Homophobia

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Originally Posted by BDunnell

So, if one of them told you they were gay, what would you do?

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Accept it.. but probably pray that it was just a 'phase' he was going through?

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Originally Posted by Zico

Accept it.. but probably pray that it was just a 'phase' he was going through?

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I hate to tell you this, but, if someone comes out, such a scenario is quite unlikely. Hoping your child isn't really gay because you worry about them suffering abuse as a result doesn't solve anything. It subconsciously legitimises homophobia and it does no good to your child. The best option is to accept it and support them as necessary. Don't hope they'll turn into a person they're not.

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Originally Posted by Sprocket

You could say the same about heterosexual couple who for some reason could not have children. They cannot have children naturally, so should they be denied the right too? I don't see the gender of the couple makes a difference.

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Gay people have children all the time, just, and obviously, not with a gay partner. Personally, I never saw what the big deal is about gays. They are, for the most part, just people trying to live their lives. Doesn't bother me a bit. I will say I don't have much use for those who try and flaunt it it my face - doesn't have anything to do with their being gay, as I object to anyone behaving like that no matter the reason.

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Originally Posted by BDunnell

I hate to tell you this, but, if someone comes out, such a scenario is quite unlikely. Hoping your child isn't really gay because you worry about them suffering abuse as a result doesn't solve anything. It subconsciously legitimises homophobia and it does no good to your child. The best option is to accept it and support them as necessary. Don't hope they'll turn into a person they're not.

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I would accept it and support them but please don't take the hope that they are not a target for haters as a subconscious legitimisation of homophobia... it's just the reality of the situation.

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Originally Posted by Starter

I will say I don't have much use for those who try and flaunt it it my face - doesn't have anything to do with their being gay, as I object to anyone behaving like that no matter the reason.

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Exactly. However, there are those — this is not directed at you — who clearly don't have a problem with people flaunting other characteristics ('manly' toughness, wealth, etc), yet mysteriously have objections to gay people doing so.

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Originally Posted by Zico

I would accept it and support them but please don't take the hope that they are not a target for haters as a subconscious legitimisation of homophobia... it's just the reality of the situation.

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But how does it ever get tackled otherwise? If all parents took your view, and if people stayed in the closet as a result, what good would that do? The homophobes would have 'won', and there would be a lot of very unhappy individuals unable to be true to themselves and their sexuality. I really think your attitude, as genuinely-meant as it might be, is counterproductive.

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Originally Posted by BDunnell

But how does it ever get tackled otherwise? If all parents took your view, and if people stayed in the closet as a result, what good would that do? The homophobes would have 'won', and there would be a lot of very unhappy individuals unable to be true to themselves and their sexuality. I really think your attitude, as genuinely-meant as it might be, is counterproductive.

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Perhaps, but maybe we are just both looking at it from completely different perspectives.

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Originally Posted by Sprocket

You could say the same about heterosexual couple who for some reason could not have children.

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Whilst, prima facie, unfair, perhaps that is a natural way to keep population numbers in check.

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Originally Posted by Zico

Perhaps, but maybe we are just both looking at it from completely different perspectives.

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I believe one should always strive for the best outcome for any individual. I can't see how your stance does the best for anyone except those meting out homophobic abuse.

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Originally Posted by SGWilko

Whilst unfair, perhaps that is a natural way to keep population numbers in check.

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There are plenty of other ways, the main ones being the numbers of single people, and couples who decide not to have children.