I found this kind of interesting

**macwilkin** · 17th January 05, 08:03 AM

well, except for Tom Smith's first statement about the french making a good point for wearing kilts

Careful there...my wife is of French heritage. In the last year I have seen folks say some very nasty things about the French in her presence, not realizing that her family are of French heritage from Louisiana, and that has hurt her very deeply. As a result, I have invoked a personal "Auld Alliance" between her French & my Scottish heritage. Her ancestors lost their homes in Nova Scotia in 1755 -- others were some of the first settlers of Louisiana before many of my Scottish relatives ever dreamed of coming to the New World. I'm proud of the fact that she has become more aware of her heritage, and ashamed that others insult a whole people based on the actions of their government. That's not the America I grew up in. I was raised not to judge by the group, but to look at the individual, regardless of the colour of skin, where he goes to church, etc.

If we are going to get defensive of our own heritage and the kilt as a symbol of that heritage, then we must not be guilty of the very thing we are speaking out against.

"Man tae man, the world o'er, shall brithers be for a' that!"

I thought Jimmy's comment was great -- the kilt is more than a trend or fad -- it is a way of life, a symbol of home, family & freedom. Well said, Jimmy! Cheers!

Todd

**arrogcow** · 17th January 05, 08:35 AM

Everybody calm down.

Kuznicki, with the exception of Budda calling you a loon (and that was before your first post - didn't know you were here), there has been no personal attack, just disagreement with your article.

There are gay, straight, democrat, republican, libertarian, white, black, asian, Christian, Jew, and Am-Way salesmen that are all on this list because they wear kilts of some kind.

Some wear because of heritage, some for comfort, some for fashion and some for anti-fashion (to tick off the man).

Frankly, that is the way it should be. Most (if not all) of us here are here because we believe that kilts should be more mainstream, and that is the reason that I think some have taken umbrage to your hypothesis. By only associating kilts with gay men, it makes it harder for a large portion of society to accept it as anything else. I don't care who wears kilts, just that they wear them.

Now, as for some of your statements. Last year I was at a black tie gala for the Cincinnati Zoo. There were probably 6-8 guys in kilts. While I have no idea to any of their orientations, it was not a gay evert. In fact, I think the reason that there are not more guys in kilts at these events is the cost of buying a formal kilt vs. renting a tux (I can's support this hypothesis any more than you can, but it seems reasonable).

Next, while I am straight, I attend an extreemly "Gay Friendly" church (If you are a Presbyterian in the US, you have probably heard of my church, dure to our radical inclusion practices). I am the only person to wear a kilt (both traditional and Utilikilt) to church. For the most part no one pays any attention to it, but they express no interest either. On the other hand, I give out cards for UK (and PK receintly) almost everytime I leave the house.

In conclusion, its not a gay thing, its a guy thing.

Adam

**Casey** · 17th January 05, 08:42 AM

Gentlemen,

This is a point of view. We share lots of those here.

I think our machoisme and homophobia is showing, just a little bit.

In my opinion, if we want to promote kilt wearing we need to open both our minds and hearts.

Casey

**Raphael** · 17th January 05, 08:46 AM

Kilts are for the men who dare to be different. If you don't get it, you are just another blind man walking with the sherpeds in the valley of pants.

**bubba** · 17th January 05, 09:18 AM

I apologize for the loon comment. On rereading I see I took off on one small thing a bit out of context.
Aside from that, I really don't see why kilts need to be an issue. If gays wear them, fine by me. I wear them and I'm not gay. It does look like there is more of a focus on Utilikilts though. I don't own one and probably never will. For some reason I just don't much care for the look of Utilikilts. As for right wing and left wing, it takes two wings for the bird to fly but control needs to stay front and center.

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 17th January 05, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by Kuznicki

Kilts are not a modern "alternative lifestyle" find... but a continuation of a heritage and tradition that some have decided to bastardize in the name of fashion freedom.

Ok, I'll tell all my friends who aren't Scottish to stop wearing them, and I'll be sure never to wear one myself. Obviously I'm not welcome in your little club.

Sheesh. What's with you people?

Dude. You're DEFINATELY barking at the wrong person here. I'm a kiltmaker that couldn't give a rat's **** about who wears them. You're missing the point.

Generalizing an article or comment around one perspective is perfectly fine... as long as it's prefaced with that fact. I could write an article to tell you that "alternative lifestylers" like to listen to showtunes and drive VW Beetles because the guy next door does. With your theory, I'll tell every "straight" guy not to drive a Beetle. That's NOT the point.

We're the kilt home of MANY experiences and reasons for wearing them. We work very hard to get the kilt into the mainstream. That includes EVERYONE. So when generalizations are plopped infront of us (especially ones that are akin to urban legend) we tend to want to educate.

If you re-read my response, you'll see that there's not one lick of animosity in it. Take some time to go around the site and read-up on the talk. Just as we're trying to get overly-macho guys to accept the kilt, we're also trying to get other side to lighten-up. There's a happy medium between an AC/DC shirt, piercings, biker boots with a kilt... and the short tartan with saddle shoes. That's our target eventhough there will always be the fringe element.

Your perspective is appreciated and interesting... and very unique to where most of us are located. You're MORE than welcome here. Just remember that you're dealing with a group that views the kilts as MUCH more than some fashion trend. Kilts are our heritage and not some misconceived fad.

As long as you can understand that this is not a lifestyle attack, but rather a clarification on the facts... then we'll be just fine.

**Kuznicki** · 17th January 05, 10:22 AM

Glad we're all on the same page then. It's been quite an education.

**highlandtide** · 17th January 05, 11:09 AM

I would like to take this moment to say that I am proud of the way this thread has been handled. This could have turned into quite a nasty one but I appreciate everyones civil manner for the most part.

I hope that any controversial issue we have can be handled in such a manner.

Thank you Jimmy for taking the iniative in explaining what I would say is the overall view of this site.

Kuznicki I hope that you will see that we arent a bunch of over-macho basher types but that we do feel strongly about the kilt issue and we have a lot of "experts" here on the issue. I hope that you will take some time and check out the rest of the forum.

Thanks again guys.

**Riverkilt** · 17th January 05, 04:36 PM

Jeez, the whole site seems aloof and verbose...rampant narcissism...I'm smarter than you are attitude...very "Washington D.C."

Would be easier to respect their opinion if they had one...seems just words for the sake of words...

Ron
A straight left wing guy with an affinity for lesbians...