Anonymous wrote:Do you have friends with very different views about LGBTQIA+ issues? For example friends that are Republicans, religious folks, people from countries in which gay rights are still a taboo? Just wondering

I am that friend. There are many things I don’t understand, but I know one thing: I love my gay friend so very much and want him to be safe and happy. I learn through him and feel I also have a safe space in our relationship to ask questions.
I come from a conservative society and thought I was quite progressive, but see I am conservative by US standards.

Anonymous wrote:Do you have friends with very different views about LGBTQIA+ issues? For example friends that are Republicans, religious folks, people from countries in which gay rights are still a taboo? Just wondering

Not any more.

I used to.

From other countries and right here in the good old USA.

I have literally cut out most of my hometown and so-called friends in the DC area.

I will not have a Republican friend again. Ex Republcian

I don't hang with hateful subhumans or idiots or Christian Nationalist crap.

I have a couple people who are of the "I think it's a sin but I also think a lot of other things are a sin and since I'm friends with people who are divorced/fornicators/etc. no special judgement." I'm from a very liberal family, so I don't think I feel the kind of pain about it that people who grew up in homophobic environments feel. It bothers me politically but I also don't want to restrict myself to a narrow group of friends.

LGBT person here.

I have family members who are VERY republican and religious. Yes, we get along and they love my wife and kids, but I am not sure we would be friends if we weren't related because while they generally hold their tongues around us, I know they are racist (not like KKK level, but the less overt kind (which is just as bad (worse since they don't think they are.)

We do have friends who are very religious in a way that I think it was intended: love, social justice, helping those less fortunate, etc.

I am very liberal. I have some that are true friends, but whose religion etc cause conflict internally to them since they also have no problem with me my husband and our kids and indeed supportive of us. It okay to be unable to reconcile these 2 things.

If I do, they know better than to say homophobic things in front of me.

Questioning the humanity of my friends and family is not merely a "difference of opinion" that needs to be tolerated.

Anonymous wrote:No. I had zero friends like that before coming out. Once I came out, the acquaintances I had that were like that stoped talking to me which was no big loss. They were never my friends before and if they can’t accept who I am then why do I want to be closer to them now?

The only person that actually hurt to lose was my mom but she couldn’t accept me because of her religion.

So sorry you lost your mom after coming out, hopefully one day you will be find a way back to each other hearts. Hugs

No. I had zero friends like that before coming out. Once I came out, the acquaintances I had that were like that stoped talking to me which was no big loss. They were never my friends before and if they can’t accept who I am then why do I want to be closer to them now?

The only person that actually hurt to lose was my mom but she couldn’t accept me because of her religion.

Do you have friends with very different views about LGBTQIA+ issues? For example friends that are Republicans, religious folks, people from countries in which gay rights are still a taboo? Just wondering