A question for the Gays, the Lesbians, the Transgenders, etc. out there... — Page 2

Very recently there was World Naked Bike Ride day, where men and women in cities all over the place were peacefully riding their bike around stark naked. Much more was on display (by straight and gay people) than in any Pride Parade. What's the big deal? Breasts, penises? Everyone either has one or has seen one.

Example, Los Angeles:
http://www.laweekly.com/slideshow/world-naked-bike-ride-los-angeles-2012-nsfw-37063908/

Toronto:
http://www.blogto.com/city/2012/06/photos_of_the_world_naked_bike_ride_in_toronto_2012/

And I do wonder why the people who complain there aren't enough "normal" people in the Pride Parade are not the ones marching in the Parade to begin with. If you don't see yourself represented, then you only have yourself to blame (I'm not referring to any particular poster here, I'm speaking in general). Get our there and represent! But, you know, the heavy lifting is (and has always) been done by the activists, the drag queens, the Chealsea boys, etc., the people who put themselves out there in public to be cheered (or jeered) so that there can be equality for all. Don't look down on them. To paraphrase what was mentioned above, if a drag queen or an assless chaps-wearing leather daddy doesn't have equal rights, then none of us do. And while neither drag queens nor assless chaps-wearing leather daddies are my thing, I thank them for fighting for my rights. And I'm thankful that some kid might see there is hope for himself or herself in this world because people of all walks of life can be free to be themselves in public, in broad daylight, and not have lurk in the shadows and hide and be ashamed.

If you don't want to go to the Parade, that's fine. I myself haven't been in a few years. But I don't understand the disdain.

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I recently watched the (famous?) Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade in Sydney and there was a young guy who looked like he was overdosing in an ambulance...I don't know how to describe what he was wearing but it looked like a g-string and glitter etc..

Anyway, some young heterosexual guys were walking past and shouted that he had it coming being dressed like that (wtf, why did they even come to the parade?). Kind of sad.

I think it would be easier for people to 'accept' homosexuals if they did otherwise follow their gender role, but they shouldn't have to be 'accepted'.....we are so strongly socialised about what it means to be a 'man' and a 'woman' that I wonder how long it is going to take to change attitudes...

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Updated On: 6/24/12 at 07:29 PM

Well, certainly not you.

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And incidentally- at the Chicago parade EVERY single politician I could think of that represented that area was in the parade: The Governor & Lt Gov, the mayor, the county officers, the police chief, the congressman, the state reps.

And just about every media outlet was there: Lots of radio station floats, Google had a float, all the major local TV stations had floats- usually with their best-known local personality smiling and waving. Things sure have changed.

Updated On: 6/25/12 at 11:46 AM

And they still whine there's no Straight Pride parade. Stupid bitches.

Yeah--ol' Tammy really exudes the Christian ethos. Love Her!!!

Seriously, though, thanks for posting this--a great snapshot of what's 'out there'.

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Out with Anger, In with Love....

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This is not to cast any shade on the original poster whatsoever, but does anyone else hate the when the term is used "the gays"? (Or "the lesbians", etc) For myself, I am gay (obviously) but would never refer to myself as a gay. I first noticed it with comics like Kathy Griffin (who I like) who makes a point of having a shout out to "the gays".

I guess it would be the same with people saying "to the Asians"--which they do, but it just rubs me the wrong way.

I got yelled at for saying "The blind" wasn't offensive, so don't look at me.

You can always fall back on alphabet soup: LBGTQ&SO

No, that's a good point--and I guess I am less offended when people talk about the alphabet soup (good description) community, 'cuz that's what I think we are. I know when Kathy G and others use it it's out of affection--but when I see it used in the media, and it seems to be more and more, I clutch my pearls.

Agreed.

Eric, Kathy Griffin uses "the gays" ironically. She knows perfectly well that attaching the direct article to the adjective is a usually a practice of the ignorant and homophobic.

(ETA: Sorry, I see from a later post that you were aware of what she is doing.)

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Diva,

You wrote:

Being offended over the word "the" is a waste of time, though.

Where were you when I posted a reference to "the autistic"? The board went nuclear! Note to all: I have learned my lesson!

Updated On: 6/25/12 at 05:41 PM

For the record, I used "The Gays, the Lesbians, the Transgenders" with some feeble attempt at ironic humor, although subjecting it to group dissection and discussion does seem to have revealed it as a pretty meager gesture, humor-wise.

I also omitted "the bisexuals" because I don't believe in them...

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