Does everyone secretly despise LGBTs although many openly claim to accept and love it, including LGBT members and allies? Are there really people who see LGBT as of equal worth as heterosexuals?

I think LGBT+ people are of equal worth as heterosexuals, because they are also people, and all people are of equal worth.

This is a loaded question that probably requires some unpacking. The simple answer, which many people have already gracefully given, is that there are absolutely people who are completely comfortable and happy living within or alongside the LGBT+ community! The reasons you might be concerned that no one is REALLY okay with any non-hetero orientation—if this is something you're concerned about, and you wouldn't be alone—are a few: One, there is a small but very loud minority that is currently making things very difficult for LGBT+ people in our world. That kind of vitriol is hard to ignore. Two, there is a general blanket of heteronormativity that we're still trying to shake, where in any places straight is the default and everything else is "other," which can be very isolating. And third, as a result of both of these things, a lot of LGBT+ people (and even generally open-minded straight people) experience internalized homophobia—an internal fear, whether it's conscious or subconscious, that being gay IS bad or says something bad about a person. That someone who identifies as LGBT+ has somehow strayed from the default. This is especially hard for LGBT+ people who may have grown up in a more conservative community, or realized their orientation later in life. Those circumstances can complicate their feelings and relationship to their personal identity and leave some issues to work through. So it is true that the road is not smooth for everyone, and that discomfort and fear are unavoidable for many, but I can tell you, with absolute surety, that there ARE people who harbor no malice towards the LGBT+ community—not even secretly. I'm lucky to know many people who are comfortable in themselves and their communities who inspire me regularly, and who give me hope that one day no one will have to worry about this question.

Yes, there are indeed some heterosexuals out there who see homosexuals just as they see everyone else. Some who say they support the lifestyle aren't true supporters. Some think they understand far more than they actually do. Everyone does not hate LGBT's. Although, I completely understand why you'd think that.

I am a part of the LGBTQ+ community and I see hate everyday on us, however, you cannot fight hate with hate. We conquer it with acceptance and love, no matter what sexual orientation they are :)

Not everyone secretly despises members of the LGBT+ community. Most people who consider themselves part of the community, or are an ally, truly do love and accept it. People do see members of the community as equal worth as heterosexuals. We're all humans, we all have things that make us who we are. Are sexuality is just one piece of the puzzle that makes up a person. Even if people have different pieces, the puzzle still ends up making a person when complete. Whether heterosexual and/or cisgender, or a member of the LGBT+ community, everyone is of equal worth. Sexuality and gender are no judgement of worth.

I love my friends of the LGBTQ+ community! I've completed SafeZone trainings and I recognized that I'm a member of the community, not only as an Ally, but also as a pansexual individual. Sometimes you may live in a space where your family or surrounding community is less accepting, but there are people who will love and accept you for you!

I can’t answer for everyone else in this matter, but I can answer for myself. As an LGBTQ+ person myself, I love my community and my LGBTQ+ brothers, sisters, and siblings. In my mind everyone has inherent worth and value and that is not taken away by having a sexuality, romantic attraction, or gender that varies from a cisgender and heterosexual normative. I don’t despise anyone for who they are. It can be tough to come to terms with ones own identity. However, that is different from viewing an entire body of people as lesser for something out of their control.

Hey guys, it's your friendly neighborhood lesbian here coming to you to say that yes, the gays are of equal worth as the straights. I've met a lot of people throughout my life, but the nicest, most caring people I've ever met have been a part of the LGBT+ community. I'm not saying that I've not met nice heteros, because I have, I'm just saying that people in the community are good people. But when it comes down to it, that's all they are- people- they're the same as anyone else. They are worth as much as anyone else. They are just as important as anyone else. The only difference is who they love or how they identify themselves.

Yes, of course. My sexuality is questioning at the moment but right now I do identify as straight. And yes, I am living, breathing proof that there is straight allies who don’t despise LGBTQ+ members. I love them. I think that it doesn’t matter who you decide to love and that it should be normal by now. And I don’t think there are that many people who secretly despise LGBTQ+ members. At least none that I know of. If you have any questions about anything, please contact me or any other listener on 7 Cups. I’d love to clear things up.

Absolutely there are! There is nothing wrong or lesser than aobut LGBTQ+ people and relationships. Many people, believe in complete equality. There are so many amazing straight cisgender allies out there. There's nothing wrong with being gay at all. Not all of society has caught up yet, but a lot of it has. More progress is being made daily. Don't be afraid to be yourself because some people are still behind. We are we on our way to equality. Don't let anyone tell you there is something wrong with you when there isn't.