I didn't see anything in that article to disgrace her memory.. I think it's just you

Because it was in her obituary; an obituary she helped pen herself, Einstein. That's why. (rolls eyes)

What is it with you? There are many people that are elated to know that Sally was a gay sister!

I'm not elated, I think she was a stupendous person but her preference has nothing to do with her success so whats the point, even great people can have a flaw. I really don't need to know about her personal preferences,

A flaw? I pity you. I surely do.

There is nothing about that article that disgraced her memory. She could have chosen to take this to the grave with her. I think MSNBC did what they were supposed to do. Yes, for some it is too bad that she didn't come out sooner but as the article said, she was an intensely private person. She wanted to be known for her accomplishments not her sexual orientation.

D Buck, why do you think she had a flaw?

She was the first gay astronaut???

How do you explain Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter then????

Sally Ride was and will always be a historic role model for all Americans!!!

RIP Sally. BTW, I haven't heard asshat in years. LOL What exactly is an asshat, and does Lids carry it?

So those misanthropic "christians" from the Westboro baptist cult will probably show up to make fools of themselves at Sally Ride's funeral service? If there is any cosmic justice, their blasphemous church would be struck by a Kansas tornado while they were all inside killing goats or snakes or whatever their vile belief directs.

Sally Ride was a genuine American hero and her passing impoverishes us. Her bravery in her professional life as well as her courage in her personal life is an inspiration to all of us.

Unicron

so if shed be uncomfortable with us publicly discussing her sexuality, why are the jackasses at MSNBC disgracing her memory by doing so?

This is only a "disgrace" if you are homophobic. For a large and growing segment of our population the information that a person is homosexual does not in any way diminish or "disgrace" their memory. You need to do a little self examination, friend.

Apparently you did not bother to read the article very carefully. She and her partner released the information and MSNBC only passed that information along to a larger audience.

Why do so many astronauts wait to declare to the world they're straight?

(must I explain this is sarcasm?)

don97524

Unicron

so if shed be uncomfortable with us publicly discussing her sexuality, why are the jackasses at MSNBC disgracing her memory by doing so?

This is only a "disgrace" if you are homophobic. For a large and growing segment of our population the information that a person is homosexual does not in any way diminish or "disgrace" their memory. You need to do a little self examination, friend.

Nothing Homophobic about it. Why cant I as a person get sick and tired of the headlines of gay people coming out. Tell me how in any way is her private sexual preference need to be known by everyone. I dont look down upon her at all and her accomplishments are great, but what is done in the privacy of ones home doesnt need to be everyones business.

Regardless of who she loved, Sally was a true inspiration to men and women alike. The history books will note her place in the astronaut program, not what her sexual orientation was. Ride, Sally, Ride; the Heavens are there for your pleasure, enjoy!!!!

I'm not sure why her being gay is even a topic. Just assumed she was and figured everyone knew. Petty thing to talk about when she was so amazing and accomplished in life. Wait, are we supposed to reveal our sexual preference in our obits? oh, ok.

Anyone who read yesterday's news of her death would have seen that her "partner" of 20 some years was mentioned. So, not a big surprise, and it doesn't change my admiration for her accomplishments one bit.

Why was she married to a male astronaut for 5 years if she was gay? How does he feel? Did she get married to him to further the scam?

It feels like she wanted it both ways ( no pun intended) . She wanted to be hetero to further her NASA career, even though maybe her true inclination was elsewhere.

She had great accomplishments, but somehow I think she is diminished because she was not transparent with the public about who she really was.

I hope someday people can be gay or straight and not feel a need to hide or live a lie.

You look like a shill for the LGBT community and not at all a SCIENTIST in this whole article...

And you appear ignorant of the fact that SCIENTISTS study among other things, sociology, human behavior, and physiology.

So what if she was gay. I really think of what she acomplished and encouraged young women to reach for their goals and to get involved in science. I think that this story was one better to have not to have been written about her personal life, is just that and none of my concern. Again so what if she was gay. R.I.P Sally you made it. I hope your last flight was a good one.

Alen B I am not down on you I think you are a fair man. ;o)

Gary, the term you are looking for is beard. Many homosexuals know that they have to appear "normal" in order to succeed in professional settings. Many types of high promotional jobs (especially back in the day) were preferred to be filled with married people (typically men). A gay person wanting to aspire to more often times has to hide their true identity and put on their beard in order to fit in. Other times it's to appear "normal" to ones friends or family, afraid that they might be shunned for who they are. What's truly sad is that people cannot always be exactly who they are and be accepted for that. I'm guessing that you hide your 420 from people in your life, does that make your whole life a lie because you hide one facet of it?

So what and who cares? It's funny how people are defined by their sexual preferences when that is just one aspect of their total being.

This world is so random and uncaring, get your happiness where you can as long as it doesn't hurt anyone. To killroy, this actually is not a direct response to your post, I just messed up because I'm human and not perfect. Oh and I'm also a man who is attracted to women only... see how much that matters? Not at all!

I agree, only thing in the news these days is bs gay crap, I will remember or tell my kids to put my sexual pref in my obit and while they are at it, tell the world I loved it in the morning and always wanted to be on top, ride Sally ride up into the heavens

This isn't even a real story but propaganda done by the LBGT community and MSNBC. There is nothing new in this article even worth reporting. It's like MSNBC had a lot of time on their hands and needed "filler" because it was a slow news day.

She was known for being an astronaut, not being gay. How come the story on her didn't go further into her contributions to science? Or the fact, that she may have inspired women everywhere to pursue a different career path not let her gender get in the way? People are tired of this writing.

Tell us again how MSNBC isn't a tabloid newspaper? The people there can't spell and their stories suck!

So let me get this straight:

- Sally Ride and her partner worked out the phrasing in the obit before Ride passed

- It said "partner". Nothing about loving relationship, or gay, or lesbian. It read "partner".

- Ride never "came out" publicly while alive

- She would have "no doubt been uncomfortable with a public discussion of her sexuality"

Yet, her private relationship, her sexuality are now HEADLINES and now *very* public discussion.

Is "Bear" a lesbian herself? Is an LGBT organization behind it? Because this is obviously being used to forward an agenda at the expense of Sally Ride's personal privacy. She is now being used as a pawn.

She wanted it to read "partner", and partner only, and to remain PRIVATE about her personal preferences. She might not have wanted to be called the first "gay" astronaut.

Let this woman have her dying wishes honored!

twisted, what is your problem? All the obituary did was mention the loved ones she is survived by, just like every other obituary ever written.

Bear is clealy using her famous sister's sexuality, against Sally Ride's wishes, to forward her own agenda.

RIP Sally. You are a great pioneer and hero for all women in the world.

Thank you for being a leader, and a great role model for all young girls and women.

She was an American hero. Unless she specifically wrote something in her will that stated she wanted to come out after her death then her wishes in life should have been respected. Her sister's letter appeared to respect those.

Alan.. I often read your column and quite often comment positively but imho this one is off base a bit, as from what I'm reading it isn't respecting her wishes.

My best wishes go out to her partner and family.

as per the reticence or being Norwegian, i don't know.

i think it is sad she couldn't/didn't trust us with her ''secrets".

did we really know her at all? sadly, it seems doubtful.

it is an indictment of the American public. sadly an honest and accurate indictment.

@ J R Brownstein:

Right now she is living in Caesar's Domain and, as such, she has Human Rights. When (if) she gets to heaven, don't know what case will be???? Render unto Caesar those things that are Caesar's, and render unto God those things that are God's.

An amazing, brilliant, classy, and, by choice, understated, human being who contributed so much. Her sexuality is completely inconsequential to her vast accomplishments and achievements.

An amazing, brilliant, classy, and, by choice, understated, human being who contributed so much. Her sexuality is completely inconsequential to her vast accomplishments and achievements.

Sally Ride was a hero, a pioneer, and a brilliant, deeply private woman who happened to be gay. At the end of her life, she wanted to honor the partner who'd shared so many of her accomplishments.

I'm straight. My daughter is gay. Though it seems unremarkable to me that Ms. Ride would want to include her partner in her obituary, the usual poo-spattered whine-fest flapdoodle over her sexual orientation is 110% why I, like an increasing number of others, have no religion.

While you're screamin' about Jesus or Moses or Allah or Cthulhu, or whatever nasty deity you invoke, Sally Ride came closer than most of us than touching heaven. If there is a heaven, I'd like to think that she's there. Sally, thanks for the inspiration.

Can you imagine if Sally would tell the world about this years ago?

Most homophobic would jump on her and condemn her and she wouldn't even be allow to follow her dreams.

Advocate: someone who supports or speaks in favor of something.

It's a bit disingenuous to call her an advocate when she kept it to herself until she died.

R.I.P. Sally

I could care less what she did in her home...and I don't mean that in the sense that I wish I didn't know about her preference. What I mean is, I know many gay couples who do not flaunt their relationships. Yes, I am straight. One couple in particular are just like Sally was. They do not hide it but they certainly keep to themselves about it and prefer it that way. To see her sister say so many things, I suppose I get it---it was penned in her obituary so it was now known---but they really are polar opposites. I would expect her sister to respect that more.

Still, for the author of this article to comment to us...and specifically point out he wanted to wait 24 hours...sorry dude. You never had to post this news. Clearly, to many of us, it means jack squat and is seen as a slight to Sally. Not a celebration of her life which is all that should be posted right now. To reach out to her sister? It is riding on the coat tails of a woman who pioneered women in space...and she didn't even see herself as anything great for that. She was the kind of person who just wanted to get the job done, do her best, and make the lives of those around her more fulfilled. If only more people were like her...but sadly many Americans are not. The ones that are? They would never say they are.

By the way MSN...if you care to actually be relevant in media for much longer, I will gladly join your ranks and show your wannabe journalists what true journalism is. I'll work for a median salary and my work will always be proofread(which is far more than I can say for just about every article posted here). Let me know. Steve Staples

Wow history in two worlds gay and a woman - what a waste on both

I am gay. I am not attracted to men at all. My private life stays that way because nobody around me knows my sexual preference as I live alone. I see nothing wrong when people keep it to themselves during their lifetime as it just as I do. Only four of my closest friends know I am gay. I just have not found the right person for me to be a partner with so I have been celibate for over a decade. Too many of the lesbians I have met are nuts and since I don't advertise my preference, they leave me alone, thank God.

To me, she is a great person in every way. A proud American that has accomplished many great things. I hope she rests in peace. She is in my prayers.

