Gloria,
I meant exactly what I said. There was no hidden, snide, smart-ass or any other negatve meaning to it. I was genuinely interested in your opinion, which I respect, on the US FORUM (and any other) issue. That is WHY I asked. Had I realized that it would create animosity, I would not have done so. However, I could not think of any better way to get a good, useful answer to my question. I have indicated to you more than once, in the past, my respect for the work you do. I don't understand why you feel that has changed. My respect for someone is not based on them agreeing with me. You are not likely to find the understanding you seem to be seeking if your response to an honest question is to attack the person asking for your opinion.
I asked the same question when the US FORUM was created. I asked it because I genuinely did not perceive a need for one. The response I got at that time was related to advertising.
I have no objection to a US FORUM. I feel that many things that I post are more appropriate for other forum areas, such as politics. That doesn't mean I'm right. I tend to respond to posts without any attention to which forum they are in. You did ask why I didn't post on the US FORUM more. I assumed you wanted an accurate and honest response. If I misunderstood, I apologize.
I'm actively involved in communicating directly with my political representatives on GLBT/personal rights and other issues. Most recently same-sex marriage and flag-burning/freedom of speech. I follow security and privacy issues specifically. I only missed L.A. Pride 2005 because of multiple personal disasters that kept me from being able to attend. There is no sand in my ears. I have no idea why you feel that where I live is particularly easy for TG issues, other than it being a large city with more places to go and a large population to hide in. I spent over 50 years unable to even acces my own TG-self, worked damned hard to find it, and I am STILL not "out" anywhere but on the internet. It's not a game to me either. I'm still trying to find myself inside my own head. Perhaps you should read my recent blog before you judge where I am coming from.
I will respect your obvious wishes and not ask you your opinion again. I don't care much for being judged so harshly for being open-minded. I never expected this kind of response from you. Again, I apologize for upsetting you.
"A live lived in fear is a life half-lived." - Native American proverb.
"Inside every man is a woman who was drowned in testosterone before birth". - Wendy Jeanette Larsen
"It is better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you're not." - Andre Gide (French writer)