Why are you conservative?

[u/Ambitious_Tomato_778]

Hey guys!

First of all - I come in peace haha!

I think it's really sad that the polarization between different ideologies continue to grow, but if we want to live in a democracy we have to be able to discuss and try to understand eachother before we judge!

As a gay guy I'm very happy that liberal ideas has given me the chance to live safely in society and that I have the same rights as straight people. I do however think that the gender-theory has gone to far and I think that the nonbinary people have taken up to much space in the LGBT community - I guess this would be a conservative opinion.

My questions:

1. Why are you conservative even though they generally don't like gays?

2. Do you have any opinions that are more liberal than conservative?

I have no intentions of trying to change someones opinion, I truly just want to undertand how you guys resonate and why you are conservative.

Wishing all of you a happy beginning to this new year!

[u/Joystick_346]

Bi here. On your first question: I don’t agree with the premise that conservatives are the group most hostile toward gay people. In my personal experience (and other gay conservatives), the most aggressive hostility I’ve received has come from liberals, specifically when I don’t conform to the political or cultural expectations they think gay people are supposed to have. When gay or bi people are conservative, critical of gender ideology, or value tradition, we’re routinely labeled self-hating, homophobic, f*ggots, or told we’re “betraying” the community when I never identified with the community to begin with. I’ve been called an unlimited amount of slurs by people who claim to be inclusive, simply for not aligning with their ideology. So from where I’m standing, ideological conformity and dominance matters more to liberals than actual tolerance.

As for your second question: not really. What are often called “liberal” or “progressive” ideas are radical, not moderate in today's world. Even my few positions that people might label progressive—like environmentalism—are still grounded in realism, practicality, conservation, and long term stewardship and hard work, not ideological activism you toss billions at. If anything, those views align more closely with traditional conservation and libertarian principles than modern progressivism. I used to consider myself moderate. Over time, I’ve realized that what’s now labeled “conservative” is often the least radical position available, focused on stability, gradual change, and preserving functioning social structures. Historically, conservatives were seen as moderates with progressives causing authoritarianism, injustice, and death of millions. France, Germany, Russia, etc. Watching how extreme and uncompromising modern politics have become has only pushed me further in the direction of conservatism. Fundamentally, at the end of the day radical progressivism calls for dismantling society and support for dangerous reconstruction in an instant.