Same sex public signs of affection - Accepted, hated or a bit of both

[Parasondox]

Sunshine, lollipop and... wait I have already used that intro.

Public signs of affection can often be a nothing subject or something that could rub people up the wrong way. Hand holding, not a problem. Cuddling on a park bench, not unusual. Kissing, not a major concern... well, not unless you are a same sex couple.

http://www.itv.com/news/2014-10-12/sainsburys-apologises-after-lesbian-couple-told-to-stop-kissing/
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/10/13/supermarket-apologises-lesbian-couple-kissing-leave_n_5975550.html

Now, I know people here aren't going to say "No, same sex couples never get any strange looks or a second glance back if they showed any sort of affection to their partners", the world isn't that accepting. The reality is clear but does the matter happen depending on where you live?

Allow me to be clear, I am talking about affection such as hand holding, linked arms, hugging, cuddling and kissing. NOT sexual activities in public like fellatio, cunnilingus or full on intercourse.

So to the main point, do you think same sex public signs of affection will ever be fully accepted or will there be a split with some that are okay with it and others that think it's "disgusting" and shout "WE MUST PROTECT THE CHILDREN". Wait, from what? them seeing two men or two women holding hands? Oh the horror. Also do you think it depends on where people live. In Brighton, being open and gay is fully acceptable and normal but in a very strict town/village, it may be look down upon or said couple would be "banished".

What are your thoughts on it?

 

[Zontar]

I hate all public signs of affection, weather or not it's same sex makes no difference to me. I don't discriminate. I know a lot of people say that sort of thing as a joke, but I'm completly serious and unironic about it.

 

[Queen Michael]

I hate all public signs of affection, weather or not it's same sex makes no difference to me. I don't discriminate. I know a lot of people say that sort of thing as a joke, but I'm completly serious and unironic about it.

Agreed; kissing is always gross.

That's kind of my luxury problem -- if you tella same-sex couple to stop smooching, you look homophobic no matter what.

 

[Nickolai77]

I don't mind public signs of affection, but as in any case there's a line between what's socially acceptable and what's not. A quick kiss on the lips is fine with me, but a long, hard, vigorous snog? Get a room.

I'm not going to pass any judgement on the case with the lesbians kissing outside the supermarket because I have not seen it and so I can't judge wherever their actions were reasonable. If they kissed a couple of times then that's fine, but if they were getting a bit too intimate then I think the security guard would have been in the right to ask them to leave.

 

[Aerosteam]

Same-sex doesn't mean anything, kissing in public is a bit too much.

Everyone around the couple don't need to know they very obviously love each other, handholding or cuddling is enough to display that.

 

[KokujinTensai]

Eh I don't notice it all.

Then again I live in an enlightened part of the country.

 

[Michel Henzel]

I don't care whether it's a homo- or heterosexual couple, if it's just some occasional bit of affection then it's just fine, but if you're going at it constantly I will tell you to tone it down a bit.

 

[MintSM]

It's kinda annoying, but the important thing is that it's not because of the fact that it's a same sex couple, because let's face it, the only people against that are ignorantly prejudiced twits; it's just the "public signs of affection" part that bothers me. It's just ew-ish, regardless of the orientation of the relationship.

 

[madwarper]

For me, the gender/sexual orientation of the people involved with the PDA is irrelevant. Whether or not I find it acceptable depends on the PDA.

Two people holding hands? Ok.
Giving a peck on the cheek/lips? Ok.
Two people shoving their tongues down each others throats? Not ok.
Two people grinding/dry humping? Not ok.

 

[Fappy]

People keep saying kissing in public is gross, but are you referring harmless pecks or full-on make out sessions? There's a huge difference in how most people would react to seeing that, I imagine.

 

[Colour Scientist]

Coincidentally, this was discussed on the radio this morning after someone complained because he saw a gay couple kissing at a tram stop.

He wasn't upset by public displays of affection but specifically gay public displays of affection, especially not in front of the children, and quite a few people phoned in to agree with him. I think age is definitely a factor in people's acceptance or at least tolerant of homosexual couples displaying their affection in public but I think it's far from being accepted.


