There’s no shortage of opinion when it comes to gay pride. You’ve got the organizers who love corporate sponsorships, you’ve got the lefty gay shamers who decry the march’s move to the mainstream and then you’ve got the folk who think drag queens and the such best stay away lest they tarnish gays’ sparkling image. As we all know, opinions are like assholes, so no surprise these parties think the other’s stinks.
New York-based homo journo Steven Weinstein, however, thinks they all smell like shit:
Both sides have it wrong. The Gay Pride March remains an important place to acknowledge our diversity–in all its forms–and to assert our rightful place in the larger world.
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Rather than stand on the sidelines and criticize, let’s all cheer or march. For one day, we’re not right or left, Democrat or Republican, black or white. It doesn’t matter if you’re wearing a business suit or a G-string. The only thing that matters is that we’re all together for one day. Just one day. Is that too much to ask?
Huh? You want us to get along with one another for an entire day?! How about the four hours or so it takes to march? Or, rather, the twenty minutes or so it takes before boredom sets in and we leave the march to get stoned. We can handle that.
nycstudman
I know you were making a funny, but dude’s got a point: these things cost money. Standing on the sidelines making fun of it won’t do any good.
Qjersey
Does anybody from any other “community” openly criticize “their parade” for the “costumes” the participants wear?
People dress up for Gay Pride, it’s their way of blowing off steam…these people only represent how “the gay community” acts at Gay Pride. Most only wear these outfits for Pride and then ironically toss them back into the closet ’til next year. AND any NYPD officer will tell you that the crowds at the Gay Pride March are the most well-behaved of ANY NYC parade. That is something we can be PROUD of!
“How about the four hours or so it takes to march? Or, rather, the twenty minutes or so it takes before boredom sets in and we leave the march to get stoned. We can handle that”
How about getting stoned BEFORE the march? That will help get you through 4 hours!
Paul Raposo
“Does anybody from any other ‘community’ openly criticize ‘their parade’ for the ‘costumes’ the participants wear?”
Well written, Qjersey.
Every year in Toronto we have the Carribana festival, celebrated by Caribbean and other island people, but also very popular with everyone else. No one has ever ridiculed, or questioned the fact that most marchers–both young and old–dress up in outlandish costumes and ride lavish floats. When they, or any other minority either Asian, East Indian, Native, or religious do this, we’re told it’s part of their culture and celebration. When we do it, we’re told it’s ridiculous and embarrassing.
How many times have anti-gay people, (and apathetic pro-gay straight people) used pics from pride parades to make fun of us and accuse us of “flaunting” our sexuality? How many times have straight people told us if we want to be taken seriously, “Don’t dress up like Cher in a thong and hip boots and then march down the street”?
I think if other groups can cut loose and dress up either silly, or seriously, then we should damn well be able to do it too. Especially since we do it so well 8^)
nycstudman
Go back & read the original piece – he criticizes some right-wing jerk for just this kind of putdown of guys in jocks, etc. Says it “embarrasses” him in front of his parents. What a tool! Makes me burn!
cjc
Ya know, moms might just wanna see the guys in jocks. And dad as well.