Gay Pride Parade

The "Older Brother Effect" - 60 Minutes.
This is probably the most interesting explanation about homosexuality that I've heard of. It doesn't explain all cases and it is a theory.

I just don't get it. Really, I just don't understand this whole concept of a Gay PRide Parade, Week, Day or whatever. Like who cares. In one breath the gay community states that they are like everyone else, with one significant difference, but then has to hold this spectacle on an annual basis. Whats wrong with just living your life? Is it necesary for any group to present such a public image on what is a very truly private subject?

Deank wrote:

Who on here believes that I could hold a heterosexual pride parade without it becoming National if not International news and whoever participated in it being "shunned" or look down on?

Anyone?

I had this conversation yesterday, oh and the day before. Homosexuals get a parade because for how many years did the straight people suppress them, how many marches and protests did it take for at least some people to accept them? Gay people had to be openly PROUD of who they were to be noticed, to even be heard. Today a parade is in order so that the people who are still ignorant can hear and see that everyone should be treated equally regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation.

DeanK you should have your parade, as well protest as to why you cannot go to an all woman's gym.

Triniman wrote:The "Older Brother Effect" - 60 Minutes.
This is probably the most interesting explanation about homosexuality that I've heard of. It doesn't explain all cases and it is a theory.

I know quite a few gay men and only one of them has an older brother. Most of the gay men I know either have an older sister or they were only children.

I am all for Gay Pride. I have been to the parade a few times in support of my friends who are gay. I see nothing wrong with them being proud of who they are. You should go check out the parade one year and see for yourself. It's a positive uplifting experience. I say celebrate who you are and be proud.

So then we should just make it open to all . no. The dressing up has to go it just makes you look silly . And less serious in your cause .

It is open to all...anyone can attend, you don't have to be gay to go.

Freeman wrote:I just don't get it. Really, I just don't understand this whole concept of a Gay PRide Parade, Week, Day or whatever. Like who cares. In one breath the gay community states that they are like everyone else, with one significant difference, but then has to hold this spectacle on an annual basis. Whats wrong with just living your life? Is it necesary for any group to present such a public image on what is a very truly private subject?

On this I agree. I have nothing against the GLBT community at all (and for the record I've been to a couple of parades), but really, in this (supposedly) more tolerant day and age do they need the parade?

Triniman wrote:The "Older Brother Effect" - 60 Minutes.
This is probably the most interesting explanation about homosexuality that I've heard of. It doesn't explain all cases and it is a theory.

Hmm that's funny most of the gay men I know all have older sisters.

I have never been involved in suppressing gay people. I've had gay co-workers and treated them just as I would anyone else.

If you're secure in who you are, you don't need a parade to show how proud you are of yourself.

If demand to be treated equal but dress ridiculously in a parade, doesn't that defeat the purpose of your parade?

I guess with trying to be politically correct that's what I meant to , be gay fine but stop with the bs , It is accepted fine . Do we need to dress like clowns and walk around the city to prove what . What I meant by open to all was just that Goth , call it a human parade for yes we are all special .

love&hate wrote:

Triniman wrote:The "Older Brother Effect" - 60 Minutes.
This is probably the most interesting explanation about homosexuality that I've heard of. It doesn't explain all cases and it is a theory.

Hmm that's funny most of the gay men I know all have older sisters.

It's a very interesting theory but it's just a theory.

love&hate wrote:I had this conversation yesterday, oh and the day before. Homosexuals get a parade because for how many years did the straight people suppress them, how many marches and protests did it take for at least some people to accept them? Gay people had to be openly PROUD of who they were to be noticed, to even be heard. Today a parade is in order so that the people who are still ignorant can hear and see that everyone should be treated equally regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation.

DeanK you should have your parade, as well protest as to why you cannot go to an all woman's gym.

I've had this conversation many times over the years.
Some of my wife's best friends are gay, and if you looked in the paper and saw the photos of the "pride cake", two of her best friends are mentioned just in the photo caption.

That said...there has been no substantial PROOF that there's a "gay gene". Until there is...my personal belief is that there sexual PREFERENCE is a CHOICE.

I'll grant that even 20 years ago, being "gay" was taboo, and even persecuted. And society in general has become more tolerant in most areas. But more tolerant of many things, not just homosexuality.

