Excelle

Oh hells, I honestly don't care what someone's sexual choices are, I am heterosexual, (i don't much care for the term straight, sort of implies someone else is crooked?). At any rate, I don't want to watch anyone, regardless of choice, have sex, I can rent a porno for that. I do however care about someone being loving and caring about the other humans in their lives. Anyone can make a child, and many should not. But it still takes a loving caring nurturing adult to be a parent, that is what counts in the end. As to listening to talk about cats or dogs instead of kids? sigh.. I probably bore the hell out of everyone, I have an outstanding dog, wonderful cat, beautiful daughters and a precious grand daughter. I am hopeless in knowing whether someone is "hitting" on me, silly me, I just think it is someone being kind or friendly, be they male or female.
Announcing that I have gay friends is sort of redundant, like saying I have black or hispanic or asian friends. Good Gods, they are friends. No one needs a qualifying adjective to be introduced or announced. As to marriage, humans should be able to marry whom they choose, God will not smite me dead for feeling that we should be allowed to enjoy the benefits of marriage, especially the legal rights. Choice involves what you wear, where you work, what car you drive, not who you fall in love with. If that were all that was involved, I certainly would have chosen a wealthy person to fall in love with and marry, so I could be kept in the manner I would like to become accustomed to. Alas life does not work like that.

A lot of comments on here say the article was too harsh. I think it was spot on, and as a femme lesbian, I get a lot of the "you're too pretty, can I watch, two girls are fine, but...." and my partner is more butch. She wears clothes from the men's department and has short hair because she is more comfortable that way, but I have still spent many hours wiping away her tears when a person who didn't take the time to hear her (very female) name or notice her pretty, eyeliner-ed eyes calls her sir.
A lot of other commenters were asking about some "real" advice on how to speak to a lesbian. Here are some things I think about the workplace:
If a lesbian is in a relationship, it is OK to talk to her about it, just like you would with any other coworker about her husband. Include her partner when partners are invited, but if it's just the girls from work going out for a drink, you don't have to invite the partner just because she is female too.

Don't assume that she is hitting on you, just because she is nice or friendly.

Don't talk politics, especially if you are conservative on the issues that would be important to her (Prop. 8, for example). It is more than just a hot topic to her, it is her life, and if you talk about your views, you could make her workplace uncomfortable, which isn't fair to anyone.

If she doesn't have kids, expect you may have to listen to her talk about her dogs (or cats). It's ok though, because she listens to you talk about your kids.

Don't ask about her sex life. It is inappropriate, even if you really are just curious. It's private, and unless you are close friends, that should be off-limits.

Do ask questions if you don't understand something. A lot of LGBT are more than happy to help you understand things that a heterosexual person may not understand. If you want to know why gay marriage is important to us, please ask. Just be respectful, just as you would with anyone.

If a co-worker (family member, friend) comes out to you, don't spread the word around the office without their permission. Coming out is a very individual process, and it takes many people years to come to terms with their own sexuality, it probably took a lot of courage to come out to you, which means they trust and respect you. Please honor that, and let them come out to the rest of the office on their own terms.

Hope that helps some of you.

Im straight. Yeah, and i admit i've asked some dumb questions. But you know what you insulted me more than you made me want to Not aske you these questions. You basically called people you don't even know ugly, and by god thats one of my biggest pet peeves. You were ruthlessly rude to the straight people reading this. Getting mad at people for saying "i don't mind if girls are together, but guys... well thats just gross" may be okay but Just think of it this way.. thoughs people may be homophobic but at least THEY ARE TRYING to except your lifestyle. WTF are Homosexual clothes. I didn't know there was such a thing. Oh and i've worn girls clothes (and im a girl) and have gotten called a sir. From the back people can look like any gender. I've thought guys were girls before. Oh and by the way im a straight girl and i have no choice who im attracted to. Im Asexual actually, i don't really like any gender. And anyways its all in the hormones. GAH your article made me so mad.

"Every day of my life, I see heterosexual people holding hands, kissing each other, and wearing their heterosexual clothes."

Wait....what is heterosexual clothing?? There's homosexual clothing? There's a DIFFERENCE?! There's a dress code? Uh oh. As usual, I'm probably dressed incorrectly.

this is great. half my family is gay (both guys and gals lol) and although I'm not, I love and support them 300% and if either of my two kids is gay I will love them just the same as well. I hope they can grow up in a more accepting environment than many have had to endure before them

Thank you for publishing this excellent article! The only sad thing about it is that people need to be told these things at all. (duh!)

This article is great! I myself am heterosexual, but this has really been useful to avoid any awkward situations. Love it <3