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?

I'm a bit surprised at the poster connecting multi-culturalism with having a problem with this. Men holding hands is common in lots of parts of Africa and Asia.

First time I saw two men strolling along holding hands was in Sydney (it was 1999) I was surprised (in a nice way) as I had spent a lot of time in Soho as has a weekend job at the theatres and I had just spent three weeks in San Francisco and didn’t see such openness there (unless in particular bars)

I saw two young women holding hands earlier the were obviously very happy and in love it’s lovely seeing young people in love but also felt sorry for them I know how many creepy disgusting comments that shall have to put up with

Made me cringe hard too.

@IDreamOfTheMoors

I suggest you make some LGBTQ friends just to see how incredibly kind and generous of spirit they are. They’re extraordinary.

Their kindness and ability to accept others as they are would shock the people who don’t have the honour of knowing them. I was humbled when I first met them — I treasure them now because they’ve taught me so much about love and acceptance and strength and “live and let live.” My life would be less bright without them.

Bet most same sex couples/gay/lesbians were cringing at that. 'oooh but I have so many gay friends and I wubz them with all my heart. They're soooooo strong, and I'm soooo humbled in their presence' cringe

Also agree that the OP is getting a hard time, and whilst she seems a little naive, I don't think there is any malice in her thread.

Yes it’s very common for men to hold hands in many countries

but not gay men as still in many Asian, Middle Eastern and African countries it’s still illegal

I wish there was a like button on here.
The world is a horrible place.
Just because it might be generally more acceptable now to be gay dosent mean you aren't going to be abused when your out.

Do you think homophobia doesn't exist anymore? Because you're very wrong. As a lesbian, my partner and I have been abused in the street, I certainly know gay friends who have to, so yes it's a brave thing to do. There's places I wouldn't openly hold my partner's hand. Straight people have the privilege of not having to do a risk assessment before showing affection to their partner in public.

Cute? Really?

Right….?

Some truly unbelievable posts on this thread.

I'm not sure it's the win for tolerance when PPs are taking the opportunity to be racist and classist in their rush to show they're not homophobic 🙄 Almost like the point of their contributions to the thread was to create a culture war bunfight. I know bunfights are supposed to spike engagement but it's tired, trope-ridden and stops genuine discussion.

Those patronising, virtue signalling posters having a go at the OP just need to remember that not everywhere is like where they live.

I have never seen a same sex couple holding hands in my small town or in the 2 neighbouring towns. If I go to Brighton for the dsy, it's completely different. Not everywhere is the same.

In many places, it is still brave for 2 men to hold hands. I have also seen many gay men and lesbians saying that homophobia is getting worse.

I think the forced teaming if sexual orientation with gender identity and fetishism is partly responsible.

Gay rights activists fought for decades for equal rights, to be seen as ordinary people who should be treated as individuals and against the homophobic portrayal of gay men as paedophiles. Now we have Furries at Pride and Drag Queens reading stories to young kids in libraries. Sometimes, gay men and lesbians - through no fault of their own - are getting caught up in the backlash.

Re men holding hands, often by linking pinkies, in India - I have seen this in several countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Sadly, it tends to happen in countries where the homophobia is so deeply ingrained that it wouldn't cross onlookers' minds that 2 male friends could be in a sexual relationship.

I think it's very location specific. In a big metropolitan city. No big deal. In smaller towns, I would be concerned for their safety. As a LGBT identifying woman, I would not hold hands with a partner where I currently live as I wouldn't feel safe, and I think it's less safe for gay/bi men in that respect. Women are just sex objects(in the eyes of those who would be affronted), more likely to get leered and jeered, men would get physically assaulted. Sad but true.

Oh yes as if a gay couples could happily stroll around hand in hand in the 80’s 🙄

I see it regularly now and think it’s fab - there should just be more hand holding in general. It is a reflection of a well balanced relationship.

I must say I have seen more men this past year openly showing affection than I ever have before.
Seen men holding hands a few times and kissing in a crowded place once.
Yes I do think they are brave because there are still so many people who would shout abuse or worse.

And @Onandupw ”gers” the award for being the biggest homophobe and doesn’t care who knows about it.

Btw, Onandupw — sharing one’s experiences does not make them a VS. It makes them experienced on the subject, rather than digging deep and insulting the messenger.

If that & your misspelling are all you’ve got, sit this one out. Or come back when you grow up with your own experiences.
Your insults don’t effect me, but they make you look foolish. I told my truth. You evidently have no truth.

Bit of a stretch to blame homophobia on the existence of trans people. I think it’s more likely due to the existence of homophobes.

@dottypotter Thank you..
This tread has really annoyed me..the complete lack of understanding and empathy just astounds me..
I would love to see just one of the snappy, sarcastic posters come back and reply as to why they believe homophobia no longer an issue and recognise the op was actually making a valid point...

She is not the one looking foolish, believe me.

I must tell my beloved brother and his husband that they’re one step away from sainthood, according to you.

Except they’re not - they’re regular human beings and could do without your cringe-y, patronising opining.

You’re minimalising our and your dear friends’ experiences of homophobia and thereby perpetuating it. It’s not a good look.

😂

I'm not blaming homophobia on transsexuals who are just getting on with their lives.

But I do think that Trans Rights Activists and fetishists are playing into the hands of homophobes and giving them a bloody good excuse for their homophobia.

Stonewall has turned from a gay rights organisation into a trans rights organisation and the tagging on of all the extra letters to LGB means that gay men and lesbians are caught up in the scandals happening now whether they like it or not.

It wouldn't bother me in the slightest, in fact I'd think it was nice to see.
YANBU as in it would definitely be a brave thing to do round here though, it wouldn't be seen as "the norm."
Think some on this thread think we all live in places like London and Brighton 😕

You sound massively homophobic op.

I have never seen gay men or women holding hands in my town, I would be pleasantly surprised if I did. There are plenty of gay couples about, they just don't show affection publicly.

There has been alot of homophobic attacks this year too so I would worry for my son if he were gay and faced potential harm over his sexuality.