Do you hold hands when you go out?

I have a difficult time with my partner when it comes to public displays of affection, I'm only speaking about holding hands. I am an adult in my mid thirties and so is my partner. Why in this changing world in this decent sized city with an active GLBT population, does my partner NOT want to hold my hand.

Well a lot of reasons. There are a lot of hateful individuals who want to share their issues. I have to say that in all honesty however, I have never been fearful of my safety and I think that is a good thing. I have never even had someone swear at me - except for road rage and then a person will say anything just because they are upset at the world that minute. I feel it is very different from overt discrimination. I am glad to have not been hurt at all. I am still very conscious of my surroundings and have taken self defense classes, always looking over my shoulder when I walk alone down any street.

So I may never have a hand holder in this woman. That's okay. We have other strengths, part is because of her personality and upbringing and of course, some is because of our lifestyle and fear. It is just life in the Midwest, I can't say that I want to move to Amsterdam tomorrow, I can deal with this.