Gay Pride - Embarrassing or Empowering?

rochey84

This thread is inspired by a Dublin Radio show discussing this today, with the iniment Pride Parade happening on Saturday in Dublin, I would like to know boardsies, do you find the Pride Parade to be Embarrassing, Empowering, or Do you give a sh1t? do you all know what it REALLY stands for? not just an excuse for a small minority to get dressed up in silly clothes. I'm gonna post this exact same thread in LGBT so I can compare the answers as the Dublin radio station did say that there are some LGBT people who find it embarrassing.

So good people of AH let me know how you feel.

Biggins

I feel this thread is not going to end well.

...But to answer your question, live and let live. End of story.

tolosenc

It's a day where participants live up to the stereo types which the fight so hard to distance themselves from the other 364 days...

man.about.town

why cant we have a straight pride parade???

i dont see why they must have a gay pride parade, there is not much anti homosexuality left in ireland anymore as far as i can, we are a very accepting bunch.

krudler

Meh, dont care really, let people have a parade if they want. Its just a bit of fun, some gay people I know love it and some think its a cringefest to be avoided, everyone to their own.

Seachmall

The thing I hate most about the LGBT parade is that it's full of gays and always gives me a semi.

hondasam

It's doesn't bother me, not doing any harm to anyone.

KnifeWRENCH

rochey84 wrote: »

I'm gonna post this exact same thread in LGBT so I can compare the answers as the Dublin radio station did say that there are some LGBT people who find it embarrassing.

o/ :pac:

I think it's all a bit cringeworthy and counterproductive. I've nothing against people marching for marriage or equal civil rights or whatever...but marching because of pride? Nah, not for me.

Daegerty

Tis a load of sh1te.

rochey84

man.about.town wrote: »

why cant we have a straight pride parade???

i dont see why they must have a gay pride parade, there is not much anti homosexuality left in ireland anymore as far as i can, we are a very accepting bunch.

Its about achieving equal status, as it stands, gay people cannot get Married, or adopt children in the eyes of the state, Gay Pride is initally about that! When straight people are treated like second class citizens then maybe there will be a straight pride parade

smk89

The thing I love most about gay pride events it how much they piss off christian groups. Their reactions are just priceless. Like the one in Belfast where some people dressed up as Iris Robinson

GLaDOS

As a filthy heterosexual I don't really care, but I can understand why some LGBTs would find it embarrassing

smash

tolosenc wrote: »

It's a day where participants live up to the stereo types which the fight so hard to distance themselves from the other 364 days...

Have to agree here. I know a lot of gay people and some of them feel the same, others just think it's a great excuse for a p!ss up.

stovelid

Couldn't care less in the nicest possible way. What people want to do in their lives is their call. I probably do feel for the people in the gay community that might feel that they are not represented by some of the stereotypical characterization but that's possibly the case for most people in society anyway:

Empowerment can be a totally personal and self-referential feeling (to a single person or a group) so what does my censure or approval matter anyway?

mikemac

Shirley Temple of Telly Bingo and a lot of other stereotypes on display

You get recognition and rights by lobbying and campaigns and using the vote.
Farmers are experts on how you do it!

Not dressing up and making a fool of yourself in costumes and loud bright clothes

bonerm

The thing I don't like about bisexual pride is that they claim they "were born that way" yet also want to take "pride" in it as tho they actually made some effort to be bi.

I guess they just want it both ways.

jester77

It's no more cringe than most of the Paddy's Day parades

giant_midget

freaks :pac:

CoolGirl101

Gays can do pretty much nearly anything they want these days.
March if ye will, but no need for miniskirts and stupid PVC suits.

I've said it before, I'll say it again, if you are proud of it fine...fair play...but keep it to yourself.

stovelid

CoolGirl101 wrote: »

I've said it before, I'll say it again, if you are proud of it fine...fair play...but keep it to yourself.

Maybe they should be forced to wear a pink star in public?

bonerm

stovelid wrote: »

Maybe they should be forced to wear a pink star in public?

Ah, better times.

I've known two people who took part in the parade (ever) who were gay.

I've known LOADS of people who took part in the parade (even just last time) who were 100% straight but did it because they think it makes them fashionable. And then talked about it all the time because they're just SOOO cool.

