Well I'll try and buck the trend by being a (straight, monogamous) male respondent and entirely agreeing with your observations. In the interest of full disclosure though, I'm a male who was raised for most of his life by a pair of lesbians, so I probably have a rather different perspective on this than the average 'guy on the street'.

I do recognise entirely what you're talking about in terms of how gay female sexuality is regarded as fine if it's in a 'phwoar, 3some' FHM style, and repellent if it's in a form which excludes it from being purely for male entertainment.

I've found myself in a number of very uncomfortable discussions with otherwise quite enlightened and 'right on' men when I've questioned this attitude with them when they've made the 'traditional' comments about it, and I've tended to disagree. I do entirely see that it's a case of people assuming that their attitude is apolitical and normal and shouldn't cause any offence.

I've definitely seen the kind of unpleasant behaviour you describe directed towards women displaying physical affection in public, both of the 'phwoar can we watch' variety, and of the 'ewww, horrible butch dykes' variety, depending on who was involved.

It is offensive. It is objectionable. It's perpetrated by both sexes too, as I've seen women indulge in much the same set of prejudices too, towards gay women.

I'm slightly horrified there haven't been more supportive male responses here to be honest.