Why are you offended? Like everything in life, we often do things our way, and have our own opinions about this, that, and another. If there are rules that make sense, then we try to stick to them, like signs saying 'don't touch' or 'no photography'. Some quilts these days are so heavily embellished that they really cannot be washed, so bring on the white gloves! But if a quilt gets washed regularly and used, either on a bed or as a teaching aid, then it's very nice that it can be handled with the permission of the owner. I guess it also makes a difference what sort of event we are talking about - a small gathering of quilters, or thousands of hands in Houston.
By the way, white gloves don't necessarily mean that a quilt is respected. I remember some years ago that a quilter with white gloves was examining a quilt. She then sneezed, holding her gloved hand in front of her mouth, and then continued to touch the quilt. Few things in this world are perfect.
