This thread is a result of a thread started by Esprix in IMHO which let everyone know that it is “Gay Pride Month”
I don’t mean any disrespect but I have always been puzzled by the idea of gay pride.
I am gay but I don’t feel any pride over it, basically because I don’t think I had a choice in the matter. I don’t feel any pride in being white, or because I have brown hair. I am proud of my accomplishments, proud of my work ethic, proud of the way I try to lead my life. These are all things that I have worked hard for.
Understand that I am not ashamed by any means that I am gay, but I feel strange being proud of something that is so seemingly out of my control. I understand that for too long, gay people have had to deal with a certain aspect of society telling them that they are wrong, bad, etc. Still, I find the notion of being proud to be gay…strange.
Having said that, I am very proud of others, gay and straight, who stand up against injustice and try to make the world a better place for everyone.
I’m straight, but I think the idea is that if people are telling you you should be ashamed of who/what you are and discriminate against you, you should respond just as loudly that you refuse.
I don’t think it’s so much a special pride in being gay that’s being espoused as much as it’s a statement that being gay should not make anyone feel shame.
I’m hoping that the “dick” remark was aimed at athelas and not myself. I’m just asking an honest question. I’m certainly not trying to be offensive to anyone.
I can see your point concerning shame. I felt that shame for a good portion of my life. I wish that nobody was ashamed about their sexuality because there just isn’t anything to be ashamed about. But if there is nothing to be ashamed of, perhaps there isn’t something to be proud of either.
I agree with musicguy in that why be proud of something you didnt choose to do? Im not proud im tall…I had no say in the matter! But of course following that logic, why have Black Pride month, or Hispanic Pride…etc…
Main Entry: 1pride
Pronunciation: 'prId
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English pryde, from prud proud – more at PROUD
Date: before 12th century
1 : the quality or state of being proud: as a : inordinate self-esteem : CONCEIT b : a reasonable or justifiable self-respect c : delight or elation arising from some act, possession, or relationship <parental pride>
2 : proud or disdainful behavior or treatment : DISDAIN
3 a : ostentatious display b : highest pitch : PRIME
4 : a source of pride : the best in a group or class
5 : a company of lions
6 : a showy or impressive group <a pride of
from:http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=pride
By pride they probably mean 1b: a reasonable or justifiable self-respect .
I’ve always seen it as a celebration of community, but if pride isn’t your thing, I gather the gay community isn’t, either; so be it.
As I remarked to my two friends who went to Long Beach Pride with me a few weeks ago, as it was the first time they’d been to a Pride celebration, isn’t it lovely how much diversity is reflected in our community - there were parade contingents that encompassed politics, healthcare, community service, families, nightclubs, social groups, various professions, and on and on and on. The message that not only the GLBT communities span every aspect of society, but also that “being gay” is as diverse as there are people, is such a positive, uplifting thing to me.
Perhaps you could explain why you felt a need to respond to this thread. Your point has absolutely nothing to do with the topic and is quite offensive.
Here are just a few threads where this question has been wrestled with.
They always start with the simple question, then later in the thread come the putzes being sarcastic or snotty, and it seems to break down to a minority having a new understanding and the status quo being maintained for the rest.
Being gay, like being a member of any minority, challenges us to examine many of the values and ideals we take as a given in today’s world. While being gay is more acceptable in this country and across the globe, not so many years ago, it wasn’t. A mere fifty years ago, it was viewed as a mental disease, an aberration that required strong measures to cure or prevent.
By being gay, I challenge the preconceived notions of what it is to be a man and how I can express myself sexually with other consenting adults. I’ve challenged those notions within myself and in others and because of that, I’ve come to a better of understanding of myself. I’m not some sick, sinful deviant that many others would try to label me as.
By being sure of my own position, I can go forward and engage society in a dialogue and hopefully have them examine their own preconceived notions about what it means to be a man or woman and how we express ourselves sexually. That’s what I’m proud of, to realize that everything I’m taught is not necessarily true and needs to be examined and challenged for veracity. And when I realize it’s not right, to stand up and fight against it. To fight for my right to be treated with respect like every other human being on the planet.
That’s what I’m proud of; my own self-examination and standing up for the right to be different.
Actually, in the past few months, I have spent quite a bit of time in Hillcrest, in San Diego, (your neck of the woods) and have been quite impressed and moved by the gay community there. I find it wonderful that there can be a place where I can walk around and be openly gay with my boyfriend. It has had quite an effect on me and I think community is a very important and beautiful thing.
I will admit that I have never been to a gay pride festival and I am thinking that it would be a good idea to get a better idea of the whole concept. “Pride” has always just seemed to be inappropriate. I wish I could think of a name that would be better. “Gay Celebration”, perhaps.
That is also always brought up in these threads and appears in the above links.
Every day is straight pride day.
And that white males are always told they should be ashamed is because they have been and are the reigining power structure. The patriarchy is the structure that is being railed against, not every individual white male.
How sad that gay pride day is such an issue for some people.
I see where you are coming from. I don’t think that being gay, in and of itself, is necessarily something to be proud of, but surviving and being happy in a primarily straight world, considering the amount of bigotry one must face, is an accomplishment. To be able to do that is something that one should be proud of.
I don’t need a day/month to feel pride in who I am. I noticed many gays in this thread say that pride comes with what you do with your life. Not with the “lables” people give you.
This is all I’ve been trying to say.
Major King, I don’t want or need one. I can feel pride in who and what I am without having one just like musicguy does.
Mockingbird, just how is everyday straight pride day? Your logic escapes me.