GoForTheLaugh
TMF Expert
- Joined
- May 6, 2005
- Messages
- 310
- Points
- 0
I have read with fascination the thread "Same sex tickling if you're not gay? Opposite-sex tickling if you are?": http://www.ticklingforum.com/showthread.php?t=54995
In addition, in the three days I have been on this board--my first time ever on a board of this nature--I have seen a surprising amount of anti M/M tickling flames.
Before coming here, I had never once question that guys who liked M/M tickling and identified as straight were indeed straight. I will explain why in this thread--and I hope it will create dialogue in which people speak honestly (whether or not they agree with me or anyone else). Honesty will lead to a less inhibitive atmosphere here. And, really, if we're talking about tickling, how the hell can we be inhibted...?!!
Who am I? I have been open about being gay in other threads, but I speak here as someone who has more straight male friends than gay ones. After all, when we are playing poker or seeing a movie or taking a long walk, neither my sex life nor theirs matters. I have not tickled a straight guy since I was a teenager--and now I am in my late 30s. Nevertheless, the idea of a straight M/M tickle community makes sense to me.
Here's my rationale...
First, straight guys naturally engage in male bonding that includes vacations in the woods away from their wives, bachelor parties, sports events, roughouse play, and, to my chagrin (and if you will forgive me for being a tad stereotypical) a lot of loud belching and farting. All of this makes them remember their younger days (frat house antics, team sports, willing young women who wanted their young bodies, fart jokes...) and is psychologically healthy.
As teens, many males engage in tickle activities. It is most common in junior high school, but there are straight guys--including some of the ones I grew up with--who continue in high school and college. I chalk it up to rough and tumble play--and I chalk up adult tickle antics to momentarily being young again.
I know that the guys I grew up with are straight because I am still in touch with many of them. I dare any of you to call them gay; they'd let you have it!
It is also important to remember that male heterosexuals almost everywhere except in Northern Europe, Japan, and the English-speaking world will often put their arms around each other's shoulders, lean against each other for extended periods, and generally be very (non-sexually) physical. I am of Mediterranean descent, and I see it all the time when I go there. Many of the nations where this takes place are quite homophobic (Italy, Greece, Nigeria, Iran, India...); if it were thought for a moment that such men were gay, they would be in serious trouble.
Second, there are two types of tickling: non-sexual and sexual. I have done both, and they fulfill different needs. Non-sexual tickling is a way to bond, release tension and stress, and simply have a good laugh. I find it more fulfilling than sexual tickling--but that is me. Some people only engage in the sexual kind and others only engage in the non-sexual kind. It makes sense to me that guys who only like M/F tickling and always consider it sexual would be threatened by any kind of M/M tickling. It also makes sense to me that both men and women who engage in non-sexual tickling would not be too concerned with sexual orientation. In the end, everyone needs to do whatever he or she likes and, as a community, we should strive to be non-judgmental.
Third, most of the human population is heterosexual. Liberal estimates say that 10% of humanity is gay; conservative estimates say it is actually between 1 and 2%. I suspect that the real number lies between the extremes. Whatever the case, by virtue of sheer numbers, the bulk of men engaging in M/M tickling must be straight. It is too big a phenomenon to be limited to gays.
Having said that...
Those who are weirded out by M/M tickling have the right to be. Whatever doesn't float your boat is fine. Such people need never participate in it and, if we remember to label our thread titles carefully, need not read threads about it.
There are also people who respect others' right to engage in M/M tickling (and be on this board) but would never want to try it or read fiction about it. That is absolutely fine--and more power to you guys and gals!
-------------------------------------------------
Final word: Many people are against gays, but that is a subject for a different thread. I mention it here because I do not want anyone to be the victim of homophobia. Even if you do not want to accept gay people, please do not turn your homophobia against your straight brothers and sisters simply because they like something you don't.
In addition, in the three days I have been on this board--my first time ever on a board of this nature--I have seen a surprising amount of anti M/M tickling flames.
Before coming here, I had never once question that guys who liked M/M tickling and identified as straight were indeed straight. I will explain why in this thread--and I hope it will create dialogue in which people speak honestly (whether or not they agree with me or anyone else). Honesty will lead to a less inhibitive atmosphere here. And, really, if we're talking about tickling, how the hell can we be inhibted...?!!
Who am I? I have been open about being gay in other threads, but I speak here as someone who has more straight male friends than gay ones. After all, when we are playing poker or seeing a movie or taking a long walk, neither my sex life nor theirs matters. I have not tickled a straight guy since I was a teenager--and now I am in my late 30s. Nevertheless, the idea of a straight M/M tickle community makes sense to me.
Here's my rationale...
First, straight guys naturally engage in male bonding that includes vacations in the woods away from their wives, bachelor parties, sports events, roughouse play, and, to my chagrin (and if you will forgive me for being a tad stereotypical) a lot of loud belching and farting. All of this makes them remember their younger days (frat house antics, team sports, willing young women who wanted their young bodies, fart jokes...) and is psychologically healthy.
As teens, many males engage in tickle activities. It is most common in junior high school, but there are straight guys--including some of the ones I grew up with--who continue in high school and college. I chalk it up to rough and tumble play--and I chalk up adult tickle antics to momentarily being young again.
I know that the guys I grew up with are straight because I am still in touch with many of them. I dare any of you to call them gay; they'd let you have it!
It is also important to remember that male heterosexuals almost everywhere except in Northern Europe, Japan, and the English-speaking world will often put their arms around each other's shoulders, lean against each other for extended periods, and generally be very (non-sexually) physical. I am of Mediterranean descent, and I see it all the time when I go there. Many of the nations where this takes place are quite homophobic (Italy, Greece, Nigeria, Iran, India...); if it were thought for a moment that such men were gay, they would be in serious trouble.
Second, there are two types of tickling: non-sexual and sexual. I have done both, and they fulfill different needs. Non-sexual tickling is a way to bond, release tension and stress, and simply have a good laugh. I find it more fulfilling than sexual tickling--but that is me. Some people only engage in the sexual kind and others only engage in the non-sexual kind. It makes sense to me that guys who only like M/F tickling and always consider it sexual would be threatened by any kind of M/M tickling. It also makes sense to me that both men and women who engage in non-sexual tickling would not be too concerned with sexual orientation. In the end, everyone needs to do whatever he or she likes and, as a community, we should strive to be non-judgmental.
Third, most of the human population is heterosexual. Liberal estimates say that 10% of humanity is gay; conservative estimates say it is actually between 1 and 2%. I suspect that the real number lies between the extremes. Whatever the case, by virtue of sheer numbers, the bulk of men engaging in M/M tickling must be straight. It is too big a phenomenon to be limited to gays.
Having said that...
Those who are weirded out by M/M tickling have the right to be. Whatever doesn't float your boat is fine. Such people need never participate in it and, if we remember to label our thread titles carefully, need not read threads about it.
There are also people who respect others' right to engage in M/M tickling (and be on this board) but would never want to try it or read fiction about it. That is absolutely fine--and more power to you guys and gals!
-------------------------------------------------
Final word: Many people are against gays, but that is a subject for a different thread. I mention it here because I do not want anyone to be the victim of homophobia. Even if you do not want to accept gay people, please do not turn your homophobia against your straight brothers and sisters simply because they like something you don't.
