Shadow and Benzaiten:

>>>1) Women have always been at liberty to express affection 
>>>among themselves, and men have not.

>>1. Not true.

>I meant in our own culture. I probably should have said so.

During the early to mid Victorian era (1830's to
1870's) it was very common to see or read about strong,
emotional relationships between men. Men actually
confessed their "love" and devotion for one other. Some
of the literature borders on homoerotic, but Victorians 
**never** jumped to the conclusion that "something else"
was going on. The modern reader DOES jump to that conclusion
because it doesn't fit with our views towards male friendship.

Stephen
WoS, OCS, CotMoHW, USSRTFW:SR and Master Happosai's 2nd
Disciple - Keeper of the Sacred Pipe.