Gay Pride Weekend and CE+P

[chance1]

What is everyone doing this weekend to celebrate Gay Pride?

What is your take on parades and parties?

Are you out there? or do you hold back?

For me ..............

I will be doing a party Saturday night at Roseland - great DJs so say some of my friends (I will dance to just about anything) - going with my bf and will see several of his friends and a few of mine

And parade on Sunday - first time parader for me - not really my thing - i was on the fence but as of now i am going

I am ambivalent about the whole "in your face" marching - the what i consider a bit "over the top" demonstrations

I get why people do it - just not my thing - so I will not be chanting or getting too crazy

am i making sense?

do you care?

either way is fine on both

just tell us what you will be doing this weekend, with whom and maybe why?

up to you

 

[Tommy2Tone]

I attended our Pride over the weekend in Columbus. Had a great time there. Can't wait until next year. LOL

 

[JayHawk]

For Gay Pride Weekend in NYC, I am going to DC, screwing like a bunny and then flying to the Aloha state to catch a rainbow.

I love Pride mostly because I love parties and bohemian parties are the end all.

I will be doing it all with my partner sans the hawaii trip because thats business.

Enjoy the parade Chance....read your name three times then heed its advice and take a chance. Yell some, laugh some and smile........don't analyze it too much.

 

[iman]

Wave to the White Dog and enjoy yourself Chance, but;

Call it "Peace" or call it "Treason,"
Call it "Love" or call it "Reason,"
But I ain't marchin' any more,
No I ain't marchin' any more
Phil Ochs

 

[Centexfarmer]

Whatever "Gay Pride" has become, and whenever, or however it's celebrated, remember there was a time when we were invisible, and worse than "second class" citizens. Known then, as today, as "The Closet."

The Stonewall Riots happened in June of 1969, and the first "Pride Parade" happened in New York City in June of 1970 to commemorate what happened that night.

"Stonewall" may have been forgotten if it weren't for that first "parade."

You can have whatever opinion you want about Gay "Pride" Parades.

You can celebrate your humanity as a Gay Man anyway that you want.

For me a "Gay Pride" event, represents when we stopped allowing ourselves to be victims, when we stopped cowering in the shadows, and finally fought back.

Gay Pride, being celebrated in many locations throughout our country this weekend, represents a dichotomy of who we are, while at the same time being a political movement, and a statement about who, and what we are as individuals, and how we decide to publicly express ourselves.

If you long for the companionship of another Man, and the intimacies that go along with that companionship, regardless of your politics, or how you feel about public displays of affection in those regards, you belong there.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UNOXD7HfCE[/ame]

I'm glad to hear that your attending for the first time, and I hope that you can find something to embrace about it.

I also hope that you'll post back with tales from your first experience.

 

[andysayshi]

Whatever "Gay Pride" has become, and whenever, or however it's celebrated, remember there was a time when we were invisible, and worse than "second class" citizens. Known then, as today, as "The Closet."

The Stonewall Riots happened in June of 1969, and the first "Pride Parade" happened in New York City in June of 1970 to commemorate what happened that night.

"Stonewall" may have been forgotten if it weren't for that first "parade."

You can have whatever opinion you want about Gay "Pride" Parades.

You can celebrate your humanity as a Gay Man anyway that you want.

For me a "Gay Pride" event, represents when we stopped allowing ourselves to be victims, when we stopped cowering in the shadows, and finally fought back.

Gay Pride, being celebrated in many locations throughout our country this weekend, represents a dichotomy of who we are, while at the same time being a political movement, and a statement about who, and what we are as individuals, and how we decide to publicly express ourselves.

If you long for the companionship of another Man, and the intimacies that go along with that companionship, regardless of your politics, or how you feel about public displays of affection in those regards, you belong there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UNOXD7HfCE

I'm glad to hear that your attending for the first time, and I hope that you can find something to embrace about it.

I also hope that you'll post back with tales from your first experience.

Great post Centexfarmer!!

Gay Pride is many things to many people, but if nothing else, take a moment this weekend to remember those who endured brutality, hate and vilification on behalf of all of us here - those whose energy and sacrifice has provided us with the rights we have today, even if there are more to fight for.

Have a great time Chance, and like Centex says, I truly hope you find something positive and uplifting from the experience. Enjoy!!