To all the voyeurs on this thread. Hasn't it dawned on any of you that the only reason you came to this article was because of the word "gay"? Amid all the chatter of "who cares", " just sick and tired of reading about ones sexual orientations", "flaws", "bs gay crap", and "it should have stayed hidden". Its really has to do with conditioning homophobes like you. It shouldn't have to be hidden. We aren't going back to the so called golden days of yesteryear's when ones sexual orientation mattered so much that it had to remain hidden or your talents would wither on the vine and the individual would be castigated and reviled. Got that, so get over it. Hopefully, within a generation or two, most of you will be dead, gone and forgotten. And people can just be who they are, not a one size fits all conformity. Evolve or just stay hidden under your rock, you all won't be missed.

even great people can have a flaw

That's exactly why she didn't mention it.

So many are commenting about 'why' does it matter if Sally Ride was gay. This is why... We still live in a society where to many individuals preach hatred and violence against those who are gay/lesbian. Some American churches take it upon themselves to induce this hatred and preach being gay/lesbian is an abomination. Our children are being subjected to this hatred and endure bullying, suicide, and in some cases murder because they are gay/lesbian.

If even ONE child in this world sees that Sally Ride was gay, but it did NOT stop her from going after her dreams, then its all worth it. As adults, say what you want, believe what you want to believe, but do not condemn a child for it.

And just how is this newsworthy? And how can it help humanity? Her doings were great, and it sounds like she was a wonderful human being, but leave her private life alone!

Robert and others

"The revelation came in a low-key way: Monday's obituary from Sally Ride Science, the educational venture she founded a decade ago, referred to Tam O'Shaughnessy as "her partner of 27 years." A spokeswoman for Sally Ride Science, Terry McEntee, said Ride and O'Shaughnessy, who is the company's chief operating officer and executive vice president, worked out the phrasing of the announcement before Ride's death

It is her dying wish to "come out" speaking of her partner.

ursofakingfunny (I apologize for quoting yours specifically, but it was the most concise - and least offensive - post that points the attitude I'm talking about.)

you don't have to have "gaydar" to tell by looking at her she was gay..and if she'd been honest about her sexual preference , she would have never been allowed to be an astronaut.. I'm not saying she shouldn't have been one. She was obviously very accomplished and qualified . What I AM saying is , her whole life was a lie

That's why she and many others have lived the lie. Because in order to get anywhere, they cannot be who they are. They're relegated to different buses, different water-fountains, different lunch-counters. There are too many people out there who "won't hire a faggot" or who "won't shop if there's a dyke behind the counter". And don't even get me started on the treatment these people bestow upon trans-persons.

This and other stories like it MUST occur. People need to be shown that a person's sexual-orientation doesn't preclude them from being a genius (see Alan Turing). People need to be shown that trans-people are, well, people - deserving of the same rights and privileges that everyone else currently enjoys.

So if it takes more posthumous "outings" (preferably after a long-life and not because some bigot bashed in someone's skull) to show what productive members of society that GLBT-people can be; well, I'd be accepting of that. I'd prefer it not take that long - I'd like to see it happen in my lifetime, or even sooner. It took an act of Congress to force people to realize that Black people were the equals of Whites. And one to say that Women have the same rights as Men. Is the "third time a charm"? Will we require one more Act of Congress until we realize that everyone is created equal?

Until that day, far too many will be Forced to live the lie. And you know too damn well who's to blame.

It does not make much difference in the long run whether she was gay or not. To me that is not the relevant part. What is relevant is that we have lost a courageous and truly great American, educator, and heroine to many young and old alike in this country and the world! I just prefer to remember her as an American rather than whatever her choice of orientation may have been. My sincere condolences to her partner, the Rev Ride, and the rest of her family. RIP Sally. You reached for the stars and are now there!

A problem with MSNBC?

And yet, you still read?

You can make FUX News your homepage, you know.

I was going to say something about her yesterday when the news broke of her death, but the article was not letting me comment. The article had mentioned her as the first woman in space and I was going to ask why the gl community didn't prop her up as the first lesbian in space? How strange they did not know. I thought it had been understood for years. Can't believe it is news now.

Alan Boyle, an excellent article (as always).

Disclosure: Sally Ride has been a personal hero of mine for almost 30 years and will always occupy that heroic status for me. So I am most certainly not unbiased.

I disagree with several of the posts in this thread about the disclosure, after her death, of Sally's sexual orientation. Sally's sexual orientation is a part of what made Sally ... Sally. And what Sally was ... was a very, very good thing indeed. And the world is better for Sally's time on Earth (and in space, of course) and for her numerous accomplishments, and for her many, many 'gifts' which she shared with us all.

Sally was the first American woman in space. However she was almost certainly not the first LGBT American in space. It is very important for Americans to have a conversation about sexual orientation, just as it is important for us to discuss race, and social issues. Through discussion comes greater understanding. And through greater understanding we find commonalities. And from finding commonalities we build consensus. And as we build consensus we mature as individuals, and we move forward as a society.

It is important, however, that the conversation we have about sexual orientation be a civil discussion; far more civil than some of the posts on this, and other discussion threads. This is not a theoretical or conceptual issue we are discussing. This discussion involves real lives, and real people with real human emotions and normal human frailties.

This discussion involves the personal lives of our neighbors, and our friends, and members of our own families, and even ourselves. We are all different from each other in one way or another. But the commonality is that we all are human beings. And we are all deserving of common respect.

So let's have this (civil) conversation about sexual orientation. Let's find understanding, and commonalities, and build consensus, and mature as individuals and move forward as a society. And if Sally's after-death disclosure helps to stimulate this conversation, and helps our society to move forward, then this will be just one more 'gift' that Sally has shared with us which will make us all better as individuals, and make us more tolerant as a society.

Thank you Sally for your many gifts which you shared with us.

Godspeed your now unrestrained travels through the boundless Universe.

The reason this story is important, is because her whole career relied on her being silent about who she was. Hopefully these stories and others like them will open people's eyes. People are people, and can do great things regardless of their private lives. Being gay should never be a "career-wrecker" but unfortunately it was in the decades past and hopefully future generations can learn from stories like this.

The world is going to hell in a hand basket, and there are idoits worried about someones sexuality. Get a grip!

maybe, just maybe, at the end of her life, she wanted to honor the woman she loved for so long.

its dispicable in the first place she felt she had to hide it (she did) to be able to have her carreer.

quite possibly she wanted to draw attention to the fact that her partner wouldnt get a nickel of what she absolutely deserves from the federal benefits.

this thread is just another example of why we have so far to go untill we are all equal in this country.

Charles-1820634

@ J R Brownstein:

Right now she is living in Caesar's Domain and, as such, she has Human Rights. When (if) she gets to heaven, don't know what case will be???? Render unto Caesar those things that are Caesar's, and render unto God those things that are God's.

You obviously are quite ignorant of the Bible; when Jesus was talking about "rendering unto Caesar that which is Caesar's", He was talking about paying tribute (taxes). Jesus NEVER advocated human rights or fighting for your human/civil rights....He said to bless them who persecute you. He said if someone smacks your face, to turn and give them your other cheek rather than fight back.

People who think that Christians are to be fighting for their human/civil rights have NO CLUE what Jesus actually taught or how He expected His followers to behave. Christians are to live their lives seeking to do the will of God and suffer the oppression of the wicked to have greater rewards in heaven...that is what Jesus taught. People who call themselves "Christians" and fight for human/civil rights are outright frauds.

Bear a gay minister? I always heard that when you go to church the devil is the first one through the door.

Why in the world would anybody say Sally Ride was living a lie??? Her personal and sexual relationships are NOBODIES business but her own and those she chose to discuss it with. In absolutely NO WAY was she ever obligated to the gay community to "come out" becasue she was famous. She did NOT owe it to ANYONE including her sister to discuss her personal life publicly!!!!

I frankly am sick and tired of of it being so PC and so expected that everyone should have to except homosexuality and kiss peoples butts over it!!!! I personally don't care if somebody else is gay. I do however expect NOT to have it shoved in my or my families faces. I neither have to publicly support or disagree with it. I don't beleive that any gay individual owes it to any other gay person to "come out" or participate in any organizations etc.. IF they do that is THEIR CHOICE!! There also is no right or wrong choice in being public about it or not!!!

By the same token I don't believe that any person(s) or organizations should publicly be campaigning against, disparging, hating, or commiting criminal acts against any person(s) that are gay.

Peoples sex lives should be private and not for public inspection, discussion etc.. unless they decided to do so themselves!!! Frankly I believe that it belongs in a persons own personal life!!!

Sally Ride was one classy lady. Her accomplishments in life were amazing and unselfish. There was nothing egotistical about her.

She chose not to publicize her sexual preference. She did recognize and honor her partner of 27 years by listing her in her obituary. While many will take that as a 'coming out'...others will see it simply as love and devotion to her partner. She quietly let the world know that she spent 27 years with this woman. I find that to be extremely classy.

I only hope that this revelation doesn't over-ride all of her wonderful accomplishments. Will the GLBT community respect that privacy now that she's no longer with us, or will they bemoan a lost spokesperson and use her name for their cause? It was her lifestyle...she made the choice to remain private.

In life, Sally Ride became famous as America's first woman in space — and in death, she's now added to her fame as the first acknowledged gay astronaut

I think it is good that we are now making "gays" our heroes. Lets face it, our population is soaring out of control and we will soon burn up all of our resources. We must encourage more gayness!

There seems to be a lot of Christian haters on this vine but I have not really seen one "Christian post" that has spoken bad of this women. Could it be that most of your homophobic monsters are fabricated? Where are all the horrible Christians condemning this women. Ho, that's right there aren't any.

Norman-2918025 Comment collapsed by the community

Skipper-youre just an overweight, religiously brainwashed bigoted sheep-hurray that yoiur kind will be dead in a few years-please dont breed

July 19, 2012 Newsvine.

Tyler, when abhorrent commentary such as the above is consistently left to stand on its own "merit" while others are punished and censored for statements which pale in comparison, it really makes one wonder what you are thinking.

I can only imagine how you would try to explain this situation. Be fair, stand for equality and higher principles, otherwise how can you expect to be taken seriously Sir?

To show the ignorant bigots in our country that an individual's sexual orientation doesn't matter.

"an individual's sexual orientation doesn't matter"

If it doesn't matter, why is it in the headline?

"Ride would no doubt be uncomfortable with a public discussion of her sexuality."

Based on the article, it seems like the ones making a public spectacle of Ride's orientation are not Sally herself, but those who felt like they could interpret her intentions...unless there's direct evidence quoted otherwise that I'm missing?

