Feeling like an outcast.

[Not_unusual]

I was walking down the street the other day with my girlfriend, holding her hand. We were doing nothing other than holdig hands in a very casual manner as we always do as we walked to the train station for me to leave (we love apart). I realised that so many people looked at us like we were dirty outcasts, as though there was something wrong with it - someone even crossed the street. One lttle girl asked her mother "mummy why are they hlding hands?" and she ust said "I don't know. don't take any notice" as if we had done something to actually offend them. My girlfriend noticed this too, because i felt her tighten her grip on my hand and bump me with her hip, then kissed my head.

I didn't say anything to her because i think she knew it bthered me, and i didnt mention it to the eople on the street either without looking like one of those "who are you looking at?" in your face types that really isn't me

I don't want to stop holding her hand, after all i feel it is our god-given right to love anyone we chose to and show it, but It's really getting me down.

what would you do

(also, if you didnt already guess it fro the post, both me and my girlfriend are female)

[ecojeanne]

well in this day and age people don't tend to over-react to things like that unless you're in a small town. if it bothers you then don't hold hands. i've never held my ex's hand- it gets all sweaty and it's kind of annoying anyway. logically speaking why would you bother?

[Not_unusual]

it doesnt bother me, i like doing it, i just wanna know why it bothers other people.

[ecojeanne]

well you want the obvious answer which you already know- you tell us, coz i know you're dying to.

no offense but this is life atm, it should be different, but in some places it's not. eventually things will get better, so yes you might be annoyed and you want to express you're anger on here, well be straight (no pun intended) and have a rant. it's ok by me

[Gigabitch]

You know damned well it bothers people because they're small-minded, afraid of change and xenophobic.

Yes, you should be able to hold hands with whomsoever you like, anywhere you like, but you don't live on that planet. You live here, on Earth, which is largely populated by people that are barely able to think at all, let alone think for themselves and challenge the hateful things they were taught by their parents.

Is this a political issue for you or do you just want to be happy with your girlfriend without people staring at you? Your answer will dictate where you live in the future. If you're living in a place full of bigots, move somewhere else, somewhere gay-friendly. I guarantee the food will be better, and so will the art, and the design, etc.

[Not_unusual]

i just dont really understand it. when i have a bf its fine, btu when i have a g/f it's different? not all gay/b people are angry - im certainly not. i just have a roblem understadn why some people make others feel lke outcasts, thats all.

if i tell the pple who look at u funny to stop it then ill be one of THOSE people that i dont like that give my sexuality a bad name.

its hard cos as much as proud of wht i am, i dont feel the need to grab a flag, dress n rainbow and yell im queer, im here, get used to it.

[Not_unusual]

Is this a political issue for you or do you just want to be happy with your girlfriend without people staring at you? Your answer will dictate where you live in the future. If you're living in a place full of bigots, move somewhere else, somewhere gay-friendly. I guarantee the food will be better, and so will the art, and the design, etc.

not political so much. as for moving? we live apart atm - im still living with my exboyfriend as were selling the house, but things are fine between us - she cant relly move cos of her job/business so for now were stuck.

its rather anoying.

see, had we been groping, making a scene woulda understood it cos that makes me feel a bit ill as its not meant to be a public display.

the world doesnt anger, it just makes e confused

[Gigabitch]

You need to revise your expectations and realize that "why?" is a pointless question much of the time. You're clearly a progressive person- if you worry too much about everybody else, the progress will stop and you'll become embittered. Don't let that happen.

[Not_unusual]

so basically i just need to chill?

maybe i should.

[Gigabitch]

Or buy a T-shirt that says "What the **** are you looking at?" to save you the time and trouble.

[Not_unusual]

lol i dont think ll be doing that.

i suppose at the end of the day it's their problem that they cant deal with it, not mine.