Men holding hands in the Street

[girlfriend44]

Saw two men walking along hand in hand earlier and I admired their bravery and thought hope nobody starts on them.
Have seen women before but not men?
Do you think they were brave. Would you be scared for them if they were your sons?
Brave men. Perhaps it's something we will see more of in the future?

It literally just depends on where you live. I live in an area up north that is pretty much 99% white, if I'm walking or driving along the road and see a black person I definitely notice, just because it's not usual here. I admit I have also wondered how they feel being here in an area of predominantly white people and hope they don't experience any racism etc.

If I saw a gay couple holding hands I wouldn't notice as much because that's much more common in this area. If I see women in ASDA in her dressing gown and slippers I don't think anything of it, but I imagine many of you would find that odd.

We have to accept that not everybody has the same experiences, it doesn't mean that people are intolerant or bigots, the human brain will notice if something is unusual to our normal, daily experience that's all.

Of course it's brave to be openly gay in some areas, to suggest otherwise is quite ignorant.

What area are you in? I think this might be a factor. I live in London and often see men holding hands.

The ignorance is on another scale! If you spoke to the couples you see holding hands, they would tell you about the attacks/looks/comments they get. Just as gay people have commented on here and yet people choose to ignore the first hand experiences.
It definitely is being brave. I saw a male couple holding hands approaching Brixton and did think how lovely, but also, hoped no one would bother them. I only saw a snapshot as I drove by, for all I know, they let go moments later or did get abuse.
It's the silent looks and whispers that no one sees that make people think others are ok with it. Just because they're not being physically attacked, doesn't mean they aren't being prejudiced.
Most of us would like for everyone to be able to love freely, but to ignore the many who don't believe so is quite dangerous as it dismisses the issue.

London is a big diverse place, but there are still areas where one wouldn't hold hands freely.
Just because you haven't experienced the abuse or seen it, doent mean it doesn't happen. To think so is quite naive and ignorant.

It passes my "What effect does this have on my life?" test' Other wingers should try it.

lol at the people on this thread acting like homophobia doesn't excuse and then this comes along.

Not sure if even notice to be honest.. I thought it was normal and mainstream these days.

It really depends where you live doesn't it. I'm in Manchester, men holding hands is very unlikely to be seen negatively in the vast majority of places here.

There are parts of the uk where I dont think that's the case, DH and I are a mixed race couple, we made the mistake of going to Aberdeen.

We received some awful racist abuse there, not just from one person, but on several occasions at various tourist places. It was a horrendous place and we ended up going back to Edinburgh for the rest of our holiday.

It would be disingenuous to pretend minority groups are safe in the entirety of the uk.

Guess you're another one who glossed over the posts about homophobic attacks in London? Even one in oh so cool hipster Dalston.

There is a prominent couple of lads in my little market town who are frequently hand in hand, often (shock horror) shirtless too! That said they are both over six feet and built like greek gods so I'd not pick a fight with them.

The kids couldn't care less and are super accepting of anyone, the fact some still think children need 'protecting from the gay' is sad, my ex inlaws and BFF's DH are amongst them. He is obsessive enough to screen Disney+ for 'deviant content' before letting his eight year old DS watch anything. Disney's (long overdue) recognition of queer people existing in newer stuff has really upset him yet he's a great guy in other respects yet genuinely thinks his son might turn gay because of a cartoon.

Former inlaws super conservative and still think it is an 'affront to god'. FFS.

As the mother of a gay son I do worry about this myself OP. I agree that it is still brave in many if not most areas to openly show you are a gay man.

I don't know why you need to add "often (shock horror) shirtless too"

Personally I find men walking around topless other than on a beach or swimming pool aggressive, offensive and inappropriate regardless of their sexual orientation.

I saw men holding hands in the 80s. Not every day or anything but but certainly a few. I did grow up in London though. Still see this reasonably often in London . Less where I have moved to now

I can't imagine even thinking twice if I see two men or two women holding hands other than I might not of an elderly couple are holding hands and I think it is sweet . .

For instance I saw a couple of middle aged women holding hands and walking a dog today. They were sort of gazing at each other and laughing ike you sometimes see young people and teenagers do. I thought it was very sweet and it sort of melted my heart. I feel the same if it is two men or a man and a woman

People talking over themselves to pretend that it's completely normal are the problem. Load of lozza foxes. ... But.. but... But... This countwee is simply luvlee

Depends where you are, I think. I'm lucky to live in a city where people wouldn't bat an eyelid at seeing two men holding hands. My sister lives in a small town where it would definitely be remarkable, and it would take courage. I wouldn't be scared if it was my sons, though, because I think it would be more likely to give rise to gossip and (at worst) name-calling, not violence. I would hope any sons of mine could cope with that.

You need to move to Manchester. Where the heck are you that this isn't the norm?

From a quick read of the thread, this kind of comment and the 459 'have I just gone back to 1989' ones have been dealt with again and again and again.

Often see women holding hands here in the south west of Ireland. Men less often.

Perfectly acceptable in many Muslim countries where , I assume , it has fewer sexual connotations.

Have lived in London and Brighton and its something you see several times a day....I truly register it anymore. I think society needs to accept this is how society is now and stop thinking about the past when this happened only behind closed doors. Im happy for my grandkids to see this and just accept its people who love eachother holding hands. Even my grandkids dont comment on it now.

@Cocopogo why is she a problem? For asking a question? For what its worth I have rarely seen men holding hands either

It is completely normal. Homosexuality has always been present, just not out there. It is present in every animal group you can name. If you are Gay its freedom....if you are not, it doesnt affect you. I have no idea why anyone would be offended, though there are a lot of people who seem to enjoy being offended.

Always find it slightly ridiculous that religious people find homosexuality offensive....according to most of those religious people, God or their approximation to a higher power, made everything in the world...are they giving God a get out clause for making Gays? too silly for words. All groups of animals have homosexuality, monkeys and apes particularly, its not an aberration, its not a choice, its the way your are, part of who you are and for anyone to be upset or offended is just plain silly.

I saw this in the 90's why is anyone surprised now. Who cares anyway? I'm not keen on major public displays of affection (gay or straight) but holding hands is fine

I see it all the time, OP. Are you living in a very conservative area?

The people who murder us, beat us up and verbally abuse us very much care.

Erm……..OP meet 2022, 2022, meet the OP 🙄🙄