Best wishes and rest in peace, she made major accomplishments that most of us can only dream about, but her sex life doesn't have a thing to do with it.

Alan Boyle

See above. Some are wishing that she had been able to talk about this issue while she was alive.

She was able to...she chose not to. People who want to being it into the forefront of discussions do so because of THEIR issues, not hers. They also don't seem to understand that she didn't want to be viewed as the "gay" astronaut, scientist, etc nor respect it.

Thinking-2435264

"an individual's sexual orientation doesn't matter"

If it doesn't matter, why is it in the headline?

"Ride would no doubt be uncomfortable with a public discussion of her sexuality."

Based on the article, it seems like the ones making a public spectacle of Ride's orientation are not Sally herself, but those who felt like they could interpret her intentions...unless there's direct evidence quoted otherwise that I'm missing?

Her "intentions" were clear and not needing interpretation....she spent a lifetime not wanting to be outed. Those making the public spectacle are not honoring her nor the way she chose to keep her personal life private.

Rest in Peace Ms. Ride, you were taken far too soon. May your legacy and your vision live on and grow in your absence.

Thinking;

It's a headline because people of a certain agenda seek to gain traction from this. It's the worse sort of exploitation. All to frequently, those with a point to prove far exceed the boundaries of good taste and proper decorum.

As to the comment regarding the traveling freak show that is the Westboro (not) Baptist Church, with all the security that will be in place, do you seriously believe they will allowed within a mile of her services? Besides, if asked, the Patriot Guard Riders would be honored to escort her funeral, just as we do for military service personal. It is our mission to exclude any who would bring dishonor to the funeral or distress to the families or otherwise disrupt the funeral of those who have given so much, so we can enjoy so much.

Why is this relevant? As a lesbian she could have been excluded from space exploration! For that one single reason. That's probably why she kept silent all these years. It's a sad commentary on our society when the first U.S. women in space has to keep silent for fear of being excluded from her life's passion.

She could have been denied employment/the right to work, fair housing consideration, her right to a fair trial in the court of a homophobic judge/jury, her right to life in states where sodomy is punishable by the death penalty, her right to privacy being a lesbian celebrity, her spouses right to social security benefits and hence her quality of life, her right to physical and mental health where discriminatory policies exclude sexual orientation in equality/protections laws, and her right to form a family because of the government refusal to recognize same sex marriage.

That's why it's relevant!

She was a historic figure and every aspect of her life is relevant!

Most people want a private life, why do I or anyone need to know anyones sexual preference.

Ride's sexual orientation is also relevant because of DOMA. Ride's spouse of 27 years will now be denied all federal benefits - including access to Ride's NASA pension and social security - as well as having to pay federal inheritance tax on Ride's estate.

Bear is clealy using her famous sister's sexuality, against Sally Ride's wishes, to forward her own agenda.

Conservativesaretrash: You're really overdramatic aren't you?

She hid her sexuality from people for 27 years, which goes to show you that homosexuality is not a real "disability" in terms of equal rights for discrimination. Unlike a black person, or an asian, or a hispanic, who can't hide themselves, this is just something the gay community doesn't like to address. The only thing people can see that was different was that she was a woman in a field dominated by men. Nothing more.

So tell us again, how hard it is for homosexuals to fit in? Apparently this woman fit in just fine.

RobertKarma - Bear is clealy using her famous sister's sexuality, against Sally Ride's wishes, to forward her own agenda.

That's complete nonsense given that Ride and her partner wrote the obituary which was published by Ride's company.

Nice one, Markwonder. Spell much??

You spell like you think . . . not very well!

Wake - "To show the ignorant bigots in our country that an individual's sexual orientation doesn't matter." - You're right. It didn't matter then and doesn't matter now. So why are bigots, on BOTH SIDES, making a big deal about it?

What wasn't mentioned was that, thanks to DOMA, Ms. Ride's partner is ineligible to the benefits that the spouse of any other astronaut would receive. DOMA can't be justified on any logical basis and the sooner the Supreme Court strikes it down, the better.

As a lesbian she could have been excluded from space exploration!

99.9% of people are excluded from going into space. She never told anyone about her sexuality so why is it everyone just assumes if she had she wouldn't of been allowed in space? She didn't care about being gay, or being a women, she just wanted to do the job she cared about, and she did that very well, she should be remembered for that and leave the labels.

I'm looking forward to a world where this type of revelation will not be necessary and we can accept people for who and what they are.

I read the obit yesterday, I noted she was survived by her partner of 27 years. I understood what that meant and did not care, other than to realize the deep emotions her partner is experiencing at this time. It did not shock or surprise me. It did not matter. It did not color her great accomplishments or affect my admiration for this woman in any way.

Alan, I understand why you felt it was necessary to do the follow up article. I'm just sorry you felt the need to do the follow up, but I do understand.

All the ugly and ignorant comments above and below sully this great woman's memory and diminish all she accomplished in her life. We should be celebrating her life of accomplishments and all she did for the advancement of science and to encourage more girls and women to pursue scientific careers. Her sexuality isn't any of our business.

No, I'm not gay. But why should it matter?

I'm always surprised by the big coming out stories, what I'm not surprised by is how no one seems to care or even be surprised when the stories appear. Maybe heterosexuals should make announcements as well and see how many stories are written? Lets honor a women who tried to live above the labels by labeling her after she has died, how sad.

First of all I'd like to say that I'm straight. I prefer the opposite sex. I'm a man that loves him some women. That being said, I'd like to point out how truely unremarkable that is. Do you really care?... No. All you care about is if I rhyme words with time and are the words mine? If you had words you wanted to hear, would I say them? Would my words be for the straight woman or the gay man? If you didn't know, wouldn't my words be for everyone?

R.I.P. Sally Ride

anyone out there working on a bigot-filter system/software ?

Really. Her greatest accomplishment in life was her sexual preference? This is like sticking it in your face. Would this great person really come down to saying, by the way I preferred blonde's, I'm outta here. How pathetic. I'm just put off by people who flaunt their sexual side. Sally wouldn't have wanted this to be her greatest work in life. I don't care if she's green or purple, she's a great life leader. Someone that young women could look up to and stand proud. I don't believe for a minute she would say and by the way, on your road to accomplishment, make sure you say who you prefer to lay in bed with.

I'm going to wait until tomorrow to tell everyone that I am a heterosexual.!!

I really and truly believe that the way she lived her life was indeed the life she wanted to live. Her sister is a massive, out there, totally loud and proud person. That's wonderful. But to Sally Ride, her life was her life, it was private. She didn't celebrate being gay. You shouldn't celebrate being gay, or being straight, or asexual, or whatever the case.

It seems to be her sister that wants her memory to make her out and proud like she is, rather than the actions of the astronaut herself. Sally Ride handled her life just like every other normal human being. It was normal for her, and that's the way that gay, straight, etc should be. Normal.

So tell us again, how hard it is for homosexuals to fit in? Apparently this woman fit in just fine.

LOL, yeah, by having to HIDE her relationship and true self. That's like saying "How hard was it for Jews in Nazi germany to fit in? All they had to do was not talk about being Jewish, cover it up, lie about it". and how well would she have fit in had she been out? That's the point - she would NOT have. There were black people (they used to call them mulattos, quadroons, octaroons) who were able to "pass" as white. Sure, they "fit in" to society as long as they didn't bring their family around, didn't talk about being black, and pretended they were white.

I would point out that virtually all studies have found that there is about double the percentage of gay men in the military, NBA, NFL and other groups that tend toward gender homogenuity than in the general population. The percentage of gay women is about the same as in the general population. Apparently different mechanisms.

If that holds true for military-dominated NASA, you would expect to find about double the number of male astronauts to be gay as in civilian life and about the same proportion of lesbians.

The reason appears to be that prior to peuberty, when children are pre-sexual, they still realize that they are somehow, non-sexually "different" from their gender role. Boys tend to overcompensate by engaging in more "macho" activities, playing soldier and engaging in sports being a couple of them. As gay or bisexual adults, they end up with most skills and interest in the military and professional sports as a result. Girls appear to "get over it" at an earlier age and tend to go with more amateur sports and avoid the military as adults. But the times have changed a lot for women (thanks in part to people like Ride) and opportunities previously closed have opened up, so that may change in the future.

PHXgolfer

Why is this relevant?

I'll tell you why this is relevant. Adolescents and children need role models. Sally Ride was an honorable woman, great scientist, pioneer and a lesbian. She became famous in a time where being gay was not as acceptable as today, so she hid what she was. However, now that 16 year old lesbian girl who loves science has a role model outside some wacky Hollywood type. Just like its important for Black children to have positive role models and Hispanic children, its the same for those who are LGBT. And its important for the ignorant people of this world to see that gays contribute in meaningful ways to society and aren't just the caricatures portrayed on TV.

It is just as important to recognize her accomplishments as a member of the LGBT community as it is important to recognize her as a pioneer to women. Its the same as recognizing Charles Richard Drew and George Washington Carver were black. Or recognizing Alan Turing (father of the computer) who was gay and committed suicide over reparative therapy forced on him by a less accepting society.

I am here to say before I die that I am a heterosexual female. Which should be about as relevant to you as this woman being lesbian.

Her sexuality is relevant because of all the people who hate gays. They need to see that many of America's greatest heros are gay. People we all look up to...are gay.

Young men and women who are gay can look up at rolemodels and see that, no matter what the haters say, gay men and women have made strong contributions to the world.

Bart - people that are anti-gay will still respect her for being an astronaut. One aspect of her life has nothing to do with the other.

Her sexuality was relevant because of DOMA, and the fact that she did hide it says something. Heterosexuals don't hide their sexual orientations. I hear about their dates, kids, etc. Only when you hear people tripping over pronouns as they try to hold a conversation about what they did last weekend because they are trying to get along with their co-workers do you often get the hint they probably are not straight, because they are trying not to tell you the sex of their date. Heterosexuals do not realize how hard it is to hide. They don't realize the assumptions they make or how often they let the world know that they are straight. The lying gays do is dishonorable and can be dangerous, but is often necessary. I know of gay people who have bought their own wedding rings, have relatives act as spouses at business functions... Further, people who are being sneaky rarely follow safe-sex guidelines... which is one of the reasons why the AIDS epidemic has taken hold in certain communities. Back when Sally Ride became an astronaut, it was imperative for her to hide. I doubt that her male counterparts hid anything, except adultery if it occurred. Plus, homophobes tend to think that it is irrelevant, because they just can't tolerate it. Frankly, I tell my gay brothers and sisters, "You don't gain rights by being closeted." When you're invisible is it like you do not exist.

