<p>(1) I have seen several posters on this board identify their children as gay when appropriate (e.g., threads about looking for accepting institutions).</p>
<p>(2) If 50-something lesbian moms are in short supply, it isn’t around here, either. Both my kids have double-mom friends and classmates, and given their ages that either means 50-something or almost-50-something. I count among my social friends at least seven longstanding gay couples (of both varieties) who are as stodgy as I am, and one “divorced” gay woman (in her 40’s, with kids) who has a brand-new relationship. All of the women have kids.</p>
<p>The OP’s question doesn’t surprise me because I know that depending on one’s circles, one may not be aware of knowing people who are gay. I had a 70 year old acquaintance who told me she had never met a gay person. I had to control myself to keep from bursting out laughing because what she said was impossible particularly with her wide social circle. </p>
<p>I have gay relatives and in-laws including some whose own parents either don’t know or don’t admit that their offspring are gay. One of my cousins died of AIDs. The whole family knew he was gay, but his parents never admitted it. They didn’t even tell their allegedly close relatives when their son died. Another relative was gay and very out, and when he died of AIDS, his death was reported in the paper because he also was a gay activist.</p>
<p>My sons also have some gay friends. </p>
<p>I also have gay friends, bisexual friends, a couple of friends who are transexuals, and I have a a friend who is a hermaphrodite. Many of my gay friends – including the two trans friends and the hermaphrodite – also are parents. Some I met through our kids, others through my church (Christian, but open minded).</p>
<p>Of course, I also have plenty of straight friends, too. What’s important to me is what’s in people’s hearts, not whom they have sex with.</p>
<p>I’m pretty much as tolerant as they come, but I’ve only ever met one openly gay person (he graduated from my high school last year). My school has a Gay-Straight Alliance, but as far as I know, all its members are straight allies. I’m actually surprised that there aren’t more LGBT people in my community, at least that I’m aware of.</p>
<p>I’m a straight high schooler from a small town in rural Wisconsin. My town is horrendously conservative and close-minded and it drives me and a small percentage insane. I am called “the gay kid” because I don’t join in and disagree with them when they talk about “the damn fags”. I actually heard one kid say that if he was president, he’d go “hitler style on the faggots.” I almost killed him, I was enraged. I can’t believe people are so pathetic and stupid. We had a gay marriage amendment in WI last November; the arguments with my parents were intense. I can’t wait until college, I hate this place, lol. I definitely agree with the correlation between gay rights and civil rights, it’s very true.</p>
<p>NSM’s story about a 70 year old woman who had never met any gays made me laugh. I was at a get together of alumnae women from my all girls prep school. The school was all in a doodah because of a lesbian couple living on campus. Anyway one of the 70+ year old women stood up and said what was the big deal, just about every one of the founders of girl’s school at the turn of the century had “female companions” they lived with. This was nothing new and people ought to get a grip.</p>
<p>I’m with you, Mathmom. I went to an all girls’ boarding school, and an all girls’ day school before that (my parents have never believed in coeducation, even at the college level) and there were gay couples at both schools…usually the P.E. teachers. My grandmother (Smith '13) had a lesbian roommate. Why are people acting as if gays were some sort of “new” thing?</p>
<p>Idealistic32, I know what you mean. My 13 yr. old (straight, I’m assuming) has had problems already with the gay-phobia at his middle school in our conservative area, because we’re tolerant and have taught him that. So when the gay bashing starts up, he naturally voices his opinion and has literally suffered the consequences. Unreal in 2007…oh well, he’s leaving this area for college which sounds like you, too!</p>
<p>Idealistic32- be thankful UW Madison isn’t like your town! I’m sure the locals complain about those blank liberals in Madison, too. Hope you apply and go there (unless you get into an even more selective and liberal school)- it will be an amazing experience for you. Hang in there, you will be able to escape soon. BTW, I still argue with my conservative father over issues, don’t expect your parents to change.</p>