live afloat. As a child I always said that when I grew up I wanted to live on a boat cus my mother would not visit, cus she hates being afloat, now I joke that all I had to do was tell her that I was gay :lol:

 

Am I being stupid after too many amber nectars, would I be accepted for who I am, are there any other gay guys that have taken the plunge and found acceptance within the boating/liveaboard comunities, or am I being a compleat knob for even asking such a question?

 

PS. I may add to this post when I am more sober or even delete it.

 

I think you are worrying uneccessarily. We have met several single gay men and couples living on boats, One of the first people I got to know living on a narrowboat back in the 1960's was gay (He is retired now and still living on a pair of boats) And when I kept my boat on the K&A near Bath, we were moored next to a gay man,we got on very well with him.

 

I am certain that how well you will get on with other boaters will not depend on whether you are gay or straight, but whether you are a nice person.

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Moley Experienced

Moley

Posted
Posted
Have just spent a couple of hours in the pub with friends discussing why I am unable to follow my dream to live on the canal. The biggest fear I have and I know it should not be, is my sexuality, as a gay man I have felt that I have to conform to a certain criteria

 

You're right, it shouldn't be. Now quit faffing around trying to find excuses for talking yourself out of something. If you want a boat, go get a boat. If you have a dream, follow it.

 

I am certain that how well you will get on with other boaters will not depend on whether you are gay or straight, but whether you are a nice person.

 

Well said David, right on the nail.

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Janet S Rising Star

Janet S

Posted
Posted
I am certain that how well you will get on with other boaters will not depend on whether you are gay or straight, but whether you are a nice person.

 

Very well said.

 

If you have a dream, follow it.

 

Best advice you could get!

 

Now go out and get your boat, and stop worrying unneccesarily.....

 

Janet

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StoneHenge Rising Star

StoneHenge

Posted
Posted

I don't even think about that when I meet someone you know. If they are a nice person, then they are a nice person, if they are not they are not. Gay, straight, bi, who cares. Just be yourself, live your dream, and enjoy it.

 

I doubt you will find any negativity on the canals about your sexuality. You would have to be a shallow person these days to hold anything like that against a person.

 

Go for it mate, never stop dreaming.

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tomsk Experienced

tomsk

Posted
Posted
OK peeps here is my question.

 

Have just spent a couple of hours in the pub with freinds discussing why I am unable to follow my dream to live on the canal. The biggest fear I have and I know it should not be, is my sexuality, as a gay man I have felt that I have to conform to a certain criteria

 

I have always loved the canal. The canals have always been there for me, they surround me every way I walk. I have always loved being near them as far back as I can remember. as have boats. I have veiwed so many boats it seems like the ideal on is just round the corner, I have always had the feeling that I want to live afloat. As a child I always said that when I grew up I wanted to live on a boat cus my mother would not visit, cus she hates being afloat, now I joke that all I had to do was tell her that I was gay :lol:

 

Am I being stupid after too many amber nectars, would I be accepted for who I am, are there any other gay guys that have taken the plunge and found acceptance within the boating/liveaboard comunities, or am I being a compleat knob for even asking such a question?

 

PS. I may add to this post when I am more sober or even delete it.

 

 

aaaafergetaboutit... Its a silly question, and you are a bit of a knob to ask.

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moggyjo Proficient

moggyjo

Posted
Posted
I dont think it should prevent you from having a boat - anyone who thinks negatively upon anyone's sexual orientation shouldnt be on the canal!
I think you must of had tooooo much to drink last night, :) You would be absolutly welcome on our moorings. Like everyone else is saying GO FOR IT, Good luck, Wendy :lol:
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bottle Veteran II

bottle

Posted
Posted

Hi Stourbridgeguy

 

I can honestly say that I do not know the sexual orientation of any of my friends it is theirs and theirs to do with as they like.

 

I had work colleagues who were 'gay' but I did not know for many years and when I did find out, it did not make them a better or worse person.

 

Go for it, if it is what you want to do.

 

The only orientation that is necessary on the canals is vertical, otherwise you will get wet. :lol:

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Machpoint005 Veteran II

Machpoint005

Posted
Posted

I've nothing to add really - so I will anyway. I have no problem with anyone's sexual orientation: it's entirely their business. I also think that the great majority of boaters feel the same way. I've met openly gay boaters, or rather GLBT boaters, and many were pleasant people. I've met loads of (presumably) heterosexual boaters, and many were pleasant people. Some were complete pillox but that's their problem.

 

Go for it. We're a friendly lot, and it's not compulsory to paint two names on the side of the boat, whatever the sexes, but some do!

 

Ian

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honey ryder Community Regular

honey ryder

Posted
Posted

i think ive probably met more gay people by the canals on boats and out and about walking by the canals than in my city life living with a gay flat mate with a gay neighbour.

 

living on boats, on the canals where people are often a little more openminded as to living arrangements and peoples odd behaviours and ways of living their lives, being gay is the least thing anyone is interested in bothering about.

 

In fact, i would say you would raise your chances of meeting a nice partner through the canal system, people talk, people socialise, its far better than any cattle market pub or club. If I was still single when i moved onto my boat, im pretty sure I would have hooked a nice lady by now.

 

I say, if you love something, do it.

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Maffi Rising Star

Maffi

Posted
Posted

I have no idea if I have met any gay boaters since I got afloat. Its not like you have to wear a label is it?

 

Some people know my 'orientation' some dont, most can guess. I don't make a point of telling everyone I am straight. By the same token I don't feel comfortable with people who feel they must tell me they are gay. It is not something to gauge a persons quality as a good person.

 

However if it ever becomes compulsory. . . . . . . . . . . :lol:

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honey ryder Community Regular

honey ryder

Posted
Posted
I have no idea if I have met any gay boaters since I got afloat. Its not like you have to wear a label is it?

 

Some people know my 'orientation' some dont, most can guess. I don't make a point of telling everyone I am straight. By the same token I don't feel comfortable with people who feel they must tell me they are gay. It is not something to gauge a persons quality as a good person.

 

However if it ever becomes compulsory. . . . . . . . . . . :lol:

 

ah yes maffi i kind of agree but disagree...

 

there are far fewer gay people around than hetero people, and since the majority of people find it in themselves to want to seek a partner, sometimes its necessary, especially for those in the minority to make it clear their intentions or otherwise.

 

I, being of the mixed variety, ie, not gay and not hetero, find myself actively looking for people of a particular type and those people I might have a "chance" with. so i think I perhaps notice gay people more than say for example, my current partner who is straighter than straight and wouldnt notice a gay person if he or she frollicked naked in front of him wearing a sign, "Im a bit gay ya know..." or in french " je suis un PD"

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Maverick Rising Star

Maverick

Posted
Posted (edited)

Yeah the days of folk being against gays are long gone now. There are far more important things to worry about in life. Just dont do as a couple I know did and call your boat 'Hello Sailor' Please dont do it, if for no other reason you will have a hell of a job to sell it on afterwards. :) Wonder how many straight people reading this are just dying to come out with the classic one liners but darnt becus its no longer PC. ? :lol:

Edited by Maverick
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Breals Proficient

Breals

Posted
Posted (edited)
I don't make a point of telling everyone I am straight.

Yes, but people will assume you are straight 'by default' so you don't have to tell them anyway, Maffi.

 

[Edit - or in other words, what HoneyRyder said!]

Edited by Breals
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dacaB Contributor

dacaB

Posted
Posted

But don't leave your sense of humour ashore.......... like others I fail to see why your sexuallity is relevent to living on a boat.

Maybe we can have a beer sometime. I'll show you some photos of my wife, of 37 years, my children and grandson................................now smile and do it. :lol:

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