Recently, I have noticed more gay couples holding hands but even that's quite rare and other people on the street tend to gawk unashamedly at them. I also live in the country's capital so the further out into the rural parts of the country, the even more unlikely it becomes.

I understand that people feel uncomfortable around PDAs in general but heterosexual ones are definitely met with less revulsion and active intervention.

 

[EternallyBored]

Eh public displays of affection don't bother me in general, but then again, it could be partially a cultural thing, I know in some states I've been to PDAs seem to be less accepted. In my state it's usually considered a non-issue and as long as they aren't grinding on each other (outside of a club setting anyway) or sloppily and loudly French kissing on a park bench, then it generally seems to be pretty accepted around here.

I've got no problems with it from any sexual orientation, as long as they aren't disruptive or loud, I pretty much have no issues with it.

 

[username sucks]

While I agree that a full make out session in public isn't really acceptable even for hetero couples, the OP still has a point. To give an example of my own, I live in California (arguably the least homophobic state in the US) and yet my boyfriend and I are afraid to even hold hands in public most of the time. I don't think any couple should be afraid of just holding hands, and I don't even know if anyone actually would take up an issue to seeing two guys holding hands, but we still feel unwelcome around most people we don't know. But hey, I know things are getting better and I know that it's far worse in other places, and we might even be afraid for no reason. Yeah things aren't perfect, but they will get better to the point that he only people who take any issue at all are complete bigots that nobody pays attention to.

 

[Ihateregistering1]

I don't mind it, but I draw the line when people (be they hetero- or homosexual) start making out in public, sticking tongues down each others throats, fondling each other, etc. I get that you're in love with each other, but why you feel the need to parade it in front of others always escapes me.

 

[spartan231490]

Depends. Holding hands, a little kiss, a hug that's fine. When you get much past that, get a room, whether you're same-sex or not. No one needs to see you making out or groping each other.

 

[Aleenik]

They won't ever be fully accepted in my lifetime at least because not even opposite-sex public displays of affection are fully accepted. I don't care how far people take it. I wouldn't even care if people were having sex in public on the regular. It wouldn't bother me at all.

 

[Blow_Pop]

I don't mind public signs of affection, but as in any case there's a line between what's socially acceptable and what's not. A quick kiss on the lips is fine with me, but a long, hard, vigorous snog? Get a room.

I have to agree with this. Full on snogging/making out (depending on your terminology for where you are located) makes me uncomfortable. Regardless of the perceived genders of the people involved. Out here in Cali, however, it seems perfectly socially acceptable. And it seriously bothers me.

And why don't we think of the children? Educate them on the fact that gender isn't always what we perceive it to be. That relationships between two people are acceptable regardless of the sexual orientation of the people. That it's not "wrong" or "dirty" to be attracted to someone of the same gender as you. That poly relationships can be perfectly healthy and aren't inherently bad as long as everyone involved in the relationship is ok with it. That not having sexual or romantic feelings is perfectly ok. And teach them actual proper sex education. Not this bullshit of "if you have unprotected sex you'll either wind up with children or you'll get a sti and die and if you have sex you'll probably wind up with children anyway and you're a dirty slut and no one will want you".

Edit: I should also mention that I couldn't care less if people want to have full on sex in public. It doesn't bother me or affect me. Just makes me uncomfortable. But my discomfort can be fixed by not looking and moving to somewhere else.

 

[Radoh]

The degrees is what matters, not the orientation of the kissers. A peck on the cheek or lips is fine, but if anyone starts open-mouth make-out sessions near me I tell them to stop that.
It has no bearing whether they are same sex or not.

 

[Lil devils x_v1legacy]

I have no problem with public displays of affection, what sex they are doesn't matter to me. I usually think " Aww they are in love!" when I see a couple kissing. I do not even see a problem with public sex if they wished. I do not have a problem with nudity or sex and do not see them as shameful hidden activities, instead I see them as beautiful, sensual, and one of the best parts of life. I am not uncomfortable around people showing each other affection, I think it is wonderful!

I am however, extremely uncomfortable around people yelling, arguing, insulting, degrading or even just pessimistic behavior in general. I distance myself from negative people and also from those that are too focused on themselves or overly self conscious or self centered. I would much rather be sitting next to someone having sex than someone complaining and making much fuss about nothing.