just have to post about a friend i am proud of.

[Josh Oakley]

http://www.metnews.org/features/hea...metro-area-queer-community-take-back-control/

A good friend of mine by the name of Obi started martial arts years ago because he was tired of being beat up for being gay. Now, he is teaching other members of Denver's queer community to defend themselves, pro bono. Much respect, Obi!

 

[shima]

He should talk to the folks at the It Gets Better project, I bet they'd love to feature his story.

 

[Bill Mattocks]

I'd love to say something nice, but frankly all I am seeing is more of us versus them. I don't know if there are any homosexuals in my dojo. I DON'T CARE. It's none of my business. I don't understand why a person can't get martial arts training anywhere it's taught, why a homosexual has to get martial arts training from a homosexual. What's that all about?

 

[OKenpo942]

I agree, Bill. Why does it even matter? Just train!

James

 

[Blindside]

Well, sure I agree the world should be gender/color/etc etc blind, but I certainly can see where people may feel more comfortable taking instruction from "one of the tribe." In Seattle there is a all-women's martial arts group, they market for it and the group isn't some tae-bo/aerobikick group, they are hard core legit martial artists, but I can certainly see why it may be more comfortable for a woman to step into that dojo rather than possibly being the lone woman in another school's class.

I get it, wish the world wasn't that way, but I get it.

 

[WC_lun]

I agree, it shouldn't make a difference. Anyone coming to a school with a true desire to learn and work thier tales off ought to be taken in with open arms. Sadly, this is not the case and why people like Obi are necessary. Where homosexualls would be abused and treated differently in many, if not most other schools, at least they can feel comfortable in his school. Props to him for gving them a place to learn.

 

[Josh Oakley]

He should talk to the folks at the It Gets Better project, I bet they'd love to feature his story.

Actually I have already contacted Dan Savage on his behalf.

 

[Josh Oakley]

I'd love to say something nice, but frankly all I am seeing is more of us versus them. I don't know if there are any homosexuals in my dojo. I DON'T CARE. It's none of my business. I don't understand why a person can't get martial arts training anywhere it's taught, why a homosexual has to get martial arts training from a homosexual. What's that all about?

Well, two things: 1) They CAN train anywhere, but generally people DO look for an instructor they can identify with. If he had been a Christian focusing on teaching to other Christians, for free, I would lay good odds that you wouldn't bat an eye. Maybe not even have commented. I have no problems learning from anyone, but truth be told I prefer a nontheistic teacher, or a Jew, to teach me. I grew up in Jewish culture, and I don't like to be preached to OR feel like a second class student due to the personal views of the teacher, while I am learning martial arts (yes I have felt that way at some classes).I'd also lay even odds that your teacher is male and shares either a political or theological viewpoint with you have.2) when you are talking about being beat up for being gay, it IS an us/them scenario.

 

[Cyriacus]

I'd love to say something nice, but frankly all I am seeing is more of us versus them. I don't know if there are any homosexuals in my dojo. I DON'T CARE. It's none of my business. I don't understand why a person can't get martial arts training anywhere it's taught, why a homosexual has to get martial arts training from a homosexual. What's that all about?

The way I see it, were all Human.
We all possess the same Anatomy.

And that Anatomy can do Martial Arts.

Who cares if someones Straight or Homosexual - This isnt the Judgement Committee.

 

[Bill Mattocks]

I agree, it shouldn't make a difference. Anyone coming to a school with a true desire to learn and work thier tales off ought to be taken in with open arms. Sadly, this is not the case and why people like Obi are necessary. Where homosexualls would be abused and treated differently in many, if not most other schools, at least they can feel comfortable in his school. Props to him for gving them a place to learn.

I don't agree that is the case. As I said, I don't know if there are any homosexuals in my dojo; and it's none of my business, and I would not care if I did know. Denver is not exactly a homosexual-hating town in any case.

 

[Bill Mattocks]

Well, two things: 1) They CAN train anywhere, but generally people DO look for an instructor they can identify with. If he had been a Christian focusing on teaching to other Christians, for free, I would lay good odds that you wouldn't bat an eye. Maybe not even have commented. I have no problems learning from anyone, but truth be told I prefer a nontheistic teacher, or a Jew, to teach me. I grew up in Jewish culture, and I don't like to be preached to OR feel like a second class student due to the personal views of the teacher, while I am learning martial arts (yes I have felt that way at some classes).

So it's OK to have a white, male, Christian, heterosexual only dojo? I mean, since I'm white, male, hetero, and Christian, it's OK for me to want to 'keep to my own kind' right?

I'd also lay even odds that your teacher is male and shares either a political or theological viewpoint with you have.

Male, yes. Well, one of my senseis is female, three are male. Political, no. Theological, no. And I have no idea what any of their sexual orientations or proclivities might be. I've never asked and it's none of my business. I don't know my bosses' either. Nor my landlord's. I don't get this mentality.

