Can you be 'Openly' gay where you live?

[Hieronymus]

There are gay and bi-sexuals on this forum from all over the world. And I want to know how much you are being accepted and tolerated in your place, at work, school or what ever you do in life.

I should be very lucky to be born in this small piece of land that was the first country that legalized gay marriage.
But even though a lot of people think Holland is one of the most tolerated countries when it comes to a lot of things, I see a lot of places in this country where it's not very much tolerated, especially small villages. Most people act like they tolerate it, but many people don't know how things really work. I think at least 60% of the people I've talked about this subject say things like: ' People should do whatever they want '. Or ' As long as I don't have to see it, i'm fine with it '.

And not even mentioning how people might talk about homosexuality, or about you as a person when you're not around..


I just saw this video on youtube and it made me very emotional, because it really shows how intolerant and narrow-minded the world, in 2015, still is. I was very emotional seeing this short film, although I've never experienced anything like what's in the movie, I know a lot of gay people have to go trough this. It was very shocking to me.



https://youtu.be/us5DSAasd8s

Personally I would not walk the streets hand in hand with a boyfriend, but where I live it would be tolerated by most people.

At work everyone knows I'm gay, all of my friends/family know I'm gay. And I've never had any negative reaction, Although some people don't know what to say and get a bit uncomfortable, I don't blame them. But when you ask a person if he has a girlfriend, you must consider the possibility that he might be a homosexual.

But in the bigger cities over here everyone is open minded about

How openly gay can you be in your society? Tell us where you live and how childhood was for you. I'm very curious, every country has it's areas where homosexuality is not tolerated.

[Let me know if I've chosen the right forum for this topic]

 

[kallipolis]

My sexual orientation is not my entire life....I'm gay twice weekly, when I fuck for about one hour with my partner otherwise, I'm a regular human being whose real life problems do not include worry what my neighbour may think of me....for there is the rent to pay, the electricity bill to pay, the grocery bill to pay...nor am I interested in getting married to my partner...nor walking down main street holding his hand...

...It could be argued that I am a failed gay, for failing to be sufficiently radical...

The human race is intolerant of so many things, that were we all to worry about the intolerance that exists on this planet, we'd all be enslaved to Prozac to enable us to get through our day....

My next appointment is the supermarket for the fridge needs refilling...and I need to eat, today..

 

[lambdaboy]

My sexual orientation is not my entire life....I'm gay twice weekly, when I fuck for about one hour with my partner otherwise, I'm a regular human being whose real life problems do not include worry what my neighbour may think of me....for there is the rent to pay, the electricity bill to pay, the grocery bill to pay...nor am I interested in getting married to my partner...nor walking down main street holding his hand...

...It could be argued that I am a failed gay, for failing to be sufficiently radical...

The human race is intolerant of so many things, that were we all to worry about the intolerance that exists on this planet, we'd all be enslaved to Prozac to enable us to get through our day....

My next appointment is the supermarket for the fridge needs refilling...and I need to eat, today..

Glad I do no lie in Greece thanks for the heads up! I live in London can even go in a pub in any area of the City with working blokes who could give a fuck less. My spouse and I have not one neighbour that gives a fuck. Life was not like this in most of the U.S. when I moved from there in 2001!

 

[Hieronymus]

My sexual orientation is not my entire life....I'm gay twice weekly, when I fuck for about one hour with my partner otherwise, I'm a regular human being whose real life problems do not include worry what my neighbour may think of me....for there is the rent to pay, the electricity bill to pay, the grocery bill to pay...nor am I interested in getting married to my partner...nor walking down main street holding his hand...

...It could be argued that I am a failed gay, for failing to be sufficiently radical...

The human race is intolerant of so many things, that were we all to worry about the intolerance that exists on this planet, we'd all be enslaved to Prozac to enable us to get through our day....

My next appointment is the supermarket for the fridge needs refilling...and I need to eat, today..