I realize there is some relevancy here but at the same time others are using this to push their own agenda. Damn vultures. At least let the body cool before you start digging into all the personnel things in her life. Talk about it and stick to the main points but do so later. Show some dignity and respect. This article and those like it can wait a few weeks. Right now we should focus on her accomplishments and what she did in her public life. God speed to Sally. Thanks for all you did. To the stars and beyond! I one day hope I can make it to space as well.

It is time

homophobes tend to think that it is irrelevant, because they just can't tolerate it.

Perhaps its you that can't tolerate it. It's irrelevant because I could care less who anyone is sleeping with.

So Alan Boyle knows took it upon himself to use his position to tell people what Sally chose to keep quiet. Sally had plenty of opportunities throughout her lifetime to speak publicly regarding her sexual orientation but chose not to. Was it because she didn't find it relevant to her ability to do her job (which is what I choose to believe) whether it was as an astronaut, educator, fellow human, etc? Was it because she was "afraid" of the ramifications if she revealed her preference? If so, then why reveal it now if she wanted her science programs to continue?

Her sexual preference had nothing to do with heer ability to do her "job". If they did, could she have done a better job if she had been "straight"? What would have improved and why did she handicap the space program by not revealing her prefernece?

We all understand what it means when we see "partner of 27 years." Whether they are same sex or just chose not to wed. What bothers me is that her sister is the one beating the drum now that her sister can't stop her. Sally deserves her privacy even in death and so does her partner. If Bear wants to be loud and proud then she needs to beat her own drum but leave Sally alone. If Sally had wanted to make a public statement she would have years ago. This is her private life not BEARS!

I can only think of one job that sex orientation would matter....if you were selling sex.

Vivian-379841

I agree with you in part, Sally made her statement as an acknowledgment to someone special in her life.

The other side is sexuality is an integral part of being a human and who we love is part of that, this lets us think of Sally as she truly was, with all her amazing achievements and her humanity as well.

Being gay for some is a hurdle to come to terms with. Sally may provide a role model for others. When a child tells their parents he/she is gay maybe they will think of Sally and see their preconceived fears are unwarranted.

If she didn't talk much about it, it was probably because she didn't want to talk much about her personal choices/tastes. I don't talk much about the food I eat, the relationships I keep/break, the things I do that is not much anyone else's business either - one of the reasons being that it is utterly boring to other people to hear me talk about it (the main reason being that my personal matters are not for too many people to discuss or even know about).

Sally Ride became famous as America's first woman in space — and in death, she's now added to her fame as the first acknowledged gay astronaut

I understand the thing about being the first American woman astronaut, given that women have it coming much harder to be in those specialized professions because of the un-equal treatement.

But the first gay astronaut?! Then why isn't it special that she was the first astronaut that had the name 'Sally Ride'? And the first astronaut to have the physical appearances that she had? That's how absurd this other 'first' is.

Agree 100% with what Vivian above says. Uusing a family member's (dead or alive) private matters to get in the limelight is cheap and should be illegal.

THIS IS IRRELEVANT..what she does in her bedroom is her business. I DONT want to hear about it.

I admire and respect Sally Ride for her accomplishments. I don't need to know anything about her lifestyle choices to do that. The "Agenda" pushers are only using her now that she is gone. The fact that she was gay seems to be more important than the great things she did with her life. If she didn't feel the need to advertise the choice the only reason the media is now is because they wish to push the cause.

I think Sally Ride is a great American. People who wish to use her name for their own gain are not so much.

Sally may provide a role model for others.

Maybe she really didn't want to be a role model. Maybe she just really wanted to be an astronaut.

She hid her sexuality from people for 27 years, which goes to show you that homosexuality is not a real "disability" in terms of equal rights for discrimination.

Niether is Religion, yet we constantly hear Christians whine about how they are being discriminated. Is it fair to be fired from your job because of who you love? because people find out that you love a certain type of person?

Unlike a black person, or an asian, or a hispanic, who can't hide themselves, this is just something the gay community doesn't like to address.

Religious people can also hide themselves. So we should be able to discriminate against Christians? Right?

So tell us again, how hard it is for homosexuals to fit in? Apparently this woman fit in just fine.

Tell us again, how hard is it for Christians to fit in? It is not about "fitting in" it is about being treated equally under the LAW. It is about having the freedom to choose whether to keep personal lives personal or to be open about it like Heterosexuals and Christians.

There were black people (they used to call them mulattos, quadroons, octaroons) who were able to "pass" as white. Sure, they "fit in" to society as long as they didn't bring their family around, didn't talk about being black, and pretended they were white.

BonosRama: So what you are telling me is that she became an astronaut stictly on her merits and NOT BECAUSE SHE WAS GAY! Wow! What a concept! When did this become a bad thing? I believe that is what minorities wanted to achieve all this time. Maybe that is what she wanted people to see her as; not as a spokesperson for gay rights. For all you know, being the first woman astronaut was more of an accomplishment to her rather than her sexuality.

Second, it really does mean that homosexuality could be considered a choice. Those blacks who were mulattos and quatroons, had a CHOICE to tell people that they were white in order to take advantage of the system. Are you saying that homosexuals fit into that category? If that's true, then its not a real disability.

Most blacks, asians, hispanics, don't even get that chance to pass off as being "white", so for them it is a real disability. They don't get to CHOOSE. Same thing goes for someone who is deaf or blind. Same thing goes for being a woman in a male dominated field. These are real disabilities that can't be covered in any way.

Alan Boyle: See above. Some are wishing that she had been able to talk about this issue while she was alive. E.g.:

Are you a traffic director or a writer?

Alan Boyle: But as Bear says, "she just didn't talk much." The more I think about it, the more I like Bear Ride. (And by the way, Bear's given name was Karen. Bear was a nickname that she's latched onto.)

Point being, her sexuality was a private matter while she was alive, and you (the media), and Bear, her own sister, show disrespect in reporting it after she's dead. Being in space was an accomplishment. Starting her school was an accomplishment. Being straight or gay is not an accomplishment, it's a choice.

For those that say she was "hiding", you also show her disrespect as the article states her family and friends knew. We (the masses) weren't privy, nor should we have been.

Religious people can also hide themselves. So we should be able to discriminate against Christians? Right?

Phoenix: You are dealing with more than just christians on this topic, so I would appreciate you not linking the two. Every religion has something against homosexuality unless you're an atheist, and even then they are not 100% for it.

Second, I don't know where you live, but I live in the Northeast and christians here are a minority. We do get fired from our jobs, because we will not conform to the company's interpretation of political correctness and we do get passed over for promotions, because we do not think they way they do. Does that mean, we should be able to claim a "disability" for those in the Northeast? Absolutely not! Why? Because we would be laughed out of our states.

In other words, nobody believes this to be a real "disability" ( including homosexuals), so why should any one else get special treatment based upon choice? We don't!

I'd just like to point out that using "you people" is not an insult. It's a phrase that denotes similar people. One could say of atheists that "you people don't believe in God"...which would be true and nothing even remotely like an insult.

It is obvious that regarding "you people" as a insult is a projection of one's own perception issues.

"I'd just like to point out that using "you people" is not an insult."

Not necessarily, but it rarely ends well.

It was up to Sally Ride hrself to decide if she wanted to discuss her personal life with the public. It was up to her if she wanted it to be public knowledge so that she could be an example to youth etc.. It was up to her and her partner alone to know if she was "hiding" her sexual preference in order to keep her job etc.. NOBODY can stand up and say with any certainty HOW SHE FELT about it except her life partner and whatever friends and family she chose to discuss it with. As NOBODY from her personal life except for her sister have discussed this publicly it seems as if she wanted it to remain personal and private. It remains to be seen if her partner discusses this publicly. IF NOT then it's nobody elses business. She DID NOT owe anyone any explanations!!!!

T'aint that the truth! Baby Boomers are the last American generation to have been taught modesty, integrity and decorum. Not sure what the heck happened with the next one, Generation Jones/X and the current cesspool of youth that gorges on sexting, porn, social media and reality shows.

It should also be noted that Dr. Ride worked for 9 years at NASA, a govt. agency that had been from inception and essentially always will be military-based. That's one reason, the U.S. was 20 years behind the Soviet Union in putting a woman in space. As such, there is no way she could've held onto her position at NASA or any government job and been open about her private life, which she was under no obligation to do, in the first place. Doubtless, it would've also colored her academic career. Dr. Ride grew up in an ugly time period of America when gays and lesbians were pariahs, fired from jobs, beat up, thrown into jail and mental institutions, destroying lives and families forever. Sad to think how many "best and brightest" Dr. Rides this country has failed in the pursuit of mob homophobia and mass hysteria. Even worse was that the height of that period in the country she grew up in came only a few years after the U.S. had gone to war to rid the world of a twisted eugenics fascist. God bless Dr. Ride's family and especially her parents. They weren't many parents of girls in the 1950s/1960s who encouraged their daughters' independence, academic curiosity in math and science - or to reach for the stars.

If I wanted to be more Norwegian, I'd move to Norway. I'd rather be more "American".

Baby Boomers are the last American generation to have been taught modesty, integrity and decorum. Not sure what the heck happened with the next one,

They grew up and raised:

Generation Jones/X and the current cesspool of youth that gorges on sexting, porn, social media and reality shows.

"Baby Boomers are the last American generation to have been taught modesty, integrity and decorum."

HILARIOUS! My guess is most of the people spewing homophobic hated on here are baby boomers.

I have to agree with bonos and Bart here. I'll bet the greatest generation thought the boomers were wild, immature, immodest (free love and all), and impolite. Every generation always thinks that things used to be better and that things currently are going to hell. Heck, I find myself thinking that. But I have perspective. Things as they used to be are either coming from books or from my own childhood, where I had zero responsibilities. Now I have responsibilities and adult worries.

Her sexuality wasn't relevant to her accomplishments, but her accomplishments were relevant to her sexuality. It's the same with Anderson Cooper and him comming out. LGBT and their allies need to reinforce the narrative that "no, being gay doesn't make you any different. We can do good and achieve great things just like any heterosexual." And I believe stories like this do a lot of good for that cause.

Ted, I just asked for another round of applause for the person who invented the Ignore Button.

Her sexuality wasn't relevant to her accomplishments, but her accomplishments were relevant to her sexuality. It's the same with Anderson Cooper and him comming out. LGBT and their allies need to reinforce the narrative that "no, being gay doesn't make you any different. We can do good and achieve great things just like any heterosexual." And I believe stories like this do a lot of good for that cause.

