Straight Guy,
I can't let June go by without another nod to Gay Pride. A little history: Most cities around the United States celebrate Gay Pride with parades and street fests in June. Then choice of month honors the Stonewall riots of June 1969. If you want to know more about Stonewall, read on, but it is generally considered to be what ignited the modern gay and lesbian rights movement.
I'm not exactly sure how I feel about Pride anymore. I suppose at one time I thought it was empowering... and a way to meet guys. Or mostly to look at guys. Now that I've been out for a long time, I'm not sure I need it. But, I think it is really important to let people know where they come from and who sacrificed for them.
No matter where and when, Pride has always been both a party and a protest: a way to celebrate and a way to have public expression.
When I read about the yesterday's marches for Gay rights in India, I feel ashamed that I hit Pride mostly hoping to see some hot guys and have a bit of fun. Read about Gay marches in India. These men and women risk their social standing and more to take a stand. I admire them.
-- Gay Guy
2 comments:
Thanks for the backstory, GG. I've never seen a Pride event, but I think I get what you mean about mixing party and protest. I wouldn't feel guilty, though. In the long run, the best protests end up as national holidays.
I think I deserve partial Pride credit for suffering through a few Mummers events, though. Have you seen that craziness?
Those Mummer get-ups are much more gay than anything you'll see in a Pride parade.
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