I am a 55-year-old gay man living in a small market town in Mid Devon. Until I made a move of around 10 miles, four years ago I had always been out and openly gay. I am not anymore.
I live in a complex where everyone is over 50. Older people I have met here seem to talk about homosexuality as it is defined by the physical act as a preemptive to being disgusted. It is not about being gay which as a term encompasses a lifestyle and personality.
As a single man, moving to a new place, I did not feel the need to define myself. The people where I live are generally not looking for a partner or to hook up and so my sexuality was assumed by them, and I did nothing to contradict what they thought of me.
I had known pride in being gay. I am proud of being around during a time of change for gay rights. I am proud to have equal rights. There comes a time though to move on, to integrate and to consolidate.
I feel every time the “runaway bus” of the acronym LGBT+ adds a letter, it is a “nail in the coffin” of acceptance. It seems that for every step forward a new cause is added and another divide created.
For me, it is about being gay. I am not the eternal campaigner. I feel every time the “runaway bus” of the acronym LGBT+ adds a letter, it is a “nail in the coffin” of acceptance. It seems that for every step forward a new cause is added and another divide created.
By inclusion, I am excluded. In the past, I could explain to people I was gay and get their acceptance. Now because of the marketing of LGBT+ and the media, it feels difficult to be a standalone gay as it comes with the baggage of so many deviances as to be abhorrent to an average person.
After so many years is it not the time to give it a rest? To stop ramming sexuality down the throat of the heterosexual masses. (The pun was intended for effect)
Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.
Disillusioned and back in the closet man who likes other men.
Strongly opinionated, possibly outdated. Genuine, cynical, candid and consider I have a humourous outlook.
Older than acceptable in Gay circles, larger of frame than is fashionably desirable.
Looking for a platform to share my views and listen to others
Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you'd like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.
Lgbt+ is more succinct
Personally, I don’t give a flying fig. I don’t need to be arbitrarily defined by anyone. Everyone’s makeup is multifaceted so why do we want to be so hung up about sexuality. Personally, I have never understood why it is necessary to separate lesbians from gay – are they not, by definition, gay so why specifically identify them by gender unless you wish to introduce discrimination?
I’ve always seen the term LGBT as an encompassing umbrella of all who question their identity. I understand some people may feel they want to be more included, but being included isn’t about having your own letter in an acronym, it’s about taking part. I don’t fight for the G in LGBT, I fight for LGBTs and all our friends.
It’s gone to far just pronounce its a pain in the arse!!
Sorry but lgbt+ is fine. All the other letters make it crazy its not an acronym anymore its the alphabet jumbled up
Good and bad: with every “label”, it’s creates a divide for some… if it helps, then that’s the good ?
We need to know and except other people exist
We are all non binary innit’ so maybe we could just go with non binary minorities?