In my personal life, I try not to associate with bigoted people in general as I get enough of that at work and in the local community and political arena. At work, I hear lovely snippets like, "We may have a drug problem in our family but at least we don't have any HOMOSEXUALS!" I used to debate openly with anti-gay coworkers, but it really got me nowhere so I quit. Instead I make up for it with my vote. I haven't attended a parade or similar activity, but perhaps I will this summer. Last summer there was a "kiss-in" held downtown after a gay couple kissed and then were kicked off of a sidewalk owned by the LDS church. I think it's important my son start learning about these types of things - my mother grew up in the south and was repulsed by the bigotry and racism and taught us from an early age that it's wrong.
In high school I dated a gay boy and we went to prom together. I didn't know he was gay at the time, but I suspected. Living in a very conservative area, kids didn't hold hands or kiss in the hall so his lack of affectionate gestures wasn't a giveaway at first. He was a year younger than me so we went our separate ways when I graduated. He came out of the closet shortly after and I'm sure he endured hell at school. Thank god I don't live there anymore. Awhile later I was discussing this with a friend and a local overheard and said something along the lines of me "turning him gay"