Being gay though, is not a "people". It's not a "race", and deserves no rights any different than anyone else. Getting special privileges just because you're gay is discriminatory to EVERYONE else.

I'd also be willing to bet that the "60%" quoted earlier is wrong. It's probably more like "20%" hetero, and "40%" bisexual. Even more proof that sexuality is a choice...it's based upon a comfort level. It's determined by who someone meets and falls in love with, and what gender they feel the most comfortable associating/living with.

Everyone has "tendencies" towards one gender or another. That's natural/biological. The same as some people enjoy tofu, and others prefer steak. But the CHOICE of acting on those tendencies is what determines whether you're gay/bi/hetero or vegetarian/meatatarian.

Most people who are SO discriminatory in either direction...hetero/homo are convinced of that through social interaction. The butch-dykes are convinced by all the others they hang out with that "men are evil" and "women have to stick together". The flamboyant "queens" all tell themselves they must support each other. And the hetero-homophobe is convinced that "gay is evil" because of their background and upbringing.

Personally, I believe the government should not discriminate against homosexuals. Should they want civil unions to show commitment on paper, or to gain benefits (medical, tax, etc.), then so be it. They have (as consenting adults) chosen a lifestyle and made the same commitment to each other that a heterosexual couple have done.

And a gay pride parade/party is not much different than a Christmas parade with Santa Claus & the baby Jesus floating down the street. People are out celebrating the choices they've made...and enough people who have made the same choice (or support that choice) have decided to join them.

I would agree with DeanK question though..."what if" a group of heterosexual people got together to have the same kind of party?

I wasn't at the Pride Parade...so I didn't see the signs being carried, or hear any of the chanting. Were the chants "we're here, we're queer"? or were they "You're not queer, so you're evil"? Generally the "queer folk" express pride in themselves and the choices they've made (whether they believe it's a choice or not). What would the signs in your parade be Dean? Would they be "We love our family"? Or would they be "If you're not straight, you're wrong!"?

Of course there are extremists on either side (just like in anything)...and for me to go running through the streets yelling "I'm straight...look at me" (ok, that sounds queer ) seems a bit far fetched...I would have to look at the intent of the issue, more than the content.

The dressing up part is all in fun....most of the gay people I know do not dress in drag. Some do and I find it fun. It's a form of expression.

Airt Mattrèssor wrote:

Freeman wrote:I just don't get it. Really, I just don't understand this whole concept of a Gay PRide Parade, Week, Day or whatever. Like who cares. In one breath the gay community states that they are like everyone else, with one significant difference, but then has to hold this spectacle on an annual basis. Whats wrong with just living your life? Is it necesary for any group to present such a public image on what is a very truly private subject?

On this I agree. I have nothing against the GLBT community at all (and for the record I've been to a couple of parades), but really, in this day and age do they need the parade?

I think they do need the parade, in this day and age it's still hard for the young kids to come out and be proud of who they are. The Pride Parade is a way to show them that they are not alone and that they will be supported no matter what lifestyle they choose to live. I've been with 2 of my friends when they "came out" one family was really accepting the other one not so much.

Now on the other spectrum I do have one gay friend who agrees with you, he believes that the gay community should not put on a parade and believes that they should just live their lives and and be proud in their own way.

Goth_chic wrote:The dressing up part is all in fun....most of the gay people I know do not dress in drag. Some do and I find it fun. It's a form of expression.

Ironically, if they paraded in normal work clothes, ie. lab coats, suits, with stethascopes for those who are doctors, mechanics overalls, etc., that would send a much more powerful message.

Yes it is but the days of having to reaffirm should be over , and you are just one of the mass now . Was not that what they wanted not to be special just normal .

Goth_chic wrote:The dressing up part is all in fun....most of the gay people I know do not dress in drag. Some do and I find it fun. It's a form of expression.

Like I said, if you've got the legs for them....wear the fishnets.

DeanK you should have your parade, as well protest as to why you cannot go to an all woman's gym.

I would not want to go to an all women's gym.
1) Women stink more when they work out

2) Some women are very self concious about their bodies and working out in front of a man is not something they want to do and preventing anyone from getting their exercise simply so I can say I was there is not something I want to do.

3) Where is my all male gym? ( which sounds like an extremely odd thing to say in a discussion about gay pride but I am sticking to my question anyway )

Triniman wrote:

Goth_chic wrote:The dressing up part is all in fun....most of the gay people I know do not dress in drag. Some do and I find it fun. It's a form of expression.

