Anonymous wrote:Why is it not OK to question whether social media has influenced kids to explore their sexuality and gender? Why is it not OK to wonder if there is some group think going on? And why is it homophobic to believe this might be a trend?

Not OP, but I don’t disagree with this person’s observation of what’s going on around us. Is it a big deal? Depends. For me, no. For parents whose neurodivergent kid spends an inordinate amount of time thinking about their gender and sexuality in ES/MS? maybe? I don’t know. But it’s just an observation and an interesting discussion. Not hateful, I don’t think.

It goes back to a seriously homophobic trope — those people are turning my child gay. So why do they have to flaunt their sexuality?

When truly all that is happening is that they are existing. More people are comfortable being open about their sexuality (yes, including on social media) and the homophobic trope this echoes is that merely existing publicly as LGBT is turning people.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is it not OK to question whether social media has influenced kids to explore their sexuality and gender? Why is it not OK to wonder if there is some group think going on? And why is it homophobic to believe this might be a trend?

Not OP, but I don’t disagree with this person’s observation of what’s going on around us. Is it a big deal? Depends. For me, no. For parents whose neurodivergent kid spends an inordinate amount of time thinking about their gender and sexuality in ES/MS? maybe? I don’t know. But it’s just an observation and an interesting discussion. Not hateful, I don’t think.

It’s the dismissive “ They barely know how to brush their teeth yet” part of these discussions that shows these OP really don’t want to have a discussion. Are they questioning why straight kids may have crushes on one another at the same age? No.

Exactly.

First, what 11 year old "barely knows who to brush their teeth" - if so, maybe that should be the take away.

Second, I've noticed over the years that kids are learning about sex a lot earlier than I did. But, if you're going to teach kids about sexuality, I think teaching them that there are many aspects to it (in an age appropriate way) is the correct route.

And if OP is so concerned, open up those conversations in their own home for discussion.

Anonymous wrote:Why is it not OK to question whether social media has influenced kids to explore their sexuality and gender? Why is it not OK to wonder if there is some group think going on? And why is it homophobic to believe this might be a trend?

Not OP, but I don’t disagree with this person’s observation of what’s going on around us. Is it a big deal? Depends. For me, no. For parents whose neurodivergent kid spends an inordinate amount of time thinking about their gender and sexuality in ES/MS? maybe? I don’t know. But it’s just an observation and an interesting discussion. Not hateful, I don’t think.

My kid spends a lot of time thinking about sex and gender. It started in her elementary years and she did a lot of research. Now that she's older she does volunteer work with at risk youth who are LGBTQ. She is cishet but is always trying to teach folks about how gender and sexuality are on a spectrum.

Anonymous wrote:Why is it not OK to question whether social media has influenced kids to explore their sexuality and gender? Why is it not OK to wonder if there is some group think going on? And why is it homophobic to believe this might be a trend?

Not OP, but I don’t disagree with this person’s observation of what’s going on around us. Is it a big deal? Depends. For me, no. For parents whose neurodivergent kid spends an inordinate amount of time thinking about their gender and sexuality in ES/MS? maybe? I don’t know. But it’s just an observation and an interesting discussion. Not hateful, I don’t think.

It’s the dismissive “ They barely know how to brush their teeth yet” part of these discussions that shows these OP really don’t want to have a discussion. Are they questioning why straight kids may have crushes on one another at the same age? No.

Anonymous wrote:Nasty reactions to pride events just highlights why we need pride month.

Exactly.

Every time I feel good about the world, I see someone is still angry about LGBTQ people's right to exist.

Why is it not OK to question whether social media has influenced kids to explore their sexuality and gender? Why is it not OK to wonder if there is some group think going on? And why is it homophobic to believe this might be a trend?

Not OP, but I don’t disagree with this person’s observation of what’s going on around us. Is it a big deal? Depends. For me, no. For parents whose neurodivergent kid spends an inordinate amount of time thinking about their gender and sexuality in ES/MS? maybe? I don’t know. But it’s just an observation and an interesting discussion. Not hateful, I don’t think.

Nasty reactions to pride events just highlights why we need pride month.

No need to be so homophobic, OP. Maybe try going to pride events without judging everyone. People who see you there won’t assume you’re gay, they’ll just assume you’re not homophobic, which is a great way to be!

Also, stop talking to neighbor tweens about their sexuality. If you’re just making assumptions about their sexuality because they wear pride merch, stop thinking so much about children’s sexuality. It’s inappropriate.

Work on your own kids’ hygiene. They should be able to brush their teeth well before 11. It’ll be hard for them to find any partners, straight or gay, if they have bad hygiene. You have more important things to worry about than your neighborhood children’s sexuality.

Let them question it so that they can come to their own informed, well-thought out conclusions on their own! They're not going to turn gay because they're talking about it. But they will hopefully be more supportive and accepting of each each other no matter how they end up.

Not to mention it sounds like your concern is they all went to the Pride Parade? Capital Pride is super fun regardless of your orientation. You can be an ally and attend and just celebrate love. Stop being a bigot.

You didn’t inherently have crushes on people when you were 11? Having a crush on someone is pretty normal. You thinking that it has to be with the opposite gender is what not normal.

Anonymous wrote:The real problem is that you know 11 year-olds who can barely brush their teeth.

Hear, hear.

The real problem is that you know 11 year-olds who can barely brush their teeth.

I knew I was bisexual by the time I was 10. But because it wasn’t talked about except in hush hush ways I was closeted until adulthood. Don’t think these kids can’t know who they are. Acceptance means it’s a lot easier for this generation.

Could it be a little bit of exploration and trying things on for the sake of fitting in? Maybe. But it’s not harming anything or anyone.

It’s fascinating to see the neighborhood kids behaviors, particularly the 11-14 year old girls. I’m convinced that social media has caused the vast majority of them to question their sexuality and gender. They barely know how to brush their teeth yet they know all the sexual identifiers and pronouns. Needless to say, there were few middle schoolers in the neighborhood on Saturday as they all went downtown to the parade: