Comments on: Pride in Our Performance

By: Andrew Wortman

Andrew Wortman — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 13:27:46 +0000

While the Pride parade and celebrations used to accurately used the word pride attributed to steps made forward in integration and acceptance in society, it seems far removed from that now.

Originally the idea of the “carnival” feeling of the parade and it’s myrid display of counter-culture lifestyles and practices was to demonstrate that the acceptance of the gay community would not mean closeting its differences or blending into the mainstream.

Unfortunately, the people who attend the celebrations now aren’t celebrating pride in accomplishments - but simply pride in their sexual orientation. There was recently a discussion concerning the “point” of Pride amoung members of a Pride committee and no one really had a significant answer.

Pride has become a party and there’s no denying that. Does it accomplish anything? Aside from showing leather daddies and drag queens the media really carries any story of importance regarding Pride. Aside from yelling “we’re here, we’re queer, get used to it” there’s no real political message being delivered even subtly.

You can’t eliminate Pride though - it has a real history - it just needs to be recreated for the 21st century. It needs to be revamped to account for a country that has accepted same sex marriage but still needs to make effective political and cultural steps.

There is a point to Pride and there are a group of people who should feel proud of the work they do for the gay community - too bad these people aren’t the once recongnized or celebrating during the Pride festivities.

By: George Freeman

George Freeman — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 14:14:18 +0000

Sure. But if your going to go counter-culture, don’t expect everyone to be nice and accepting of you. Maybe what constitutes counter-culture will change with time, some of which becoming more normalised. And maybe not.

I hardly think the ridiculous spectacle of a gay pride parade—proud of what, we’re not quite sure—serves much good to anyone but creeps and weirdos.

By: Lyndon Simmons

Lyndon Simmons — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 13:00:43 +0000

Ah, yes, but sometimes standing apart from societal norms is a good thing. For example, female circumcision is “normal” in many African countries, but it is still cruel and inhumane. Facism was “normal” in Germany during the second world war.

By: George Freeman

George Freeman — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 06:20:34 +0000

Those who embrace too much counter-culture, too often, usually have a hard go of it because they are choosing to stand apart from societal norms and mores.

By: George Freeman

George Freeman — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 06:16:27 +0000

None of what you mentioned is carnival. Look up the European origin of carnival and think Mardi Gras. Carnival is counter-cultural.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 03:29:09 +0000

Indeed, but this should be applied to everyone. Therefore the Irish should stop drinking on St. Patty’s Day. Christians should stop celebrating the comercialism of Christmas and Easter. And Americans should stop celebrating their self-proclaimed superiority on the 4th of July. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.

By: George Freeman

George Freeman — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 19:22:38 +0000

A blue-eyed parade couldn’t compete with the carnivalesque excess of gay pride.

“The accomplishment isnâ€™t the parade, Peter, it is the fact that gay men and women are moving towards integration and equality in Canadian (and global) society. A movement that has taken two decades of dedication, billions in resources, and millions of man-hours.”

How can you actually believe this shit?

If gay men and lesbians want to be integrated and equal in Canadian society, maybe they should stop throwing a big carnival every year demonstrating what sexually hung-up weirdos they are, acting a little less gay or a little more lady-like.

By: Lyndon Simmons

Lyndon Simmons — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 12:35:29 +0000

If you think it is so important to get protection for those with blue eyes, then start the work required to organize a major movement accross every jurisdiction, fight in court battles, work places, and legislature to get your cause recognized. (Everyone knows that blue eyed people are not on the same intellectual par as those with brown eyes, and should not be given jobs that may require any amount of responsibility, because, even though they can wear contact lenses, people might find out and blackmail them.)

The accomplishment isn’t the parade, Peter, it is the fact that gay men and women are moving towards integration and equality in Canadian (and global) society. A movement that has taken two decades of dedication, billions in resources, and millions of man-hours.

So if you really want a parade, then organize one. Parades don’t just happen on their own. The Pride parade in Toronto drew 10s of thousands of spectators with an organizing team of over 1000 people.

So before you go spouting off at the keyboard, ask yourself, how many people would show up to the blue-eyed parade in your home town? And how many people do you think would help out?