Changing Attitudes

I wonder what it's like growing up gay today?

When I think it's only since 1967 that it's been legal to be gay (partially at least) in the UK. That means my parents grew up with it being illegal and that must have shaped their attitudes. Things were still very unequal with the age of consent set at 21. It's not until 2001 that the age of consent was finally made equal between gay and straight partners and it was only in 2005 when gay couples could have any sort of legal standing with a Civil Partnership.

I never quite understood the legal inequality between gay and straight partnerships. I'm sure the people that made that legislation must have been straight or they would have understood that making the age of consent higher doesn't discourage people from being gay. It may have discouraged people from admitting they were gay but the idea that you can encourage/discourage homosexuality by legislation is plain stupid.

Teens today are the first generation to grow up with near equality so my generation is the last to be brought up with a legal view that's it's wrong. This has got to have a positive effect on attitudes. I would be nieve if I thought there would be a time when there would be no prejedice as all minorities suffer that and probably always will to some degree.

There are plenty of celebreties around now who are openly gay and it wasn't that long ago it would have been the end of their career. I think people like Stephen Fry, Matt Lucas, Will Young have done more to improve attitudes towards gay people than anyone - just by being themselves. There are those of course you wish would go back in the closet like Dale Winton (who seems to pretend he's gay) and George Michael who's public exploits just reinforce stereotypes.

All we can do is get to the point where prejudice is generally seen as wrong rather than homosexuality itself. Another 10 years should do it.