Witnessed something simple, encouraging and amazing last night...

[Obamarama]

I was in one of the local retail big-box stores and there was a group of four high school kids in front of me in line: two girls and two boys. I estimated them to be around 15 or 16. One guys was obviously the boyfriend of one of the girls as they were holding hands and basically all over one another. So the girls are chatting to the solo guy about how this girl in their class likes him, thinks he's cute, etc... The boy rolled his eyes and said "OMG, is she like the last person in the school not to know I'm GAY?"

I was struck by how utterly impossible it would have been for me to make the same declaration so publicly when I was that age. What a difference 25 years makes. I know there's still a lot of haterd and homophobia out there, but this kid gave me hope that things are finally changing for the younger generations and that eventually they won't need to spend even a minute in the stifling confines of the closet.

[LynzM]

1. That's really cool....

I'm with you on hoping that it continues to get better, and quickly! :thumbsup:

[tekisui]

2. It is a generational shift.

Even from when I was in school, and my sister ten years younger than me. In more and more places, it is simply not an issue. This is part of what can be so frustrating in demanding equality. It is going to happen, bigots are dying faster than they are being born. They will be the minority in time.

[Lerkfish]

5. I think tha't s true

except for some diehard assholes in all age groups, support for gay marriage is a lot higher once you cross generations into yourger people, it seems to me.

It kind of reminds me in my younger days when the adults would be all "beware of reefer madness" and think weed made you do psychotic things like jump out of windows, etc., but the kids knew better and said "yawn.".

Hopefully, most younger kids do not feel threatened by gay marriage as an issue. I think a lot of it has to do with exposure. My 10 year old son went to a daycare when he was younger that had several family units with two moms or two dads, and because of that exposure I don't see him blink an eye about it at all.

lets hope when the older generation dies off, bigotry will at least be proportionally lessened.

[nichomachus]

3. I wasn't able to say that

Until I was 29 years old -- even to myself.

[DCKit]

4. Perhaps she thinks a roll in the hay with her, and he'll forget all about boys. n/t

[ThomCat]

6. I can't imagine that when I was in high school.

Even after I came out, people in town were STILL insisting that nobody gay ever went to our high school. :P

[tbyg52]

7. How wonderful! nt

[bluedawg12]

8. Very hopeful story. n/t