Gay Pride Parades. Are they helping or hurting the so-called 'gay community'?

Question

I find 'Gay Pride Parades' embarrassing. In fact - I think they are [in reality] 'Transvestite Pride Parades'. [for the most part] They serve little to no purpose [these days - at least] other than to reaffirm the idea that gay people ARE 'unusual' and NOT 'just like everyone else'. To me - a 'Gay Pride Parade' is no different than if there were ever a 'Black Pride Parade' and all the black guys were tap dancing, wolfing down fried chicken and ribs and tossing water melons back and forth. Find that offensive? Why? Because it's a horrible stereotype? Than what do you call a 'Gay Pride Parade'? BUT... that's me. What do YOU think?! Craig!! :o)

Answer 1

I think you have never been to a pride celebration in person and are relying upon the footage of said celebration provided by the media. If it wasn't for the outreagous among us, there would be no story.

The news would sound like this... if anybody bothered to even report it... "Today ten thousand really boring people took to the streets to celebrate gay pride. As you can see in the footage, it doesn't look much like a celebration. No, wait, there goes some guys dancing by with their arms way above their shoulders. They are, indeed, gay men, parading in celebration of homosexuality."

Think of the drag queens as the cheerleaders. What better way can you think of to draw attention? It works every time. Gay pride is about celebrating DIVERSITY.

The media doesn't spend much time showing the hudreds or thousands of average, boring everyday people like you and me. We don't make for good ratings. It's the drag queens, leather/S&M, and the "Jacks" who get the ratings. That's ok, though. The people who have actually been to such gatherings know and understand what gay pride celebrations are about. It is about thousands of gay people... from every walk of life come together to celebrate the freedom we have gained and march for the equality we have yet to obtain. It's about all those people in one place, all very different, yet with an important similarity, the desire to live life as a homosexual, and enjoy equality in our society.

The "cheerleaders" get the world's attention. Our daily lives tell the story.

Answer 2

It's hard to answer. On the personal level I would hope they help since huge amounts of people come out to the big one here. And that if people are out there enjoying themselves, maybe at least for a moment, they'll reflect on not treating someone they know/find out is gay in an ignorant fashion since they were there, and there's a more direct human perspective. The Media will always act like they act, and have done so forever, and with Jerry Springer and such I'm not sure what other damage could be done. Unfortunately, kind of like the garbage left all over the place after the parade is over, the message may not be getting out like it was intended.

Answer 3

Another question asked by someone who created an "Answers" account just to ask this question.

Makes your credibility slim.
I'm guessing you've never actually been to a gay pride parade.

The TV news cameras, if they cover the parades at all, capture the most outrageous, but most of the people in the parade are much more down to earth. There are the gay supportive politicians, the social health clinic floats, the PFLAG contingent, the gay drum and bugle corps.

Why are the people on the fringes included? Because as a gay people, we are inclusive and don't make judgments. But they are not in the majority at the parade. And the parade is for us, not for the straight world anyway.

So instead of coming in here and insulting people over their Pride celebrations, try taking a gay friend to lunch and talking about your issues.

Answer 4

The only gay pride parade I've attended was in NYC. Jonathan and I went several times. Half a million marchers, a million spectators -- or some such ludicrous numbers, as I recall the official numbers from the city -- Yes, there were drag queens -- there were also contingents from mainstream churches (my own included) contingents of both gay Democrats AND gay Republicans -- and a Socialist float (and yes, I think Socialism is still a viable political movement, look at Europe). There were groups from almost every college in NYC and some highschools. There were all sorts of groups of all sorts of people. Do I think the shock drag was laughable? Yes. Do I think ANYONE made the mistake of thinking that was all the gay community, considering that there were, perhaps 200 people in shock drag and hundreds of thousands that weren't? No.

You seem very stuck on this. Get over it. If you want a more "mainstream" looking group -- organize one to march. Do NOT mistake your own internalized rejection of some of your fellow gays and lesbians for some sort of rational political position however, it isn't.

Regards,

Reynolds Jones
http://www.rebuff.org
[e-mail]

Answer 5

I can see where you're comming from, and to some degree I agree with you. I would definately have to say that they don't really help the community anymore. It used to be an opportunity to take a stand together. Now it's just turned into an excuse to party. I'd also have to agree that it depends on which parade that you're talking about. My experience has been with the Columbus, OH parades. Not some of the probably better ones like a few of the people are refering to.

Answer 6

There was a question like this a few months ago. Saying there was too much sex, and it was giving the public the wrong idea about gay culture. I feel some of the things that happen in a gay pride march is a little much. I'm not saying we should not have them, because they also can be very colorful and full of culture.

Answer 7

I think that you are probably a card-carrying member of the Log Cabin. I hate it when people say "so-called gay community." I especially hate it when gay people say it. If you are uncomfortable, don't go. Do I think the two-month span of Pride Parades hurts our community? Absolutely not. They offend those who would be offended if we were all wearing power suites. The media reporting of our Parades is more likely hurting us. Start a letter writing campaign for more responsible reporting.

I am proud that we can all unite at least one day during the year.

Answer 8

Then don't watch gay pride parade coverage on FOX anymore.

Try watching one on the sidelines so you can get an overall view of what the media DOESN'T show.

Gay pride parades aren't a horrible stereotype at all.
They're a wonderful stereotype and nothing to be embarrassed about.

Answer 9

I think that people like you who avoid pride parades like the plague are only making it worse. If all of the mainstream people stop going, who's going to be left? All the fringers. So, quit complaining about it, and maybe consider marching next year. Or at least attending.

Incidentally, no matter WHAT we do, the media is going to focus solely on the most outrageous thing there. No one wants to see boring men in suits.

Answer 10

You are paying attention to only a small group of the participants. I have been to PRIDE parades where uniformed gay police officers marched, holding hands with their partners. Gay firefighters were on a firetruck in the parade and they were holding hands and kissing. There were many, many teachers, doctors, nurses (all gay), and thousands of other participants in the parade from every walk of life.

The Mayors and other politicians marched, too, as did many leaders from various organizations.

Yes, there were drag queen and leather boys and muscle boys and bodybuilders, but so what. Everybody loves a party!

Don't be narrow-minded!