No...her accomlishments were not relevant to her sexuality. Trying to assert as much is just ridiculous. Her being gay had nothing to do with her life's work or how much she accomplished. Even she understood that she wanted to be defined by who she was and what she accomplished, not by who she wanted to sleep with.

The point of her sister's "outing" her was to punctuate the fact that before anyone knew she was a lesbian no one, not one single person had a negative word to say about her.

Now that NBC has carried this article I'm sure a few people will change their opinion of Sally Ride. In spite of the fact that absolutely nothing about her has changed except the publishing of this article.

She's still a great space pioneer that made history by being the first American women to go into space. Being a lesbian makes no difference in how she performed. That's the point.

You do realize that the very few heteros kiss in public! Young teens, yes. Once you get a little older than that we mostly hold hands and put our arm around eachother. My husband and I rarely hold hands either so I think what people are saying is that NO one should be tounge kissing and half laying on eachother in public anyway! Who told you that you can't hold hands and kiss anyway? If someone is giving you funny looks it could be because they wouldn't do whatever it is your doing in public. If its holding hands or putting your arm around eachother, why would you worry what someone else thinks? I don't like seeing anyone getting into too much kissing or pawing in public! Most people just don't do that in general I think your being overly sensitive and reading things in!

J R Browenstein No...her accomlishments were not relevant to her sexuality. Trying to assert as much is just ridiculous. Her being gay had nothing to do with her life's work or how much she accomplished.

Thanks to DOMA, Ride's sexual orientation matters a great deal after her death. Her partner of 27 years will now be denied all federal benefits, and very likely have to pay federal tax on Ride's estate.

Perhaps she can lie and claim she's a minority in order to prove her point then? The fact that she hid her sexuality for 27 years proves that sexuality isn't really a disability, is it? It wasn't as if she was black, asian, or hispanic right, or even those who are blind or deaf?

This is proof why gays can't claim sexual orientation as being a disability. It makes no sense and she's proved it.

Unhappy-1583758 - This is proof why gays can't claim sexual orientation as being a disability. It makes no sense and she's proved it.

You're right - your comment makes no sense whatsoever.

Shrekk: Still upset that I was proven right, huh? Name-calling doesn't give your comment any credibility. In fact, it just shows that you can't win an argue a point.

So very typical of liberals.

Unhappy, you whine about name calling, but then you use the word "liberals" a) like a swear word and b) with absolutely no supporting context other than the fact that the person criticized one of your statements.

That's fairly typical of conservatives, but the reason I'm assuming you are one is from the collective sentiment in your comments, not just because I disagree with your opinion, which I do.

Most of the people on this thread who's saying none of the information in this article matters would likely have made it matter if it had been known back in the 80s when Ride first flew. In fact, had the information come out then, she probably would have been on the receiving end of highly negative public and media sentiment, not to mention the impact it would have had on her professional career.

I'd also like to remind those who take the "I don't go around waving my heterosexuality in everyone's face" that there are no places in the US where telling someone's employer that you're heterosexual could get you fired. Not true in all places even nowadays for GLBT folks, and definitely not true when Sally's career with NASA began.

That's not a political observation, it's a pragmatic observation.

I didn't see Shrekkk call anyone a name so who the hell knows what you are referring to? Second, so now that we know Ride was a homosexual, her accomplishments prove it is not a disability? Who ever said it was a disability? If you mean this proves homosexuals are treated just like heterosexuals, you are delusional and need to get your head out of the sand. I am straight but as long as I can marry but a gay couple cannot, there will be reason for homosexuals to hide their preferences.

Lyaso...while I agree with your sentiments...I just want to point out I was a kid in the 80's and if Sally had come out earlier, it would not have meant anything to me or changed my views of her. Maybe I am one of the rare few, but she was a great person---particularly for bringing science to younger generations. It is sad that we live in a world where a person has to hide who they really are, even in 2012. She wanted it that way and it is sad to see people making this a headline. Good points though.

Sally Ride's sexuality is relevant only in that, just as she inspired a generation of girls and young women to strive to their fullest potential, she might now serve as a role model for LGBT youth.

It can be said it is partly relevant in her achievements only in that it can show those struggling with being gay that it does not have to define you.

Unhappy, you whine about name calling, but then you use the word "liberals" a) like a swear word and b) with absolutely no supporting context other than the fact that the person criticized one of your statements.

That's fairly typical of conservatives, but the reason I'm assuming you are one is from the collective sentiment in your comments, not just because I disagree with your opinion, which I do.

Lyaso: Even though I may use "liberal" like a swear word, Shrekk has used a lot worse when calling me something, so I suggest you not comment on things you know nothing about.

I'd also like to remind those who take the "I don't go around waving my heterosexuality in everyone's face" that there are no places in the US where telling someone's employer that you're heterosexual could get you fired. Not true in all places even nowadays for GLBT folks, and definitely not true when Sally's career with NASA began.

You get the impression that it is forced upon you to tell people about your homosexuality? Are you in the military? Most jobs I know, don't require it. Yet, it makes perfect sense why homosexuals choose to broadcast their homosexuality even when it is not required. ( sarcasm)

Nice try, but your argument is invalid.

And actually, because I am an engineer ( and work at different locations), there ARE places that telling your employer that you are a heterosexual could get you fired, especially if your employer caters to the gay community.

So you see, it goes both ways.

Unhappy-1583758 - there ARE places that telling your employer that you are a heterosexual could get you fired, especially if your employer caters to the gay community.

Nonsense.

I've read every post either of you made on this thread, Unhappy, and he has skrekk has called you nothing worse. Accusing me of pretentiousness only works if you are actually aware of my level of knowledge.

Also, I wasn't referring to being forced to tell people about your sexuality, I was referring to being outed by others as a means of career sabotage.

As for your laughable post insinuating reverse discrimination against heterosexuals in the workplace: prove it. Back it up with an actual example that can be referenced by everyone here, not just one that you made up or based on your own perception, which if you are an engineer is even more laughable. I didn't know that engineering had suddenly become such a gay occupation (sarcasm).

LogicReguired

I'm always surprised by the big coming out stories, what I'm not surprised by is how no one seems to care or even be surprised when the stories appear. Maybe heterosexuals should make announcements as well and see how many stories are written? Lets honor a women who tried to live above the labels by labeling her after she has died, how sad.

She didn't "label" herself. Others are "labeling" her. All she wrote in her obit was that she was survived by her partner....which is typical of an obit. Those invoking the notion that her obit was a "coming out" event are just projecting their own stereotypical attitudes into the situation...the obit was a formality, not a "coming to Jesus" moment.

Why is it any posters job to worry about what the details of Sally Rides estate are and how they effect her partner??? IF they wanted the public to know the details they'd have discussed it publicly LONG before her death!!!! Again, they did NOT owe it to anyone to come out or to fight for gay rights and nobody has the right to say they should have or to call them out for NOT doing so!!!!! Because she was famous and an exceptional woman she didn't owe anybody else except her partner, family and friends anything!!!!!

Ditto what you said...

(David N.'s wife here.) @Jim: Perhaps she didn't hide it but instead just chose not to flaunt it. There is a difference.

I will never understand why some, typically hetros think gay people wanting to be ok with holding hands, getting married, etc is flaunting..its called living. Try it.

(David N.'s wife here.) @Sheila: Wow, nothing like being defensive. She was obviously 'a private' person, that is what I meant. Perhaps you are the one that should try .... being more open-minded.

David N. wife-thank you, for speaking for me and most middle of the road Americans.

@Sheila; My guess is you have never been to a Gay parade, if that's not flaunting it I don't know what is, I'll tell you what! go down town to a gay bar and shout out I'm straight and proud of it, you will not go unnoticed.

Maybe she didn't necessarily feel she had to "hide"..maybe she just liked keeping her private life private. I think it shows that she had class..why does anyone have a right to know what goes on in your bedroom or who you prefer to be with? I have respect for her for that. Not that she should be ashamed or keep it to herself, but she didn't let it "define" herself or her accomplishments. Anyway, it sounds like they had great parents from the way her sister Bear describes. They instilled confidence in them and both sisters did well.

Why is it, exactly, that heterosexual men and women can kiss and hold hands in public, share photos of their spouses and kids, and talk about their spouses in restaurants and public spaces without it considered "flaunting," but if a man so much as mentions that he has a boyfriend, he's suddenly "throwing it in everyone's face."

The reason there is a misconception that gay people are flamboyant is because most people who don't know any better only notice the flamboyant ones. Everyone has gay neighbors and co-workers that they aren't aware of because society has forced them to keep mum, or else they're "flaunting" their sexuality.

Also, stonepipe, you don't "speak for most middle-of-the-road Americans."

In psychology, we call that the "false consensus effect." You suffer from the assumption that most people agree with your point of view because, heck, how could you be wrong?

I will never understand why some, typically hetros think gay people wanting to be ok with holding hands, getting married, etc is flaunting..its called living. Try it.

Because I don't want to have to explain to my young daughter why two wemon or two men are holding hands and kissing in the park. Do whatever you want behind closed doors, it's not my business, but if you're going to put it on display for all to see then you must accept the praise or criticism of those that witness it.

And BTW, some of the coolest people I've ever met are gay. I disagree with their lifestyle and if they ask I tell them so, but doesn't change the fact they're good people and it's their life, their choice and the consequences of that choice are theirs to bare.

Bdubs1975,

To quote Dante Shepherd :

"If it is harder and scarier for you to explain to your children why some people love each other than for you to explain why some people should be treated less than equal, you're doing it wrong."

So Ryan, what year in school are you? Freshmen?

Ryan, I love my father, I love my best friend, doesn't mean I want to have sexual relations with them. Also, i never said anything about treating anyone less than equal. People are free to choose their lifestyle and I'm free to disagree with it.

Law student. Sorry, friend.

bdubs1975- I can't believe you actually typed those words. Behind closed doors! Who the hell are you to decide which couples can be open and which should have to be behind closed doors?! Your poor children are going to grow up with a really sick view of the world.

Everyone in the United States has the right to pursue happiness as it says in the Declaration of Independence. It doesn't say "Only heterosexuals". Try allowing your children to learn about the real world, not the world as YOU see it.

Ryan - WI

Also, stonepipe, you don't "speak for most middle-of-the-road Americans."

actually ryan, polls say that he does.

Conservatives- I'll raise my children how I see fit so hopefully they grow up to be decent, responsible, productive people. You want to expose your own children to all the sickos and perverts of the world then be my guest. Have fun bailing them out of jail or worse.....

