General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Did you hate, fear or dislike gay people at one time? [View all]dorkzilla
(5,141 posts)till I was in my mid teens. I was a tomboy and when I got to be about 12-13, a punk so I always sported a funky short haircut (usually died bright pink). Little did I realize that everyone assumed I was a lesbian, which I had ZERO idea of what it meant when someone first called me that at age 13. The whole school thought I was. I am most decidedly, tragically heterosexual (thrice married and promiscuous as all hell when I was younger), and I have a LOT of gay friends. The epithet of queer means as little to me now as it did then although I do know it it intended to hurt and label the target as other or different.
I know from friends who have attended HS reunions (were all in our late 40s/early 50s now) that there are still many out there who think I am gay, but I dont care. I actually I find it kind of funny that anyone would care in this day and age - we are from suburban NYC, not the deep south. It doesnt matter to me, and if people want to lump me into a group with those same wonderful gay friends I have then I am honored to join their ranks.
Edited to add - when I was a NYC club kid back in the early 80s AIDS was in full swing and it was blamed entirely on gay men. I had, and still have, a lot of gay male friends I met whilst on the club scene, some of whom were HIV positive. I still loved the hell out of them naturally and I remember people avoiding me because - ready for this? - I HUGGED AND KISSED MY GAY MALE FRIENDS. I was told quite a few times that I would catch it from them. Holy shit were people fucking stupid and I think homophobia was at an all-time high at that point.