What are some of your personal experiences that have contributed to your current perspective on the LGBTQ community? What are some stereotypes on members of the LGBTQ community that hindered your interaction? For many, I know it is the fear of being objectified as a sexual object. For others, it may be religious. There are no right or wrong answers. I am looking for your thoughts. What are your experiences?
2007-10-04 11:20:51 · 12 answers · asked by Tom W 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
Personally until I "joined" the community "officially" I did have my own stereotypes about gay males AND females. For one thing, before I came out, I was acquainted with a lesbian girl at work. Her girlfriend used to beat the hell out of her, and I used to think, how can this happen with two women, and I would think there was NO way, another woman would hit me, because I would be a match. I came to understand that gay relationships are NO different than any other relationship, the same emotions, the same problems exist, that exist in the straight community.
So just becoming a part of the community helped to change my perception of the community.,
2007-10-04 12:31:39 · answer #1 · answered by ☮ wickey wow wow ♀♀ 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
This is actually a rather difficult question to answer, because it groups people together based solely on their sexual orientation, which is a very limiting way to define people. There are good and bad people of every type. However, in general what my late mother (who was very smart) told me seems to be true - gay people tend to have at least slightly above average incomes, tend to be more educated, and just a little bit smarter than the average members of the population. This is still a generality - I'm sure plenty of gay people do not fit this mold. The one thing that I have seen is that they tend to be very caring individuals, and are a little more on the artistic side (like me). I have also seen that due to societal pressures they often have psychological problems that are a direct result of this that probably would not exist if those societal pressures were not there. They also seem to have a way of looking at life that is more realistic and yet compassionate at the same time. There is one thing that I have learned from the "community" - if there is a real or perceived wrong they will do something to attempt to right it, which is why as much progress in accepting the community has been made. The efforts to show that AIDS is a disease and not a sexual orientation deserves a medal. What have I learned? You are people too - some bad, but mostly good - just like the rest of the population. That, and judging someone solely on the basis of their sexual orientation is to shortchange yourself the possibility of having one more friend in this crazy world.
2007-10-04 17:19:05 · answer #2 · answered by Paul Hxyz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, a serious question!
At present I have little interaction with the LGBTQ community, and I am not sure there even is such a thing.
I would love to be objectified as a sexual object - but I fear that will never happen again. It was fun while it lasted.
In the past I have enjoyed friends with similar experiences to mine, but got a bit burnt out when my home became a drop in center for LGBTQ people in trouble. My own fault, but you can't save everyone.
2007-10-04 11:29:45 · answer #3 · answered by Declan 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hey Tom,
Great question. I am a senior member of the LGBTQ community and I have been active in my area for a number of years and have worked as a volunteer at a LGBTQ Community Center and been an officer in a local chapter of a LGBTQ Veterans organization for nearly 8 years.
I read about young people wanting 'equal rights' etc., but very few want to get involved with their local LGBTQ organizations or National organizations because the older generation has been doing all the work for a number of years and know what the "old days" were like.
The younger people need to stop asking questions and "Get involved" for their own future.
2007-10-04 13:58:01 · answer #4 · answered by Robert W 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Religious texts usually try to push the author's ideals on followers, with many authors against this LGBTQ community. This is why the pen is so mighty and has to be used responsibly or one's words could hurt others.
2016-05-21 01:16:41 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a really good question. I grew up in a very religious family, and of course, nobody really said anything directly like "those people are sinners." but my parents' attitude comes through on and off - especially if a gay pride-type event is happening.
Since I started attending college, my social circle has greatly expanded, and I've gotten to know people from many different walks of life, including gays and lesbians. I don't consider myself to be any less religious now, but my viewpoint has shifted. It seems to me it would be pretty cruel for God to have given people interests and desires, and then punish them for acting on those. I grew up believing in love, mercy, and grace, and that is still how I see God. We were not created to judge each other, for that is his job. We are merely here to do the best we can, and help our fellow man. I guess when I die, I'll find out if I was wrong. Until then, this is what makes sense to me.
2007-10-04 11:35:19 · answer #6 · answered by cindylouwho38 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
All in all since the time I moved out on my own and in with my guy I've had almost a perfect record of good experiences interacting with others. I've met and dealt with many different people from all races and rarely have a problem. If there is one it seems to come from the other person. I'm fairly mellow but on occasion I can be tough. I've had differences with a few of the gay guys that have come in and out of my life. Silly things and I just brush it off. Let him have his moment. It's all he's got. Out in the community at large I'm treated very well. We had one problem with a neighbor about 15 years ago but my guy had it out with him and after that it was fine.
2007-10-04 11:35:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I've been "off the market" owing to strokes and meningitis for the last few years, but I'm trying to get back in the "family" swing of things lately.
My LGBTQ community has always been here for me, and I hope I can rejoin everything again soon.
I've never been objectified in the gay community, but I've always been a bad example to the straights. "See that? THAT is why you won't go see Dead or Alive, young lady!" I heard that once in 1989 when her parents must have thought I was out of earshot. Thank God for other queers, they helped me out of several funks.
2007-10-04 11:50:53 · answer #8 · answered by for Da Ben Dan--Dennyhill 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I was raised to think gay men were terrible people , with very little detail on what was so terrible about them . It was interesting to meet such a variety of people , many of them attractive and nice . The community has its problems , I know , but its often judged from a distance . You have to live the lifestyle to really know what the community is all about .
2007-10-04 14:21:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since my teen years the majority of my friends have been gay... funny, I was the token "straight" girl for years. No one ever said, "Honey, youre not straight." They just let me go on pretending... but they were always there for me. My LGBTQ community has been my family. It IS my family.. and always will be.
I have no brilliant well thought out answer for you. No stereotypical anecdote to impart. Just a heart felt thanks to all my gay family.
.
.
2007-10-04 11:31:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