Bdubs1975, so first some of the "coolest people you've ever met" are gay people, and now gay people are "sickos and perverts." That's a bit contradictory don't you think? I have a feeling you threw in what you thought was a compliment so that you would feel better about spouting off a few insults and showing us all your true colors.

Also, from what I know of her, Ms. Ride was a "decent, responsible, and productive" member of society, yet you seem to not want her to be a role model for your children simply because she was BORN homosexual (It's not a choice and I am so tired of hearing that. She didn't choose it. Those were the cards she was dealt. If it was a choice, one would have to wonder why she wasn't more open about it all these years.) She was even in a committed, long-term relationship for over 20 years. Is that not also something you would like for your children when they get older? Yet, by your generalized label she is a sicko and a pervert. Yup, that makes sense.

BTW most children that are taught to be open-minded and have an open relationship with their parents where they can and do discuss issues such as sexuality are more likely to grow up well-rounded, respectable adults. It's the sheltered children, like yours, that grow up to have the most problems when they rebel against others for being different. I think it's your children that we all need to watch out for unfortunately. You can't shield your children from everything. Sooner or later they will encounter it on their own. Your avoidance is only delaying the inevitable and creating discriminatory tendencies in the process.

The time will come when I'll have to explain the old birds and the bees story. The time will come when they leave the nest and venture out into the world. They'll ask questions and I'll answer honestly. All in time though.

It is very true that some of the coolest people I've met are gay. They don't flaunt their lifestyle and rub it in other peoples faces. They respect my stance. I simply disagree with their lifestyle which I am entirely free to do so.

By sickos and perverts I meant in general. Am I not responsible for their welfare? We monitor what they watch on TV, we put grades on movies and video games so parents can better understand the content, we put parental controls on internet browsers and cable boxes. Should I not also monitor what they are exposed to in public as well?

Yes, sooner or later they're going to encounter it on their own, but without a moral compass to guide them there is no telling where they'll end up. I intend to do the task that was given to me as a parent and prepare them for when they do. If a "friend" is breaking into a car or a house they'll understand it's wrong and distance themselves from the situation. If some strange fellow with a handful of candy is inviting them into his car they'll know to run away. If someone offers them drugs they'll say no.

As for Ms. Ride I wouldn't want someone who married only to hide her sexual orientation to achieve her goals and then break the vow she took upon herself with God as a witness so nonchalantly as a role model for my children.

Bdubs...who said she married to hide her sexuality? Is it not possible she had yet to discover who she ended up being? And as far as her standing with the man upstairs, you are no one to say how that should be...if he even exists.

You say you know some gay people and they happen to be very cool gay people. Sure, you are welcome to disagree with their lifestyle but that does not make it a choice nor does it make your obvious judgement of them wrong. That is what you are doing and I hope someday your kids are intelligent enough to see around silly blind hate. I honestly liked parts of your above posts but sadly you do not seem to get it.

I hope you kiss and hold your wife's hand behind closed doors(or your husband's if you are a woman). If you can do it in public without ridicule, anyone should be able to...regardless of if they are straight or whatever.

I honestly do not care whether she was gay or not, but also do not care to hear about it in the media. We seem to make a big deal out of this when someone says they are gay. I could care less and what a waste of space to print it.

Bdubs1975

If a "friend" is breaking into a car or a house they'll understand it's wrong and distance themselves from the situation. If someone offers them drugs they'll say no.

lol. you got some fun years ahead of you.

Somehow saying "I know gay people and they don't "flaunt" their lifestyle". What is that supposed to mean?

Lets just generalize there are groups of people straight and gay who "flaunt" their sexuality. To me that is the distasteful kind, full on make out in public and groping THAT'S flaunting.

What do we mean by this? Is holding hands flaunting? Hugging? Could I say Dave N's Wife in the post above flaunted her sexuality by revealing she was married to a man?

Lets all grow up move on and worry about things that really matter.

Golly - you are such a class act.

(David N.'s wife here.) @Krestov - Well put. I wish those who are defensive about using the word 'flaunt' would look up its definition. ie: Oxford Dictionary: "display proudly or obviously".

As for indentifying myself as David N.'s wife .... and this is for all the Sheila's out there who are so quick to judge (quote: typical hetro) ..... I could be a male and David N.'s legal spouse.

In summary, I have the highest admiration for Sally who was an intelligent and accomplished woman that exercised HER freedom of choice and speech, to what suited HER.

I'm not sure if she confessed to being gay, or if her sister admitted it for her its still irrelevant, what does that have to do with her other life ambitions nothing. the gay community is drastically searching for a connection to normalcy and its not in someones accomplishments its in their behavior. hero's come under a thousand description's gay come under 1, but the thousand other titles are still there, no one is stopping any one from reaching their potential. not race, not religion, not personnel preferences, the only brick walls you encounter in life are the ones you build yourself, that is a fact. you might see it as a confession in a biblicle sense.

It must have been pure hell for her on that shuttle with nothing but men! maybe thats why she left the space program.

Are you blind? This world is choc-full of ignorant racists, sexists, homophobes etc. Sure, one's self-motivation and mental clarity are necessary for achieving success, but society is dominated by idiots who judge and de-humanize others simply because they don't think gays, racial minorites, women, -anyone with different views or lifestyles can amount to any kind of "normal" human being. The reveal of Ride's sexual orientation is relevant. Being gay was part of her life. She was a strong, an intellegent individual -and a gay woman at that! Why is this so shocking? Because like I said, idiots like you look down upon that! Therefore it's important to show the world that "Hey! Gay people and women have shown that they too are normal, contributing members of society! Who knew?!"

UM, D.BUCK,

I don't think she had a problem with men, she just didn't want to sleep with them. Other wise she probably would not have joined one of the "most macho" institutions of her time. I think we should just acknowledge the fact that if she had come out as gay, that she never would have been allowed to get as far as she did. Lots of people "pass" so that they can be accepted. Think of all the women writers who wrote under pseudonyms because no one during their time would have takes a woman writer seriously, and published them.

As to Ms Rides post-mortem wishes, Somehow, I'd trust Bear before I'd trust any of the "keep it in the closet where I don't have to think about it" folks on this vine. For you to assume that because you did not know, that no-one else knew is a bit of a stretch. To assume that you know her wishes is bizarre.

The articles that I've read stated that most that knew her, (post NASA) knew her sexuality. She is survived by her long time partner (the spousal benefits that she will be denied are for another post), her family and friends. Who writes the obit is usually a group thing. Ms. Ride would "usually" be at the center since they saw this coming. Her sexuality is an issue, as is her gender (her foundation focuses on getting girls interested in science). And we as Americans are exploiting that fact that she was an American. Any complaints about that?

Somehow, I get the feeling (I don't know, though I have had similar experiences) that all involved including Bear and Sally thought long and hard about how to deal with the "Sally Ride" legacy.

So why keep it under the hat while she was alive? The NASA year are obvious. As a gay person who works with kids,
I got to tell ya, even beyond the incorrect equation of LGBT and pedophiles, (I believe that most are actually, hero-sexual, even Jerry Sandusky), the "keep it in the closet" crowd seems to feel uncomfortable acknowledging accomplishments of, and contributions from the LGBT community. If Sally had been out, some folks would have kept there children out of her programs.

And here is the point. "The keep it in the closet" folks seem very upset that an All American Hero has had the audacity to be a lesbian. This isn't about respecting her privacy. (um, she's dead) This sounds like its about not wanting to know about it.

I find it amazing the many of you summarize Sally Ride's emotions towards her partner for life as "the person she sleeps with". Get your mind out of the gutter. Love isn't sex and sex isn't love. Those two are separate entities. I know I can love without sex being anywhere in the picture. If there were never to be sex on Earth again, I would still love. How classless and tasteless.

D Buck-2239568 - I'm not sure if she confessed to being gay, or if her sister admitted it for her its still irrelevant

Ride and her partner wrote the obit that was published on her company's website. That's how we know she was gay, not because of her sister.

Go
to NASA and, when you applied, write: “I am gay and I want to be the first one
in space”. Let me know how far you get.

maninjapan78,

Well put!

If Sally had been out, some folks would have kept there children out of her programs.

And here is the point. "The keep it in the closet" folks seem very upset that an All American Hero has had the audacity to be a lesbian. This isn't about respecting her privacy. (um, she's dead) This sounds like its about not wanting to know about it.

Sadly, you are right on target!

I agree....Her being gay never affected her work. Now you did hear about straight women astronauts causing an uproar, but not her. She was a true professional and if anything being true to herself helped her focus on her goals and dreams and accomplish all she did. I hope more little girls will study science and math as a result.

(David N's. wife here.) @Ryan W1 #5.8: It appears to me that you are doing exactly what you criticize Stonepipe of doing. Quote: "the reason there is a misconception that gay people are flamboyant is because MOST PEOPLE who don't know any better only notice the flamboyant ones." What makes you the authority to know what MOST PEOPLE notice, let alone think?

@lwing, why shouldn't Allan be adding comments? Someone made a statement and he responded, nothing wrong with that. Most of us appreciate being able to converse with the author of the article. Sometimes people are even less insulting when they know that the author of the article is actually monitoring the conversation. If Allan wants to respond and clarify, I'm all for it.

I personally don't think it matters what your sexual orientation is. Holding hands, a kiss or two etc.. is fine in public. However, prolonged deep kissing, making out, putting on a display of affection is NOT necessay in public. This is something private that should NOT be forced on the general public to have to watch. Especially not young children and teens regardless if the couple on display is hetro or homosexual.

No commentor here knows exactly what Sally or her partner thought about the publics opinion of their personal life or their motivations for NOT discussing it publicly. We just don't know if they were "keep it in the closet" people or just private people who didn't think their personal life was anybody else's business!!!

There are people who just don't think a gay lifestyle is for them, that don't want their famiies exposed to it without their consent, that believe that they alone have the right and the responsibilty to teach their children and sex and sexulaity. This and other things don't make them "homophobic", wrong, bigots etc... there are choices in this world and everybody has the right to feel however they do without being condemned for it!!!

Again....Why is this relevant? More so...why is this news? Who cares?? RIP anyway..

I hadn't thought about it until now.............you don't see someone dying and in the obituary saying something like this "he was a good man, business leader, supported cancer research, a practicing heterosexual.......".

It doesn't change a thing.

The "moral" is: no one should have to keep who they are a secret just to make sure religious folks don't get uncomfortable.

Thanks tyler! Bringing the ban stick down on ones who deserve it.

Sally Ride...a true American hero; RIP.

