Why the need for "gay pride"?

Comic-Con is different because they aren't gay...generally.

 

judge not that ye shall be judged.

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Gay and lesbian Mardi Gras is really big in Sydney, whenever I have been the vast majority of people are straight and just out for the party...

Good for the economy too gets people out and about enjoying life, spending cash.

 

They also are not about comics LOL. Hollywood has co-opted them via all the TV panel discussions, but that is another thread for another day.

 

There is a-con, furry con cosplay con, so forth. It's just the pride parade that bothers people. It's because the people it is celebrating are gay.

Some clown earlier tried to tell me the contempt isn't about being gay, bull(*)(*)(*)(*), that's all its about. That id's the only thing that separates this from anything else

 

I don't really approve of gay pride parades because I think they further the negative stereotypes the gay community gets upset about. I don't really care if they have them or not, but in the end, I don't see them as contributing anything positive. They are more St. Patrick's Day in Boston than a March on Selma.

 

Not really the parade, but people's perception of it. I used to have that same perception, until I went and saw old people young people, fat and skinny people of all races religions and ethnic backgrounds, both sexes, heterosexuals homosexuals bisexuals asexuals all together. So really there isn't a stereotype on the planet that would fit.

I do think that many people who have never been tend to think it is just fey catty lisping 22 year old skinny blond white boys walking around in their underwear and Patton leather boots, but that isn't really what it is.

Well, I don't blame you for not seeing the positives they do contribute. I assume you aren't gay. As a young man I felt like I would never belong to anything, having been forced out of everything I did belong to, but I found the community, I'm not the only one, that I see as a positive.

Until we aren't bound by labels such as gay and straight this thing will be a positive.

 

Your values are being destroyed because your values are regressive garbage. People don't want them anymore.

In addition, the concept of pride exists because the norm in society is shame. The only way to resist being shamed is to be proud of who you are. Your problem is that you interpret everything as if it happened in a vacuum. That's bourgeois metaphysical reasoning for you.

All historical analysis and all social analysis must be done by analysing the context and objective conditions of the time and place. Nothing happens in a vacuum.

My conclusion is thus: Stop viewing history like it's a religion. Approach things scientifically.

 

Indeed!!

 

Uncomfortable much? Look, you need to understand something. Being out and open about is only about 35 years old so this whole thing is relatively a new thing. I guess, down the road, it will not matter what one's sexuality or orientation may be, but for those that are newly out or feel like there may be some acceptance, it is a big deal. For centuries or more, homosexuals have been targeted for any number of things and to this day, in some countries, they can be imprisoned or executed for just being gay. Not so much the act, but just for being gay. Further down, you stated you "don't have a problem". As I see it, you very much do. Why start a post about about gay people if are not somehow bothered by it? You are extremely bothered by the entire thing. You can outwardly state you are "cool" about plenty, but as I see it, you have a lot of issues about it and now that the gay lifestyle has become the mainstream in every facet of everyone's life and people are learning to accept new things about their counterparts, you have some issue and you want to ask us all, "Why?" Figure it out on your own.

 

I suppose it's the same reason being Italian or baptist isn't enough. People form sub culture in all different things.

Communities are made up of like minded individuals. That's why in cities there are parts of town that are referred to as China town, little Italy and so forth. It's why there are Scottish Greek and Bavarian festivals.

Why form a sub culture based on how much like the Fanz you speak? Why form a sub culture based on what God you choose to worship? Why are any other reasons more valid than sexuality?

 

You've got the cart before the horse. Gay people didn't consciously decide to create a sub-culture; it arose as a consequence of their being marginalized. Some communities/city neighborhoods were more accepting than others. So quite a few left their homes to find a new one in those communities; places where they could feel both safe and like they had a place where they belonged; where they could be part of a community; have access to opportunities that were denied them where they came from. I'm just not sure there's any way to make someone understand this if they haven't experienced a similar situation of marginalization, rejection, and isolation. People who haven't are just blind to the ramifications because they've never had to deal with it or even think about it; they largely take for granted the support they receive from their communities, because it's just a part of their everyday lives, in ways that are oftentimes subtle.

Of the four other gay people I know of from my home town, three of them fled to gay communities in big cities; possibly the fourth did as well; I simply lost track of him. I'm the exception. I left my home town, but my doing so wasn't a gay thing; it was following my family as they moved around + pursuing work.

"Plumbing preferences"? Really? Maybe you don't realize it, but that portrays an enormous ignorance concerning what same-sex orientation is. It's not actually about people's "plumbing". It's more about being attracted to traits that are commonly associated with those of one's own sex. Is heterosexual attraction just about people's "parts"? Incredible.

Um, no. That's more a matter of other people looking for that which reinforces the negative stereotypes they've already chosen to believe in.

Well, you're doing an extremely poor job of convincing me that this is true.

Political gibberish. I'm convinced that you don't know what you're talking about.

So where did you pick up this talking point? Seriously, don't ask me to believe that you came up with it yourself as an original thought. You sound like a politician. And that isn't a compliment.

 

Let me endeavor to explain what Gay Pride means to me:

It isn't the parades and events that get lumped in all together as 'gay pride'. I haven't attended such in years.

If you want to understand where it comes from, you first have to try to understand at least a little bit of what gay people have faced.

Think of all the promise life holds when you're young, all the things you would like to do / experience in life. Stuff like making the team for your favorite sport in high school, having a boyfriend or girlfriend, attending school dances, and prom. After that, maybe there's getting into a good college or university, meeting people who will become cherished friends, the steps you take toward building a career. Maybe you would like to serve your country in the military. Maybe you have a strong religious faith and would like to join a church, sing in the choir, or be otherwise engaged and involved. Maybe you would like to find someone special, get married, and even raise a family. Etc., etc. etc. And think of the role models you've looked up to and tried to emulate. Think about the very existence of things that encourage you to find that someone special.

Now think of what life is like when the answer to all of that is 'no'. Yes, I realize most everyone experiences disappointments and failures, and gets told 'no' at some point in their life, either by other people or as a result of some circumstance. I'm not talking about that.

I'm talking about EVERY last joy in life that makes it worth living being answered with 'no'. Everything being a case of 'Yes, you can, unless you're gay'.

Because that is the reality that a lot of gay people have faced - especially those of us who have attained a certain 'seniority'.

Playing sports? Not if your gay!

Having a boyfriend or girlfriend / school dances / prom? Not if you're gay! (High school is a nightmare you can't wait to escape.)

Getting accepted at a good college? Actually finishing without getting expelled, or having your parents disown you mid-semester? Not if you're gay!

Well, at least you'll have some friends that will have your back when times get rough. Not if you're gay!

Getting your dream job? Getting a promotion? Not if you're gay!

Serving in the military? Not allowed if you're gay!

Church? Oh, definitely not if you're gay!

Finding someone special? Holding hands and all the mushy stuff? Getting married? Given that having any sort of intimate same-sex contact is a felony in your state, even in the privacy of your own home...Are you flipping kidding me? Not if you're gay!!! You want to raise a family? Um, on what planet? Not if you're gay!

Role models? Non-existent. Gay people don't exist on TV or in movies, except as villains, or for comic relief. Or as suicides in morality tales. No gay people in pro sports, either.

I've barely scratched the surface. The above is just some of the 'no' that I and other gay people of my era have faced in our lives. I haven't even mentioned the violence, up to now. Oh, sure, things got better for us, but not without a long, crushing, decades-long fight. And there's no shortage of people who aim to knock us back down where they think we belong.

So what does this have to do with 'gay pride'? Personally, I think I'm entitled to take just a little pride in the fact that I had the strength to even survive all the 'no' I've faced in my life. I know people who weren't so lucky. Some dead, some permanently disabled, some so 'broken' psychologically/emotionally it's a wonder they're still around. And I suppose I'm proud of whatever small part I may have played in making things better for a younger generation of gay people.

What are younger gay people proud of? I have no idea. I suppose they've had their own share of 'no' to deal with, despite improvements.

Every time you tell a gay person 'no' - just because they're gay - you're part of a long tradition. Are you proud of it? I'm sure some of you are. I'd say what I think of that, but why give you the satisfaction.

 

All was well stated!!! (I can relate!)

Thank you!!

 

Pride festivals have evolved over the years. When they started they were much more of a protest and call to action. They were used to make a statement in big numbers where gay people could feel safe. Depending on where you live they are still like that. In more gay-friendly places they are more of a celebration. If you've ever attended one you'll notice that there probably as many straight people there. Before the Internet it was really the only way to show people in the closet they weren't alone. Now I think it's a way to remind ourselves how far we've come and how we will never go back. Plus... They're fun

 

That is the only reading I've ever attended any festival, parade, or gathering.

 

OP

Er, grandstanding? PR? Social networking?