The other F-word

[purpletigress]

I keep turning a situation that occurred last night over in my mind, so I figure perhaps it's smart to write it out. Since RollerFit moved to its new home at Niagara Park, about 35 minutes from my house, I've been carpooling with a girl called Rochelle who lives in the neighbouring suburb. We've been making small talk in the car, nothing too earth

Comments

[drealle]

Last month I was at a party when I saw my friend James. He said he couldn't kiss me hello because he had a cold. Another guy, John, whispered to me "Don't be offended, he doesn't want to kiss you because he is secretly gay!" and then winked. I wish I had said something like "I don't understand, can you explain that to me?" or "that's not funny", but I was so shocked I didn't know what to say.

There are still so many people out there who are afraid to come out of the closet because of all the casual homophobia that they experience every day.

I think you handled it perfectly. A comment like that would turn me off a person completely as well. I wonder what environment Rochelle and Sam were raised in to think that such hatred was acceptable. I hope that your comments will cause Rochelle and Sam to look inwards and see where their fear comes from. Perhaps one of them is closeted too, and this is the first step to self-acceptance?

[purpletigress]

Thanks for weighing in. It's nice to know that others also don't say the things they want to say in these situations either. According to Rochelle's Facebook page she was from Western Sydney. I don't want to generalise in terms of areas, but that's where my ex-best friend Brian was from. I remember being with him and his boyfriend at the time Glynn, and them saying that they didn't feel comfortable holding hands when we were in Liverpool. Just something as simple as holding hands