I understand you might have bigger problems to worry about, but I think this fight for equality should not be underestimated. Because I want next generation to have a happy (gay) life as well. Whether they want to walk hand in hand or not..

 

[kallipolis]

I understand you might have bigger problems to worry about, but I think this fight for equality should not be underestimated. Because I want next generation to have a happy (gay) life as well. Whether they want to walk hand in hand or not..

I have never felt unequal....I am happy with my life....for I have never worry about my neighbours thoughts...

Most people here concern themselves with the bread, and butter issues of life that include paying the rent.

No one here is denied their right to express their sexual life...in private...

There are many gay bars in Athens...we invented men, on men sex...thousands of years ago....with sufficient experience accumulated over the centuries not to worry about the gossip of ones neighbour.

I wish you well in your struggle for equality meantime, I'll focus on loving my partner, paying the rent etc.

 

[jensu846]

you might be gay twice a week but you are ALWAYS that gay guy to straight people.

 

[kallipolis]

you might be gay twice a week but you are ALWAYS that gay guy to straight people.

You speak for your self, not for me...

 

[kallipolis]

Gay men, and women are as diverse as straight men, and women....

 

[sixthson]

Let's just answer Hieronymus' question and not get into some back and forth debate.

I come from a family that feel gays are evil and should be avoided. My siblings and many aunts and uncles will have nothing to do with me. Many of my cousins, including the next generation, while still not accepting, are able to set my sexuality aside and at least be civil. However, none of my family is a major part of my life, due in part to them not living near me. I wouldn't want to live where they live anyway. Limiting time spent with them is something we have to do to protect ourselves from ab

As for today, we couldn't be "not open" if we wanted to. And believe me, we wouldn't. We have children, so we interact with teachers, other parents and their children on a regular basis. I know that we have often been the topic of conversation at school, church and in local places like coffee shops, restaurants, etc. We live less than half an hour from St. Paul/Mpls. and our area is a major tourist draw, so you see all kinds of people here, including people who are obviously gay couples. We are well known and well accepted, but I think we had to earn that.
I think you could go to the gayest places in the world and find disapproving people. Personally, I would rather know when someone doesn't like me because I am gay than have them keep it a secret. It's best to see your opposition face to face for what they are because that is how they will see me. If you don't like me because I am gay, that's okay and it is your loss, not mine because I am a nice guy, a loving and caring guy, but I'm tough, too.

I have actually been more concerned about my children than myself. People can be cruel and judgmental to the children of same sex couples. These are generally people who are cruel anyway. So teaching children how to respond to potential problems like hatred adds one more issue to raising a family. I wish it wasn't so, because no parents wants to make life harder for their child.
Oddly enough, we have had our fair share of negativity from other gays, telling us that living the family life is just too heterosexual for them. Let's face it, gays can be very judgmental, too. People are people.

It may not be easy to be openly gay, but it's easier today than ever before and that is due in a big part to gay people refusing to hide themselves or their love for another person.

 

[Hieronymus]

Let's just answer Hieronymus' question and not get into some back and forth debat.

Thanks.

... If you don't like me because I am gay, that's okay and it is your loss, not mine because I am a nice guy, a loving and caring guy, but I'm tough, too.

I have actually been more concerned about my children than myself. People can be cruel and judgmental to the children of same sex couples. These are generally people who are cruel anyway. So teaching children how to respond to potential problems like hatred adds one more issue to raising a family. I wish it wasn't so, because no parents wants to make life harder for their child.
Oddly enough, we have had our fair share of negativity from other gays, telling us that living the family life is just too heterosexual for them. Let's face it, gays can be very judgmental, too. People are people.

It may not be easy to be openly gay, but it's easier today than ever before and that is due in a big part to gay people refusing to hide themselves or their love for another person

That would be a reason for me to not have children, I can not think of anything more terrible than my own children being bullied because ' I ' am gay.

And yeah gays can be bitches.

