Pride Month

My take on "Pride"

I think it's a great thing for the younger generations who seek a sense of "Family/Community" as far as myself personally it's just not a function I feel a need for. I was brought up in a VERY gay- tolerant family. My dad was Bi-sexual, I had a gay brother so a gay "lifestyle" was the household majority.

My mom would sometimes ask my older sister..."Why can't you date nice boys like your brother does?" Mom adored the guys I dated, she would cook for them and often would encourage them to stay over- night.

When I turned 21,my dad took me to San Francisco to see my first Gay bars and "Drag" show at the legendary gay nightclub called "Finnochio's" that was so exciting. I got to see my first drag show, and the drag queens bought me cocktails the whole night through.

I cultivated and nurtured self- pride decades ago, I no longer seek acceptance I have accepted myself. I DO seek to empower younger gay men, I encourage our younger generations to be proud, to nurture and ensure our human rights to remain strong and intact.

Pride and self love are really important, young folks need mental and physical stasis to remain happy and feel loved. Overall, I think "Pride month" probably a good thing, enjoy it and have a great time!

Well, it's up to you buy maybe you need ask yourself why you feel any need to go, whatever you mean by "[i]really[/i] going" (your italics).

Slightly bisexual myself though that did not emerge until my mid-50s, I used to know as a pen-friend a young man who was not at all afraid of using the term "homosexual" about himself rather that the US slang "gay", and said he had no time for the "Pride" scene.

I asked him why.

He said he felt no need to attend anyway, but further was worried that these jamborees did more harm than good in trying to gain acceptance for non-heterosexual people.

I thought back to when the UK's mid-19C law banning homosexual activities between men was repealed in (I think) 1962. Repealing a law based on restrictive social prejudice does not remove the prejudice overnight; but slowly, understanding, tolerance, even acceptance began to reject those old prejudices. This was helped in the UK and some other nations by laws banning sexual, racial, religious, etc. prejudices against employment etc.

Yet now the prejudices seem to be returning. Why? Is, as my friend feared would happen, the recent rise in homophobia and nowadays also "transphobia" is at least encouraged, unintentionally and unwittingly by the "Pride" movement itself?

For it started among campaigns to be recognised as [i]people[/i] of equal merit as any other [i]people[/i] in society, but has found itself in a murky war of attrition between non-heterosexuals and their sympathisers against not only outright homophobic ignorance and antiquated prejudice. I fear too, non-heterosexuals being thought pleading some sort of special case, with views that must never be questioned. Not simply taken as fellow human beings.

It's that last that is becoming extremely dangerous, with all sorts of self-appointed but usually anonymous Guardians of The Cause, of any sexual orientation, censoring debates, manipulating what others say or write, even stooping to wreck careers.

It's no wonder why as you put it, so much hatred and phobia occurs. Equal acceptance, respect and treatment is not gained by trying to be something "special", because that looks like a call for its own form of superiority.

My friend and I were in contact years before all this blew up, but I think he could see what the "Gay Pride" campaigning might lead to, and it is.

@DarkAngel24 We’ll frankly it’s the world. No matter what time or place there will always be idiots. Ppl say that it’s worse lately but really it’s nothing yo compared to what ppl had to deal with before the 2000s. The hate & transphobia is the very reason the month is celebrated so that’s no excuse. I understand how your partner not being able to go is discouraging you tho but I say fuck it. Go out, celebrate your sexuality, have a good time

People are getting all feral about it, but then again, if you went you'd be showing your support. But also who wants a bunch of fat, psycho rednecks screaming at you that you're going to hell.

I went once. It was a promotion opportunity for my job. There were protestors but literally everyone ignored them and had fun lol if you go alone you'll make friends and enjoy the atmosphere.

{@darkangel24] 😞that is a great pity in a way particularly you are being influenced by the negative action of small minded bigots . 🤷‍♂️do not get me wrong i understand you are scared and that is no way too feel because people are bigoted and cannot accept people for what they are because they are different orientation to them and violence is the only way they can express there ignorance

Pride is happening soon here in my state. I will not be going. It has nothing to do with protesters or some jackazz in the name of God saying people are going to h3ll. My reasons -

Going downtown, trying to find parking, fighting traffic, paying too much to park.
Seeing a bunch of companies who are just virtue signaling.
Walking a mile afterwards to the post-parade event, standing in line for an hour, paying to go in and see MORE virtue signaling.

PLUS, within the event there is no smoking, no bringing outside food or drink except a bottle of water, purse must be clear, no lawn chairs nor canopies can be brought in,

So yeah, one would have to pay for the over-priced food and drink at the event. Of course bottles of (probably warm) water will be free.

AND, the vast majority of people at those events are straight young immature obnoxious females who feel the need to scream and squeal about everything.

And all this BULL is called "having a good time"? 🤨

This is what they want to achieve with their fear mongering, to keep us behind our doors, not to show ourselves. This way we don't exist and they can continue to pass bills and create an environment where we have to fear violence if we are recognized for who we are.

I loved it the few times I went when we were younger, but we are quite private people and these days we would just rather blend into the background. I am however looking forward to taking my daughter to an event when the time feels right.

We never encountered any protest or hostility at the parades we attended, thsnk goodness.

I went to pride once and loved it

Maybe all the more reason to go 🌈

Such a sad environment
Some people really are stupid

'Today's the day for firm decisions!

...or is it?' ...lol

Just asking, but what is there to be PROUD about? Sex , ( and your sexual preferences), are SUPPOSED to be private!! Just what the hell are they bragging about? Private stuff???

Where are you from?