While I obviously have a very specific sample size, and the majority of people marching must be gay, personally I've lost any interest in it as it's been portrayed to me over the last year or two as a fashion statement rather than an appreciation of freedom of expression being celebrated by LBGT, which was why (as a straight girl) I liked the idea of it in the first place. When I first heard of it I thought it was a brilliant idea, and thought it must be a great way to encourage sexually confused people, or people scared of reaction to their sexuality out of "hiding". So while I'm glad it's held, I don't have the same respect for it that I first did.

ejmaztec

stovelid wrote: »

Maybe they should be forced to wear a pink star in public?

Camp concentration.

stovelid

bonerm wrote: »

Ah, better times.

Leave your cares behind .

Redlion

Why are people proud of their sexuality? It's not something they have achieved or worked for, especially in such a Western nation. I'm not proud of being straight, it's just who I am.

And no, I'm not intolerant or homophobic. I even have mates who are gay.

conorhal

tolosenc wrote: »

It's a day where participants live up to the stereo types which the fight so hard to distance themselves from the other 364 days...

So... it's a bit like St. Patrick's Day then?

rochey84

Redlion wrote: »

Why are people proud of their sexuality? It's not something they have achieved or worked for, especially in such a Western nation. I'm not proud of being straight, it's just who I am.

And no, I'm not intolerant or homophobic. I even have mates who are gay.

Its not about being proud of your sexuality as such, its about being proud of looking for equal rights, or at least thats my opinion of it I could be wrong though!

CoolGirl101

stovelid wrote: »

Maybe they should be forced to wear a pink star in public?

Here comes the drama again :rolleyes:

Happens everytime there is a thread on this topic.

Like someone said, they want pride, yet they say they were born that way... Hypocritical.

orourkeda

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKpThu1JtUI

rochey84

CoolGirl101 wrote: »

Here comes the drama again :rolleyes:

Happens everytime there is a thread on this topic.

Like someone said, they want pride, yet they say they were born that way... Hypocritical.

CoolGirl101, do you walk down the road any other day of the year holding hands or showing affection to your partner without fear of recrimination even if it might only come from a small minority of idiots?? if you do you're showing pride in your sexuality, the LGBT community only get 1 day a year when they can confidently walk down the road showing affection to their partner without fear of re-crimination. Yes we were born LGBT so why not take pride in the diversity of our differences?

Annasopra

Redlion wrote: »

Why are people proud of their sexuality? It's not something they have achieved or worked for, especially in such a Western nation. I'm not proud of being straight, it's just who I am.

And no, I'm not intolerant or homophobic. I even have mates who are gay.

Do you get bullied because you are straight? Are you suicidal because of that bullying? Have you been physically assaulted because you are straight? Has society deemed your relationships (upto now) unworthy of recognition? Do you fear coming out as straight? at home? in the workplace? in school? Do you feel that you can't discuss your private (straight) life because someone might be judgemental? Have you been kicked out of home by your parents because you came out as straight? Does the law treat you in many ways as a 2nd class citizen because you are straight? Do you fear walking down the street in certain areas with you partner?

RichieC

Bit of craic for all concerned, I'm sure. and some decent passing trade for businesses that will be delighted (largely) with it.

Run_to_da_hills

man.about.town wrote: »

why cant we have a straight pride parade???

Yes we do, its called Paddy's day.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

man.about.town wrote: »

why cant we have a straight pride parade???

i dont see why they must have a gay pride parade, there is not much anti homosexuality left in ireland anymore as far as i can, we are a very accepting bunch.

When gays can marry I'll agree wiht that. I was goign to add march 17th for straight pride, but I see it's already been mentioned.

Redlion wrote: »

Why are people proud of their sexuality? It's not something they have achieved or worked for, especially in such a Western nation. I'm not proud of being straight, it's just who I am.

And no, I'm not intolerant or homophobic. I even have mates who are gay.

Why are people proud of their nationality? It's not something they have achieved or worked for, especially in such a Western nation...
(Not saying you personally are nationalistic, but either it's acceptable to go out and public in colourful costumes and express something you are, or it isn't)

triseke

man.about.town wrote: »

why cant we have a straight pride parade???

i dont see why they must have a gay pride parade, there is not much anti homosexuality left in ireland anymore as far as i can, we are a very accepting bunch.

Isn't everyday a straight pride day?

When a guy can get the ever loving sh*t kicked out of him for doing no more than holding his partner's hand as they walk through the city, you can't really say that society is very accepting.

In saying that, things have moved on spectacularly, but there is still a ways to go.

On the subject of Pride, I have no beef with it. If people want to march and wear ridiculous clothes, and have a drink, who am i to complain? Frankly, if i wasn't in work, I'd go for the craic.

