[kentucky blue]

Originally Posted by Salvador

Hello.



--but would living in the Villages be pushing the envelope too far???

Any thoughts on how the straights (or breeders ) here feel about the issue??

PS.......be as honest or cruel as you want to be, because I would like to gauge the true sentiment of the community.

Yes, the jester is a sign of levity and that's how the "breeder" comment should have been taken. The longer this thread goes on, Salvador will see the true colors of TV, and they are not the colors of the rainbow.

[MelZ]

Originally Posted by Salvador

Hello.

Got a bit of a question.

How are homosexual couples received in The Villages?? Would people resent living next to one??? Would it catch a lot of attention?? You know....stares and ogles and whispers....would the good old fashioned folks not want to shake hands

To give you some background, my partner, a physician and golf nut, is reaching retirement age and we would like to relocate to Florida from the mid-west. However, after visiting the gay retirement havens of Ft. Lauderdale/South Beach/Miami Beach a couple times, we decided the culture there wasn't for us (very youth centric and superficial among other things).

We are discrete and conduct our lives conservatively (not Tuba players, so to speak) and don't necessarily seek out diversity--

--but would living in the Villages be pushing the envelope too far???

Any thoughts on how the straights (or breeders ) here feel about the issue??

PS.......be as honest or cruel as you want to be, because I would like to gauge the true sentiment of the community.

I could care less about your orientation but I find the term "breeder" highly offensive, that comment makes me question your intent and tolerance (adding the jester doesn't make the term less derisive). Please do not bring your prejudice with your golf clubs.

[RichieLion]

I think the bottom line is that The Villages is no different from anywhere else, and in fact based on my one year of living here, is friendlier than most.

My brother-in-law and his significant other joined my wife and I when we looked at properties and the Villages representative went out of his way to interest them in a house of their own when they gushed over the beauty of The Villages.

If you can afford to do so, I agree that renting a home for a time is a good way to see if this is a good place for you, if you're nervous. I would suggest a newer neighborhood if you're in the 50's to 60's in terms of age so that your neighbors are in your age group.

I can almost guarantee you'll love it. Just about everyone does.

[billethkid]

Most people whether in TV or any where else take evrybody at face value.
Nobody cares if you are Irish, Catholic, Jewish, black, brown, or what ever.

None of this stuff is relevant to getting a t time....a restaurant reservation or an invitation to a neighborhood function.

If one has a sign on their back saying hey! I am a _ _ ? _ _ can I come and play?

If you are a responsible citizen respecting the rules of life (as most do) there is no problem.

I am old enough to remember when it was in to brag about having a black as a friend. To most of us what your preferences are is a non event...unless or until one tries to convert everybody to their belief.

btk

[Pats2010]

Originally Posted by redwitch

Um, I didn't say Sal said it. I said IRISH ROVER said it (or at least implied it).

I meant Irish Rover and I meant what I said.

[Pats2010]

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

Don't you dare tell me that my response was for some PC reason, my answer is genuine. I have friends both here in Mass and down in TV who are gay, straight, black, white, conservative, liberal and every tone in between.

Sal asked for your opinion and you gave it and I'll respect that. But don't ever tell someone else why you think I answered a question.

Why don't you give the guy a break, he didn't say anything to you. I don't think Rover meant any real malice to anybody. Why so defensive?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by kentucky blue

Yes, the jester is a sign of levity and that's how the "breeder" comment should have been taken. The longer this thread goes on, Salvador will see the true colors of TV, and they are not the colors of the rainbow.

Dear Kentucky Blue.

I don't think you can really tell how we are here in The Villages. Please forgive me for being impatient and correct me if I am wrong. You have visited here twice and do not live here?

This forum probably doesn't really represent the feeling of TV either. We are probably an unusual group who likes to interact on line. The individuals of the villages might have a different take on things.

I don't know how everyone thinks here, or what their attitude is either. We have owned a home for a little over two years.

The many people that I have met that live in The Villages seem to have strong opinions on things and yet most also have an open mind and there are so many with caring hearts.

I think that because of our age and our courage in starting a new life in a new place that we perhaps could be thought of as a group of open minded pioneers. I find that life has rounded off many a rough edge and sharp answer too. There is always a chance to meet a person who has always been unhappy or angry or intolerant. But it is my good fortune to have not found many like that.

Salvador. Please come down here and check us out.

Kentucky Blue....PLEASE stay longer the next time you are here.

Gracie.

P.S. Redwitch. I don't have rose colored glasses. I can find a lot of reasons to be down and negative. It is harder to stay up and see the positive in things, but worth the effort, in my very humble opinion.

[duffysmom]

Oh Boy, this is starting to sound like the political forum. I said it before and I'll say it again, TV is like an adjustable wrench, it will fit any kind of nut....

Salvador, I don't think you will have a problem and I for one would love to have you and your partner as neighbors. When it come to neighbors, I want neighbors who are quiet and respectful, their sexual orientation or political views are of no concern to me.

[Shirleevee]

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

Don't you dare tell me that my response was for some PC reason, my answer is genuine. I have friends both here in Mass and down in TV who are gay, straight, black, white, conservative, liberal and every tone in between.