 

[chance1]

Whatever "Gay Pride" has become, and whenever, or however it's celebrated, remember there was a time when we were invisible, and worse than "second class" citizens. Known then, as today, as "The Closet."

The Stonewall Riots happened in June of 1969, and the first "Pride Parade" happened in New York City in June of 1970 to commemorate what happened that night.

"Stonewall" may have been forgotten if it weren't for that first "parade."

You can have whatever opinion you want about Gay "Pride" Parades.

You can celebrate your humanity as a Gay Man anyway that you want.

For me a "Gay Pride" event, represents when we stopped allowing ourselves to be victims, when we stopped cowering in the shadows, and finally fought back.

Gay Pride, being celebrated in many locations throughout our country this weekend, represents a dichotomy of who we are, while at the same time being a political movement, and a statement about who, and what we are as individuals, and how we decide to publicly express ourselves.

If you long for the companionship of another Man, and the intimacies that go along with that companionship, regardless of your politics, or how you feel about public displays of affection in those regards, you belong there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UNOXD7HfCE

I'm glad to hear that your attending for the first time, and I hope that you can find something to embrace about it.

I also hope that you'll post back with tales from your first experience.

all i can say is .........

i wish i had written that

that's pretty deep shit - and good shit - thank you

i will let you know how it goes

one thing i do know is that the party the night before is a late one - as in into the wee hours of the am - so i will probably have my sunglasses on no matter the weather

enjoy guys

 

[HenryReardon]

remember there was a time when we were invisible, and worse than "second class" citizens.

I have known any number of gay men who had become assimilated into society at large and were perfectly happy to be 'invisible.'

Isn't that a definition of a society where noone takes any notice - either of the color of your hair, the color of your skin, or any other factor about you?

 

[Lostlover]

LL just had a stroke...

No. I'm healthy, in shape and young. Didn't have a stroke.

 

[iman]

^Rather thin resume, I'd say.

 

[construct]

DFW celebrates gay pride in the fall. There was a period of less than a year way back before Lawrence when the Texas sodomy law wasn't on the books. That period started in September. So that's when we celebrate, but celebrate we do. There are parades in Dallas and in Fort Worth, and there is a picnic (which is more family-friendly) in Fort Worth the following Saturday. I always try to make both events.

Have fun, all of you who will be celebrating this weekend, just as I will come fall.

 

[Centexfarmer]

DFW celebrates gay pride in the fall. There was a period of less than a year way back before Lawrence when the Texas sodomy law wasn't on the books. That period started in September. So that's when we celebrate, but celebrate we do. There are parades in Dallas and in Fort Worth, and there is a picnic (which is more family-friendly) in Fort Worth the following Saturday. I always try to make both events.

Have fun, all of you who will be celebrating this weekend, just as I will come fall.

And here I was thinking that we celebrate in September because it's just too dang hot in DFW in June. Currently 102F as I type this.

 

[construct]

And here I was thinking that we celebrate in September because it's just too dang hot in DFW in June. Currently 102F as I type this.

That may very well be why Fort Worth changed theirs. (I actually know that it is.) But the Dallas parade was changed long ago. However because the sodomy law was off the books for such a short time, by the time the first September parade came around, the law was back on the books. Ironic, hunh?

 

[Centexfarmer]

I have known any number of gay men who had become assimilated into society at large and were perfectly happy to be 'invisible.'

Isn't that a definition of a society where no one takes any notice - either of the color of your hair, the color of your skin, or any other factor about you?

Yep, in a perfect world who we love as consenting adults shouldn't make any difference.

But I'm afraid that's where we're are at in the current "movement;" being "Gay" is such common place in some parts of the country, that even members of the GLBT community are asking, "what's all the fuss about, and why have a parade?"

I say that we should continue to "come out," and continue to put ourselves out there, leather, drag, and supporters of those of Gay Marriage until we have full equality, and then worry about how to commemorate Stonewall after the fact.

After full equality.


Until that time, I'm going to continue to publicly show my support, and "get my fuh-reak on!"

That may very well be why Fort Worth changed theirs. (I actually know that it is.) But the Dallas parade was changed long ago. However because the sodomy law was off the books for such a short time, by the time the first September parade came around, the law was back on the books. Ironic, hunh?

Yeah and even then, and correct me if I'm wrong, it amounted to being a Class C Misdemeanor (maximum fine $250), but still enough for the wing-nuts to decry that our "life-style" still constituted "criminal activity."

