Public Display of Affection for the LGBT Community?

Question

Personally, I feel that this should be completely acceptable. There is no reason anyone should have feelings against this in my opinion.

Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transexuals should be able to display the same kinds of affections in public without consequence, in the same manner heterosexuals display thier affection.

Please note by public displays of affection I am referreing to:
Quick Kiss on the Lips, Holding Hands, Kiss on the Cheek, Hug
etc... Things the general public would find acceptable for straight couples.

Now I understand that there is an argument that it is not good to expose our children to this. I disagree. If you go out of your way to shield your child from these sorts of things, they can become confused or they can later in life make rash and ignorant decisions based off a lack of information.

My question is, how do you feel about public displays of affection within the LGBT community? If you are against it please have a relevant coherent argument.

I'm really gratefull for all the responses already! My boyfriend and myself have on many occasions held hands in public or had a quick peck on the lips, also without really realising we were in public.

And we just find it amusing (and sad) when there are straight couples with their tounges down each others throats and not one word is spoken to them, but if some people see a gay couple holding hands some one freaks.

It's great to hear such positive response so far =)

Answer 1

I find nothing wrong with it at all....and it wouldn't be any worse than the groping and tonsil-hockey I've witnessed straight people engaged in in public! if it's not acceptable for us, then they shouldn't do it either! get a room for crap's sake!

Answer 2

I say they should just go ahead and do it. There's nothing dirty or wrong about a hug or a kiss on the cheek. It's not illegal yet. They have every right to show their affection.
I have a story about this:
On Halloween, I was out with my extremely Christian friends when we saw two girls holding hands.
My first thought was "Oh, that's sweet. They're really brave."

My friend, on the other hand said, "Why do they do that in public? It's just, like unmodest."

This prompted an argument. I said "If a guy holds a girl's hand, is that unmodest too?"
She said no, because that's how God had meant for things to be.
I still strongly disagreed.
At this point, my other friend intervened before the discussion got too heated.
"I agree with you Katy, that's not what God wants, but they can do whatever they want."

Personally, I was more concerned that both girls were wearing skirts so short I could see their butt cheeks. THAT is unmodest!

Answer 3

I define public displays of affection in the same way you do, and I'm all for anyone being able to do so, whether the couple is gay, straight, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, interracial, or whatever the case may be.

As long as it doesn't turn into a tonsil hockey match, which don't like at all no matter who the couple is, it can be a tool to teach tolerance. A child seeing his two dads kiss, a black and white couple kissing, a lesbian couple kissing, etc. will teach the kid that there are many different types of love out there and all are worthy of being celebrated and accepted.

Answer 4

The only time I ever had a problem was when my ex and I were holding hands and walking across a parking lot. I think the lady was just mainly pissed off because she had to slow down for us. Anyways, she yelled out "dykes" or something along those lines which just made us laugh so then we kissed to piss her off more and then she pretended to vomit. I found it quite funny.

My current partner and I hold hands, hug, and kiss on the lips in public frequently. People really don't seem to care around here.

Answer 5

As many people keep their inner sexual feelings a secret, it’s difficult for them to have this secret behaviour displayed in front of them and their family.

People who most fear exposure have no interest in seeing things that may temp them.

While a person who has not attraction to such behaviour could not care one way or the other providing such behaviour is not forced upon them, and why would that happen.

Forcing your self on another is called rape. Rape is about power not love. It’s not common in same sex experience because Lesbian & Gay people are seeking love not power.

Answer 6

I've lived in the us for 3 years now and i'm from europe and i notice that there's a clear difference in how people react to gay/lesbian couples in public. in europe no body really cares or pays any attention to 2 girls kissing in public and even if they did have a problem with it they do their best to not show it, whereas in the us if 2 girls are holding hands or kissing people start talking about them out loud that they shouldn't be doing that in here or some crazy religious freak comes up to them and start telling them about god. maybe it's just my personal experiences but i've never seen that where i'm from.

Answer 7

You know if people would just do it, no one would say a word. Who's to say that two women kissing are Lesbians? I kiss my daughters and my mother hello and goodbye all the time. I simply treat my g/f like I do any other female in my life, and with respect for the environment we are in (no french kissing, and I don't want to see ANYONE doing that anyway).

In alot of cultures men kiss and hug each other. I'm sure its not as easy to hold hands or walk close to each other but I've seen plenty do it.

If we all just simply made common forms of affection our everyday norm, they couldn't stop us and it would be common place.

Answer 8

I think it sucks.
You are so right.
If stragiht people can do it. Why cant we?
Children should be educated to tolerate and respect others.
Anway if you let them see this you might avoid confussion or an embarrassing expolanation later. If something seems out of the ordinary for kids then they will ask.
But if they are used to it and know that its as normal as a man and woman kissing they wont ask any questions. And they will grow up to be tolerant human beings.

PS
two guys making out is HOT!!!!!!!!!

Answer 9

I agree with you. It should be completely acceptable to show ones affections with others no mather what your sexual orientation is. Regardless of your sexual orientation, in the bottom we are all humans, and as humans we love. We don't choose which sex we fall in love with, and if heterosexual couples are able to do it than we should too. Then there are those people who say that it sets a bad example for younger generations, and exposes them to become gay/les/bi/trans, but what those people don't mention is, that it is also a bad example to be making out infront of a child eventhough you are straight!

Answer 10

We need to shield our kids from some of the crap that is on television. Many of the network stations are showing full sex scenes and have stopped bleeping bad words. I was watching a movie on a network station recently. It was about 8pm and they dropped the F Bomb several times.Dont get me wrong I love gorey, action type movies, but I'm not 6 years old either.

Answer 11

Holding hands, hugging, a quick peck - all fine; irrespective of the gender(s) involved.

What I dislike are PDFs Public Displays of Foreplay (lingual tonsilectomies, ardent groping, ...)