Yeah, that's where I'm coming from too. 🙂 Totes agree: without the social and legal structures provided for gay couples, we really do have to shape our own forms of relationship based on what we believe to be good and loving. Yeah, I heard about that Melbourne panel, shame I didn't get to go. I agree, in our culture (and particularly 'gay culture') things are so sexualised we can lose perspective. I think for gay culture, if you've been shunned from society and all the relational structures that go with it merely because of your sexual orientation it makes sense that you would want to hold onto that tightly and celebrate that. I kind of feel, in the past, gay culture was built on sex because often that's all that was possible (the furtive sex act) before having to return to society's norms of heterosexuality and a heterosexual family life. And if your sexual orientation is what people define you as, you can start to focus on sexuality as the most important part of your identity (and it is important).
For me, at least, I see sex as so important that only a loving, committed relationship can provide the safety and grace in which to explore such a gift. That's based on my understanding of the nature of people and how love works. I'm always open to learning more about the nature of God and love though, so I wouldn't ever foist my beliefs onto someone else! cheers 🙂 j
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