I want to say, ignore the little minded idiots and don’t let them get in the way of you expressing who you are however you want - but having (as with many others I suspect!) been there and got the T-Shirt, I do understand where you’re coming from. Sometimes, you just don’t want the hassle (and it’s so sad that anyone has to think like that).
You would like to think the fellow was just asking where he could get some tasty meat balls but, unfortunately, he was probably just a moron.
I wish, but he also said I'd go to hell sooooo...
and more than likely someone who is probably not exactly straight but likes to think he is a bit of a "macho man" and so could not possibly be gay.
I'm not exactly very masc, pretty weak tbh so he probably thought he could win in a fight
Thats good. Im glad youve never had to have it. Mainly for me its at stations, rather on trains, and mine has primarily been in outer London stations, after dark.
Been there, done it, had the crippling self hate and doubt as a teenager, said some things I'm thoroughly ashamed of and have been happily shacked up with my boyfriend for many years. There can be something in it.
Can certainly relate to the crippling self-hatred and doubt/confusion during one's teen years in this respect, as well as the fear of familial rejection if I were to come out; such fears were mercifully unfounded in my case when I eventually did.
I'm still a teenager and only out to a few close friends, so I am kinda feeling everything described here!
Oh trust me it still goes on, and for me, as I'm not out to many people, the amount of passive homophobia, but also the use of these terms towards me in a "joke" way, is shocking. Plus, the sudden rise of the "bromance" and jokes about things like that, are often used at my school to almost diminish the reality and truth of us, and almost cements outdated views that its about preference. So yeah, its not better
I of course don't need to tell you how unpleasant those feelings are and how they can feel like a elephant is standing on your chest. When I finally plucked up the courage to come out and my parents metaphorically shrugged their shoulders in response (I mean that in the best possible way of course; mum was surprised at first though, but she quickly got over it), it felt like the elephant had finally lifted it's foot off my chest and I could breathe again.
The amount of gay slurs I've heard used casually, as a insult or in a 'joking' manner makes my head spin. When I hear it, it takes a significant amount of willpower on my part to not shoot every person within earshot who repeatedly utters such words in those ways a dirty look at minimum, as chances are if I told them to shut up out loud, the situation could deteriorate rapidly into physical violence. I'm fairly weak/skinny, so there's a 99.9% chance I'd lose the fight and lose badly. So all I can really do is stew in my anger/frustration. I personally wouldn't call that an improvement tbh.
Yeah I agree. Also I am so paranoid about outing myself if I was to, then I feel like I have no choice but to laugh along or people will question me. And afterwards the level of guilt that runs through me causes me to feel like a terrible person.
Yeah, it's a sorry state of affairs to put it mildly. I too hope that future generations of LGBTQ kids won't have to endure this BS to the same levels we do. Can't say I'm all that optimistic about that right now though.
Cliché/stereotype or whatever you wanna call it, I can relate to it in this context for a whole host of reasons. Though sometimes I've been so frustrated with such people I actually have felt like throwing a punch in spite of knowing what the likely outcome(s) of such an action would be. I never have of course, but the baseline urge has made itself known.
That's horrible. I've was there myself 4-5 years ago and it can be a very isolating time. Remember it will get better though! And there are lots of accepting people out there.
Thank you
I know. I'm upset especially because of what I see from people in my school, and on the internet, doesn't give me much hope for future generations tbh. I remember being at a party with my (now ex) boyfriend. I have super bad anxiety, so my boyfriend decided to stay with me the whole time which i really appreciated. Anyway we were together most of the night and we began to kiss which most people there were also doing. But the guy hosting basically pushed my boyfriend away from me and said slurs. My ex was pretty tough and so he pushed the guy away, took me by the hand and we left like that. But the guy was literally the same age, which is what gives me less optimism
I feel exactly the same way, but for me its just the combination of the knowledge that I will lose, plus the fear of if I out myself then I could get targeted homophobia from those people fi you know what I mean. But sometimes I have to force myself to leave the room or I may come to blows with them
Yeah, I know precisely what you mean. I may be out the closet, but in those situations, it's best I don't 'out' myself, so to speak. Just makes me more of a target for these imbeciles unfortunately. Best to just grit my teeth and walk away lest I end up putting my fist squarely between their eyes.
People are never born with such backwards attitudes/views, they are almost always instilled/drummed into them by those who raise them. But yeah, it is pretty damn discouraging. One can only hope that they break the circle of bigotry, ignorance and blind hatred by rejecting said BS on their own, but whether or not they're able to depends on so many things. Chances are they're only doing it out of fear of what their family would do to them if they were to reject these views or out of deep self-loathing as they're deep in the closet themselves and are merely perpetuating the homophobic bile as a way of denying who they are and what they really desire as @dgl notes above.
Yeah, this was a low-key concern I had myself (was beginning to really struggle with my sexuality when I first joined in fact), but as it turns out, there is quite the overlap between being LGBTQ and having a interest in the railways & public transport generally (there was a thread about this on here a good few years ago I remember coming across), to the point that any such concerns have now completely evaporated.
I've not really moved away from where I spent my childhood/formative years/teens (still living in the same area in Clydebank, just in a different house/flat). Don't seem to recall there being any 'rumours' about me, but if there were, they wouldn't have been entirely unfounded (my lack of interest in the opposite sex beyond platonic friendships throughout high school and going into college being the most visible clue). I guess I've been lucky in that despite living in a 'rough' part of Clydebank, nobody has really treated me any differently since I came out. Granted, I have lost contact with most of my school-age friends, but even so.
I honestly think you might be right. Which is infuriating!
I have noticed this. I wonder why, although in the community im in a bit more (aviation) it seems like there is a similar overlap
Where I live, a small progressive neighborhood in West London, I don't exactly feel concerned about what will happen. Generally people seem kind and respectful. I do feel like people could probably guess , but i dont really care tbh. But I know I'm not the only LGBTQ person there
One reason for it (which may be complete hogwash) is that in their own way, the communities that form around these interests/hobbies can often double as safe, accepting spaces for us LGBTQ folk, as those who have these interests traditionally have been looked down on by wider society for having them. Sounds familiar doesn't it?
Neither do I tbh. I'm well past the point of caring if people correctly guess my sexuality. But yeah, most folk who know just don't care and are rather respectful (surprising given the reputation this area of Clydebank has). Guess I'm just lucky in the latter respect.
I am just making it clear that it is an opinion, albeit a considered one, rather than dogmatically stating something as a fact.
What sort of prejudice?
I'm with you on all that. I'd only add to the last sentence 'and so long as it's not compulsory.' I've had plenty of gay friends (of both sexes) over the last sixty years, attended a gay wedding in Amsterdam in 1969, albeit not recognised in law, and have on occasion been told ''you're wasted being straight'', but my own uninterest in participating has never changed. Tolerance is all, and I don't think we consciously choose the people we love or fancy.
That 'Brexiters' 'believe they are right but aren't ? This is extremely dismissive and also ignorant of what people believe in.
Really, Homophobes have other prejudices ? and then go on to equate homophobia with xenophobia and then full circle that Brexiters are xenophobic.
I think I need to make it clear that the group I am referring to are not Brexiteers, but homophobes. Do please read the second paragraph and, if you feel it is not clear, please explain why.
