[or-roots] Gay Ancestors[connie]

[gary murray]

i agree with you but i think you will find that most to all gays stayed firmly implanted in the closet.  it was part of living in those times.  i am 65 years old and no one knew about me til i was about 28.  hell, i didn't know about myself til i was about 25 i have ancestors that came to oregon in 1845, and four sets that came about 1852/3.  i know lots of stories about all these folks that their desc. have told me over the years and a couple of men that never married but nothing concrete.  doubt i would care to go into detail about people that spent their lives keeping secrets.  i have been told stories of incest, and other odd lifestyles but if anyone knew about gay or lesbians, they weren't talking.  the figure of 10% has been around for a very long time and most of the "experts" now think the figure it higher.  just thought i should throw that in.
gary in az.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Connie Guardino 
  To: or-roots at sosinet.sos.state.or.us 
  Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2004 5:52 PM
  Subject: Re: [or-roots] Gay Ancestors


  Gary, I agree. Gays have forever and always been about ten percent of any given population. I know for sure there were gay soldiers serving during the civil war, as well as cross-dressing and lesbian women. There were gay cowboys and lesbian saloon entertainers. It is all there. Due to homophobia and "blemishes" on families, these stories could be lost to history. These are the rare kind of stories I would love to flush out. 
  gary murray wrote: 

    i think you will find that the percentage of gay to straight is about the same as its been since the beginning of time.  i will guarantee you that i am not the first in my family.gary in az. 
      ----- Original Message -----
      From: CarmaMcKay at aol.com
      To: or-roots at sosinet.sos.state.or.us
      Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2004 3:38 PM
      Subject: Re: [or-roots] Gay Ancestors
       Haven't found any yet.. just current ones.  Good luck in your search. I'll be interested in learning what you find.
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