Chris Howard4 said:@redharbor9
I was actually hoping you’d weigh in on this... I wanted to pull you into the conversation, specifically regarding what I wrote about that gap between learned social norms—those rigid patterns we're taught to follow—and our raw, primal needs and desires.
(I'm not entirely sure if I'm articulating this clearly, so please bear with me since my background is in a completely different field altogether)
Let me try to be a bit more specific....
My own sense of longing—that occasional ache over not being straight—really boils down to two things:
1.) I want a child, mostly because of the emotional security inherent in that kind of bond. The love a parent feels for a child doesn't really fluctuate much; I have this drive to care for someone, to provide love, and ultimately to receive that same devotion in return. I know everyone's experience is different—for instance, I haven't lived with my parents since I turned 18, and we live states apart now, though we share this unbreakable, almost cosmic connection... It isn't the kind of pain you feel when you lose a partner; it's something mutual, unconditional, and seemingly limitless. That alone makes me want a child, which is why I find myself drawn to women—because, let's face it, no guy is going to give me a biological child, and adoption in America still has its hurdles... I'm sure you're familiar with how that goes.
2.) The reality is that life just seems simpler for straight people, and honestly, I wish mine were that straightforward too. I can't think of just one example to prove it; there are a million equally valid ones.
So, does this mean I don't accept myself? Am I somehow internalized homophobic? Hmm... I don't think so, though maybe to a small degree since I'm not out to everyone. But I view that as a calculated choice—it's simply easier this way. I worry that people might eventually look down on me or treat me differently as a colleague or a peer, and I refuse to give them the satisfaction of diminishing me. In my line of work, I can't exactly find a niche where I won't run into someone like that... whereas maybe a doctor working at a major hospital in New York City could afford to be more open.
There was a time when I considered telling my immediate family, but I didn't get the support I needed from my boyfriend back then. He kept pushing the decision onto me, essentially saying he didn't want to be there when I told them... So, I've concluded that it wasn't homophobia, but rather a lack of courage. Or maybe—and I wonder this myself—is it actually a bit of both?
As for me as an individual, I'm fine with who I am. I know what I am, and I've managed to sort through most of the pieces in my head—even if I've perhaps placed a few of them in the wrong spots. I'm not living under the delusion that I'll suddenly become straight; I know I won't, and I know I'll never marry a woman. I'm certainly not dreaming of some idealized version of the traditional American nuclear family... If I do dream, it’s about finding that perfect partnership and having a child—ideally my own, which is nearly impossible, or perhaps through adoption in an environment that wouldn't judge a child for having two dads.
It’s totally normal. I already laid out some of the reasons people want kids based on the research, but let’s be real—it's also just how you're wired. It's an instinct.
Thinking that gay people shouldn't or can't have kids is straight-up stupid. Sexual orientation is just one tiny part of who someone is. Expecting a gay person to not want kids is just as delusional as expecting them to not need food or water. It’s basic human nature. Period.
Sexual orientation doesn't even stop someone from having a kid. Period.
Look, it’s science. Romantic love and parental love aren't even in the same league. They hit completely different parts of your brain. Period.
What you want isn't even weird. The real issue here is our society, not you.
nimblemaker52 said:
| Fact is, life's just easier for streamers. Obviously I wish mine was that simple too... honestly, I can't even pick one example to prove it because there are a million valid ones. |
Don't we all just default to the path of least resistance? It’s basically hardwired into us. Human nature is all about hunting for the easiest way out—minimizing stress, dodging pain, and avoiding risk whenever possible. It's how we're built.
Quincy:
| So now we're playing this game? Am I just dealing with some deep-seated self-loathing here? Like, am I actually autohomophobic? Seriously? |
I don't see any sign of internalized homophobia in what you wrote. There’s an actual questionnaire used to measure that stuff—I can dig it up and compare the results to a study done here in the States a few years back, if I can find the data. But honestly? Based on what I'm saying, that isn't the issue. I already explained it to you.
Quincy:
| Not really. Maybe to an extent, since I’m not exactly everyone's cup of tea. |
Independence has zero to do with self-acceptance or having the guts to stand up for yourself. Self-acceptance—meaning that internalized homophobia—is about how YOU actually feel and process things deep down. It’s not about what you want, what you have to do, or what you think you should be doing. Period.
Quincy:
| Look, personally? I don't have a problem with it. |
Just like you said. 🙂