Being in a Same Sex Relationship

My blog kind of follows a thread of topics that are often seen as contraversial or 'taboo'.

So, I thought that this subject would be perfect for my next post.

I've been in two same sex relationships and I often wonder what people think or have thought when we have been in public holding hands. For the most part, I've not heard any abuse being hurled at us but have had a few people (often baby boomers) do a double take or stare for an inconsiderable amount of time.

However, last week, in a city I thought was quite liberal, I overheard a group of people - who may I add, were drinking vodka out of fruitshoot bottles and bragging about their dependency on drugs, say some derogatory things about people who are attracted to their same sex. 

'Lesbians make me feel sick, I don't get why anyone would get off on that' 

(Pointing at my girlfriend) 'She is definitely the boy in that relationship' 

It took a huge amount of willpower to bite my tongue, but I can't help and think if I had challenged their beliefs maybe then they would realise that it's not okay to be have these views in the 21st century.

Homophobia is real. 1 in 5 LGBT people have experienced or witnessed a hate crime in the last 12 months. Even more shockingly, 4 in 5 LGBT crimes go unreported as LGBT people are reluctant to go to the police. It’s hard to believe that even now, we have political leaders that are against this kind of love. What can we do to prevent this from happening?

Lessons on equality and the LGBT community is vital in schools - not only to promote inclusion or 'normality' around same sex relationships, but also to give children confused about their sexual orientation the opportunity to:  explore, ask questions and realise there is no shame in loving somebody who is the same gender as yourself.