Fortunately we got the chance in Houston to challenge the constitutionality of that Texas Provision, which was struck down by SCOTUS, and opened the door to where we are now.

 

[prudyprudestein]

In California, pride celebrations start with Long Beach the third weekend in May, followed by LA, the second week in June, SF the end of June, San Diego in July and ending with Palm Springs in November. We could go to all pride events if we wanted. LA used to complete with SF on the same weekend, now they are two weeks apart. I like having them spread out throughout the year,

 

[HenryReardon]

I say that we should continue to "come out," and continue to put ourselves out there, leather, drag, and supporters of those of Gay Marriage until we have full equality, and then worry about how to commemorate Stonewall after the fact.
:

Everyone is free to engage in self-indulgent and self-destructive behavior - which is a valid description of a typical pride parade. The problem is that such behavior reflects badly on everyone else.

I know a high ranking law enforcement officer in a southern city of a million or so. Here is what he has to say: "I"ve been totally out for a number of years in a profession that is as full of red-neck and macho attitudes as any, and nobody pays any attention to me. But, every time they have one of those damn parades, people in the department start to look at me as though they expect me to come to work wearing a tutu."

He has an extremely valid point.

 

[HenryReardon]

No he doesn't.

You say he's a high ranking Officer.So obviously he's been on the job for years and years now.Surely he has worked closely with most officers in his Department.It's safe to say they know him and judging by his 'high rank' they can count on him to exhibit a higher degree of professionalism than say a rookie patrolman, or even a seasoned sergeant.

Why would Officers who your freind outranks,and who have worked with him for years,expect him to show up in a 'tu tu.' just because of what they see at a parade?

Sounds to me like they just don't respect him.

Utter nonsense.

The dumb masses see the highly visible highly vocal and often flamboyant and 'in your face' gays in those parades and, as the saying goes, 'tar all of us with the same brush.' They don't understand that the marchers are only the visible portion of the community - the tip of the iceberg, as it were.

Their behavior reflects badly on themselves and everyone else.

 

[JayHawk]

You have every bit of my envy. I have traveled all over these fifty and even a few territories; through all i have found no other than Rhode Island that I would happily pay my own money to continue to return. I did not grow up there and the rich history I do not know. However I love the people and they unique sense of freedom and privacy. I really think it is a special place. I have no doubt you will enjoy your time. I certainly do not do it professionally but I have an extensive collection of photography from the region. The low stone walls and rolling fields, a "regular" coffee (KAW-fee) is with cream and sugar, you can get a grinder, and yes I would agree it is like a soft pair of old jeans.

I know you grew up there but since you have been gone a bit; try out Paragon if you in Brown's library and find yourself hungry. Andreas is another i love. Of course if you are there until the early evening and desire a drink and some conversation then go to Mirabar.

I am sure your going to love your move. It is a great place and it is always good to shake things up a bit. I am sure you will also miss the hum of the city. Good luck

 

[JayHawk]

Utter nonsense.

The dumb masses see the highly visible highly vocal and often flamboyant and 'in your face' gays in those parades and, as the saying goes, 'tar all of us with the same brush.' They don't understand that the marchers are only the visible portion of the community - the tip of the iceberg, as it were.

Their behavior reflects badly on themselves and everyone else.

Oh pull the stick out of your ass. I mean really. It is not for you or anyone else to decide what freedom of expression is for someone else. If you choose not to embrace those things then fine but making it into some sort of crime. If those people look upon your friend or anyone with disdain because of some other peoples action then that is their fucking problem. Since when does anyone cower to gain anything?

No I am not for the message being passed ONLY during a decadent parade however for many it is exactly what the doctor ordered.

 

[HenryReardon]

It is not for you or anyone else to decide what freedom of expression is for someone else. If you choose not to embrace those things then fine but making it into some sort of crime. If those people look upon your friend or anyone with disdain because of some other peoples action then that is their fucking problem. Since when does anyone cower to gain anything?

We live in a free society - a society in which everyone is perfectly free to make fools of themselves should they choose to do so.

The kind of activity we are talking about, however, does result in a backlash.

What's the big deal with pride? Are you proud of the fact that you have ten fingers or ten toes? If so, why aren't you marching in support of it? The idea is absurd.