Jim knows that much, he's not delusional enough to think that John will ever see the world change that much in his lifetime. But then he wasn't saying it to give John some kind of distant hope for change; he was saying it so John would understand the kind of world Jim comes from, why he has such a different outlook and attitude when it comes to sexuality. He wants him to understand that to Jim, who or what people like holds absolutely no weight to him, it doesn't define a person in his eyes.

He smiles a little, actually glad for that bit of honesty, and he steps closer to John, standing in front of him. He reaches up to rest his hands on John's shoulders, and he steps in to give him a tight hug, pressing a lingering kiss to his cheek as he pulls away.

"I'm absolutely sure it doesn't bother me, I promise you," he assures him, cupping his face. "And for what it's worth? You're not home now. Whether you think of being here as a good thing or not, you can still make the most of it. So, you know, if you ever meet someone you like..." He shrugs, smiling at John. "There's absolutely no reason for you not to have a completely open relationship. No one is going to hunt you down for it here."

Yes, he does realize some fears are just more ingrained and not so easy to overcome, but he just wants John to understand that there is every opportunity for him to work on that, here. He's not home anymore, but he may as well see that as an opportunity for a new kind of life.