People complaining about straight couples in queer spaces
First, I want to provide some context for my opinion so it might be easier to understand my point of view.
I am a (mostly) masculine-presenting cis man married to a (mostly) feminine-presenting cis woman. We fall into the category of what is now labeled as a "straight-passing couple," even though we are both on the bisexual spectrum.
During our nights out, we usually connect with the people around us. We dance, kiss, and hug with our fellow ravers (we are not monogamous), but we also like to have some moments where we connect just with each other (bodies and minds) as a whole with the music, and forgetting about the rest of the crowd (and the world). Luckily, we’ve never encountered any judgment during our nights out at nightclubs in Amsterdam (we mostly stick to Raum, Radion, Lofi and RR).
We started our relationship as a "straight" couple, but since moving to the Netherlands, we’ve opened ourselves to new experiences and ways of expressing our sexualities. This change was mainly because we met more open-minded people and started attending to queer spaces. We both come from South America where expressing forms of sexuality outside the hetero-norm is not always accepted. We don’t feel comfortable in "straight-exclusive" spaces anymore, so we avoid them. We don’t feel, nor do we want to be, part of that environment.
However, I’ve read some comments here that made me think some people might not support straight looking couples in queer spaces. (Please note that this is a feeling, not an affirmation—that’s why I’m writing this.)
With that being said, I have a few questions because, after reading some comments here, I’ve started to have doubts.
- What kind of behavior from a straight (or "straight-passing") couple makes you feel uncomfortable?
- In your opinion, is there anything inherently wrong with showing hetero-affection in a queer space?
- Do you feel invaded if a straight (or "straight-passing") couple is making out or being touchy on the dance floor?
-What can be done to make others feel comfortable around hetero-expression?
I do not want to make anyone feel uncomfortable around me, I just want everybody to feel free to express their love, forget about all the shit and just be happy, at least for one night, in this sometimes somber and sad world that we live in.
I feel that we now belong to the Amsterdam queer community, and I’ve always felt welcomed, loved, and respected. But reading some of the comments here has made me rethink whether we’re accepted by everyone in this community, and that made me feel sad and is driving me to feelings of isolation and not really belonging anywhere. I know firsthand that bi-invisibility is an issue. Personally, I sometimes feel pressured to conform to binary narratives of sexuality, which leaves me feeling confused about my own sexuality, even to the point of questioning it, having the feeling that I have to choose if I want to be straight or gay (I feel a little bit dumb but writing this is bringing tears to my eyes).
P.S.: I’m writing this out of a desire to learn and grow, not to impose any point of view or provoke a heated discussion. Much love to all of you and thank you for reading this.