I think a lot of “older folks”, don’t hate me, are stuck in their ways, as they say, and have a difficult time changing their thoughts and feelings about things they can’t even wrap their heads around.
Either these topics have been hammered into them from a young age as being wrong or disgusting, against the law, etc, or they’ve never known or loved anyone LGBTQ.
I can understand why some are not whole heartedly jumping into the LGBTQ community in rainbow tutus...
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I don't take offense at all! I think you're accurate that people our age and older had it drummed into us when we were children that anything remotely non-het-cis about a person was abnormal. My upbringing tried to teach me that "those people" were mentally ill, mostly harmless, we should keep an eye on their behavior just in case, but we should treat them kindly in person and only make fun of them in private. I know, how horrible that was.
Mr. Dog, on the other hand, was taught that "those people" were evil and harmful, should be gotten rid of, and deserved to be beaten. Even more horrific. But the way I was taught was still pretty bad.
I was lucky enough to go to a high school that was very diverse, in terms of different nationalities, religions, and LBGT people as well, many of whom became my friends. Even more fortunate to go to college in the 80's in a place that was very activist for LBGT issues, and I worked my way through college (back in the day when our financial system allowed people to do that without taking out punishing loans) at a restaurant owned by LBGTQI people with a diversity of co-workers, friends, people I consider my brothers and sisters.
Mr. Dog unfortunately never was able to benefit from the advantages I had. His hometown and family stayed the same - so I applaud him for accepting his queer grandchild enough to eventually say (I'm paraphrasing various non-confrontational conversations that took place over a couple years) "I don't care about your sexuality, it's not really my business, I love you the same as always, now let's watch 'Vikings' and bemoan Lagertha getting killed and not blame Rollo for finding a better life in Gallia."
That’s fine too.
