Sunday, July 24, 2011

LGBT at the BMW MOA

I’ve been following the highlights of the 2011 BMW Motorcycle Owners of bmw lgbtAmerica International Rally in Bloomsburg, Pa., by way of the BMW MOA web site’s forum.

A thread titled “Any LGBT riders?” was started in February, but escaped my notice until it jumped up in the listings due to some postings during the rally.

A woman BMW rider in Milwaukee suggested organizing an LGBT meet and greet at the rally and got several positive responses.

Then, in mid-March, a guy from Southwest Missouri, posted:

What is this group? Another long Distance Riding Assn?

A rider from Ontario responded:

Are you serious? I'm not a member of the group, but I know what it is...

The Missourian said:

Yes, that was a serious question........care to share?

At which point Paul Glaves, a former BMW MOA president, explained:

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender = LGBT

The Missourian:

Ok, one more quick question......
How many MOA members is it going to take to help pull my foot out of my mouth?
Feeling pretty sheepish.....

The Milwaukee woman pitched the idea to Deb Lower, who chaired the seminars committee, and the meet and greet was held at 5 p.m. on Friday.

As far as I know, this is the first time the subject of sexual preference has been raised within the BMW MOA. Knowing how opinionated and cranky some BMW riders can be, I can’t imagine that this won’t stir some controversy.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

For God's sake. Why can't people get together for an event without making a sexual preference thing about it? I'm tolerant of differences and choices, but am sick of seeing people live their lives solely on their bedroom interests. Enjoy riding BMW bikes, and keep your "business" to yourselves people!