unlike here. I'd guess it's an historical combination of traditional prudery/men-are-more-animalistic victorianism combined with a less deferential approach to authority. American women mostly have no problem with know it all domineering behavior from lesbians that they would never tolerate from men (because other women can't be the enemy) and of course this makes the men trying to ingratiate themselves with women by kissing their ass look even more pathetic and useless and creates an even more lesbian friendly environment.

Catherine Price writes "Maybe I've become too cynical, but when I think about places that are friendly to lesbians and gays, the United States -- politically, at least -- doesn't top my list."

What countries do top your list, Catherine? Where have YOU been, personally, where gays, lesbians and for that matter any other citizens enjoy more vs. less freedoms than the average American citizen?

Having it worse in other countries - whether you're a black, woman, lesbian, gay, disabled, name your minority/group - doesn't make the U.S. right/good in all of its policies. But by the same token, when it is valid to look at where the U.S. stands

relative to other countries and be proud of the progress that has made us what we are today - people who expect freedoms and will continue to push for them until everyone has them.

Catherine, like many liberals, you are unable to see the good in America. Have some shame when you write such uninformed BS.

"asylum seekers, it's better to be a lesbian in the U.S. than in most other places in the world."

WOW.

I'll tell you what else:

According to HUMANS, it's better to be a HUMAN in the U.S. than in most other places in the world.

Sandra M wrote:

Where have YOU been, personally, where gays, lesbians and for that matter any other citizens enjoy more vs. less freedoms than the average American citizen?

Well for starters, Canada has recognized same sex unions since 2003. I've even been there, lovely place, sensible people. My gay friends like to call Vancouver, Man-couver, because fine gay men abound.

Check it if you like:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Canada

Of course it's better for gays to live in the US instead of places like Iran. But other countries offer more security for gay people. In Canada gays can marry, and are even allowed to bring in their spouses when they immigrate. Also, the US varies a lot geographically. Living out in Alabama isn't all that safe. You can be fired from your job if you are gay in most of America. And it does happen quite a bit in the deep south. Not to mention the violent deaths of gay people that happen in this country. Unfortunately it does not make the news, but it happens more frequently than people realize.

Remember, in the US, those with AIDS are not allowed to be citizens. Andrew Sullivan, conservative commentator and Brit ex-pat, was denied his citizenship due to HIV status. That's ridiculous.

So if you're living in a handful of free states life can be good, but in the rest of America you're considered a menace....For those of you who are straight, imagine what it would be like to know that every election is going to be all about you, who you sleep with, whether you are a perverted child molester, whether your partner should be tossed into the street when you die, whether you deserve to receive communion from your church, whether your relationships should be treated with dignity or dirt...It never ends. Meanwhile, other countries quietly award gays status as humans.

As others decry you for being a liberal who can't see the virtues of America, I am an American living in Paris because I have no recourse in helping my partner obtain residency in the US. We did live in New York City for five years but as his (not lesbians) H1B visa was going to run out without any real hope for a green card, we had the choice of breaking up or moving back here. So I cannot live in my own country and America loses two educated, well paid professionals (who paid a lot of taxes) and France gains them. The fact that we are "better" than Turkmenistan in this regard does not make us good. Clearly my love is not as valid as a heterosexuals. Leaving it to the states is a cop out because most politicians (Dem and Rep alike) are in fact homophobic. If we left civil rights to the states, Jim Crow would be alive and well in many parts of the south. We need a strong MORAL stance on this on the national level. For those who say being gay is a choice and we are recruiting for a deviant agenda, I say everybody hates you and you have no rights...come join us.

It's hardly "America Bashing" if it's true. In most other Western countries, homosexuals are not discriminated against as they are in the United States. The right to do basic things such as serve in the military or get married are denied to them, and actually used as a "stir up the crowd" campaign issue (which says a lot about how widespread that prejudice is here).

But that was hardly the point of the article. While homosexuals in the U.S. might face unofficial firings and even lynchings, at least that level of discrimination is not sanctioned by the government, as it still is in some countries.

By not offering refugees (and their family members, including same sex partners) asylum, in essence we're saying that their lives are not worth as much as someone fleeing similar abuse for different causes.

Maybe I've become too cynical, but when I think about places that are friendly to lesbians and gays, the United States -- politically, at least -- doesn't top my list.

Thank you for making Christina Hoff Sommer's point.

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/013/641szkys.asp

Yes, we're not great, but you're actually surprised that others would find us to be a good place to be.

I'm a yellow dog democrat. I admit I am a knee-jerk liberal.

It would be nice if you could admit when you put your brain aside for strict ideology too.