buzzbishop.com - Latest Comments in Are You Proud of Pride?

Re: Are You Proud of Pride?

Catherine Winters — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:50:22 -0000

They do in New Orleans at Mardi Gras.

Re: Are You Proud of Pride?

Nicholas — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:34:23 -0000

Because of the overt sexuality, I will not take my daughter anywhere near the parade.

Would the sexual display be tolerated if it was being done straight men and woman?

Re: Are You Proud of Pride?

Ed — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:04:01 -0000

This old article from the Onion seems appropriate

http://www.theonion.com/con...

Re: Are You Proud of Pride?

Jen — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 22:48:02 -0000

I went for the first time last year, it was a fun time, but I had the exact same problem you have with it. What it does is scares the people who are already questioning the ethics of the homosexual community, what they need to realize it's a parade of sexual fetishes, of the hetero and homosexual variety.

I'm proud of my gay (and straight) friends, but I don't need to see a flamboyant display of their bedroom practices on Robson Street on a sunday afternoon, just like I wouldn't want to see the exact same practices of my straight friends on robson on a sunday.

Re: Are You Proud of Pride?

buzz — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:46:10 -0000

Maybe its role is strictly symbolic at this point: “I’m wearing a feather boa and short shorts and I’m an accountant! Hilarious!”

agreed.

Re: Are You Proud of Pride?

eternalcanadian — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:29:01 -0000

So what does that make Caribana? They're practically naked (and actually naked in some places) in their parades and yet...

Re: Are You Proud of Pride?

Catherine Winters — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:14:50 -0000

You're right, it should be a party. Everyone's having a good time. Or at least a loud time. At the same time, maybe it's not about visibility anymore. At what point does something stop being a protest and start being a traditional event?

A couple decades ago, "we're here, we're queer; get used to it," was necessary. And then the vast majority of people DID.

I'm certainly not so blind as to think that there isn't inequity and injustice directed towards GLBT people every day, but Pride doesn't change the mind of haters, and it probably never has much. What changes their mind is the opposite: day-to-day interaction:

"Oh, your son's gay? The couple two doors down from me are too. Their kids sure raise a ruckus!"

As for Pride? Maybe its role is strictly symbolic at this point: "I'm wearing a feather boa and short shorts and I'm an accountant! Hilarious!"

Re: Are You Proud of Pride?

buzz — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:03:57 -0000

I dunno, parades need to be bright and colourful and exciting and flamboyant.

I'm not trying to be uptight on this one, I think it's a good, fun time - I just don't think it does anything to help open the minds of the haters.

Just tossing a balloon for some discussion here to see if someone can shine light in different corners of my closet to help me take a different perspective on this one. Not saying my opinion is right, or definite - just how I've felt about the parade for a few years now.

Re: Are You Proud of Pride?

Jeremy — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:00:13 -0000

that all said... maybe it needs a different name? Because the parade is an adult themed good time.

Maybe you'd like the Vic one more? Family friendly... really its just a parade just like the Oak Bay Tea Party parade or the Esquimalt Buccaneer Days parade and if there is one thing I think all communities need more of, its parties!

Re: Are You Proud of Pride?

Catherine Winters — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:57:57 -0000

See, this is why I'm more a fan of the Dyke March: it's not Mardi Gras, it's going for a walk in the neighbourhood. It's more participatory and has a greater sense of community. It's got funny signs and moms with strollers. (The tall chicks have way, way less makeup and are interested in me.)

Plus, let's face it: much more sensible shoes.