Related to swim briefs - regarding current political climate in the US

[trance399]

Firstly, I'm not American. Has anyone noticed any changes with the way swim briefs are perceived with the current disaster of the political climate in the US? Hopefully this question makes sense. It seems a lot of people equate this to sexuality when in reality there's no relation. I doubt the LGBT community in many states is not doing too well right now either.

I'll be going to Florida again for the first time in 2 years (mostly rural Florida). Not sure what to expect or if people will mind their own business as I'm used to.

[_su_]

Firstly, I am an American. Secondly, I am a Florida native and resident. Thirdly, I voted for that "current disaster of a political climate in the US". Fourth, I have personal relationships and friendships with those in the LGBT community; all are healthy and accounted for. Fifthly, I don't speak for anyone but myself, but all are welcome to vacation (or even relocate!) to Florida regardless of politics, as long as you abide by our laws. Finally (to answer your question) I have been both to the public beach and my community pool this year and noticed no differences in how my swim briefs are perceived.

Please re-read your post, and consider how someone in my position might take offense to your statements if I had written the same about wherever it is you are from, and revise accordingly. I'm not sure if this post is politically driven, but it certainly has that unpleasant feel to it, and casts some negative connotations on my state and country.

Additionally, whatever it is you are afraid of having happen, will probably happen regardless of current politics, and additionally, may be from your own fellow tourists, not the locals!

Enjoy your trip!

[ExBex]

I find the hysteria around politics amusing (when the delusions don't lead to violence).

Not sure where you get your news trance399, but gay people are doing just fine in the USA. Nobody is rounding up speedo guys on suspicion of homosexuality and sending them to gay-conversion camps!

My friend visited Miami last week for a music festival. More speedo guys on the beach than ever. No problems what-so-ever.

So relax. As long as you arrive legally and don't try to trans some kids or firebomb a Tesla, you will find that not much has changed for you.

Welcome back to the greatest nation on Earth and Mars.

[grammarcoast]

Man, don't even go there.

If you're not white, really white, it is not a safe place to travel. Even then I wouldn't go if I didn't have to.

[Okieswimmer]

Gay guy here. And I voted against this political disaster. I wouldn't say that the political climate has changed my bathing suit choices, but it has my trans friends freaked out for their basic rights. And I would be terrified to be an immigrant in this country right now. And my husband and I are keeping close tabs on the happenings and keeping our passports updated in case things start to get dangerous. But speedos? Not currently a worry.

[speed-oh]

I find the hysteria around politics amusing (when the delusions don't lead to violence).

...gay people are doing just fine in the USA.

Quite famously, the current administration deported Andry Hernandez Romero, gay makeup artist to CECOT in El Salvador because they mistook the tattoos honoring his parents for gang symbols. They're have been images of his head being shaved and him praying in prison. He has no criminal record and was legally in the US under a specific asylum law that allows LGBT refugees from Venezuela. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/venezuelan ... 0-minutes/

To say that 'gay people are doing just fine in the USA.' is not very true for Andry

International tourism has already dropped significantly in speedo friendly communities like Provincetown and Fire Island. You used to have to book months in advance to get a summer share but there are still rooms available for the 4th of July this year, which is unheard of! The suddenly crappy economy might have something to do with it too, but thats also related to the current administration.

Companies have pulled out of pride celebrations with the administration's anti-dei push, so many are scaling down in size and making cuts to performers and artists in favor of beefing up security. I was planning on attending World Pride in DC this year, but now I don't think you could pay me to go; it just seems like it could be a target of the government and its supporters who seem increasingly likely to participate in extrajudicial vigilantism.

I definitely plan on limiting my speedo wearing to exclusively lgbt spaces until the mood of the country is in a different space, which sucks but hopefully is only temporary.

[_su_]

While we're all still friends here (and we're all still friends here, right, my follow speedo-wearers/fans?), I just want to remind readers of the OP subject. I'm not seeing anyone being deported over their speedos.

I appreciate the OP asking the question in an attempt to get facts straight. I think some would argue the only thing worse than him being insulted for wearing a Speedo would be if he let his anxiety prevent him from wearing one at all. "Come on, man!"

I just don't think this is a great place to lob politics at each other. What do you get for winning?

