" Rabid right " ?
Quite a bit of invective and assumptions that if they are right, they are going to be hurling insults. That does not sound very tolerant.
Ed V
Safe for gays/lesbians on AT
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#22
Lucie, I would be glad to answer any questions off the forum you may have about the AT. Please e-mail me there.
When I began the trail (AT '99) as a solo woman I was amazed at the kindness I was extended by all types of people. I think most folks are smart enough and have enough basic manners to approach a shelter or group of hikers with the decency one presents at a dinner table with a diverse group of people: topics may not immediately hit on politics, relgion, or sex. This is called having a little discipline and most hikers have it. Not to say that as relationships grow that those very topics may me catalysts to friendships and in my case–a marriage!
Unfortunatly, after my second long distance hike, it is obvious to me that there are some very few folks on the trail that are mentally disturbed, or carry the proverbial chip on their shoulders, or who are simply ignorant and bored. These folks are easily recognizable and can be avoided easily and without confrontation or disclosure of any personal information. I repeat that I do not think your safety is an issue and no doubt you will have a cadre of hikers that will assist you. We all support each other, help each other when we can, and even protect each other in certain cases. Every one of us can be a trail angel, just by embracing the ethics of the trail community. These positive people will so far outnumber the freaks that you need not worry.
As far as this forum goes, I experienced tons of hate mail when I posted questions about hiking the PCT with my dog and I know how violating it can feel. Contrary to all the anger and hositility I found sitting at my computer, I never met a single person on the trail, in a town, or working for an agency along the trail that was unfriendly to me because I was hiking with my dog. You certainly seem to be a respectful and kind person and others will reciprocate that postive energy!
Cross Country
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#23
Ed V:
Yes, I may have painted with too broad a brush. I was thinking of the following people I’ve noticed over the years:
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That right-wing minister (I think his name is Phelps) who shows up at the funerals of gay people with a bunch of protestors carrying signs that say things like “AIDS is God’s revenge against gays”…he led a picket of Matthew Shephard’s funeral in Wyoming. He even showed up at Misteroger’s funeral in Pittsburgh even tho he only “seemed” gay but in real life probably was not.
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Sen. Rick Santorum, Rev. Jerry Falwell, the Pope, etc. who seem to go out of their way to publicly spread messages of hate and intolerance regarding gays (and others they don’t like–not just an anti-gay thing). Sometimes connected to a political spin or some kind of fundraising.
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Any yahoo bully-type who needs to put down others who are somehow different–or get physically violent–just to bolster their own self-image. Some hijack religion to make their points, others are just bigots without religion. It was only a couple generations ago, after all, that the same ilk used the Bible to “prove” that the mixing of races was immoral and against “God’s word.”
In all these cases, the perps are definitely rabid, and definitely conservative/right wing. But if you don’t fit one of these molds, perhaps Rabid Right is a bit over the top.
Back on-topic: I am proud to be a part of a Trail community that, for the most part, is live-and-let-live and doesn’t buy into most of this. There are A.T. wannabes who get on here and express their opinions, but I don’t think very many of them have or will ever legitimately earn the right to wear a 2,000-miler patch.
“Skyline”
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#24
We may not like to admit it, but there is reprehensible behaviour and vitreolic hate speach and actions from the fringes of both sides of the political spectrum.
eddie V
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#25
I live in the South and the Bubbas that spread the hate and drive down the road with their Confederate Flags on their trucks are hard core card carring democrates with their buy American, Union labels on their bumpers. Hate in on both sides. Listen to the speeches from the platforms of canidates, somebody else is always to blame. That was one of the best things about the trail, YOU DIDN’T HEAR THIS CRAP. Lucie go hike and have a great time. A thru hike can be one of the greatest adventures of your life. We met some great people on the trail. I can only remember of one time when their was a problem with any of the hikers we saw in 6 months and that was somebody being awakened too early and a shouting match started. In about thirty minutes they were hugging and hiking together. Straight or Gay, the trail is a great place to be. I wish is was hiking today. But the PCT is waiting for '04. From a card carring Democrat that doesn’t believe in abortion or the death penalty and loves to hunt and fish, is a Christian and has lots of gay friends and thru hiked last year with his wife.
Papa Smurf
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#26
Hey Papa Smurf, don’t knock the Confederate Flag, OK. I have one on my car and may have a small one on my pack when I do the AT.
I agree the trail is no place for politics, which I detest. But the liberal crap that flows so freely from almost everyone’s mouths these days (the “politically corrected” way of looking at things) makes me even more disgusted.
steve hiker
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#27
i just dont get why the question was even asked in the first place. what difference does it make?? does it matter if your gay and hike the trail? why ask if its safe?? i just dont get it…
reading lucies question seems like a loaded troll. why wouldnt it be safe for gay people? or are things that bad over in america? is intolerance so bad, that something like a wilderness hike must be queried about for the safety of gay people before you can step outside??
-Stu, in london where its pissing down cold dirty rain right now. 
Bloody Cactus