Senior citizens: is it hard for you to accept and welcome gay people in your life?

Question

==

For someone who was born many decades ago it must be hard to understand that gay people are as normal and natural as everybody else. You have probably been taught that there is something wrong with being gay?

==

Answer 1

Whew! I was afraid to click on this question, for fear of reading a long list of homophobic replies- must say I am very pleasantly surprised. But I have always said the seniors on Y/A are the best! You proved me correct once again.

I agree with what Phil said - I agree with his views-very well stated Phil.
I've always said "If you are a part of my sex life then you know my views on sexuality as well, if you are not a part of my sex life, then my sexuality is not your concern." And I extend those philosophies to your sexuality as well.
My friends are a mixed bag, but all became my friends based on many things, sexual preferences were not even a factor in those choices.

Answer 2

Your question implies that there are no gay or lesbian senior citizens. There have always been homosexuals in human society, it has just not always been a socially acceptable practice. The only thing different now from the 1st half of the 20th century is that people are more comfortable being public about their sexual preferences. This goes for heterosexuality as well. We are on a pendulum which swings from sex being a totally taboo subject to one in which there are few taboos. Do I have gay and lesbian friends? Yes. Do we discuss our sex lives? No. I have VERY few friends with whom I discuss sex at all.

Answer 3

Not at all. My brother was gay and so is my son. I have friends that are lesbians and some gay men that I have been friends with forever . My feelings are that the individual is born that way, they should be able to enjoy their lives without ridicule and are entitiled to the same benefits through a "civil union" as married people have which includes the medical decisions, medical coverage trough insurance programs tax breaks and other benefits married couples have financially.

Answer 4

I am not prejudiced about gay people at all.
I do find it disturbing that gay couples are not allowed the same legal benefits of medical, finances, tax benefits and survivorship that are granted to heterosexuals. They can live in a common law marrige together for years, even adopt children buy homes and live normal lives like ours. But because they do not have a marrige certificate, they are left out of a lot decisions that go with that. Who gets what if someone should die, who makes decisions if someone is ill. What goes on in the bedroom is their business, just as it is in mine.

Answer 5

Unfortunetly, I was raised in a homophobic and racially biased family. It wasn't until I was 25 yr's old and met my future brother-in-law, that my views began to change. He was gay. Just through our daily interactions, I realized what an exceptionally brilliant, loving, and caring person he was. And it had nothing to do with his sexuality. It made me realize that he and the gay population were not people to be afriad of nor to be ostracised for their sexual orientation. They were people just like me. My beleif is that as people, we are born with whatever make up that nature and/or God decides. It's not up to each individual to determine IF they want to be gay or hetrosexual. We just have to accept what we are given, live with it, and go on to do the best that we can in and for society. I am glad I met my brother-in-law. Had I not, I'd probably still be in an ignorant state of homophobia.
As far as the racial biases that I was taught, I too have overcome my irrational fear of color. People are people, all wanting the same things in life. Though it has taken me nearly half a century, through aging I have learned tolerance and acceptance. Finally.

Answer 6

NEVER! - has it been difficult whatsoever. I was born in 1942...and knew gay people as a child. In fact one of my God Fathers was gay. I will not post his name here, because he is nationally known in the US and at that time, was also married, as 'coming out' would have shocked corporate America and ruined his business.

My parents were not homophobic...though many of my school buddies would make 'funny' jokes that were unkind.

I have been blessed with the giving and loving friendships of gay men and women over the years and see not one difference between any of them and myself or anyone else.

I absolutely ABHOR the labeling of any group as being so different that they end up being less than human with the same rights to respect etc as any other human.

Answer 7

I broke my ankle in 3 place's in 2005 and good now i'm enduring a enamel discomfort and the dentist can no longer pin element the difficulty I went by 2 root canals a million that I in all probability did no longer choose and next week i visit be making an appointment with a Endodontist's and that i might say that's extra painful then the ankle.

Answer 8

Well, not me. I come from a family as diverse as the United Nations. Multiple lifestyles, languages, races, beliefs, ethnicities are a normal part of my family.

I have 2 members of my family that are gay and we've always known it - and we have known their life mates. I have many gay and lesbian friends - most over 30 years. Nothing odd or strange at all from my point of view and that of my kids (now adults) or my grandson..

My family is Creek/Delaware indian mixed. Family members have married Mexicans, other native Indians, Blacks, Italians, Irish and just about every other cultural group.

My father was Scots Irish, mother was native Indian, French, Welsh and English. The father of my children is German and Dutch. My daughters husband was Haitian. My grandson is a real "league of nations" all on his own.

Diversity in lifestyles is the way of the world. Gay, straight or anything in between...we are one people who share one planet. No one has the right to be critical of anothers choice of mate or lifestyle....

Answer 9

I have had gay and lesbian friends for as long as I can remember, and believe them to be "normal." I was never taught there is anything wrong with being gay, and have family members who are gay. I do, however, struggle with the question of whether it is a choice or a matter of being born who you are. I lean heavily in the "from birth" direction, but do believe that for some it is a choice.

Answer 10

NO. I was taught to treat people equally.The "chromasome pool" ? That's life ! The Amrican Indian treated them better than equals, they were special they could see what others couldn't. Personally, I love women, that's my chromasome make-up. That "imprint" can't be changed.In the course of business I've had cross dressers, gay's and lesbians work for me.All I cared about was "can you do the job?" The gender wars is nothing new,been going on since the dawn of mankind. It's just the idiots that make it tough.