It is ridiculous and, frankly, shocking that some people are still unaware of the existence of the LGBTQ+ community in this day and age. Whether they’re oblivious completely by accident or entirely on purpose, these people pretend that folks who are lesbian, gay, bi, trans, and queer don’t exist on Planet Earth. What’s more, they’re ignorant of the everyday challenges LGBTQ+ people face.

Bored Panda has collected screenshots of the times that straight people forgot that LGBTQ+ people are actually a part of society.

When you’re done reading through this list right here, you can check out Bored Panda’s previous article about the times that people had clearly been living under a rock right here.

Accredited psychotherapist and author Silva Neves, from the UK, explained to Bored Panda why some people pretend that LGBTQ+ people don’t exist and went into detail about the discrimination, homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia they still have to deal with in 2022. According to the psychotherapist, for some straight people, ignoring the existence of LGBTQ+ is to stay comfortable in their own lives.

#1 For Those Afraid To Tell Their Doctors Their Sexuality. We Are Taught To Treat Everyone And Keep Our Opinions To Ourselves

Image credits: despistada

“People pretend the LGBTQ+ people don’t exist because it is easier to stay with pre-conceived ideas of what they think they know about human beings. People still believe that being heterosexual is the only ‘normal’ and everything else is ‘weird,'” psychotherapist Silva told Bored Panda.

“Ignoring the existence of the LGBTQ+ people is a way to stay comfortable with their own lives and not open to the diversity of humanity. Opening up to the diversity of sexual orientations requires being open to ‘not knowing’ and be curious enough.”

#2 Ikr

Image credits: _Username-Available

#3 Oh Brad You Poor Thing, I’m Jus Really Gay

Image credits: MattloKei

The LGBTQ+ people still face many challenges in the West. According to Silva, these differ from country to country. And far from every Western country is as liberal and progressive as its neighbors.

“For example, in the UK, the LGBTQ+ people have legal rights and are protected by law under its discrimination act. However, some other European countries, such as Poland, have strong anti-LGBTQ+ rights and therefore people are not protected in that country, worse, some are even hunted,” Silva gave an example of how two different European countries see the same community.

#4 “I Think Emily Dickinson Was A Lesbian”

Image credits: fairydreamys

#5 Better Lesbian Husband

Image credits: 666xbeachy

#6 Stole The Rainbow

Image credits: Drag0nK1ng123

However, Silva warned, that even in the UK, having legal rights doesn’t automatically mean that there is no discrimination. “Unfortunately, there is still much homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia. There are numerous reports of LGBTQ+ people being attacked only for holding the hand of their same gender partner in the streets, for example.”

He continued: “One of the main opposition to LGBTQ+ people is religious beliefs as many religious people do not agree with accepting LGBTQ+ people as equal human beings. Many LGBTQ+ people are rejected by their own family when they come out. Some can feel very isolated. Because LGBTQ+ people are still ostracised in our societies, they tend to develop poor mental health and misuse of alcohol and drugs as coping strategies.”

#7 Brah

Image credits: YogurtclosetOk222

#8 They’ll Be Pals. Gal Pals

Image credits: doomed-to-sparkle

#9 Vivianne Miedema – All Round Legend

Image credits: golfbuggysareawesome

Bored Panda had spoken about homophobia and why some people are homophobic with British psychotherapist Silva before. He explained to us that homophobia can, in part, be explained by a person’s upbringing. The beliefs and values that one’s family members hold can influence how an individual thinks as they grow up. However, this isn’t the entire story. Things are more complicated than that.

“If people grew up with homophobic parents and they haven’t been exposed to different opinions, they are more likely to be homophobic themselves. Most religions promote the inaccurate idea that same-sex relationships and sexual behaviors are unnatural, wrong, against their God, and a sin,” Silva explained to Bored Panda.

#10 Hitting With That Self Sappho

Image credits: Thedepressionoftrees

#11 Ms. And Mrs

Image credits: _Username-Available

#12 People Are Gay, Steven

Image credits: Explainer003

“Even recently, the Pope declared that same-sex marriages were not endorsed by the Church. Islam is also very homophobic. Most Islamic countries have anti-gay laws with punishment ranging from imprisonment to the death penalty. Many people in the UK growing up in such households are more likely to be homophobic,” the mental health expert pointed out that homophobia is still very prevalent in modern times.

Some younger people want to be part of the ‘in crowd’ and adopt the beliefs of their friends and peers. Unfortunately, this means that they might start taking on a negative outlook when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community just to fit in with their social circle.

#13 Sit On My Face But Just In A Friend’s Way

Image credits: Reality_Rose

#14 I Believe This Man Is Really Close To Having A Realization About Himself That He Is Going To Be Uncomfortable With

Image credits: NomadFire

#15 Who’s Gonna Tell Them

Image credits: AdrienneACox

“Teenagers can be homophobic as a way to conform to heterosexuality and be more accepted by their peers,” Silva said.

Meanwhile, the therapist pointed out that some people become homophobic because they are trying to repress and deny that they personally have same-sex attractions.

 “In being homophobic they attempt to repress their own feelings by fighting against the source of their arousal: the LGBTQ people,” he said.

#16 Ultimate Gal Pals

Image credits: piratekangs

#17 Where Are Their Wives

Image credits: mattxiv

#18 And They Were “Color Enthusiasts”

Image credits: finnsatch

Even if someone had been living under a metaphorical rock, it’s still incredibly difficult to miss the existence of the LGBTQ+ community. Pride Month, traditionally held in June (but on other months in some countries), is a time for events that promote the community’s fight for dignity, equality, and justice. It is also a time to draw attention to the issues that some members of the community struggle with, including discrimination.

