Who else thinks this?

Question

I was in college today and was in my social science class. I was in a group of about 12 guys and they were having a discussion about breast's. I was asked if i was a breast guy, to which i replied - 'nah, im gay'! I was kinda shocked by their reactions. none of them minded at all and one guy even replied 'oh, thats cool!'.

I am openly gay and have, since starting college, never suffered any homophobia at all. I was therefore wondering - who else thinks that by the time my generation (late teens) are older, there will be hardly no homophobia at all?

This is my expirience from the UK, so I dont know what things are like in the US or elsewhere.

Answer 1

Homophobia in my school is pretty much non-existent. I'm in 10th grade, 15 years old, and we're finally at a time where everyone can accept the fact that they might be questioning their sexuality. Times are changing here in the U.S. Almost all candidates for president support civil unions (with all federal benefits that marriage provides), and a few even support gay marriage. In reality, most are pushing for a "civil union" which is a marriage with a different name. However, you still have groups like Fred Phelps' Westboro Baptist Church, but nearly everyone dislikes them, they've been sued, and to call them Christian would give a bad name to religion.

Answer 2

Yep i agree, once people get older homophobia goes down, and sometimes completely away!

I just left school (secondary) which was extremely homophobic, i would have been attacked or at least isolated if i came out there.

Now I'm in college, where at first the old horrors of if i tell anyone i will suffer were still strong and the first time i told some one i shook while i was telling her.

Now i can come out mid convo like if a friend asks me if i have a bf.

So yes i have noticed that as you get older homophobia decrease (thank goodness!)

Answer 3

I hope so! And that was a pretty cool experience dude :D

Have to say, I live in the UK too, and as a gay woman faced a lot of homophobia whilst at school. Granted, this was all from female chavs, but it certainly wasn't dead there.

However, at college everyone knows I'm gay and no-one really cares. Everyone is cool about it, I really hope it continues into the future!

Answer 4

my best mate is gay and i don't have a problem with it. most people don't seem to, although many guys at my school still seem to have huge insecurities about themselves at 16, which is quite sad really. 'gayboy' is actually used as an insult by them sometimes, which is pretty pathetic. alot of girls at my school are the opposite and are like 'i really want a gay friend'. kindof equally immature, what does it matter? i don't know, why is sexuality even relevant in a friendship? again i'm stumped. but i think you're right, when people leave school they tend to mature more and my mates at college say no-one is homophobic or at all insecure about sexuality, i think homophobia in young people has become nearly as uncommon as racism. that's in the uk anyway, i reckon the yanks views and living in the us is a whole different story.

Answer 5

I'm glad to hear that you've had a positive experience after telling them. I think it was cool of them to understand, and shows they have a sense of maturity and tolerance.

Not sure about all of the US, (I live in the Midwest, in Chicago) but I've had some bad experiences with me coming out. I came out as gay around 13, but finally accepted my bisexuality in my 20's.

Much of the anti-GLBT people in the US comes from the religious right (Christian fundamentalists). Not sure why this is. Maybe it's a holdover from the Puritans a few hundred years ago. A lot of Americans are uptight when it comes to sexuality.

Answer 6

Hi!

Yeah, I certainly think that by the time your generation are in your 40s or 50s there will be little or no homophobia.

As the mother of three teenagers and having witnessed some dispicable intolerance in the past two decades, I feel it is my responsibility to ensure that my children respect others irrespective of their creed, religion, sexuality etc., etc.

They don't have to LIKE what other people are doing, but simply respect others' right to live their lives differently to them.

I just hope there are other parents out there who are doing the same.

By the way, my in-laws who are well into their 70s are racist, homophobic - you name it - they are phobic about everything, and woe betide you if you try to challenge them about it!

You tell them 'You can't say that' - 'You can't think that' and you should hear the tirade!!!

Hope that helps - and best of luck!!

Answer 7

College is a whole world unto itself and acceptance comes more easily. It is a pleasant thought that it will carry itself into the rest of the world but I really rather doubt it will ever happen. As long as there is religion, any religion, there will always be hatred. Religion cannot exist without an opposing force. It is elemental to its dogma. We are that opposing force, unfortunately. And if you're not with them, you must therefore be against them, or so religion puts into practice.

Answer 8

You are enjoying the "fruit" ( pun intended ) of past generations who had the sack to let people know who they were... never forget that....we've come along way... and your generation is the most open of any so far... and yes it will continue to improve but.. are we "there" yet?... no... just read some of these ridiculous comments, questions and answers... there's still rampant ignorance in the world....... but the best thing you can do is exactly what you did.. tell it like it is... no soapbox... no big "I need to sit you all down" discussion... just " nah, I'm gay"!..... and there you have it!... good for you...

Answer 9

I think that people are generally becoming more accepting of it, and that this is a good thing. However, not everyone is ... I have some neighbours who think I'm weird because I have gay friends. The thing is, the same people wouldn't even spot the gay person ... I'm in Ireland, by the way.

Answer 10

(US Illinois/Tex 15 Bi) Thats great! If that keeps up we really can get rid of it! America's not quite there yet though. While many are accepting we still are suffering mild - moderate homophobia. But I've only encountered a few cases in my little life so maybe it's waning down (hopefully) :)