Gay Pride: Is It Necessary? (homosexuals, attend, sexuality, God)

[robtex]

Any group that feels they have to be "in the closet" needs a (fill in the blank) pride parade. I see gay pride parades as a great way to present the idea that there is no need to be secluded or excluded from society. The gay pride parades held all over the world are a postitive and festive way for homosexuals and their hetrosexual supporters to heal emotional wounds and work on intragrating homosexuals into the mainstream of the community the parade is held in.

The parades are more like festival in most occassions with happiness and joy spread among the partipants and observers. To me it is very simple:

problem: secluded group has members who live lives metaphorically in a closet
solution: festive celebration marching in the street of those who are not in the closet.

gay pride is a festive and healty way to address a socialogical issue.

[SunMessenger]

I am infavor of the parades if they are done with respect and dignity.I remember being in a large metropolitan area one afternoon when a Gay Pride Parade was about to come by. As I watched I was embarrassed by what I saw. Men in thongs on floats parading almost naked down a main street displaying actions depicting very explicit sexual acts.


I saw one woman rush her children into a retail store saying to them this is something you don't need to see. She was right. If a group would like to be accepted by many, it is sometimes better to encourage likenesses not differences. I have never attended another Gay Pride event since the one I described. Guess what, my business deals with many wonderful people many of whom I love tremendously that happened to be gay. The consensus among them is by accentuating their differences from the so called straight world, the more likely it is that would be allies are pushed away. Gay people are very intelligent and caring people, but this is not displayed in such events. Rather an attitude of pride in the differences is promulgated .


I do not in anyway ignore the other Parades Such As Mardi Gras in the straight world. They are of equal standards as the one I described . The sexual preference of the given parade was not the issue. It was the performances that appalled me .Parade the Doctors and Lawyers and Teachers and Mothers and Fathers etc etc and show more of the productivity of gay people.If one does not want to be noticed and wishes to be an accepted member of any society then don't carry a sign pointing out differences rather point out similarities and move on with life by just living and letting others live as well ...Be Well And God Bless...

[Jaymes]

Originally Posted by robtex

solution: festive celebration marching in the street of those who are not in the closet.

It's also a good way for people still not out of the closet to cut loose for a bit in the relative anonymity of a crowd... that, and they usually don't have to worry about accidentally outing themselves, since the people they're not ready to tell usually aren't the type to attend such a parade.

[Mike182]

Originally Posted by Jensa

It's also a good way for people still not out of the closet to cut loose for a bit in the relative anonymity of a crowd... that, and they usually don't have to worry about accidentally outing themselves, since the people they're not ready to tell usually aren't the type to attend such a parade.

they are also great places to meet people.....

[Fluffy]

I've always had a problem with pride so when I first heard about it I was very turned off from the idea. But I understand its intentions and I do think it is necessary in order to reduce intolerance and bigotry towards homosexuality.

I just feel there are better ways of doing it. For example, celebrating sexuality side by side is something I would be more comfortable with supporting.

[cardero]

Originally Posted by Fluffy

I've always had a problem with pride so when I first heard about it I was very turned off from the idea. But I understand its intentions and I do think it is necessary in order to reduce intolerance and bigotry towards homosexuality.

I just feel there are better ways of doing it. For example, celebrating sexuality side by side is something I would be more comfortable with supporting.

The concern I have is people getting hurt or losing their lives in the event of displaying their pride. As anyone knows, in the event of a lost life, displaying pride becomes even more difficult.

[onmybelief]

Pride about anything is a sin in view. Now don't get me wrong, I admit that it's a sin I am guilty of over and over again.

I apologize if this is not the right place to post this opinion as it is not in a religious forum.

[Booko]

Originally Posted by cardero

Do you think that it achieves what it sets out to do (for example inform or help to overcome prejudice) or does Gay Pride gatherings bring unwanted attention to the people who participate in it? The only reason I ask is because I never attended one of these gatherings.

I dunno, but I would make the general observation that in U.S. history at least any group that has felt oppressed and demanded their rights has been criticized for any public demonstration and told they were being "uppity" (or words to that effect). It's been said to the Irish, blacks, women, and now the same thing is said about gays.

<<Plus ca change, la meme chose>>

[Jayhawker Soule]

Originally Posted by Booko

I dunno, but I would make the general observation that in U.S. history at least any group that has felt oppressed and demanded their rights has been criticized for any public demonstration and told they were being "uppity" (or words to that effect). It's been said to the Irish, blacks, women, and now the same thing is said about gays.

Very well said.