What surprised me the most during my coming out is how especially straight guys reacted so honest, if they like you they like you if they have problems with it they will tell. I love that. Although it can be painful sometimes.
In that way gays can be like girls, bloodsuckers, bitchy, mean. Just the way girls can be to other girls. Terrible. I know all about it haha.
Maybe jealous is a better word to describe it.

I hope your children are doing well!

 

[Auburn]

I have actually been more concerned about my children than myself. People can be cruel and judgmental to the children of same sex couples. These are generally people who are cruel anyway. So teaching children how to respond to potential problems like hatred adds one more issue to raising a family. I wish it wasn't so, because no parents wants to make life harder for their child.
Oddly enough, we have had our fair share of negativity from other gays, telling us that living the family life is just too heterosexual for them. Let's face it, gays can be very judgmental, too. People are people.

Too heterosexual ?? That is the craziest thing I have heard in a while. I would think most gay people would be supportive of your family since most gays wish to be straight and wish they could have a family.

I guess they feel you should be out whoring around and living at the gay bars. Their comment about your life being too heterosexual just sounds so homophobic..

 

[Georgiadude]

I'm out to my family, my children, co workers pretty much everyone. I was terrified to come out but after doing it I wish I would have done it a lot sooner. I live in Atlanta and there's a fairly large gay community. I haven't had any issues at all.

Steven

 

[mbamike]

The simple answer is "NO." I have told my doctors and one friend. That's it.
Being openly gay is not well accepted in the Southeast USA, IMO.

 

[HoodedRat]

Yes.
......

 

[gsdx]

I was born in 1951 in a small town just east of Toronto, Ontario. One of my older neighbours (who made the most amazing popcorn balls for Hallowe'en) was openly gay. A young fellow who worked at the bowling alley was gay, as was his lover (my English teacher in high school). There was a gay couple who lived in a mobile home in the same park as my sister and her husband. None of them ever had any problem. (By the way, we had an interracial couple living there as well.)

Only one idiot teacher in high school had a problem. He invited several of his students to a cottage, fed them beer, and tried to seduce them. He went bye-bye overnight when 2 of the boys alerted the principal.

Where I live now (in Peterborough) is a university and college city with students from all over the world. Gay couples are quite safe around here, and there have been openly gay people and couples here for decades.

 

[Harke the Boeotarch]

I live in The Netherlands too.

 

[G-Lexington]

In the 1990s, Colorado earned the nickname "The Hate State" for passing legislation against ANY "special rights for homosexuals". (It didn't last.) At the time, I was working in an auto parts warehouse - not exactly the sort of work environment one would consider "supportive".

I came out anyway.

And everybody was fine with it. A few people had questions. I would occasionally get jokes about it, but they were on the same level as making fun of Pat's chronic lateness or Bill's terrible taste in clothes.

Since then, I've lived out and proud everywhere, and never had any problems. (And yes - the "no special rights for gays" legislation was overturned.)

Lex

 

[belamyi]

I was "open" [STRIKE]to[/STRIKE] for other people before I ever care even about homosexuality, let alone about openness about it. A different thing is the degree of fag hunting there may be, which it is assumed to be very low at this moment.

 

[vacancy3]

Gay does not define me or how I act.

I'm normal....I was born this way.

No one gives me shit about who I am, how I act or whom I'm with.

 

[Rickrock]

I would think that I would not have too much trouble being gay right now, but I am not out to most people. I was born in 1945 in the Cleveland, Ohio metro area and most of my life it would have hurt my family and I would have been ostracized by society. At least some family members would have excluded me and all would have been embarrassed being related to me. At least some, and maybe all, employers would have found some excuse to let me go. It would have been a black mark on my record to have been dishonorably discharged from the military service and not much better to have a deferment for being gay. At times I might have been beaten up, depending who I happened to come across. Now the law would protect me from being fired for being gay and most of my family would grudgingly accept me. I am retired and too old for it to make much of a difference in my life now.