2) when you are talking about being beat up for being gay, it IS an us/them scenario.

Here's the difference. I used to live in a converted apartment on 14th and Madison. I could walk to Cheesman Park. It's a small homosexual community that has been that way in Denver since the 1970's. They're not getting beaten up there; Cheeseman Park is where they cruise for God's sake. Denver/Boulder and environs are nearly as gay-friendly as the East Village or San Francisco. So I'm just not seeing it.

 

[Bill Mattocks]

The way I see it, were all Human.
We all possess the same Anatomy.

And that Anatomy can do Martial Arts.

Who cares if someones Straight or Homosexual - This isnt the Judgement Committee.

I'm not judging anyone. I don't see why anyone needs martial arts training from 'one of their own kind'. I don't get that.

 

[Carol]

So it's OK to have a white, male, Christian, heterosexual only dojo?

Obi has straight students, its not like he is restricting the class to queer-only students.

 

[Josh Oakley]

So it's OK to have a white, male, Christian, heterosexual only dojo? I mean, since I'm white, male, hetero, and Christian, it's OK for me to want to 'keep to my own kind' right?



Male, yes. Well, one of my senseis is female, three are male. Political, no. Theological, no. And I have no idea what any of their sexual orientations or proclivities might be. I've never asked and it's none of my business. I don't know my bosses' either. Nor my landlord's. I don't get this mentality.



Here's the difference. I used to live in a converted apartment on 14th and Madison. I could walk to Cheesman Park. It's a small homosexual community that has been that way in Denver since the 1970's. They're not getting beaten up there; Cheeseman Park is where they cruise for God's sake. Denver/Boulder and environs are nearly as gay-friendly as the East Village or San Francisco. So I'm just not seeing it.

1. If Obi were saying straight people can't come to the class, you might have a point. but what I am saying is that people tend to flock to those who are more like them. That is built in through years of evolution. and it is further enhanced by hate-based violence.

2. Good for you! You have beaten the statistics!

3.Just not seeing anti-gay violence in the Denver area? Well, I can help you with that:
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_10459273
[URL="http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/28622991/detail.html"]http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/28622991/detail.html
[URL="http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/28733600/detail.html"]http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/28733600/detail.html
[/URL][/URL]http://www.kdvr.com/news/kdvr-biased-attack-txt,0,7100899.story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfnC5tFFv8A
http://slow33.com/2011/08/01/alert-yet-another-attack-in-capitol-hill-gay-man-assaulted-in-west-denver/
http://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/2066836/gay-bash-victim-claims-second-assault-in-hospital
http://yourhub.denverpost.com/denver/police-blotter-suspect-assaults-man-over-gay-kiss/v04GeHqiyv8nAM1O3PITbO-ugc
http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc3=&id=121800
[URL="http://www.nationalreview.com/battle10/251821/fbi-hate-crime-stats-higher-hickenloopers-denver-statewide-co-michael-sandoval"]http://www.nationalreview.com/battle10/251821/fbi-hate-crime-stats-higher-hickenloopers-denver-statewide-co-michael-sandoval
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/19250317/detail.html

[/URL]There are more stories out there than the ones I listed. You may not have seen it, but then again... you may not have been looking. That's nothing against you, as most people are not generally looking. But it's there, and its real. Obi experienced it. That's why he got into martial arts in the first place.

 

[Jenna]

http://www.metnews.org/features/hea...metro-area-queer-community-take-back-control/

A good friend of mine by the name of Obi started martial arts years ago because he was tired of being beat up for being gay. Now, he is teaching other members of Denver's queer community to defend themselves, pro bono. Much respect, Obi!

It is a horrible shame that he is having to resort to this in order to live his life in peace. My very best wishes to him, I only wish he never had cause to use his MA against those of small mind and limited outlook. Maybe one day we will see him here on site too

 

[Cyriacus]

I'm not judging anyone. I don't see why anyone needs martial arts training from 'one of their own kind'. I don't get that.

You know that My intention was Agreeing with You

 

[Bill Mattocks]

Obi has straight students, its not like he is restricting the class to queer-only students.

Yes, I saw that. But what is the article about, hmmm?

 

[Bill Mattocks]

1. If Obi were saying straight people can't come to the class, you might have a point. but what I am saying is that people tend to flock to those who are more like them. That is built in through years of evolution. and it is further enhanced by hate-based violence.

That's the exact same argument white-supremacists use to defend their desire to form groups to 'protect themselves'. Same argument. It's all us-versus-them.

2. Good for you! You have beaten the statistics!

What statistics? The ones you made up?

