Reply #43: Answers from Chicago [View All]

[tsipple]

How many close friends or semi-close friends/acquaintances do you have who are gay men?

At least one.

If you have close people in your life (and I'm referring only to platonic friends, NOT to your blood relatives or family!) who are gay males, what is your comfort level around them? For example, would you feel awkward changing clothes in front of them or showering in a locker room with them? Would you feel any sort of sexual tension or discomfort if, say, a gay male saw you naked?

I'm sure it's happened anyway (gay guys seeing me naked), so I suspect I wouldn't have a problem with that.

How openly do you discuss topics together, particularly about issues of sex or sexuality? Do you find it easy to make good-spirited and/or raunchy jokes with them?

Absolutely. He's interested in different mechanical parts, but there's much more in common than not.

Finally, what is your age? (or what is your basic age range, if you don't want to disclose your actual age)? I'm just curious how people's attitudes differ from one generation to another?

I'm 35 and feel like 22. And, yes, I do believe there is a generational gap. My parents are probably much more uptight about homosexuality than I am. I'm kind of libertarian on the issue: live and let live, guarantee basic civil rights, etc. I've heard a couple comments (from my mom, in particular) about how it's more "dangerous" to be homosexual, for example. To which I reply that we should all become lesbians, because they seem to have fewer STDs than anybody. (She doesn't have a good answer to that one. :-)) My cousins (same generation), brother, sister, etc. are all very accepting, possibly because we all know people who happen to be gay. In fact, some years ago my brother and I acted as matchmakers for friends of ours: one of his friends with one of mine. We persuaded them to meet each other at a restaurant, which they both appreciated I think, but they didn't hit it off and that was that.