Caraville

I remember when a friend of mine came out to me, and I remember being kind of shocked but also pretty "meh" about it, in the sense that to be honest I couldn't give a fiddler's who my friends like gettin' jiggy with, men or women or both, etc.

Just less than a year later, we were having drinks on Christmas Eve and he turns to me and says "You know I really AM gay? You never talk to me about it". I felt kind of bad because maybe he needed someone to talk to, and because I didn't feel it was that big a deal, I never really brought it up with him. I guess for me the "Pride" festival is like that- I understand the whole notion of wanting to celebrate the fact that gay people in Ireland can be out and proud etc in a way that wasn't possible in the past. But what I don't get is the need to have that element of loud, brash, in-your-faceness that can go along with Pride.

Then again, I always equate OTT camp behaviour with the likes of straight men who are all "Phwaaooor, get your tits out for the lads"- both are too in your face and it's obnoxious behaviour. Nothing to do with being gay or straight, just too in your face.

RichieC

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

Why are people proud of their nationality? It's not something they have achieved or worked for, especially in such a Western nation...

Excellent point, Ikkypoo.

I am not saying this as a joke but i see more discrimination towards "gingers" You dont see them marching.

Duddy

Its empowering to a degree, and embarrassing to another degree.

The idea and concept behind it is good, and the parade acts somewhat as a rebuttal to the discrimination that some LBGT people face.

Having said that, any news reports you see on the day have Muscle-Marys gallivanting around in hotpants dressed as angels and devils, who are clearly just there to get a ride that night, and that's damn embarrassing.

I remember at that huge civil marriage march a few years back, guest speaker Brendan Courtney stands up (after some moving speeches by gay couples and activists) and says "WHO'S GETTING THEIR HOLE TONIGHT?!!?"

triseke

Deleted User wrote: »

I am not saying this as a joke but i see more discrimination towards "gingers" You dont see them marching.

Seriously?

Annasopra

Deleted User wrote: »

I am not saying this as a joke but i see more discrimination towards "gingers" You dont see them marching.

I'm not racist but.....

cosmicfart

Dublin isnt San Francisco. While everyone is allowed free speech these types of parades do nothing but give the chance for gay people to parade around like clowns in their hoards. I really dont see the point of it. So your gay big deal. I would put it in the same category of the 'marches' up north during the summer season.

The Aussie

rochey84 wrote: »

So good people of AH let me know how you feel.

I feel there should be one in Iran...*






Runs for the door, with ear muffs.
and yes i do know what those stone age tools do to gays in Iran

*supposed to be a poor, poor joke...

RichieC

Deleted User wrote: »

I am not saying this as a joke but i see more discrimination towards "gingers" You dont see them marching.

Probably would have been funny had you not of said "I am not saying this as a joke but"

alas you just came off as desperately clutching at straws

Dudess

CoolGirl101 wrote: »

Gays can do pretty much nearly anything they want these days.

Nnnnno. No they can't. And "these days"? God be with times past when they faced discrimination and prejudice and even being criminalised, eh...?

CoolGirl101 wrote: »

Here comes the drama again :rolleyes:

Wah, wah Mammy! Somebody doesn't like what I said! Expect it and get over it if you're going to be posting stuff like "Gays can do pretty much nearly anything they want these days" and not backing it up.

That said, while I'd be very supportive of equal rights and not having to face hate (anyone who says rights are equal and there's virtually no prejudice now "and I'm not homophobic" is talking arse... and protesting a bit too much) I don't know whether the extreme pandering to stereotype is of benefit, as has been mentioned. Some may say it's defiance, but many gay people hate it and feel misrepresented. Nobody should ever feel they have to hide the fact they're gay (and that still happens unfortunately - people still have to leave rural communities in Ireland because of being gay) but being an OTT stereotype is kinda playing into the bigots' hands. Then again though, people have the right to wear what the **** they want and act how the **** they want once it doesn't harm anyone - and certainly without being told they asked for it if they are assaulted. Some of the attitudes here would have me fully supporting the wearing of pink wings and feather boas and tiaras just to annoy the detractors. :pac:

Redlion

Johnnymcg wrote: »

Do you get bullied because you are straight?

No I didn't, however I did get bullied for my physical appearance. Ginger hair can lead to that.

Johnnymcg wrote: »

Are you suicidal because of that bullying?

I believe anyone who has suffered from any form of bullying had them thoughts cross their mind at some stage, being homosexual does not make you a special case of that.

Johnnymcg wrote: »

Have you been physically assaulted because you are straight?

