As a CTC Member (tho' I rarely do more than pay up!), I've read thro' the Thread there (and here) with some interest. My admittedly limited experience suggests to me that there is significant if largely unspoken "prejudice" against just about anyone who doesn't fit neatly within the "one of us " category. Right age/right colour/right sex/right cycling background - and yes right bike - all required.
I am (as far as I yet know) straight, white, old and male. Usually wrong bike tho' and definitely wrong politics. I don't often feel welcome.
For anyone who is more obviously not of the required (stereo)type I would think that participation in CTC rides etc would call for a lot of nerve.
"Gay bashing", no, but underlying prejudice, yes. But that is true of many folk, cyclists or not, especially of a certain age. Never forget that some of us grew up in times when "gay bashing " was seen as a near-legitimate pastime (homosexuality was after all illegal) and racial prejudice was the norm ("no blacks and no irish" signs were legal and common). Long hair could get you a "f*^**"! puff " and a smack in the face from a copper...
Thank goodness times have changed, but many cling to the way they WERE brought up, inwardly at least. In USA there is clear evidence that there are many who tell Pollsters that "colour" will not influence their voting, but in the secrecy of the booth it will do. I can't believe that it is any different here.
