amazing story about my 14 year old daughter

[SCantiGOP]

She read Pride and Prejudice in literature class. Casually mentioned that it was several chapters before she realized that the sisters were not gay. In the first chapter, one mentions that she has never felt gayer, and, as they are discussing arrangements for Christmas, one states that "this will be the gayest Christmas ever." Soon, she realizes that they are all straight.
The absolutely amazing thing to me was that - while she didn't realize that Jane Austen could not have gotten a book with even a closeted gay character printed in the early 1800's - it was not at all surprising to her to see gay characters in a book. I've often joked that, when I was young in a small southern town in the 1960s, we didn't have gay people (because no one could or would risk coming out).
Makes me realize that the fight over gay rights is over, and the humane position has won. As more old folks die they are being replaced by people who have grown up with gay friends and don't understand what the big deal is about sexual orientation.

[William769]

1. Love the story.

The only problem I see is "Makes me realize that the fight over gay rights is over, and the humane position has won." We have made great strides but therte is still much more to do.

[SCantiGOP]

2. don't disagree

I didn't mean it was over as of today, but that it is inevitable that the tide is shifting in the right direction and will continue to do so. Similar to how my son didn't realize any difference in black and white kids when he was in the first grade. We have to learn prejudice.

[William769]

3. I see.

Sorry for the misunderstanding.

:pals:

[HockeyMom]

4. How language changes too with the times

There is no going back in time, as much as some would like to. Me, personally, growing up in Greenwich Village back in the 50s and 60s, "gay" did have TWO meanings for me as a child; the dictionary one, and the one from the world around me. I am very happy that I grew up where I did, and had the family to match it. Yes, the YOUNG people don't harbor the prejudices the old folks do because they have grown up with seeing gay people out and all around them. Much the same as I did as a child.;-)

BTW, my daughter proposed yesterday, and announced their engagement on Facebook. Sign of the times? lol

[bigmonkey]

5. Tom Lehrer had a great line about how language changes.

"When I was young, there were certain words you couldn't say to a girl. Now you can say those words, but you can't say 'girl.'"

[teenagebambam]

6. Great story

And so typical of what I experience. I'm a gay man teaching college, my partner is also on the faculty here, and being that we are in the South, and both of a "certain age", we tend to be very cautious in our words and actions, but are constantly reminded that the students just plain DON'T CARE.

[Wheezy]

7. Young adult literature has come a long way toward making that happen.

5-10 years ago, young adult books with gay characters were about the coming out process. It was controversial at first, and then it wasn't -- it was life, and most teen readers welcomed it. Now the trend in young adult lit is shifting, and having characters who 'just happen to be gay but coming out is not the story' is becoming more commonplace, which is wonderful, because that's how it's been for straight characters forever. A love story is a love story, a mystery is a mystery, gay or straight doesn't matter, and nobody (meaning the characters) needs to make a big announcement about their sexual preference, they just are who they are. It's happening, and I'm thrilled about it.

Now, if real life could just follow that trend, we'd be good. ;-)

edited to add PS - thanks for sharing that story!

[madmom]

8. I went to school with a girl named Gay. I often wonder how she is doing in this turbulent time.

[HockeyMom]

9. Miss Gay was my PE teacher in HS

Catholic all girls school at that. lol She had to be her in 50s, at least. All I will say is that teenage girls can be very, very CRUEL.