Does anyone really think that only young people are gay???

Indeed, I grew up with a mother, father and 5 siblings. I am in my 50's and gay. Most all of my friends are in their 40's, 50's and 60's. The oldest gay person I know is 65. No, homosexuality is not only for the young. Is it easier to be gay and young? Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. I think the younger generation of gays and lesbians can be more open about it than my generation. That doesn't say that the younger generation isn't bashed for being gay. There will always be ignorance in this world. And, unfortunately, sometimes that ignorance leads to physical violence and, alot of the time, emotional violence of deragatory and hateful words. I don't know that people want to be gay. It certainly wasn't my first choice. It was my choice to live my life as who I am and be happy. Hiding the fact that I am gay made me very unhappy and it took me into my early 20's before I decided to start making myself happy and not the people in my life. Actually, being gay is not a choice. One cannot be gay because they think it is the "in" thing to do. That kind of makes a mockery out of the lives of gays and lesbians. Being gay is not a fad, it is the true lives of many, many people in this world. The way gays live their lives is really the only choice they have. PEACE

actually, I know of at least 3 gay men who are 35 or older...one of them is in his 60's...and come to think of it...I don't know any gay men at all under the age of 25...so I cant say that only young people are gay...

Hecck no it's just not young people I know a few older men that are gay

Your discussion brings up a lot of good points which show just how ignorant people can be! It's true that society is a bit more accepting of homosexuality today than it was 10 years ago, and I expect that it will continue in that direction. However, there is still so much prejudice and stigma to overcome. First of all, I have many gay friends, and not one of them would say that they want to be gay or that it was something they chose. They are gay because that is how God made them, just as He made others heterosexual. Being gay does not define a person- it is just part of him or her. As for the theory that men are gay due to a lack of a male role model- that's almost as ridiculous as thinking that it is a matter of choice. You're right, homosexuality dates back as far as humans do. Gay men are gay no matter who raises them. There is nothing that a "role model" can do to change the inherent makeup of a person, other than make them feel as if they have to be ashamed of who they are and hide it. I also know many gay men over the age of 50. Many of these men grew up hiding their sexuality from their parents, other family members, co-workers and friends. Many are still hiding it. It's a shame that society has made them so ashamed of who they are. I'm glad that the younger generation will have a somewhat easier time living their lives.

I think that gay people have existed for as long as PEOPLE have existed! But until recently, being gay was considered such a strange and bad thing that people tried to hide it. Some people went so far in trying to hide it, they would get married into heterosexual marriages, have children and everything, and live their whole lives "in the closet." After all, if you were told that being gay was so horrible, that you were going to go to hell, that you wouldn't be able to get a job, that you must be a child molester, etc... would you want to admit it, even to yourself? In recent times its more acceptable to be gay, and the older generation of gay people have done a lot of advocating to try to make it so that gay teenagers can get answers to their questions and can have their rights protected. As far as kids actually WANTING to be gay, I would say that for the most part its still not something that kids hope to be. In fact, gay teenagers make up a large proportion of the homeless teenagers in the USA. Gay teenagers end up getting kicked out of their homes, or run away from home because they're afraid to tell their parents, or run away because they're being bullied at school, or all of the above. However, I have heard of some adolescent girls who claim to be gay and think its a cool thing. Probably if one of their friends admits to being gay, other girls may wonder if they themselves are gay, or decide that maybe they are gay because they like the idea of being different in that way. However if they're not ACTUALLY gay, they'll probably pass through that phase pretty quickly!

I think that perhaps it's just becoming less tabo and more people are open about their sexuality. I have to applaud you on the facts you present about the fact that the majority of older homosexuals mostly growing up in the traditional mom and dad and 2.5 kids homes. That is a great point. It's as if some people just think that gay men grew up with too many women and no stable men in their lives. Off the top of my head, the oldest gay person I know is I think 46 or 47. But I know my husband has a friend/associate that is I believe 70 years old. This man was one of the people my husband apprenticed under when he was getting certified in massage therapy. He has since become a good friend to him. What is interesting I find, is that some people are so homophobic. My first husband was absolutely mortified when he found out one of my mom's gay friends just thougth he was the cutest, hottest thing on the planet. Dave was a bartender at the local club. (Keep in mind this is a very rural area, and it was not a Gay bar.) I thought his reaction, while quite hilarious was very childish. Dave never made a move on him, he simply commented to my mom about it. I just found that laughable.

Saying Homosexuality is only for the young is like saying desire is only for the young. How many products are on the market for the older gentlemen to maintain desire? If there were a age limit , then these products wouldn't be available.There have been gay people since there were people.Hadrian was gay.I guess he didn't have a good family life too? He Never learned "how to be a man"?The problem is that these people don't know history. It is so sad.and I guess they think being gay is a choice, a fad. Wrong. You are born gay. I think there still are people who think that people will choose to be straight someday.

I don't think that only younger people can be gay...I personally think that you are either born straight or gay...because think about it you aren't going to wake up one morning and say hey today I think that i am going to be gay....I think the oldest gay guy I know was like fifty something and i didnt really know him I just spoke to him a few times...I think that only the younger generation are willing to admit it because it is more accepted now than it was whenever the older people were young..things are different now!