Maybe she just didn't want to deal with the static that she surely would have generated with knownothings like Rush, Hannity, etc. The country has changed hugely on this subject since she began as an astronaut.

And what, praytell, do Rush and Hannity have anything to do with it Tetra? You liberals really like to stretch things past their breaking point, don't you? My favorite is when you hysterics label those against Obama as "racist" as if "racism" has anything to do with his failed three and a half years record as president.

Because big 10tacle, along with your salute-koolaid ridden diatribe about Obama, it will remain to be heard or seen(whether some of us want it to or not) what those ditto-tin-hat heads in right wing radioland will say or lambast about her. And that includes Huckabee and Palin too.

For me, I could care less about her personal life. She was a great lady and a scholar.

Run along now....

Jedez,one of you breeders says she she shouldn't flaunt it and another breeder said Sally Ride kept her mouth shut because she was embarrassed. Guess she couldn't win no matter what she did. Typical of you bigots.

Maybe she kept her mouth shut out of common courtesy.

Man those libs sure get snippy don't they, its like worms crawling under your skin.

when will they get the point its not a issue, its private. its personal, its nobodies business...

When someone famous dies, I always feel a loss. I feel of loss because this person is a part of my history, a part of my life. And yet for the most part, I am only familiar with their public life and not much of their private life. Each of us, whether famous or not has as public life or that which we show to our co-workers, our friends and acquaintances and we have a private life - that which we show to our close family members and our chosen spouse. In our private lives we have our relationships, our joys and desires, our strenghts and our weaknesses. In our public lives we have our careers, our public accomplishments, our image. And sometimes our public life is completely different from our private life. But the two together gives you a better picture of the whole person. And we make decisions based upon our public persona and sometimes based on our private persona and sometimes both. So Sally's decision to have Bear make public a declaration of her sexual orientation was Sally's wishes being fulfilled. Is it important .. to me it is..because it shows another side of Sally I would not have known otherwise. It shows me how important her career was to her and how important her privacy was. It shows that she had certain fears that what she accomplished may not have happened had she decided to make this public sooner. Sally was 61 years old when she died. She lived at least 40 years of her life when people were not rushing to their family gatherings to make their orientation known, but were in hiding in order to survive - keep their job, and not be ejected at the gym because you were some kind of sicko. If you have never experience a fear of rejection because of something which is so innate to your whole being as your sexual orientation, you cannot know why some have a difficult time with the coming out process. For Sally, who knows ..but I for one accept that she was a very private person, she never sought out publicity for her work with NASA or her post NASA life. She was just as private with her cancer. She is a magnificent example that regardless of who you are or who you love, you can do almost anything in this life if you want it and work for it. Its difficult to be the first of anything... the first woman in space and now the first lesbian in space. and now with no more camera's or public statements. My sympathies to her partner, to her family and to her friends. We have lost a wonderful person and she will be missed.

To Martha Dalton-GA:I agree with you one hundred percent!

As for the atheist that made the statement that in Gods eyes that is no such thing is human rights, that is a flat out lie. The Lord gave us the choice to choose the life we want to live. He gave us the right to choose Him or reject him. He gave us the right to choose right from wrong. He never forced himself or his beliefs on anyone. If you choose to believe him thats fine and thats good. If you choose not to believe in Him then he respects that choice too but he also chooses not to believe in you either. Hell never force anyone to choose him against their own will. So your argument is false. That is an absolute lie. In the Lords eyes you do have rights and you do have the freedom to chose how you want to live, who you want to live for, who you want to serve, the kind of life you want to have, these freedoms and rights do belong to all humans. This is why I have a problem with republicans because if they were real Christians they would realized that Christ never forced his beliefs on anyone against their will. He respected their choices for their lives. Just like he did back the He still does today. As a Christian myself I feel the exact same way He does. You are entitled to live your life the way you want to live it.

TO: MARTHA-DALTON GA- I agree with you one hundred percent!

To: The athesist that posted that comment that in Gods eyes there is no such thing as human rights; that is a flat out lie. In the Lords eyes we do have rights and we do have freedom. Thats why theres a thing called freeewill. The Lord gave us all the freedom to live or the right to choose to live as we please. He has never forced his ways or himself on anybody against their will whenver you get through. We do have the right to choose Him or Satan. We do have the right to choose evil or good. We do have the right to choose how we want to live our life, what we want to do, who we want to serve, whether we want eternal life or eternal damnation, we do have the right to choose. He left those choices soley up to us. We can choose our lifestyles, our sprituality, our sexuality, our mentalities, and who we and how we want to be as a person. All of these things are our personal choices. You can choose to live the life of fufilling all of your fleshly desires or fufilling the spiirtual desires of the Holy One. That is your decision. My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ never forced His way of thinking on anybody. He gave everyone in the new testament the choice to believe in Him or reject Him. He never got mad at the ones who rejected Him. He understood and respected their choice. And as human beings we all should operate the exact same way. We should allow people the right to choose how they want to live and what they want to do. This is exactly why I do not like republicans or conservatives because they misrepresent Christ completely. They want to force their viewpoints on everybody and it sincerely pisses me off. And this is exactly why I will be voting for President Obama.

Sweetcancer... Please don't judge all Republicans by a few bad apples (I know, I know...one can spoil the whole bunch). I'm a registered Rep., but I don't always vote straight ticket...I like to research the candidates and vote for the ones that will do the best job; although that's no guarantee. As far as Christianity...it is a life style where one lives by His rules and are obedient because He has our best interest at heart over the long haul. I believe that Sally, as a minister, must know God and would not have gone against the things that He abhors... And, the fact that she was married for so many years, she would not have commited adultry. The family should sue the writer of the article for defamation of character because Sally was not here to defend herself against comments; not to mention they invaded her privacy. The media will stoop to any level to create chaos.

@ Cindy........

Please re-read the article. It helps with comments

@ cindy. you are right about not all republicans feel that way. I do agree with you on that. And I also agree with what you said on the Christanity part. That is also true. But its just that majority of that party doesnt believe in the rights of women,or minorities and I am both. I dont like that. However I know that not all Republicans feel that way and thats why they vote just like a Democrat. Some people are republicans because of their financial situation and just dont want to have to pay all those taxes which is completley understandable. Those Im not mad at all. Its justs the ones who are republican for other reasons that involve stripping rights away from women and minorities and all people in general. I feel like like a person should choose to do right because they want to do right not because you want to pass laws and force their hands and make them do right. Thats my point. I also feel like what a person does behind close doors is their personal business and not the governments. I dont like people who want to control every aspect of our lives when our personal decisions and lives do not affect them at all. And this seems to be the agenda of the Republicans. And thats why they never get my vote. They never will. I think they want to control everything and everybody as if they are God and they are not. They are far from Him. He understood the need of freewill and freedom. And He prefers that you choose Him because you want to choose Him. He prefers you choose to live right because you want to live right and you want to please Him. As for this article i do not think he is defaming her character. It is the truth. But it really shouldnt even be an article because it really shouldnt even be an issue, to be real about it. It really is her personal bsuiness and nobody else's. Thats all I have to say.

Blue-eyed lady-You have absolutely NO knowledge about how Sally and her partner felt about their sexuality and are making unwarranted assumptions.

bobber-Breeders? really?? Care to explain exactly what you mean by that?????

Uh, it was and is kinda different. Dude!

Tetrapoda - "different" is the right word for it!

Yah, sure. As if you know anything.

I'm conservative and my head isn't exploding. She had free agency to choose in life, like all of us. You like many of the uninformed on the left think because a person doesn't agree with a behavior or choice, that they hate them. That is not true. I choose to obey my Heavenly Father's commandments. I don't hate those that don't. We are all spiritual brothers and sisters. Family members have an obligation to encourage everyone to make good choices but if they don't want to that is their choice.

I wish for peace and comfort to be with the family and loved ones of Sally.

Wrong, I'm a Conservative Right Wing-Nut as you liberals say. My head isn't exploding and I have no problem with people who are gay, also I'm Catholic and that tells you something. Love thy neighbor that's what it says in the bible. Nothing to suggest hating and despising homosexuals.

idiot

Jim, you can't be serious. Are you against threesomes, wife swapping, the occasional orgy?

Why so much hate? People just wanna have fun.

Ah, yes, I see how "tolerant" the pro-gays are of those who oppose their views. Can you say "hypocrite"?

This is a situation of a nobody, hyper LGBT activist grabbing her sister's fame to try to further the LGBT cause. Someone name a right that someone denies a gay person.

@Lou7777777 they would refer to you as a moron, coming from them I would say more on then off, what would that make them moroffs, more off then on? those people have O tolerance for any form of thought other then their own programed thoughts. any thing they say to or about me I have to take as a compliment. when a group of individuals has to rob someone Else's accomplishments to make them look good there is no hope. I admire Rides accomplishments, I despise the fact that some group of individuals have to single them out to make them part of their heritage how disgusting. talk about insecure.

Good rsponse JSmith. Forgot to mention, it's fine for people to make their own choices and pay the consequences of them. Without Jesus though, the consequences are without mercy...and boyeee does that hurt. Don't blame Him when things go south... I prefer Jesus' consequences because they are far better than mine...I like when He helps me make choices because I know, without a doubt, He has my back.

Frak

This is a situation of a nobody, hyper LGBT activist grabbing her sister's fame to try to further the LGBT cause. Someone name a right that someone denies a gay person.

Gays in NC do not have the right to marry as in many other states.,.they do not have the rights straight married couple get for tax benefits. etc

Cindy- how can you be so certain that Jesus is even the son of god? how can you be certain any religion is right? has human kind truly earned the knowledge of how it came into existence? how with all the cruel and terrible things that humans do to each other worthy of such knowledge? i mean hell just 1000 years ago most people thought the earth was flat and the universe revolved around the earth. how can we possibly believe that a religion from a time-frame filled with such ignorance could possibly have the answers. i mean faith is all well and good but blindly clinging to an outdated belief system doesn't help us find the answer. would god want us to use that knowledge to condemn and oppress others? Many of those that say they worship Jesus forget one of his most important teachings "lead by example and others will follow" but instead of following that teaching the christian fanatics just try to force others to follow their beliefs. they act against the very teachings of the one they say they follow! how can god expect us to be worthy of knowledge if we cannot even follow the teachings of the religion we say we follow? knowledge isn't given it is earned. the only thing that makes religious fanaticism thrive is that humanity has the arrogance to believe they could possibly understand gods will. people need to learn more about humility and learn not to let stuff they couldn't possibly understand like god and the beginning of life rule their lives and just do the best they can to be happy and help others.

