66 replies to this topic

[swmr545]

I don't think it's so much that one is proud to prefer their same sex as it is to be proud to be who they are.

Persecuted groups have often been made to feel ashamed of who they are, whether it is their race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, or sexual preference. Although the original march was on the anniversary of the Stonewall riots, and were organized as a march to demand fair treatment, it grew in to something that I think showed gays that they are not alone, and should not be ashamed of being who they are.

I also believe that the celebration sometimes gets hijacked by people who want to display and perpetuate every vulgar gay stereotype, much of which belongs behind closed doors, rather than on display for the public to see.

Instead of 'treat us fairly, we are just like you', it has grown to into 'look at me! I'm in drag!', or 'check out my arse in these chaps!'

I know gays that hate that aspect of the parades, as again, they only serve to perpetuate negative stereotypes.

I think a more appropriate pride parade might show gays as normal working citizens.

JMO

Yes, our parades have people in drag, leather, and next to nothing. But if you watch it, you will see that the majority of the people are just regular people. You never see the media covering the two moms walking w/ their child because that doesn't cause the reaction a man dressed as a woman does, or the near naked men dancing and prancing around.

While I don't dress in drag and have enough modesty to wear clothes that cover my body, our parades are about our unity as a community. It takes everyone to make up our pride marches, cuz it won't be as fun without our drag queens and kings (they are entertaining).

[swmr545]

Have fun at your parade. I won't be going because I don't really care who you like to have sex with. Why you feel a parade is necessary is beyond me - but enjoy nonetheless.

I'm also proud of my Chinese and Irish heritages, and I enjoy seeing the St. Patty's Day Parade and Chinese New Year's events.

As Steve pointed out, "I don't think it's so much that one is proud to prefer their same sex as it is to be proud to be who they are."

[swmr545]

I've always used a simple technique to if an organization / event is ok. I like to change the participants and see if I get an uneasy feeling. Here are some: White Students Association, NAAWP (the national association for the advancement of white people) (yes I know, they call it the KKK), The Straight Pride Pride, etc. I know it never makes a difference, but it is fun anyway.

In any case, have fun swmr545. It looks like it will cool down some tomorrow for you. At least the heat won't be oppressive.

You must not approve of many events

But thankfully it will be cooler (and the march is in the morning so it shouldn't be too hot).

[swmr545]

Based on the Folsom Street Fair it is more like lack of dress. I never would have imagined I would see leather chaps worn that way I went once and decided that I probably did not need to go again.

That is one celebration I don't see myself going to.

[Steve Heard]

I've always used a simple technique to if an organization / event is ok. I like to change the participants and see if I get an uneasy feeling. Here are some: White Students Association, NAAWP (the national association for the advancement of white people) (yes I know, they call it the KKK), The Straight Pride Pride, etc. I know it never makes a difference, but it is fun anyway.

I think that if you were from a group that would benefit from such an organization, you might think differently.

The NAACP, for example, was founded, by white folks, incidentally, because blacks were not afforded equal treatment, equal opportunities, nor equal treatment under the law. Many who opposed the NAACP are under the mistaken assumption that in order for blacks to advance, others must suffer, and that's just not the case.

[swmr545]

I think that if you were from a group that would benefit from such an organization, you might think differently.

The NAACP, for example, was founded, by white folks, incidentally, because blacks were not afforded equal treatment, equal opportunities, nor equal treatment under the law. Many who opposed the NAACP are under the mistaken assumption that in order for blacks to advance, others must suffer, and that's just not the case.

NAACP has come out (no pun intended) supporting marriage equality legislation.

[ngilbert]

Sorry I just don't get the whole gay pride thing. Pride about having a sexual preference? I may be the only one around here that thinks this way but the thought of a city supporting an event like this is offensive to me. I guess I am just behind the times (really not such a bad place to be).

I'm not sure what part of a gay pride parade you don't get. I mean, no matter what angle you look at it from it makes sense. Observe:

-Gay people like parades

-Parades are, well, kind of gay*

Seems like a perfect fit to me.





*By the way, if anyone was offended by my use of the word "gay", my agent and my publicist (both of whom are gay, incidentally) are putting me in rehab, after which I will make a tearful apology on the Al Sharpton radio show. I know, I know - Sharpton is straight, but they've got the public mea culpa routine down to a science. In and out in five minutes. It wasn't my first choice for media outlets but apparently, according to his producer, Sean Hannity likes girls. Coulda fooled me.

