Am I delusional or are men now more openly fluid and touchy?
Hey guys, M22 here and I noticed something but I really want to check if I am overexagarting or if it's more a niche thing or really a visible trend. So I think that especially in this decade people started to realise that sexuality does not need to be tied to an strict "identity" and that it is much more fluid and yes even for men.
So a gen z guy who is technically bi/pan but I don't really care about labels, I like women, men, trans people,... and for me it comes down to the person to who I want to be with.
What I have noticed is, that beside biphobia and homophobia that still exist, it is much more chill and accepted. So far I never got any biphobia in my real life or people seeing me as less masculine just because I like dudes too. And I don't live in a particullary "woke" area but in a small town in southern Germany.
Now I also noticed people my age being much more aware of it and seeing it as legitimate but also men became much more touchy with eachother in a way that girls are and were allowed before. In my school guys from a soccer group even kissed shirtless on a party and that photo made it into the graduation book. Nobody said "oh gay.." but actually a girl I liked at the time showed me this and said "Oh well that's a common thing around those super masc / frat dudes". Also my best female friend is into more softer guys, also a Harry Styles fan and her boyfriend cuddles with his bros and she loves it. And she is a conventional south european "girl next door" so again not really from a "woke" niche or so.
On TikTok (eventho I am aware of algorhytms) I also see homoerotic content between men, many guys my age admitting they would crack a twink or a femboy and guys especially from the fitness bubble commeting not stuff like "fire bro" and "good physique" but literally "I have a crush on you bro" and hearts. Guys I met now at the uni are also like it, they send me a heart when I send them homework or so and it's all normal. And which is interesting how many dudes that do this are conventionally very masculine. Also interesting how straight dudes now exibit some feminine presentation while many gay/bi dudes present themselves very macho like. So there aren't any rules now to be honest and I have a feeling many people see it.
Even straight men now often saying here how it would be easier to be gay/bi when it comes down to dating and how "men are easier to get along with eacjother" which would be unthinkable like 10-15 years ago! Even queer men being "conservative" like that was unthinkable before.
I am not saying that it is everywhere like this,
obviosly this world is still a rough place and prejustices are DEFINITELY there BUT it is much MUCH better I think than one may assume on Reddit? Now I really want to know is it really a true thing happening or is it really a niche and I am just delusional? Since social media (traditional media) as well made me TERRIFIED to be a bi man in last couple of months
PS: In media as well series like Heated Rivalry, Adults and this year's World Cup in soccer... damn there were some bromances and dudes weren't hiding it.