We inow for a fact because when you have a one-on-one personal relationship with Him He reveals himself to you in so many different ways on a daily basis. And He also talks to you about whatever is going on in your life and He helps you in every situation you get in. He is real. Very real. Now for the religious fanatics I do agree they go entirely too far. The Bible clearly states you are not supposed to condemn anybody or the same condemnation you pass on to somebody else that same condemnation will be passed onto you. And Jesus also said "Bretheren why are you so concerned with the beam thats in your brother's eye when you have a beam in your own eye that needs to be cast out." So many religious fanactics forget this fact. And it's not fair that when you are a Christian you get thrown in with the rest of them even though you are not a religious fanatic. I am a very spiritual person. I am not religious at all. And there is a HUGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO. PLEASE BELIVE ME. SPIRITUAL PEOPLE OPERATE OUT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HE OPERATES OUT OF LOVE, COMPASSION, MERCY AND GRACE. RELIGIOUS PEOPLE OPERATE OF RITUALS AND DO IT JUST FOR SHOW. THEY CONDEMN AND THEY JUDGE. AND THEY NEVER LOOK AT THEMSELVES OR THIER FLAWS. THEY ACT LIKE THEY ARE HOLIER THAN THOU WHEN EVERYBODY ELSE AROUND THEM KNOW THE REAL DEAL. RELIGIOUS PEOPLE PUT ON SHOWS FOR THE WHOLE WORLD WHILE SPIRITUAL PEOLPE BE REAL WITH THEMSELVES AND EVERYONE ELSE, ADMIT THEIR SHORTCOMINGS AND DO THIER BEST TO BE OBEDIENT TO THE SPIRIT. THEY DO NOT COMMIT CERTAIN ACTIONS IN FRONT OF PEOPLE FOR RECOGNITION NOR DO WE DO ANTHING TO MAKE ANOTHER HUMAN BEING FEEL BAD FOR THEIR SINS BECAUSE WE KNOW WE AREN'T ANY BETTER THAN THEY ARE. WE UNDERSTAND WE ALL FALL SHORT OF THE GLORY OF THE LORD. WE, SPIRITUAL PEOPLE, UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE SINNERS AND WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE. NOT BY OUR WORKS LIKE RELIGIOUS PEOPLE BELIVE. THAT IS THE DIFFERNCE IN BEING A SPIRITUAL PERSON AND BEING A RELIGIOUS PERSON. AND HAVING A REAL RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST REVEALS ALL OF THIS TO YOU AND HELPS YOU HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING. Ihope this answers your question.

i meant we know. sorry. typing too fast. and i meant to space i and hope. sorry for that typo.

Geez, how disrespectful!!! This in NOT an article about politics, not the place for dem vs. repub fighting, not about religion or athismn, not about anything but the death of a great woman. Her sexuality or any of the above mentioned should have no place in a discussion of her life and accomplishments.

Very good point Antonio. You are so correct. It is such a shame that in our society she had to keep this all a secret. She was an amazing woman. I pray her partner in life is doing well and getting support.

What makes you think she has a partner in life? and why should that partner recieve support can't that person get a job like the rest of us? its not like they have children to raise. you people and your bennies, that money has to come from somewhere.

D Buck

why doesn't she deserve the same benefits as the other astronauts spouses? because they couldn't have kids? what about infertile straight marriages do they not get the same benefits too? oh wait they do so why can't she get the same benefits as everyone else. could it be because you a worthless bigot not worth the time it takes to respond to your ignorance. i mean also the person she loved just died so you could show some common decency and stop being an @!$%# for one second that would be great.

Your mentality is showing.

she shouldn't have to keep it hidden she had to keep it hidden cause if she didn't she would have never been allowed to become an astronaut in the first place.

Jerry... I hope lobotomy's are covered in Obamacare. You are a prime candidate for one.

Homosexuals are 3% of the population. It's amazing how loud and visible their lobby is. Be gay, shut the 'f' up and quit with playing the wussie gay card already you noisy birds.

Here is someone suggesting a lobotomy for jerryball who obviously thinks, just doesn't think the same thing as baliman. Wow.

BTW, throwing out things you think are insulting is NOT thinking.

Yeah, homosexuals are a deviant part of nature. Homosexuality can be cured, you should try getting some treatment.

I got a idea.... Try fitting a penis into a penis and a vagina into a vagina. See how well it works compared to fitting a penis into a vagina.

Homophobes in this thread: gay people aren't hurting you. What's the big deal?

Gay people should follow Rides lead. at least she had respect, still does.

DBuck- straight people should too. I don't want straightness flaunted at me.

Why are you so bitter? You can't quote common sense if you don't have wisdom...and you seriously lack wisdom (which isn't experience). You can't quote the Qu'ran or the Old Testament or comment about Christianity if you haven't read the Bible. Any of you...if you want to be gay, go for it. Keep in mind though that there is a consequence and the price is high... as it is for unbelievers that don't practice what they say. I love everyone regardless of their choices... and wish they didn't have to suffer because of the poor choices...

thank you tyler

"Homosexuals are part of nature" so to these people that logic must apply to pedophiles and those who are into beastiality. According to the logic expressed here God created them also. Sally Ride was a woman of exemplary class. Others should follow her example instead of thinking thier sexuality actually matters to anyone but themselves.

Clint357: After listening for over 70 years of hearing heterosexuals celebrate heterosexuality, heterosexuals should shut up about their little sexuality and sexual intrigues. You've all stayed too long at the ball and we don't care who you're stuping, or why....

You've all stayed too long at the ball and we don't care who you're stuping, or why....

Well jerryball, I think we have an entire generation of people that "for the most part" are OKAY with people, just being people...my youngest son is in his 2nd year of college, and he came out in high school...(although we knew when he was 3) and I am impressed with HIS generation....GREAT kids! Not so impressed with many of his friends parents, but that's another story...

Straight's a drag, man.

I always thought gays a drag, queen.

smalleststate: It's not a badge you earned. It's an act of nature you inherited.

The way the liberals talk about it in the media you'd think the homosexuals were the majority and heterosexuals were the minority, wouldn't you? But alas, that's just another window into the world of liberalism: the minority should really be the majority.

10tacle, trust me...if sexual orientation were a choice, with jerks like you around, ALL women would be lesbians!

Hey, Ted? Black people are also a minority. Minority doesn't mean inferior. It means there is a lower QUANTITY, not QUALITY, of people.

You don't have to have equal NUMBERS to get equal RIGHTS. Just saying.

Agreed....Keep your sex life in your home. We don't want to hear about it. Brings her down some ...

Compassion- You are very wrong. Being gay is not just about who you have sex with and nothing more. There is more to it than that. It's about being in love, and giving yourself to that person unconditionally. It is no different than any other relationship.

Really thor ?? No different from any other relationship... !! I've never seen straight men in a parade wearing only pink thongs holding hands and grabbing some other guy's a$$. You equate that with the love between a man and a woman. I don't care when anyone says - it's abnormal behavior that goes against the laws of nature. Maybe you get excited at the thought of another man's hairy butt - I don't !!

Yep, no different Thor (sarcasm), when a man squeezes a baby out his butt, you can try that line again on rational people.

baliman,

If you're going to judge every gay who's just trying to make a life one day at a time because some gays participate in flamboyant pride parades, does that mean I should judge every Christian because the Westboro Baptist Church celebrates the killing of American soldiers? Your logic is perilously flawed.

Ryan ... you can do whatever you want to do. Logic and nature dictates that homosexuality is ABNORMAL and goes against nature itself. Any attempt to say there is no difference between one man sticking his penis into another man's butt and the love between a man & woman is CRAZY !! I no doubt believe you want straights to accept that you and your boyfriends are just everyday normal people

It's very different. One can just as easily give themselves over to a member of the opposite sex and love them unconditionally.

Ryan ... you can do whatever you want to do. Logic and nature dictates that homosexuality is ABNORMAL and goes against nature itself.

If you believe it is a choice, tell me, at what age did you wrestle with the decision as to whether you were gay or straight?

What I'm getting from this is, "Keep your sex life in the bedroom... if you aren't straight, that is."

Yeah, straight people are pretty @!$%#ing twisted.

Plenty of straight people keep the PDA low-key. If you've never had anyone shout out "Hey! Get a room!" Then you've been missing out.

why do people think sexual orientation is a choice i don't remember ever choosing to be attracted to women apparently you had to choose but since you have the ability to choose wouldn't that make you bi sexual then? i mean I'm just saying your the one that apparently can choose between the two but i know i can't.

I wholly agree. It seems that it's NBC who continually make a mediocre story a headline when it comes to pandering to homosexuals. MSNBC, especially, pushes this freak lifestyle upon the great majority of the people.

I agree, NBC ( Nothing But Crap ) sets the standard in bias. I wonder if the news anchors and reporters for that company really believe and are proud of what they report on, and how they report ? This organization does not report news, they create thier own version of twisted facts. Most of the time they don't even have facts. It is really sickening.

Its like they take an attitude towards us, if we are an average hetero man or woman, something is wrong with us because we are? The world is turned upside down! I'm supposed to be ashamed of who I am because I'm just an average hetero white guy. What a load of crap!

NBC/MSNBC (on line and tv) are horribly liberal and a blemish on the United States.

I'm tired of it and if November 2010 was any indication, the rest of the country is too.

btw, check footage of Gillespie whacking Maddow on Real Time a few weeks ago-PRICELESS!

NBC correctly condemns pedophilia but goes out of its way to celebrate and defend and promote the gay lifestyle in numerous articles on its site every day.

Kelly Pickler is looking for a partner on Smarter than a 5th grader, with that comment I believe you topped her.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqi0DwNLJdM

CK Please just keep your low class comments to yourself...be a little more Norwegian!!

CK.. You are the worst of Humanity, you are everything that is wrong with the world in a nutshell.. People like you should be gagged.. Too bad there is not a delete button for rabid bigots like yourself.. How much better off the entire Human Race would be!

Although I respect anyone's right to privacy, as a person with a high public profile, I am disappointed that Ride did not 'come out' about her homosexuality.. I think it might have gone a long ways to aiding the rights of people everywhere, no matter what their sexual preference.. Ride's life has probably been the epitome of encouragement for young girls everywhere to realize they can do and be anything they want to be, that there is not much on planet Earth that they can't handle..

For now, there is nothing much left except to keep fighting bigotry and intolerance wherever it raises it's ugly head.. RIP Sally..

Be disappointed all you want but remeber this, SHE DIDN'T OWE YOU ANYTING!!!!

Biker, I agree. What's the big deal, who cares?