Kiss Me Quick
61% Of Gay And Bisexual Men Are Uncomfortable Kissing In Public
More than forty years have passed since the decriminalization of homosexuality in the UK, however a survey by the free gay dating website ManCentral.com reveals that 61% of gay and bisexual men feel unable to kiss in public.
Whilst there are unwritten rules within society that govern when and where anyone should engage in an intimate moment with their partner, the research shows that gay and bisexual men are ten times more likely to feel oppressed than their heterosexual counterparts.
According to ManCentral a staggering 61% of the gay and bisexual men surveyed felt uncomfortable displaying affection in public fearing retribution from wider society. In stark contrast, an identical survey on a heterosexual dating site showed that just 6% of straight daters would think twice before displaying their affection in public.
The survey also highlighted that 23% of gay and bisexual men were uncomfortable displaying their affection to another male anywhere in public, whilst 38% admitted they felt confined to displaying affection solely within ‘gay-friendly’ areas.
Intriguingly, of those surveyed, 18-24 year olds were the most uncomfortable (28%) with displaying affection in public whilst a lesser 19% of men aged 61 and above felt the same. It is worth noting that the men now aged over 60 would have been in their late teens and early twenties when homosexuality was considered illegal in the UK, yet the statistics indicate that they feel less repressed than those aged 18-24 in today’s society. Clearly, though homosexual acts have been legal within the UK for over forty years, there remains a sense that homosexual displays of affection are at worst, unacceptable or at best, somewhat taboo.
Unfortunately, many of the men who took part in the research expressed their fear of what other people would think, say or do if they were to behave affectionately towards another man in public. One member revealed, “The one time I displayed affection with another man [in public] we had water thrown over us.” Sadly, another member explained that he would not display affection in public because he “[doesn’t] want to make other people uncomfortable.”
The survey also found the following interesting facts:
- 1 in 10 openly gay men felt uncomfortable displaying affection anywhere in public including ‘gay-friendly’ areas.
- A quarter of gay and bisexual Londoners avoid public displays of affection completely compared to just 16% of those surveyed in Brighton and 22% of those who live in Manchester.
- Surprisingly, 1 in 10 closeted men were comfortable displaying affection with another man anywhere in public.
The unfortunate reality is that many gay and bisexual men feel unable to display affection in public, not as a result of their own insecurity, but on the attitudes of those around them
Research:
ManCentral.com polled 3,200 members over a three day period. Detailed statistics & breakdowns available on request. Members who answered the surveys remained anonymous to ensure an honest and accurate response.
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