Hmmm....I'll have to ask my gyrlfriends what they think of the "clutch" thing, Peter!**BG**

This is a very close and tough subject for me. Sinsull made some very good points. We have always had many gay and lesbian friends and I can say, of the couple we know, once they got over the bullshit society would have them believe of themselves, i.e. self-hatred, abomination, etc., they have formed very honest and long-lasting relationships. Those who have supportive friends and/or family also fare better.

As for AIDS, clear back in 1987, the Utne Reader had a cover story about the new monogamy among heterosexuals because of AIDS. Straights were staying together, happy or unhappy because of the fear.

Personally, as a uni-sexual*BG*, it is whoever I love, no matter their gender. I do think it is inherent, as Sinsull mentioned, but I also happen to believe being uni-sexual, or bi-sexual if you prefer, is inherent. I think as women get older, they tend to look at things differently, too. I have several friends in their 50's who've agreed with me, that if there is a next person for them, it will most likely be a girlfriend, maybe not even sexual in nature, but for a true and loving relationship. That old patriarchal societal drive to get a man and procreate etc. is over and done with, by and large, and women are freer in their choices of who to live with and love. Of course, I am speaking of certain generations. From what I've seen with my daughters and my son, their generations are not under those types of constraints as much as we were.

katstickingherneckout