No, I have not, but I have been bullied because of other unchangeable aspects of my life such as physical appearance. On top of that, I have not witnessed a homophobic attack in my life(That's not saying it doesn't happen though)

Johnnymcg wrote: »

Has society deemed your relationships (upto now) unworthy of recognition?

No, but I have yet to see widespread society deem homosexual relationships unworthy either. Of course there are intolerant people out there, but they are a stable in ALL aspects of society, criticizing EVERYTHING.

Johnnymcg wrote: »

Do you fear coming out as straight? at home? in the workplace? in school?

No I have yet to come across this problem. However I do have problems letting people know who the real me is, and that I find it hard to show my real self to people..I belief these would be in the same vein. One lad came out in my school last year, in a 6th year with about 100 lads. No-one said anything, cause no one cared about the sexuality of the guy sitting beside them.

Johnnymcg wrote: »

Do you feel that you can't discuss your private (straight) life because someone might be judgmental?

I have gay friends, and believe me, they have **** all concern about people being judgmental about their relationships, much like any of the people I know in straight relationships.

Johnnymcg wrote: »

Have you been kicked out of home by your parents because you came out as straight?

No, but I have yet to hear of a widespread epidemic of this occurring.

Johnnymcg wrote: »

Does the law treat you in many ways as a 2nd class citizen because you are straight?

I would love for you to give me a link on this, because it does not appear to be a widespread issue.

Johnnymcg wrote: »

Do you fear walking down the street in certain areas with you partner?

Yeah, I really do, because I've been started on regardless of who was accompanying me and what we were doing. Doesn't matter a lot of the time if you're gay or not, scumbags are gonna be scumbags, regardless.

Do you see the angle I'm coming from?

Paparazzo

Strange thread. How can anyone get embarassed by it?

I do remember walking through town a few years back when the parade was in its early days. It was lashing rain so the turnout was poor. The entire "parade" consisted 1 truck with a flatbed trailer, with about 10 blokes dressed in pink dancing on it. Hope it has improved!

Dudess

stovelid wrote: »

Maybe they should be forced to wear a pink star in public?

bonerm wrote: »

Ah, better times.

The above are ironic. I'm guessing certain "thanks" of them aren't though...

Paparazzo

Redlion wrote: »

No I didn't, however I did get bullied for my physical appearance. Ginger hair can lead to that.
I believe anyone who has suffered from any form of bullying had them thoughts cross their mind at some stage, being homosexual does not make you a special case of that.
No, I have not, but I have been bullied because of other unchangeable aspects of my life such as physical appearance. On top of that, I have not witnessed a homophobic attack in my life(That's not saying it doesn't happen though)
No, but I have yet to see widespread society deem homosexual relationships unworthy either. Of course there are intolerant people out there, but they are a stable in ALL aspects of society, criticizing EVERYTHING.
No I have yet to come across this problem. However I do have problems letting people know who the real me is, and that I find it hard to show my real self to people..I belief these would be in the same vein. One lad came out in my school last year, in a 6th year with about 100 lads. No-one said anything, cause no one cared about the sexuality of the guy sitting beside them.
I have gay friends, and believe me, they have **** all concern about people being judgmental about their relationships, much like any of the people I know in straight relationships.
No, but I have yet to hear of a widespread epidemic of this occurring.
I would love for you to give me a link on this, because it does not appear to be a widespread issue.
Yeah, I really do, because I've been started on regardless of who was accompanying me and what we were doing. Doesn't matter a lot of the time if you're gay or not, scumbags are gonna be scumbags, regardless.

Do you see the angle I'm coming from?

Notice the way you answered "no" to all those questions?

EL_Loco

Paparazzo wrote: »

thread. How can anyone get embarassed by it?

I beg and I plead, but every year I just can't stop the aul boy from going.

deirdre_dub

cosmicfart wrote: »

give the chance for gay people to parade around like clowns in their hoards.

What the fsck are you talking about?! :mad:

The vast vast vast majority of people in the parade are dressed in their workaday clothes, and just walk!

Yes there are a few who bring a bit more colour to the event than that (what parade doesn't have extroverts who bring colour to it?), and yes those are the people that certain sections of the media focus on (presumably for their shock and possibly even bigotry value), but that isn't the reality of the day!

Don't buy into the media prejudice of what they day is actually like!!!

I'll be marching with the trans contingent. I'd like to go in a summer dress, but the weather looks like it is going to dictate jeans and tee-shirt. :rolleyes: And I won't be doing anything more than walking and maybe making a bit of noise.