During a previous interview with Bored Panda, ‘Stonewall,’ a United Kingdom-based organization spoke about the importance of Pride. ‘Stonewall’ is an organization that aims to create a world where all members of the LGBTQ+ community are free to be themselves and live their lives to the fullest.

#19 But Boys Don’t Get Periods?

Image credits: _DonkeyPigeon_

#20 It’s Straight To Be Gay

Image credits: The_Hottest_Mess

#21 Yup… Just Friends

Image credits: TheCoonManYT

According to Robbie de Santos, the Director of Communications and External Affairs at ‘Stonewall,’ Pride Month is an annual way for everyone to show support for the LGBTQ+ crowd. It’s a global phenomenon that unites everyone.

“Pride is an opportunity for all of us to come together in celebration, protest, and solidarity with lesbian, gay, bi, and trans communities all over the world,” de Santos told us about the extent to which Pride is celebrated each and every year.

#22 Aunt Pat And Her “Roommate”, 1986

Image credits: Snukes42Q

#23 “My Daughter And Her Best Friend / Room Mate.” – Worried Parent

Image credits: WhoAm_I_AmWho

#24 Finally Found One In The Wild

Image credits: alexisprofessional

“All lesbian, gay, bi, trans, and queer people should be able to thrive as themselves, but in 2021, LGBTQ+ people are still being held back because of who we are,” he explained to us previously that even though there’s a lot of progress, there are plenty of challenges that yet remain to be tackled.

#25 How Many Here Are In The “More Options” Category?

Image credits: JohnZ117

#26 There’s No Bi In Team (Link To Thread In Comments)

Image credits: _TallieRose

#27 Well, Why Would She??

Image credits: ggtrollster

“For some LGBTQ+ people, these harms are particularly acute, and we need to stand together against all discrimination that holds our communities back, from racism to ableism, misogyny to classism,” de Santos said.

Pride Month, according to ‘Stonewall,’ is important because it allows everyone to come together and show their support, in their communities, workplaces, schools, online, and on the streets. It’s a celebration of who we are as people. It’s also a way to continue fighting for “freedom, equity, and potential” for all of us.

#28 Ah Yes Nothing Like Getting Rejected By An Old Married Lesbian

Image credits: LilliputianMouse

#29 We Exist Solely For The Satisfaction Of Straight People

Image credits: Aris-Totally

#30 Lovely Bit Of Sportswomanship On Display By Sam Kerr And Kristie Mewis

Image credits: NotableMr

“At Stonewall, we’ll continue to fight until every lesbian, gay, bi, trans, and queer person is free to be themselves, wherever they are,” de Santos said that the fight for equality continues.

#31 Ah, Yes. I Love My Pda-Filled “Friendships”

Image credits: Late_Pen1829

#32 He Never Married

Image credits: bigmacbear

#33 Hotel Friends

Image credits: Crafty_Cupcake_670

#34 Staring

Image credits: Nate_Shoober

#35 My Great-Great Aunt And Her “Roommate” (People At The Time Assumed They Were Sisters Though)

Image credits: ffxhalog

#36 “Mila With Her Classmate” Written On The Backside; My Grandmother Is On The Left; C. 1950s, St. Petersburg, Russia

Image credits: haskittens

#37 Weeeelll… Lucky Me

Image credits: fran_smuck251

#38 Let’s Go, Lesbians

Image credits: LilliputianMouse

#39 Comment On A Cooking Video Of Strange Aeons And Her Girlfriend

Image credits: jan_troeti

#40 Sometimes I Feel Like People Are Just Intentionally Trying To Ignore The Signs

Image credits: yes_affirmative

#41 Good Friends

Image credits: Trey_Explainer

#42 Emojis

Image credits: carteractually

#43 Families Be Like

Image credits: reddit.com

#44 They’re Gay Harold

Image credits: TryParking316

#45 There Was An Attempt

Image credits: JohnZ117

#46 1 Month After My Mom And Uncle Came To The Conclusion My Cousin Isn’t Gay

Image credits: DenikaMae

#47 Ah Yes, The Friendship Flag

Image credits: aw-coffee-no

#48 Projecting

Image credits: reddit.com

#49 They’re Just Companions

Image credits: davetowers646

#50 Child Discovers Gay People Exist

Image credits: Alzoura

#51 Just Gal Pals Kissing On The Lips And Snuggling

Image credits: reddit.com

#52 Is This The Father Figure That Men Keep Saying That Feminists Lack?

Image credits: Theweirdposidenchild

#53 That’s How Long Y’all Been Married Or?

Image credits: und3rta1e

#54 Two Men Having Sex Is Unheard Of

Image credits: shmupied

#55 Casual Parental Erasure From The Telegraph

Image credits: Avocato_FHS

#56 Ah Yes, B E S T M A N

Image credits: ErenYeagerOwnsMe

#57 North Korean Defector Describes Being Sent To The Doctor Because He Wasn’t Attracted To Women

Image credits: ChrisMMatthews

#58 Right. Hang Out. Mhm

Image credits: homowithoutsapiens

#59 The Next Question Was The Same But Girlfriend/Girls

Image credits: Enby_pancakelgbt

#60 You’re Hot, Cupcake

Image credits: JameXito

#61 That’s Not How This Works, That’s Not How Any Of This Works!

Image credits: Fatally_Flawed

#62 There Is No Such Thing As A Female Couple (First Comment)

Image credits: DutchNotSleeping

#63 Who’s Gonna Tell Him

Image credits: supportbiggay

#64 I Found This, I Was Very Happy To See Gay Hijabs (I Wear A Hijab And I’m Gay) Until I Read The Caption

Image credits: itsruqiah

#65 Is It Straight For A Woman To Have Crushes On Women?

Image credits: glittermunster

Source: boredpanda.com