3.Just not seeing anti-gay violence in the Denver area? Well, I can help you with that:
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_10459273
[URL="http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/28622991/detail.html"]http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/28622991/detail.html
[URL="http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/28733600/detail.html"]http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/28733600/detail.html
[/URL][/URL]http://www.kdvr.com/news/kdvr-biased-attack-txt,0,7100899.story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfnC5tFFv8A
http://slow33.com/2011/08/01/alert-yet-another-attack-in-capitol-hill-gay-man-assaulted-in-west-denver/
http://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/2066836/gay-bash-victim-claims-second-assault-in-hospital
http://yourhub.denverpost.com/denver/police-blotter-suspect-assaults-man-over-gay-kiss/v04GeHqiyv8nAM1O3PITbO-ugc
http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc3=&id=121800
[URL="http://www.nationalreview.com/battle10/251821/fbi-hate-crime-stats-higher-hickenloopers-denver-statewide-co-michael-sandoval"]http://www.nationalreview.com/battle10/251821/fbi-hate-crime-stats-higher-hickenloopers-denver-statewide-co-michael-sandoval
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/19250317/detail.html

[/URL]There are more stories out there than the ones I listed. You may not have seen it, but then again... you may not have been looking. That's nothing against you, as most people are not generally looking. But it's there, and its real. Obi experienced it. That's why he got into martial arts in the first place.

And gay people cannot get martial arts training the same place as straight people get it because?

That's my point. Not that people don't need to learn self-defense or should not be allowed to do so. But that this 'gay self-defense' nonsense is yet another divider, another 'us-versus-them' in our society. I don't learn martial arts at a 'straight' dojo. I don't learn at a 'Christian' dojo. I don't learn at a 'male' or a 'white' dojo. I learn at a dojo. I don't see why sexual orientation has anything to do with where one learns martial arts.

 

[Steve]

Guys. We're talking about a free self defense class in the park. He's donating his time, and he is absolutely entitled to do whatever he wants. If he wanted to teach white xtians, he'd be perfectly in the right to do so. Who are we to tell him how to spend his free time, given that he's breaking no laws?

If we're talking about a for-profit business, he'd still be okay, because he's excluding no one. As a business owner, provided you are not discriminating based on a protected category, you're fine. He's not.

Come on, guys. This dude is trying to do something good for a demographic he identifies with. It's no different than a black person volunteering in black communities, or a christian volunteering to help other christians.

I say good for 'Obi.' I hope things work out for him.

 

[elder999]

Yes, I saw that. But what is the article about, hmmm?

I dunno. A little perspective, New York style.....

When I was a kid-like 11 years old-I started taking formal martial arts lessons. There was this dude in my class, Wesley-he was like awesome-three years older than I was, black, and everything I wanted to be. I went to boarding school. I went to college. I came back, trained at my old dojo again (I was going to say which one, but we'll just leave that alone, okay?) and Wesley was, like gay!

I mean, not just gay, but drag queen, shaved eyebrows, looks like a totally hot (very tall, very muscular totally hot) woman, 'GAY!!!" As in:stilletos, miniskirt, wig, beat you to death with his Gucci purse, if he didn't pull out the .357 from the purse and just ****ing shoot you, gay.

Totally one of my best buds.

Of course, it's the 80's. Poor bastard (among all us poor bastards) got AIDS, and died a drooling, blind idiot. Same year as my father, grandfather, and uncle-it was almost more than I could take. In the meantime, though, when he was a little more healthy, there was a dojo meeting about letting him continue to train. I took a lot of heat for knowing he was "that way," and not saying anything. Hell, we'd worked security at parties with him posing as my "date," in full on drag (with the .357 in his purse also in full effect) and I'd watched him take on 3 guys while wearing a miniskirt and heels like it was no big deal-seriously, dude did not even break a sweat.. With friends like him, who needed heterosexuals? :lfao: (Of course, I had to give them grief, I mean, the guy shaved his eyebrows off and penciled them back on-get a clue, willya???)

Anyway.

Said dojo meeting ends with the decision that Wes can't train with us anymore-he took it pretty well. I objected, though, in retrospect, given all the times I wound up face down in a pool of someone else's sweat, it probably wasn't an altogether bad decision. Point is, people can get pretty icked out by other people's "sexual stuff," for a variety of reasons. Even if they think they're pretty cool with it, and it doesn't matter. My senior most non-family student-Barb's been with me for 15 years, now-is a lesbian. I've never really considered her sexuality, though we met because she had a serious thing for one of my ex-girlfriends. The ex is long gone, and Barb remains......funny.I don't really care who she sleeps with-it's none of my business, as long as she's happy.

Someone else really might care, sadly.There are "Christian" martial arts groups (and good that there are, though I find them a little weird) and "white supremacist" martial arts groups, and there's a Black Karate Federation. Why not a gay-or "gay friendly" martial arts class? Sure, at your dojo it's entirely possible that there are gay members, and you don't know, and don't care, and that's really great-but what if you did know? Can you honestly say that no one would care, or that that person would continue to be as welcomed?

Good that this young man is doing what he's doing.:asian: