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The mainstreaming of lesbian/gay youth  [message #51299] Mon, 07 July 2008 09:46 Go to next message
NW is currently offline  NW

On fire!
Location: Worcester, England
Registered: January 2005
Messages: 1560



A really interesting article here http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/540057/ , suggesting that urban gay & lesbian youth expect to settle into long-term relationships, and many intend to raise kids.

Obviously things are very different for many rural kids, and those not living in "liberal Western democracies". Nevertheless, I find this really encouraging - it's very much part of the vision of equality for gay people that I've been working for on-and-off throughout my adult life. This isn't to put down those who don't choose that lifestyle, but to recognise that it will feel appropriate for many.

For my generation, many of us felt that there was a choice between affirming our identities as gay men, and having families and children. I chose the former route, but it would be idle to pretend that - especially when I'm with my nieces and nephew - I never wonder what having kids would have been like. In another couple of decades, hopefully people will no longer feel that they need to make a choice: that being openly gay and having kids are not mutually exclusive.



"The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. ... Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night devoid of stars." Martin Luther King
Re: The mainstreaming of lesbian/gay youth  [message #51302 is a reply to message #51299] Mon, 07 July 2008 16:42 Go to previous message
acam is currently offline  acam

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Location: UK
Registered: July 2007
Messages: 1849



Yes, that's very interesting NW. I'm just amazed how early people know about their orientation nowadays. My first sex was at 19 and I was still denying my homosexuality at 21 to judge by my diaries. That survey was of 16-22 year olds!

And I knew I wanted children and I married and had two and I wouldn't be without them. If I grew up nowadays I think I'd find other ways than getting married but I don't regret what I did and am just delighted with my family.

I'm also delighted to see what a high proportion of the people surveyed expected to be committed to a single partner by the age of 30. I was and we are still together and 'faithful' after 45 years. I used to think my friends John and John (who I introduced to each other in 1956 and are still together) were exceptional. Maybe they won't be in fifty years time. I would welcome that too.

Sometimes I think the world is coming right! (But maybe it's just that I'm feeling good because I won my game of croquet this afternoon!)

Love,
Anthony
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