[ExBex]

Quite famously, the current administration deported Andry Hernandez Romero, gay makeup artist ... He has no criminal record and was legally in the US under a specific asylum law that allows LGBT refugees from Venezuela. ...

To say that 'gay people are doing just fine in the USA.' is not very true for Andry

International tourism has already dropped significantly ...

Companies have pulled out of pride celebrations ...

I definitely plan on limiting my speedo wearing to exclusively lgbt spaces until the mood of the country is in a different space, which sucks but hopefully is only temporary.

My friend, I say all this with respect and good spirit...

We can't adjudicate every deportation here, but a key point is that Romero was NOT some gay guy legally living in the USA, picked up out of society and deported by Trump for being gay. He was NEVER living here. After trying to enter the country at the southern border last year, he was immediately arrested and sent to a detention facility by the Biden administration as a security risk for gang affiliation. This case has no application to gay citizens in the USA and was never motivated by sexuality.

International tourism, also, is not a sign that domestic gays are under attack. It is more a sign that foreign gays get dramatic and over-react to media hysteria, too. (And, there's economic uncertainty overseas, too.)

The fact that Lockheed Martin and others no longer dump money into sexualized street performances is not oppression. And talented gays still find work at the international conglomerate of their choice, even without a DEI office. I personally don't feel victimized if every Fortune 500 company doesn't celebrate my sexual activities and pander with rainbow merch.

And btw, one of Trump's most powerful appointees, Sec of the Treasury Scott Bessent is openly gay. You don't hear much about it because it's no problem for anyone (and doesn't fit the media narrative that Trump is anti-gay). Hire on merit, not DEI.

Your post is exactly the type of political hysteria I spoke of. People get amped up over viral narratives that don't reflect reality. You only hurt yourself by letting the fake media messaging cause you fear and anxiety. Go enjoy your life! Wear your speedo where-ever you did before!

[Norfcountryboy]

So what's the answer to the original posters question? Politics aside, I find it an interesting point. Socially conservative European countries like Italy and Spain have traditionally been big on Speedos, as was Britain in the 1980's when things were much more to the right than the Trump presidency is now.

BTW Pete Hegseth in Speedos? Yes!
DJT? The world is not ready for that sight.

[ExBex]

So what's the answer to the original posters question? Politics aside, I find it an interesting point. Socially conservative European countries like Italy and Spain have traditionally been big on Speedos, as was Britain in the 1980's when things were much more to the right than the Trump presidency is now.

BTW Pete Hegseth in Speedos? Yes!
DJT? The world is not ready for that sight.

I think it's a good point. Speedos peaked in 70s-90s, when culture was more conservative and gender roles were more rigid. Men were manly. Today, masculinity is having a resurgence after years of being maligned.

The younger GenZ guys broke heavily for Trump. They are also the guys I see most often in the gym bringing back short-shorts and mustaches. Markers of 70s-style male energy are coming back. Speedos have that energy and might be ready for more widespread adoption again.

I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Pete Hegseth in an American-flag speedo poolside at Mar-a-Lago, showing off his Christian tattoos. A new coalition is forming!

[N2ThongsnGs]

This is such a fair question. Let’s just stick with the facts and then answer the question:

For me the facts are the facts.
Speedos are associated with LGBT: FACT.
Current Administration is taking action against LGBT: FACT.
Current Administration opposes the Equality Act: FACT.
Current Administration appoints anti-LGBTQ+ Judges: FACT.
Current Administration opposed Job Protections for LGBT People: FACT.
Current Administration removed healthcare protections (Section 1557) under Obamacare which disportionately impacts LGBTQ: FACT.
Current Administration undermines LBGTQ Military Service and Veterans: FACT.
Domestic LGBT Tourism Travel in Florida is Down; FACT
International LGBT Tourism in Florida is Down: FACT.

Reality is that over 50% of Americans support current administration and will likely echo the same sentiments.

[BozeHawk]

This is such a fair question. Let’s just stick with the facts and then answer the question:

For me the facts are the facts.

Reality is that over 50% of Americans support current administration and will likely echo the same sentiments.

