[user104658]

Originally Posted by Chaos

Youtube video

I'm watching this video and literally sobbing. I was actually completely shocked by the end statistics... They did the same test in New York (one of the most accepting states in the US) and Texas, which is known for being extremely conservative/homophobic... However, twice as many people in Texas stuck up for the gay couple, and only about 13 people out of 100 stuck up for the gay couple in New York .

See, there are other explanations for this that have nothing to do with homophobia though. A few generalisations here but Texas is a state where the culture is for people to stand up and speak their mind. If they see or experience something happening that they don't like, they will say so. Loudly.

New York is a large and very "anonymous" city where you're going to have a lot more people who just want to keep themselves to themselves and therefore won't say anything even if inside they're upset or angry about what's going on. Afraid of getting drawn into it and targeted / hurt, themselves.

That's the major problem with a lot of these "tests", I guess. Whether or not someone will say something or try to help has as much to do with their bravery / confidence as it does their opinions.

I used to be a LOT quieter than I am now. My job has now basically hammered it out of me . If I for example saw someone sitting near me on a train being harassed or abused I'd step in. Just 5 years ago, I'd have put my earphones in, sunk into my seat and tried to ignore it. I'd still have been just as angry about it inside but in all honesty didn't have the balls to handle someone getting in my face back then.

[Kizzy]

I don't see it as being due to confidence or conservatism, from the vid I would say that the majority of those intervening were part of the gay community.
We can't judge New York a we saw nothing of them but the 'stats' from the presenter.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by Chaos

Youtube video

I'm watching this video and literally sobbing. I was actually completely shocked by the end statistics... They did the same test in New York (one of the most accepting states in the US) and Texas, which is known for being extremely conservative/homophobic... However, twice as many people in Texas stuck up for the gay couple, and only about 13 people out of 100 stuck up for the gay couple in New York.

It kinda proves that the media likes to make on how awful these conservative countries are. Like I mentioned earlier, (and this still surprises me) my gay friend in the military experienced more abuse here in the UK and in California than he ever did in Arizona and Texas.

I'm happy with how much the world is progressing. You hear bad things happening an awful lot too, but considering that 5/6 years ago there was only openly one gay kid in my whole school (my best friend) and now it's so widely accepted, it truly gives me hope.

Ive seen this video before, and it still makes me cry. so proud of that guy with the earrings, that even though he did;txt make a scene about it, he wrote a really nice note to let them know they were not alone and he sympathized. it isn't until the waitress got more aggressive that he finally got more aggressive.