Sal asked for your opinion and you gave it and I'll respect that. But don't ever tell someone else why you think I answered a question.

Ditto Russ!

[Russ_Boston]

Thanks Shirl -

Sal - I think you get the jist of it: Come down, try it for yourself, be yourself and make a decision for yourself. I think you'll love it.

My last comment on this thread.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Dear Kentucky Blue.

I don't think you can really tell how we are here in The Villages. Please forgive me for being impatient and correct me if I am wrong. You have visited here twice and do not live here?

This forum probably doesn't really represent the feeling of TV either. We are probably an unusual group who likes to interact on line. The individuals of the villages might have a different take on things.

I don't know how everyone thinks here, or what their attitude is either. We have owned a home for a little over two years.

The many people that I have met that live in The Villages seem to have strong opinions on things and yet most also have an open mind and there are so many with caring hearts.

I think that because of our age and our courage in starting a new life in a new place that we perhaps could be thought of as a group of open minded pioneers. I find that life has rounded off many a rough edge and sharp answer too. There is always a chance to meet a person who has always been unhappy or angry or intolerant. But it is my good fortune to have not found many like that.

Salvador. Please come down here and check us out.

Kentucky Blue....PLEASE stay longer the next time you are here.

Gracie.

P.S. Redwitch. I don't have rose colored glasses. I can find a lot of reasons to be down and negative. It is harder to stay up and see the positive in things, but worth the effort, in my very humble opinion.

Again, what Gracie said.

They don't call her a sage for nothing!

[Salvador]

Originally Posted by grayesun

PS. Not sure dropping the term "breeder" is a great way to make new friends; sounds like we're the creepy aliens in a Sci-fi movie.

Hi Grayesun, and everyone else who has weighed in.

We have some great comments here.

Much apologies about using that esoteric word Breeder, it wasn't meant to offend, and it isn't part of my daily vocabulary.

The origin of that word derives from the late 1970's when the alternative community, after rehabilitating their designated urban neighborhood, noticed that many child rearing families would start to move in and change the nature of the community, and at that time, that type of change wasn't considered desirable.

Now days, the alternative community seeks out inclusion, and has become much more family friendly, so that word no longer has a negative connotations, and has just become synonymous with "straight".

I actually used the word as a good nature nudge/wink to the relatively child free environment that The Villages seek to maintain (presumably)........

.........that's why I'm a bit perplexed about the offense, but never-the-less, I regret the choice of word used, and hope this post will help us all get past the distraction.

Let's pass the peace pipe on this one......

[brostholder]

you guys are welcome to live next to me and my wife anytime!!

[Salvador]

Originally Posted by brostholder

you guys are welcome to live next to me and my wife anytime!!

and I lastly want to add that you would all be welcomed over to our place.

I make the perfect pimm's cup, a drink worthy of British royalty, and would all be anxious that you would agree after trying. We make other delicious treats too.

My partner and I are both active in "doctors without borders" , are world travelers, and have many interesting stories and artifacts to add to the discussion.

We maintain our properties nicely, and try to accommodate our neighbors territorial request and eccentricities within reason.

Hope to see you all soon.

[bkcunningham1]

Originally Posted by Salvador

Hello.

Got a bit of a question.

How are homosexual couples received in The Villages?? Would people resent living next to one??? Would it catch a lot of attention?? You know....stares and ogles and whispers....would the good old fashioned folks not want to shake hands

To give you some background, my partner, a physician and golf nut, is reaching retirement age and we would like to relocate to Florida from the mid-west. However, after visiting the gay retirement havens of Ft. Lauderdale/South Beach/Miami Beach a couple times, we decided the culture there wasn't for us (very youth centric and superficial among other things).

We are discrete and conduct our lives conservatively (not Tuba players, so to speak) and don't necessarily seek out diversity--

--but would living in the Villages be pushing the envelope too far???

Any thoughts on how the straights (or breeders ) here feel about the issue??

PS.......be as honest or cruel as you want to be, because I would like to gauge the true sentiment of the community.

I have read the posts responding to Salvador's questions. I have hesitated to respond but I am going to say something. No offense to all of you with the best intentions inviting Salvador to be your neighbor. No offense to you Salvador.

I don't know you, and in fairness, I don't know the wonderful inviting folks who want you to move in next door, sight unseen just because you are gay or for whatever it was in your question that leads them to believe you'd be a good neighbor.

What if Salvador and his partner have big noisy dogs that use your yard as their bathrooms? Or what if they play their music too loud or invite relatives with young kids to use the adult only pools? What if they don't cut their grass or mow too early?

It is just so silly, and please don't misunderstand what I'm saying. Who knows if he'd be a good neighbor. The point is to judge someone on who they are as a person. You aren't going to like everyone who is gay or straight or bisexual or swingers...red and yellow black and white. We are all different. Just because Salvador is gay it isn't going to make him a good neighbor or a bad neighbor.

"Would people resent living next to one?" you asked. Who knows Salvador. That's life. You take your chances. Life is what you make it to be. But I'll tell you one thing, if you have a good relationship with your doctor partner, you enjoy being together and having fun; if you like the sunshine and warm welcoming people, TV is for you.