Make of it what you will but The Economist reported a few days ago:

How popular is Donald Trump?
Last updated on June 3rd 2025
45% Approve
50% Disapprove
5% Don't know

https://www.economist.com/interactive/t ... al-tracker

[_su_]

This is such a fair question. Let’s just stick with the facts and then answer the question:

For me the facts are the facts.
Speedos are associated with LGBT: FACT.

Reality is that over 50% of Americans support current administration and will likely echo the same sentiments.

Wow, who knew facts were so fungible! Typically they require proof, unlike opinions. I think most of the straight guys in this forum might feel quite alienated right now due to your first "fact", which I could not get past. Simply stating something does not make it true, nor a reality, as in your last statement, which in fact, never actually answered anything.

I agree that the OP question is not out of line with similar questions about speedo acceptance and popularity at travel destinations. But if you have not recently (since the latest change in administration) been in Florida wearing a Speedo, YOU DO NOT HAVE FACTS enabling you to answer the question, just as it would require in similar threads. When you can point to an actual occurance of someone wearing a Speedo *in Florida* and someone not "minding their own business" (whatever that's supposed to suggest), then we can ask if this person has changed their behavior due to politics, or if they act that way regardless of the current administration. Until then, FFS lay off the politics here please. You're not going to win any friends; you only stand to lose them.

[ExBex]

This is such a fair question. Let’s just stick with the facts and then answer the question

I think there is a problem of labeling things as "LGBT" issues when 95% of the political controversy is only with the "T" part. And a lot of LGB people (like myself) share the concerns about trans radicalism, particularly with children. Things like Section 1557 are being re-considered because of that so-called "gender affirming care." Likewise the recent changes in the military aren't anti-LGB; they are addressing trans radicalism.

1. For the last couple decades, Speedos have been associated with G (and maybe B). But not T.
2. Gay acceptance is widespread in society and within the MAGA movement, particularly with younger folks. They don't care.
3. Swim briefs continue to gain popularity, and there have been no incidents based on perceived sexual orientation of the wearers.
4. I'd say the association of speedos with sexual orientation is actually declining sharply now as straights rediscover them.

There is definitely rising opposition to transgenderism, and maybe the perception of swim briefs would be negatively changing if they were a trans symbol, but they aren't and never have been.

[grammarcoast]

Okay, so they're only out for the T's folks, so everything is fine. We just throw them under the bus and we'll be okay... It's not like they haven't been marching and supporting the Gs Ls and the Bs this whole time or anything.

[speedoGopher]

Hire on merit, not DEI.

Right... because Musk, Hegseth, McMahon, Noem, and Patel are beacons of merit.

[ExBex]

Hire on merit, not DEI.

Right... because Musk, Hegseth, McMahon, Noem, and Patel are beacons of merit.

I get that political partisans will always say the opposition is without merit.

But Musk? The dude is objectively the greatest entrepreneur and businessman of his generation. Camera-based autonomous cars. Reusable rockets. Launching 400 ft buildings into space and then catching them. Brain implants that allow paralyzed people to control things with their minds. A profitable and functional Twitter with 80% staff cuts. Low-latency space-based internet anywhere in the world. Humanoid robots. Mars.

It's hard to take anyone seriously who thinks this guy is without merit!

[speedostud]

the current disaster of the political climate in the US

No offense, but it sounds like you’ve been feeding on CNN and MSNBC - or the overseas equivalent of extreme liberal infotainment passing as news. Maybe step outside the mainstream media machine, source some alternative news, and form your own opinions without the hysteria. The views of talking heads in NYC and LA do not reflect the entire country, despite their persistence to push the Dem party agenda.

I could not be happier with the return to sanity the last 4 months. The cities are cleaner and safer, inflation is down, investment is up, debt is being tackled, and there is way more transparency of what is going on.

In terms of Speedos... I see way more than usual at my local beach already, and I go to a variety of beaches, not just gay ones. There are lots of fit, straight men wearing them these days - as well as younger guys.

[speedostud]

The dude is objectively the greatest entrepreneur and businessman of his generation.

Agreed. One of the greatest minds of all time!

[speedoGopher]

the current disaster of the political climate in the US

I could not be happier with the return to sanity the last 4 months. The cities are cleaner and safer, inflation is down, investment is up, debt is being tackled, and there is way more transparency of what is going on.

lol