gay pride, how did this term originate, and what are they exactly proud of?

Answer 1

Surviving stupid questions...like yours.

Answer 2

I'm sure the term originated in the backlash against anti-gay sentiment as a way to reclaim a sense of normality and to say that homosexuality was okay. I don't know the actual history, of if anyone can trace it, but I imagine it went something like this:

"I'm so mad at them calling us names!"
"Doesn't it make you feel ashamed of what we are?"
"What? Heck no! I'm not ashamed of being gay; I'm proud! I have gay pride!"

And there you go. In my opinion, they are not exactly proud of anything- the word is perhaps the wrong one, but it is meant to conjure up feelings that are the opposite of shame. Generally, in the thesaurus, the antonym of shame is pride, although to me, pride is a result of having done something, not merely on having a sexual attraction. But then again, I don't feel that a sexual attraction is shameful, either, so that makes sense.

Basically, they are proud to be alive and unapologetic for the fact that they are gay. Hope that helps.

Answer 3

It isn't so much a question of being proud as of not being ashamed. The Gay Rights movement, which got much of it's impetus in this country from the Stonewall riot of June 28,1969, drew on the Black Civil rights movement of it's time for much of it's inspiration. Gay Pride was an echo of Black Pride, a common slogan of the day.

Answer 4

It is a discrimination/racism/xenophobia attitude from gays, that we are forced to tolerate because we live in a super PC world gone mad.

The backlash against all this will be fun to watch.

E.G. - before you get your arms out consider this, imagine seeing a "gay pride". Got that? Fine. Now replace all the GLBT people parading with a white power march filled with white blonde boys dressed in nazi uniforms and stating how "proud" they are to be aryan.

See? Same ****...any "pride" parade its about thinking you are better than the "others" (i.e. heteros, non-nazis, non-believers) just because you were born with a different feature from them.

Its called Intolerance.

Honestly people, think about it. How ludicrous does a "Hetero Pride Parade" sounds? Pretty daft. Gay pride is equally daft.


P.S. - A note to dumb-boy bellow. Exactly where in my response do you see any mention of WWII ?

We could compare a teapot to the moon if we wished. Ever heard of "reduction to the absurd"? Something people sometimes use while debating issues and points of view?

Also you dont seem to have answered the question, just taking your time insulting me and my opinions. Well two can play that game.

You may shove your high-vaunted multicoloured flag where the sun dont shine...oh wait...you might actually ENJOY that!

My mistake...

P.P.S. - Well, he admits it ladies and gentleman. He is INTOLERANT. No need to add anything else. People like these are a waste of oxigen.

Answer 5

Im not sure how gay pride originated, but we do it because its really all we have. We have no equal rights, so we have to be proud of who we are in defense of all the hate and ridicule we get for what we are. We are proud that we are strong and brave in this hateful society.

Answer 6

Mongoliant's response above is completely ridiculous. Are you really comparing gay pride parades to Nazi marches during WWII?

Gay pride parades are open to everyone, they are very inclusive, and the theme is acceptance and tolerance, symbolized by the rainbow flag (i.e. all the colors of the rainbow represented).

Nazi's are quite the opposite. They burn books, repress free expression and tell people that only a 'certain type' of person should be allowed to exist. The 'swastika' represents intolerance, greed, self-righteousness and racial and religious purity.

Tell me, which of us looks more like the Nazi, hmmmm?

PS: Mongoliant is right about one thing. There is one thing I'm intolerant of: Hypocritical Bigots. I'm very intolerant of them.

Answer 7

Pride is the polar opposite of shame. Gay pride is about getting past the shame that many have been taught they should feel for being who they are.

Answer 8

The "pride" movement came as a direct result of the events of Stonewall(among others) where those members of the Gay Community stopped accepting illegal arrests and harassment and began fighting back against the intolerance and hatred.
The PRIDE comes from having the strength to stand up to your detractors, from refusing to allow them to dictate to you the way someone else thinks you should live your life, to refuse to be ashamed of being yourself. I am Proud to be who I am, to have the strength to hold my head up high and refuse to accept discrimination aimed at me simply for who I love and choose as my mate.

Answer 9

The pride is not pride in excess of the rest of the world's pride, but it refers to not allowing other people to make us ashamed. It's realizing that we're not inherently inferior; we don't have some "deficiency" that we need to be extra good to make up for.

Answer 10

Not sure where it originated, but to me it stands for our pride in being what we are and not making excuses or hiding ourselves for the sake of offending society.

Answer 11

Personally for me, I think its rediculous. Especially if we dont claim it's our choice. I am bisexual, Im not proud of it nor ashamed, it had nothing to do with what I did or achieved just like I am Italian... I didnt work at it so how can I be proud of it? I take pride in some things, like how I treat people, how I work, things I strive for and work at. Anything I cant controll about myself isnt anything to be proud of.