groups

Seems to me that person vented endlessly, whined actually, in this group about being discriminated against.

I think its up to the group managers, if people don't like it, let them establish their own groups.

The groups have a right to determine the makeup of their groups. I would imagine that that person could have found another group that would fulfill his requirements.

TwoSpirits now that I've stopped laughing, I want to say I didn't ask this correctly. What I actually meant to say are closed groups, designed for a particular population, a good thing, or a bad thing.

It's like taking the A Train in NYC. ( One of my most favorite things to do!) At every stop it seems another ethinic group gets on the train. I always smile at those who'll look at me and they always smile back. The may be speaking Russian, or Polish, or Japanesse, but they are all traveling peacefully!!

It is perfectly acceptable for either sex to have a safe haven in which to speak freely and commiserate. It's neither good or bad but sometimes is therapeutic. Exclusivity can be that safe haven. There are things that I would discuss with men which I dare not say in front of women and so on and so forth.

One should be able to form any group they want, one armed paperhangers with crosses eyes if they wish. Those who only wear purple polka dots to church and wife swapping parties.

We have the right of freedom of association and not to associate, if that's our choice. Someone who would insist he or she be admitted to a private group is like a stranger who insists on being allowed to sit with one and their friend at a restaurant table.

It is only in public accommodations and employment that one is not allowed to discriminate and then on the historical class bases, age, race, ethnic origin,religion, gender, class, disability, etc. Social groups are not public institutions, however, and one does not give up their right of free association -- with whom they choose to associate with -- or not.

If you are speaking of the guy who had the gender identity issue, from the pic of himself that he posted, I suspect that if he entered a ladies rest room management and/or the law would be called--with much shrieking and screaming. Just because this married guy THOUGHT he was more female than male doesn't mean everyone has to buy his delusion. He can get himself the sex change operation and try his routine again.

It is perfectly acceptable for individuals to start or join or withdraw from any social group they wish. Maybe one of these days I will start one,too. "People Who Think Like Me." And bar anyone who applies who doesn't.

Good one, GG. but I hope for your sake you don't get to many members in"People Who Think Like Me." Wouldn't it would become boring if you all thought the same?

see no problem with it, my self. what ever floats their boat.

i've said before and will say again: It is a good thing, it allows people to feel 'safe' to discuss things they might not want to share with people who might ridicule or try to make them feel what they suffered was their own fault or just not have any compassion or capacity to understand.

Jerry, it's a delicate balance really. Diversity in general/principle is a good thing. However, i sometimes look at profiles of new members to the groups i'm in and now and again, a red flag goes up, i know this person will do more than just respectfully disagree: They will bait and mock and generally make the long standing members restless and drive some good contributors away.

Even some of us who have similar viewpoints about some things have differing ones about others, or differ on the details, BUT we usually manage to express those differences with out being mean or unkind. Not just in IW but in my other groups as well...that's diverse enough for me. i don't care to associate with those who seem to delight in verbally sniping at others. Life is too short, especially at my age, to waste time or energy on even 'discussing' with them, because for them it's not about the topic at hand...its about 'winning' about coming off as 'superior' somehow. Sometimes i think some of these folks keep score: "How many people can I offend? How many can I cause to leave a group?"

GG: You mean like PFAAA with the subtitle of Any And All Who Think Like Us? A few posters with lots of "me too" cheerleaders.

I think it's good to have some closed groups for specific reasons...it's not like there is only one group & we won't let YOU join. I agree with assman's comment & I usually feel compelled to argue with men who are asses...unless that's your best feature. Har Har. And, feywon you said it all. I belong to the Liberal group & there are people who disagree in an angry, hateful way & I think they should start a group & snip at us there. I won't see the posts so it won't bother me at all. GG..I will join your group in a flash!