Can we talk about how the old homophobic ‘gay = pedophile’ lie feeds into how quickly we view older gay and bi men as predatory just for existing at LGBT parties and in other LGBT spaces?

A gay or bi man over 50 can be sweet and respectful. He can be out looking for his true love or very honest about cruising for sex. But if he’s old and he’s gay or bi, half of the younger lgbt community is always going to assume that he is a ‘creep’ who is ‘out for boys’. He doesn’t need to say or do anything to get that label. It is there the moment he enters.

This is not harmless either. A lot of older men are still struggling with their sexuality, still worried that there might be something dirty about having same sex desires.
A lot of older men grew up in the time when
‘gay = predator’ was in the papers every single day.

Having that same shit thrown at you the moment you enter an LGBT space where you are supposed to be safe is not fun.