Stop the presses: in a turn of events that is unprecedented in all of human history, young people and old people are having difficulty getting along.
A conflict has emerged in Los Angeles over what Pride is and who it’s for. The people running the show have adjusted their focus to millennials, and added the word “music” to the name of the festival. And as a result, everyone has lost their shit.
There’s also some consternation about the ticket price — $35 to get in! But at a recent public meeting, most angry speakers were outraged that Christopher Street West, which organizes the event, is attempting to remain relevant.
Among the changes this year is more of a focus on music. “Adding the word ‘music’ to the title of L.A. Pride is a subtle welcome to a younger generation who does not inherently understand the historical context of the event,” said Chris Classen, president of CSW — a smart guy who, despite the criticism, has a track record of organizing some hugely successful events.
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Detractors complained that the event is being transformed into a gay Coachella.
What we’re witnessing here is the gradual evolution of Pride, and the phasing-out of what used to be called “Gay, Inc.”
There was a time when Pride functioned as a sort of social support event. In general, society hated LGBTs, even in enclaves like West Hollywood; so Prides existed for us to come together and have a good time and feel safe.
Nowadays, most of us feel a lot more safe — especially younger folks. A lot of millennials don’t even bother identifying with a particular sexual orientation; they’re just attracted to whoever they want, without the need for any particular support.
So it makes sense that as they take over, and as previous generations die, that the previous incarnations of Pride no longer make much sense. It used to be a social support event that had a little bit of music; now it’s a music event that can provide a little social support.
Of course, it would be a shame if Pride forgot all about the sacrifices and hard work of past generations; and an even bigger shame if it overlooked the hard work still to be done, particularly for trans equality. But we can probably expect activism and outrage to play a smaller and smaller role in Prides from now on.
Given the choice between living through a life-and-death struggle, or just reflecting on past struggles in a museum, most people would probably choose the museum.
IDoNotHaveToAgreeWithYou
Stop funding it. Turn shut down the bars and turn off the lights on our way out. If the millenial trash wants to be queer and not gay then let the little bastards pay for and build their own little queer world.
joeyty
Is this even true ? Matt Baume also claimed that Northern Ireland was Catholic.
Captain Obvious
LA was a yuppie paradise when I was living there. Not surprised they’re continuing that downward spiral. They’re shooing all the gays away to make it trendier for the yuppies. I even had a closeted landlord in the middle of West Hollywood.
It’s dead. Shut off the life support and let it go.
ingyaom
I assume they’re still having a parade, so no change there.
Daniel-Reader
Strangely, I have to agree with IDoNotHaveToAgreeWithYou – especially considering that A) California non-discrimination laws covering sexual orientation and gender identity are not as strong as other states, and B) three justice on the state’s highest court, including the chief justice, are prejudiced against LGBT people (criminalizing gay people – e.g. an 18 yo dating a 17 yo – but exempting heteros including themselves -e.g. a 50 yo dating a 17 yo – as recently as 2015, ignoring equal protection under law). So, there still remains work to be done in California.
Stache
“A lot of millennials don’t even bother identifying with a particular sexual orientation”
Yeah, I’m a guy that just loves c*ck. Just don’t call me gay. Yuck.
Ksb1978
“I may in the distant future, after years of exclusively dating, marrying and only have sex with people of the opposite sex, I might consider looking at someone of the same sex in a slightly attractive manner, so I consider myself queer.” Let’s have a music festival for those folks. I’ll keep enjoying the gay pride parade.
throwslikeagirl
“The dogs bark… the caravan passes.”
GG
Adding “Music” to the pride name to reflect contemporary conventions would carry more weight if the planned music wasn’t a form of rock, which began about 70 years ago.
martinbakman
They call that music? 😉
Tracy Pope
bf will be working at one of the booths and his entry fee is covered. I told him I hope it’s fun but generally I have no interest in Pride events. Having been to so many music festivals around the world I’m not sure jumping on the band-wagon at this late date will make LA Pride any more interesting. Maybe more drug arrests though…
QJ201
… an open air dance party featuring local DJs would be way cheaper to produce… and would be just as popular.
Pride means come together and party, not pay watch some “ally” performer shill their latest single.
Brian
I don’t even like the “show your ripped abs” incarnation of LA Pride. It’s become narcissism-central and revolves around exclusionary voyeurism where skinny gay guys on the sidelines screech and ogle the muscles of mincing gym bunnies with spray tans.
All those years ago, when they started gay pride, none of the pioneers would have thought that it would devolve into a spectacle of this nature. If they had known, they would have packed their bags and said “no way, I’m getting out of here”.
Sluggo2007
Come to New York City for our Pride Week (last week of June). You’ll have lots of fun, you won’t feel out of place and it’s free. Everyone is welcome.
cabe
A $35 cover charge is insane. There are young gays from outlying poorer communities who don’t have a lot of contact w/ gay people and just want to go to feel a sense of inclusion and see how vast the gay community is. For them (or anyone) to pay $35 is pretty steep and not very inclusive.
Matt Achine
@Sluggo2007: Are you sure about that? This isn’t all that different from Heritage of Pride in NYC, deciding in their omnipotent arrogance what “official” pride events are and charging premium prices for a riverfront party that isn’t even headlined by gay artists. Gotta love our “community.”
joeyty
@Sluggo2007: The NYC one sucks now, too, though.
joeyty
@cabe: And the ones from the outlying poorer areas are the very ones (the hotter ones) you want at these Pride events. Make it too expensive and you get nothing but a bunch of rich old glamoupuss softies.
LiamCregg
Other than the ticket price, what the big deal? Austin, Tx Pride has been doing this for years, and it’s quite successful. There’s a day long music and drag performance festival topped off with the parade in the evening. Ticket prices for the rest are low($25) and it’s a huge blast.
LiamCregg
@IDoNotHaveToAgreeWithYou: bitter much?