# Help me understand "Gay Pride"? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 7, 2019, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-gay-pride/836670 "2019-07-07T14:34:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-gay-pride/836670/101 "2019-07-08T15:58:35Z")
_judging **Machinaforce** in Gay_ ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-gay-pride/836670/102 "2019-07-08T16:00:19Z")
> [@Machinaforce](#): > > No, more like skin color or physical features. Blacks and Asians aren’t chameleons. In their case there was literally no choice. Gays did have one and so did the Jews during WWII (some could have lied about their religion and escaped death) so their “achievement” is kind of diminished in a sense. You might want to read [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=878349) before showing your ignorance about history again. > [@](#): > > The difference between humans and other animals is that for humans survival isn’t enough, which seems like a weakness. Ironically, many humans - i.e. everyone without your philosophy - take great pride in this strength. ---
**Author:** ![Machinaforce](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/aeb1de/32.png) [@Machinaforce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machinaforce)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-gay-pride/836670/103 "2019-07-08T16:02:05Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Machinaforce, please go read a history book. More like you need to look around. ---
**Author:** ![Machinaforce](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/aeb1de/32.png) [@Machinaforce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machinaforce)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-gay-pride/836670/104 "2019-07-08T16:03:24Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > You might want to read [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=878349) before showing your ignorance about history again. > > Ironically, many humans - i.e. everyone without your philosophy - take great pride in this strength. It’s not a strength, seeking meaning is a weakness. So much so that people literally off themselves without meaning in their lives. You could make an argument that the current environmental state is a result of that. ---
**Author:** ![Machinaforce](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/aeb1de/32.png) [@Machinaforce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machinaforce)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-gay-pride/836670/105 "2019-07-08T16:06:46Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > I’m just going to guess: Poor dancing. A love of cargo shorts. Lack of rhythm. Discomfort with spicy foods. You know, the stuff that really matters. That stuff does matter yes (but not really), although you have missed the mark by a long shot. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-gay-pride/836670/106 "2019-07-08T16:09:18Z")
> [@Machinaforce](#): > > I wouldn’t call it work. I mean civil rights has been happening for much longer and nothing’s changed that much. They worked much harder and couldn’t hide their skin color. > (Snip) … Nothing’s… Changed… That… Much? Nothing has changed that much in terms of civil rights? Black people are treated basically the same as they were in 30s, 40s, 50s? Nothing’s changed that much since before loving v Virginia? Brown v board of education? Rosa parks? Literacy tests to vote? (To name but a few milestones) All same old, same old? ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-gay-pride/836670/107 "2019-07-08T16:10:15Z")
> [@Machinaforce](#): > > Not really repress so much as tolerate. In life we don’t pick the hand we’re dealt. Indeed. Some beards come in full and luxurious, covering the entire neck, while others remain hopelessly patchy. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-gay-pride/836670/108 "2019-07-08T16:20:13Z")
> [@Machinaforce](#): > > It’s not a strength, seeking meaning is a weakness. So much so that people literally off themselves without meaning in their lives. You could make an argument that the current environmental state is a result of that. I can’t help but notice that this appears less relevant to the issue of gay pride and more to certain other threads you’ve posted on the subject of faith and meaning. Are you okay? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-gay-pride/836670/109 "2019-07-08T16:21:40Z")
> [@Machinaforce](#): > > No, more like skin color or physical features. Blacks and Asians aren’t chameleons. In their case there was literally no choice. Gays did have one and so did the Jews during WWII (some could have lied about their religion and escaped death) so their “achievement” is kind of diminished in a sense. > > The difference between humans and other animals is that for humans survival isn’t enough, which seems like a weakness. Why don’t you try hiding who you really are. See how long you can keep it up. I’ve got my egg timer set. Go! ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-gay-pride/836670/110 "2019-07-08T16:22:49Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Say WHAT?!! > – this board doesn’t have an emoji for “aghast”, does it? Yeah, :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:[sup]lots[/sup] ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-gay-pride/836670/111 "2019-07-08T16:28:45Z")
> [@Machinaforce](#): > > You should save your sympathy for those who can’t blend in. Heh. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-gay-pride/836670/112 "2019-07-08T16:29:23Z")
> [@Machinaforce](#): > > More like you need to look around. More like you need to get some professional help. ---
**Author:** ![Machinaforce](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/aeb1de/32.png) [@Machinaforce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machinaforce)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-gay-pride/836670/113 "2019-07-08T16:33:05Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > I can’t help but notice that this appears less relevant to the issue of gay pride and more to certain other threads you’ve posted on the subject of faith and meaning. Are you okay? It’s more to illustrate a point. Seeking meaning in life seems like a detriment to a life form. ---
**Author:** ![Machinaforce](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/aeb1de/32.png) [@Machinaforce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machinaforce)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-gay-pride/836670/114 "2019-07-08T16:34:11Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Why don’t you try hiding who you really are. See how long you can keep it up. I’ve got my egg timer set. Go! Kind been doing that for 10 years and I’m doing ok. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-gay-pride/836670/115 "2019-07-08T16:36:11Z")
> [@Machinaforce](#): > > Kind been doing that for 10 years and I’m doing ok. What exactly have you had to hide for the last ten years? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-gay-pride/836670/116 "2019-07-08T16:38:37Z")
> [@Machinaforce](#): > > Kind been doing that for 10 years and I’m doing ok. Yeah, you sound _ok_. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Machinaforce](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/aeb1de/32.png) [@Machinaforce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machinaforce)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-gay-pride/836670/117 "2019-07-08T16:53:51Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > What exactly have you had to hide for the last ten years? Being on the spectrum and I guess you can say being gay (though the last one is more like a condition I tolerate, first one is harder to do). ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-gay-pride/836670/118 "2019-07-08T16:55:52Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > I came out in 1963. Back then, there was no such thing as gay pride, only gay shame. I admitted openly that I had “homosexual feelings” but was ashamed of those feelings. To embrace them would have been unthinkable back then. Nobody in the world was saying it was ok to be gay. Nobody. When we met in bars (the only place we could meet), we ran the risk of being harrassed, beaten, arrested, publicly shamed, losing our family, our jobs, even our lives… just for sitting in a bar. > > Today, we have an openly gay man running for president, and an openly gay woman leading a sports team to international victories. And we recently celebrated by the millions, in cities around the world. > > Just in my own lifetime we have overcome so much. Though we still have a long way to go, we have so much to celebrate and be proud of. Excellent post! ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-gay-pride/836670/119 "2019-07-08T17:02:49Z")
Nava, yeah, I guess that’s the emoji. When I hovered over it it said “eek”, and I was going for something rather stronger than “eek”, which to me implies something like ‘there’s a mouse or spider in the room and I’m afraid of mice and spiders, though I know they won’t actually hurt me.’ I am, however, not particularly good at emojis. ---
**Author:** ![Machinaforce](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/aeb1de/32.png) [@Machinaforce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machinaforce)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-gay-pride/836670/120 "2019-07-08T17:30:00Z")
> [@gytalf2000](#): > > Excellent post! Not really, you could have just stayed hidden and overcome those parts. Also you didn’t overcome anything so much as nagged people into allowing you to play with everyone else. Also your level risk/return seems way off if going to a bar was worth losing all that. There is nothing to celebrate or be proud of, you are making mountains out of molehills. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-gay-pride/836670.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-gay-pride/836670.md?page=7)