[bourbon]

It's a known fact that the faded gentility of the Old South always had a seamy gay side.

True. The only difference between now and then is that Southerners no longer shun the word "gay" in their gentility. In simpler and more elegant(??) times, I believe we used to call them "fussy old bachelors."

[wardaddy]

I have an old uncle by marriage like that in Jackson. Incredibly discreet. No one would ever ever know. His private life is totally private. If anyone mentioned gay to him, he would faint. It's simply not brought up in proper conversation.

I also have an old aunt...other side of the family...she's lived with her girlfriend and her sister forever...since the late 50s...again...very discreet. I have never ever heard mention of their arrangement in my 45 years...it simply is not brought up. My old Barnard professor girlfriend some 18 years ago now used to think we were all nuts or in denial because we did not discuss this openly in front of them or trumpet it.

I always asked her why should we? They don't bring it up so why should we? We all know it and accept it and move on. It's almost a non-issue. They have all been wonderful relatives too actually. I've deer and bird hunted with the gentleman all my life and the ladies are very adept at knitting goodies for my children...really intricate stuff.

I like it better this way myself....but, it's a bygone era isn't it? I'm talking about homosexual relatives in their late 70s now. The new breed aggravates me at times when they clamour for special status.

You know Jackson has had some notrious flaming attorneys and serious scandals in the past? I'm not going there...some of them might still be alive.