[MikeinFolsom]

Yep, I have to echo the feeling of "why"? Why hold a parade because you're proud of being gay?

Us folks that are white....if we hold a parade being proud of being white, well, you know how that turns out.

Ever wonder why people have a problem with gay people? Probably not so much that the thought of two hairy men going at it probably disgusts them, but maybe it's the fact that you flaunt it. We've been down this thread before. Be gay, and leave it at that.

[cw68]

Be gay, and leave it at that.

Then I say equal treatment.

People: just let them be gay and leave it at that. Don't put them down, don't tell them they're going to hell, don't tell them they'd be horrible parents, don't discriminate against them, don't beat them up, don't laugh at them, don't kick them out of your church, etc., etc., etc.

[swmr545]

Yep, I have to echo the feeling of "why"? Why hold a parade because you're proud of being gay?

Us folks that are white....if we hold a parade being proud of being white, well, you know how that turns out.

Ever wonder why people have a problem with gay people? Probably not so much that the thought of two hairy men going at it probably disgusts them, but maybe it's the fact that you flaunt it. We've been down this thread before. Be gay, and leave it at that.

Should the Chinese be allowed to have their Chinese New Year's celebration? Or Mexicans celebrate Cinco de Mayo? Irish and St. Patty's Day?

As for us "flaunting" our gayness...do we really have to go there? Why do straight couples have to hold hands in public? Kiss each other? Put their arms around each other's waists, "just married" signs on cars, etc. etc.? Or is that ok since it's between a man and a woman?

[swmr545]

Then I say equal treatment.

People: just let them be gay and leave it at that. Don't put them down, don't tell them they're going to hell, don't tell them they'd be horrible parents, don't discriminate against them, don't beat them up, don't laugh at them, don't kick them out of your church, etc., etc., etc.

[mylo]

This reminds me of being a kid on Mothers day and asking "When's kids day?"

"Every day is kids day"

We never got a parade

[banana]

Us folks that are white....if we hold a parade being proud of being white, well, you know how that turns out.

us straight people have parades honoring love & sex too, here you go:

Love Parade in Berlin - http://en.wikipedia....iki/Love_Parade
http://www.berlin-li...lin-love-parade
Here's this years event (its huge!)- http://www.loveparade.com/
There's also a Love Parade in Chili - http://www.loveparade.cl/
Carnival in Rio -http://www.myvillage.com/datingphotos/sexparade.htm
Budapest Sex Parade - http://fleshbot.com/...rade-020654.php
and for those of you who think San Francisco is only about gays, here's the San Francisco Love Parade (women and men) http://www2.sflovefest.org/

we've had parades honoring our love and sex long before gays did so don't feel left out

[NSFather]

I think that if you were from a group that would benefit from such an organization, you might think differently.

The NAACP, for example, was founded, by white folks, incidentally, because blacks were not afforded equal treatment, equal opportunities, nor equal treatment under the law. Many who opposed the NAACP are under the mistaken assumption that in order for blacks to advance, others must suffer, and that's just not the case.

Let me be clear I'm not talking about social clubs; I've belonged to a few of those myself.

I have a problem with hyphens. I don't like terms like "Italian-American," "African-American," etc. You are either an American or your not. Groups like these tend to differentiate us when we really need to pull together.

[really politically incorrect statement] I believe that things such as unions, the NAACP, etc. have caused almost as much harm as they have caused good. At what point do these types of groups go away? Just like taxes and social programs, groups should have a sunset clause that defines when they go away. Then we will know when we have truly fixed the problem we are trying to.
[/really politically incorrect statement]

[banana]

Let me be clear I'm not talking about social clubs; I've belonged to a few of those myself.

I have a problem with hyphens. I don't like terms like "Italian-American," "African-American," etc. You are either an American or your not. Groups like these tend to differentiate us when we really need to pull together.

[really politically incorrect statement] I believe that things such as unions, the NAACP, etc. have caused almost as much harm as they have caused good. At what point do these types of groups go away? Just like taxes and social programs, groups should have a sunset clause that defines when they go away. Then we will know when we have truly fixed the problem we are trying to.
[/really politically incorrect statement]

so everyone should just forget their heritage and history? that does not make sense. I was born here but am Italian and I'm very proud of that. I'm not about to forget or ignore my heritage.

Its easy for you as a white man to wish away the NAACP, they do not benefit you.