Yes -_- It is a bit depressing how GLB people are portrayed in the media... (though it does make for some very amusing entertainment xD).

I think I must have felt the same way when I was a bit younger, but you'll find that there are lots of different people out there who will help you shape your personality into what you want it to be- you don't have to just fall into the stereotype in order to exist as a homosexual

Ummm, I'm not so sure that the community needs to do that much? I think that people coming to terms with themselves is a really important thing and helps build incredibly strong personalities If I had to name something, I think pushing to have homosexuality taught in schools would be a start, because then it at least exposes closeted kids to the idea that they have the potential to live happy lives too - and from there they can decide how that will come to be

Maybe I think certain issues aren't going to change just because they're taught in school though. But certainly there would be more kids who are willing to stand up for it instead of staying quiet as they may have beforehand.

I'm 14, and gay.

And while I do feel that I act slightly "girlier" than most boys, I don't run around pretending to have a vagina, shoving my sexuality in people's faces.

for this

This used to worry me too. I think it's sort of like a defence for our masculinity (I don't know about lesbians). For me, I thought, "yikes it's bad enough being gay, but being a tad more effeminate than most guys is a hell of a lot scarier," and I became insecure about being gay for a while. Not the fact that I was gay, but the stereotype(s) that being gay brought with it. If you stay positive, however, and realise you are who you are, and say to yourself that you're not a part of any stereotype but your own, then you'll start to look at things more differently. Plus, when you get the chance to meet other gay people, you'll see how broad the spectrum is. You'll meet some guys that you'd think to yourself "If he hadn't of told me I never would've guessed!" Don't let it get to you.

I hate flamboyant gays, they give us a bad reputation.

I don't think you can say you 'hate' them. They are who they are, and they aren't the ones giving the LGBT community a bad name...

1) Aren't I supposed to hate people for who they are? o_o
2) They kinda are..

I'm a lot more feminine than most guys, but that doesn't make me gay, it makes me, me...

I've always been comfortable with who I am. However, the obnoxious activities of Gay Pride festivities (or for a more appropriate word, softcore orgy) have irritated me. An army of people in rainbow coloured thongs, bikinis, and drag are hardly a representation of what it means to be gay, or what equality stands for. If anything, it's counter-intuitive and creates a greater segregation between "us and them"; not to mention bloating stereotypes and pushing people so far back into the closet they end up in Narnia.

We should celebrate equality by exercising the rights we have from it and continue to fight for equality across everything.

I loved the gay pride parade (went to my first this year) though I can understand where your coming from. I just take it as more of a celebration than a representation of being gay. I felt more safe, secure and accepted with my sexuality on that day then I ever have. Now I'm hardly effeminate but it's fun to just let loose for one day, the other days you just gotta put on your game face and destroy the stereotypes!

I am 20 and gay, and luckily I never had issues accepting myself. Of course I understand that for many this might be not as easy to achieve, due to upbringing, social and religious environment, and so on.

I don't agree with the stigma put upon "flamboiant" gays. If LGBTs are portraied badly it's fault of the media superficiality: anyone should be accepted for who they are, especially in the LGBT community, where we are all rejected by society for being "different". If some people don't like the stereotypical image of gays, they should fight to give a variety of images of homosexuality if anything, not blame some people for what they are.

Talking about Pride, I have my personal point of view. I have been midly doubtful about them in the past, because of the image that such "colourful" events give of the LGBT community and of homosexuals in general. But I have to say that I had never been to one at the time, and I had just seen quick videos on the news and photos on newspapers. In the past two years, I have been to London Pride with my friends, most of whom are gay too, and I just loved it.
First off, if you have been to Pride, you probably know that drag queens, half naked men and leathers aren't the only ones to walk in the parade. Representants of LGBT teachers, trade unions, workers in the health care, police men, and many others take part, and I assure that they go fully dressed :p Of course, the media hardly ever report such aspects of Prides :cool:
At the same time, I think nowadays Pride is not only about claiming rights anymore (although I do think that's essential, we have LGBT associations working for that). Every time I was there I felt very accepted and free to be myself, because after all everybody at Pride is LGBT or allies Personally, I love visibility, to be "out and proud", so to me partecipating means that no matter what society think, I'm happy to be myself, and not ashamed to show it

While I partially understand what you're saying, when you "put on your game face and destroy the stereotypes" you're just counterbalancing that by building them right back up a thousand times larger along with lots of flamboyant men at the parade.

Just my thoughts. :p

im 14 and gay and i was scared i wouldnt be normal any more but its not true youll find a healthy balance between bein gay and living how you were raised

Hi

I think there is nothing wrong with the way people express themselves.

Whether you are L G B - they are simply labels.

Labels are assigned as a stereotype - therefore I do not believe in labels. I believe in the person and the character behind it.

I do admire the courage they had to admit it to the world. I don't think I could ever be brave enough to do it.

I guess since pride parades are some of the more televised and better known events in the LGBT community the flamboyancy could be toned down a bit. If for the only reason as to portray a certain image to the world. Either that or the media could stop showing only clips of flamboyant guys in leather.:nono: WE DON'T ALL LIKE LEATHER!!!:mad: