happy parade - gay and lesbian pride parade

[gee q]

yesterday I was off to buy some art supplies when we saw some people walking by with multi-colored flags. at the time I didn't know what they meant. I keep walking down bank street and I run into a huge "happy parade" wich is the gay and lesbian pride festival. to get to the art store I was forced to go through it.

people were touching me and spraying water. I saw some really ugly drag queens (at least they could try being pretty) and some guys in leather fetish shit...

it seems to me it isn't really about being proud anymore, its more about sex exhibition.

I believe in gay and lesbian rights, but do you ever see heteros going around touching you and wearing lingerie in the streets?

[gee q]

I guess this should probably be posted somewhere else...sorry.

[Fires of History]

Gee Q,

I can see what you're saying, as far as whatever "touching" you experienced that is just wrong. No one should ever touch you without your consent, especially in a sexual way. I can say that in the countless gay gatherings I've been to I have never encountered any kind of harassment. How did they touch you? Sorry to hear that by the way, that is not typical.

But, as much as the touching was wrong, a lot of the gay pride parties, marches, etc, that I have been involved with have been extravagent mostly on purpose. Why should they cover up just because society has a thing about it? GLBTs gave up a long time ago caring what anybody thought. And part of being GLBT is deciding on the same thing: that you are going to be yourself regardless.

It's like with the show Queer as Folk. The creators intentionally included lots of sex. Why? Because the creators say that they want gay sex to be boring finally. GLBTs do love their sexuality, and when they gather they are going to show that. And they're not going to change, and that's part of the flamboyance.

I mean, are gay gatherings supposed to be with a shirt and tie and a grim countenance? Music, dancing, sexyness, what could be more fun?

But then again I am a bisexual who doesn't really get into this whole pride thing. Gathering together is much better in clubs anyway. And pride for what? Don't be proud, just be yourself. And that's all most of my GLBT friends are doing when they gather. There is also those GLBTs that see sexual exhibition as showing pride.

Whatever the answer is, I am glad they are a little crazy. I mean, shit, what would be the point of all this without those scrumptious crazy times? Sigh... :)

(Edited by Fires of History at 4:58 pm on July 15, 2002)

[Brian]

Heck! If I were a cop,I would have started bashing there gay & lesbian heads in.

(Edited by Brian at 11:05 am on July 15, 2002)

[Nickademus]

its all about being in your face....breaking that invisibility that existed before. they are happy who they are and part of who they are is their sexuality. and quite frankly i know a lot of heterosexual couples that make out anywhere (hell i'm guilty of it on occassion).

you're right though, on occassion it does go to far. i've been 'touched' before by lesbian women at the homo hops in my home town (sorry homo hop = LGBT dance) but then i've been touched before by strait men so there ya go.

[RedCeltic]

Gay pride parades have become quite the norm in NYC, sexual harrasmant isn't cool, however not isolated in the GLBT community.

We recently had one one in NYC on June 30th, where even the Mayor came out in support.

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20020630/capt.1025479869.gay_pride_parade_nyr108.jpg


http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20020630/capt.1025479794.gay_pride_parade_nyr109.jpg

[gee q]

hey I totally agree with you fires of history. being yourself is cool! but the touching wasn't as bad as you think, it was just like touching my chest or shoulders and arms type...but I'm not into guys :P

anyway, grow up brian, homosexuality exists and its a fact of life, just like blacks or whites.

I support it if its about being true and honest to yourself. just don't touch me! ;)

peace out

[Shyne]

nasty

[Radikkal Rebel]

i guess i can understand where your coming from. i am for rights for everyone no matter what, but the touching is a bit extreme. and in responce to brian, you sound like youra homophob i pity you! u fuckng arrogant bastard

[ComradeJunichi]

I don't think its nasty, and theres nothing wrong with it. Yes, the touching was odd. They, OF COURSE deserve equal rights!

black white hey what about the yellow?