Is it just me or does it feel really great when you encounter a fellow gay person? I can't say that I really have any gay people that regularly feature in my life, but when I encounter one at some point (be it a cashier or something), it feels really great. I guess I need gay friends off the internet. Anyone else feel this way?
Yea, I feel it too. It's kind of weird how recognizable certain looks become too that I never noticed before coming out. Like just a few days ago I was at the grocery store and an employee from the deli walked out to get something. Never seen him before, but as soon as we made eye contact for a second it was like an instant wordless message of "oh hi other gay person!"
I was in the exact same situation! Was at a store called TK Maxx (TJ Maxx to the Americans) and the cashier was so obviously gay. Gave him that brief bit of eye contact and it's as if we recognized each other as fellow gays. It was a nice moment.
It's nice to meet a queer person because you pretty much automatically relate to them and there are just certain topics and problems that straight friends will never be able to fully comprehend. However, it does pose a danger in that sometimes I can't differentiate whether I want to befriend someone because they are part of the LGBTQ+ community or if I genuinely think they are a great person overall (and vice versa).
YEEEES! This is me. When I meet another LGBT+ person, I get quite excited on the inside. Then, I usually tell them that I'm not straight either whether they're strangers or not. Like, I just found out that my manager at work is gay and I got so happy. I didn't really tell her that I'm not straight, but I absolutely want to because I still get a thrill from coming out to people. Since, ya know, I'm not out to everybody yet. It makes me feel like I'm undercover. XD
I still get that shock of recognition even after twenty-five years and despite the fact that you can't swing a dead cat where I live without hitting a gay person.
Yep! One of the coolest things about being LGBT. At work there are 4 of us and we just sort of gravitate towards each other. It feels nice to know you aren't the only one there and if things go down you have support.
I get pretty excited when I like and respect a person (either someone in real life, or in a book/show/whatever), get to know them, and then find out they're LGBT. It's like the cherry on top. Sure, I probably shouldn't feel slightly more inclined to like someone because they're LGBT rather than straight, but oh well.
I’m not out so it’s a little different but it is similar. One of my customers at work is a gay couple and I have an urge to talk to them about it. I’m quite sure they would look at me like I’m nuts. I’m not out anyway, so I guess it doesn’t matter
When I was 20 I was out shopping and this clearly not straight, younger and seemingly very confident assistant looked like he was about to approach me. I backed away in fear and just kept my head down, I'm not proud of what I did but I was still very much closeted back then. I used to be so scared of gay people.
It’s really interesting how it used to feel awkward but not it feels nice. Next step is figuring out how to work it into a conversation.