Ironically, if they paraded in normal work clothes, ie. lab coats, suits, with stethascopes for those who are doctors, mechanics overalls, etc., that would send a much more powerful message.

100% agree.

Deank wrote:DeanK you should have your parade, as well protest as to why you cannot go to an all woman's gym.

I would not want to go to an all women's gym.
1) Women stink more when they work out

2) Some women are very self concious about their bodies and working out in front of a man is not something they want to do and preventing anyone from getting their exercise simply so I can say I was there is not something I want to do.

3) Where is my all male gym? ( which sounds like an extremely odd thing to say in a discussion about gay pride but I am sticking to my question anyway )

I'm just using it as an example as to how some (not all, apparently not you) who say well women have their own gyms, why can't men. It's kinda similar to what your saying, "well the gays get a parade, why can't the heteros!" ya know?

As for women being more stinky, yea because we work our butts off to look hot for a wonderful summer!

love&hate wrote:

Deank wrote:DeanK you should have your parade, as well protest as to why you cannot go to an all woman's gym.

I would not want to go to an all women's gym.
1) Women stink more when they work out

2) Some women are very self concious about their bodies and working out in front of a man is not something they want to do and preventing anyone from getting their exercise simply so I can say I was there is not something I want to do.

3) Where is my all male gym? ( which sounds like an extremely odd thing to say in a discussion about gay pride but I am sticking to my question anyway )

I'm just using it as an example as to how some (not all, apparently not you) who say well women have their own gyms, why can't men. It's kinda similar to what your saying, "well the gays get a parade, why can't the heteros!" ya know?

As for women being more stinky, yea because we work our butts off to look hot for a wonderful summer!

Actually...it's because women will work out with other women...but if you opened an "all-male" gym...most likely it will be an "all-gay" gym inside a year.

Ironically though...where those who bodybuild really work out...there's typically "all-men" aside from maybe one or two "die-hard" women.

The bodybuilders and intense workout gyms aren't flooded with walking machines & stationary bikes...they have piles of free-weights & other "less feminine" equipment for building muscles.

AGEsAces wrote:

love&hate wrote:

Deank wrote:DeanK you should have your parade, as well protest as to why you cannot go to an all woman's gym.

I would not want to go to an all women's gym.
1) Women stink more when they work out

2) Some women are very self concious about their bodies and working out in front of a man is not something they want to do and preventing anyone from getting their exercise simply so I can say I was there is not something I want to do.

3) Where is my all male gym? ( which sounds like an extremely odd thing to say in a discussion about gay pride but I am sticking to my question anyway )

I'm just using it as an example as to how some (not all, apparently not you) who say well women have their own gyms, why can't men. It's kinda similar to what your saying, "well the gays get a parade, why can't the heteros!" ya know?

As for women being more stinky, yea because we work our butts off to look hot for a wonderful summer!

Actually...it's because women will work out with other women...but if you opened an "all-male" gym...most likely it will be an "all-gay" gym inside a year.

Ironically though...where those who bodybuild really work out...there's typically "all-men" aside from maybe one or two "die-hard" women.

The bodybuilders and intense workout gyms aren't flooded with walking machines & stationary bikes...they have piles of free-weights & other "less feminine" equipment for building muscles.

Sorry my mistake, I use the feminine equipment to get a body that is bikini worthy, along with 90% of the other girls in bikini's this year that we'll say 99% of (heterosexual) men look at! BUT ha!

love&hate wrote:Sorry my mistake, I use the feminine equipment to get a body that is bikini worthy, along with 90% of the other girls in bikini's this year that we'll say 99% of (heterosexual) men look at! BUT ha!

The "feminine" equipment is ideal for keeping a body in shape (speaking of which...how about some before & after bikini pics ).

And most guys who want to keep "in shape" will use the treads & bikes or other machines to give them a decent workout. They usually supplement with either swimming or some sport as well.

But they are just as content working out in a gym with women working out (something to look at), as anywhere else. And generally men aren't as self-conscious about working out in front of others as many women are. So a "men-only" gym would likely not be as appealing...and probably why there aren't as many around.

Could I at least get private shower and change stalls in the mens lockers?

AGEsAces, good post! It was interesting to read your thoughts, and though I disagree on some points, it was respectully written.

One of my favourite signs at the parade was "Straight but not narrow."