Most of the men over 50 were dubious, if not opposed, to gay marriage, while most of those under 30 were supportive. In 2013, I interviewed a small international sample of men as part of my research on sexuality and ageing. We know that generally older Australians are less supportive of same-sex marriage. He is typical of many older gay men who are bemused by the younger generation’s desire for marriage, reflecting the radically different experiences of those who grew up in far more restrictive and intolerant decades. This is what a 59-year-old black gay activist in Los Angeles told me of his views on same-sex marriage.

I … don’t for the life of me understand why the gay community has decided to emulate an institution that doesn’t work for even straight people … It is laughable