Sign in or 
Location: Event Ideas
Discussion: Let's change PRIDE this year to EQUALITY
Category:
Discussion Forum /
General Discussion
Share this|
ridgejoe321 |
Let's change PRIDE this year to EQUALITY
Jan 15 2009, 12:34 PM EST
Rather than flashy pride marches, dances and parties- leaders of this site should contact every major pride organizing group to get together on an EQUALITY march - we need to change our language and the view of ourselves that we present to the world.
24
out of
36 found this valuable.
Do you?
|
empath2008 |
1. RE: Let's change PRIDE this year to EQUALITY
Jan 15 2009, 1:52 PM EST
This is an EXCELLENT idea. I think that, in the past, we were a more "secret" community- so many people had (supposedly) never met a GLBT person. So, "pride" was related to "coming out" (being honest and open about our identities so that people would know that we exist) and also to reversing some of the "shame" people in our community felt about being a GLBT person. But, I do think that many of us are now much more comfortable with ourselves and that the country is well aware of our existence at this point... so, a shift in the focus from Pride to Equality seems like a great idea and the time seems right for this transition in how we approach our annual (and other) events. What would be some practical ideas for putting this into action? What might be some potential obstacles or pitfalls?
9
out of
10 found this valuable.
Do you?
|
|
ld1266 |
2. RE: Let's change PRIDE this year to EQUALITY
Jan 15 2009, 2:07 PM EST
"This is an EXCELLENT idea. I think that, in the past, we were a more "secret" community- so many people had (supposedly) never met a GLBT person. So, "pride" was related to "coming out" (being honest and open about our identities so that people would know that we exist) and also to reversing some of the "shame" people in our community felt about being a GLBT person. But, I do think that many of us are now much more comfortable with ourselves and that the country is well aware of our existence at this point... so, a shift in the focus from Pride to Equality seems like a great idea and the time seems right for this transition in how we approach our annual (and other) events. What would be some practical ideas for putting this into action? What might be some potential obstacles or pitfalls?"I could not agree more with you guys, I think we do need to celebrate people who have come out and our community but i think also at this time and place gay pride should be more equality motivated and still have that same excitement, if we want to be taken seriously then we need to "tone it down" just a little and use pride as a tool to organize,move forward and be seriously heard.while still having a great time doing it ;-) the obvious obstacles are 1. pride has usually been more party oriented so we need to keep in mind that not ALL GLBT people are fighting for the same thing some dont want to marry so.... it isnt as important to them as say hate crimes legislation gays are partiers lol so we do need to keep that in mind for those that wouldnt attend if they thought it was all about serious stuff 4 out of 5 found this valuable. Do you? |
|
Garrett_in_SF |
3. RE: Let's change PRIDE this year to EQUALITY
Jan 15 2009, 5:05 PM EST
Fantastic idea ... how can we get the pride committees to listen to us?
2
out of
2 found this valuable.
Do you?
|
|
suziemuzic |
4. RE: Let's change PRIDE this year to EQUALITY
Jan 15 2009, 5:27 PM EST
Most Pride Committees choose their theme months ahead. I know ours in Columbus was chosen last Sept. It is FREEDOM.
1
out of
1 found this valuable.
Do you?
|
|
jagwyre73 |
5. RE: Let's change PRIDE this year to EQUALITY
Jan 15 2009, 5:37 PM EST
This is great! I was just talking about this to my partner a few weeks ago. I agree with the aspect of being taken seriously. Many straights attend pride events like it was mardi gras! We need purpose and celebration.
2
out of
2 found this valuable.
Do you?
|
|
TeachingTolerance |
6. RE: Let's change PRIDE this year to EQUALITY
Jan 15 2009, 6:16 PM EST
What an incredible idea! I couldn't agree more. What do we need to do to make this happen? To begin, I will contact the editor of our local GLTBQ paper -- what happens next to make this a reality?
2
out of
2 found this valuable.
Do you?
|
AZDDW |
7. RE: Let's change PRIDE this year to EQUALITY
Jan 17 2009, 3:29 PM EST
FANTASTIC idea! I have been advocating for this for years. Stop the "mindless party" aspect of pride celebrations and fight for equality instead. I, and a large group in Phoenix, have stopped going to "prides" completely the last few years. They are an embarrassing display that do not represent the very mainstream aspects of our lives that we are fighting to have recognized. It is preposterous to see people act like completely irresponsible idiots for an entire weekend, who then turn around the next day and wonder why they aren't getting any respect! Grow up, tone it down, and do something that can benefit all of us, and our lives, in general. I think Pride marches have their place in history--they are an important part of the evolution of a movement--but it is time for them to evolve once again. We must be willing to move forward--please!
5
out of
5 found this valuable.
Do you?
|
|
Goombah |
8. RE: Let's change PRIDE this year to EQUALITY
Jan 17 2009, 3:59 PM EST
"Rather than flashy pride marches, dances and parties- leaders of this site should contact every major pride organizing group to get together on an EQUALITY march - we need to change our language and the view of ourselves that we present to the world."You are right on.....I can't imagine that it wouldn't be a priority ........ It's long overdue that all the faces of the Gay, Lesbian, Transgender community are represented. 3 out of 3 found this valuable. Do you? |
|
KrazyFox |
9. RE: Let's change PRIDE this year to EQUALITY
Jan 17 2009, 5:29 PM EST
How about "EQUALITY + PRIDE" or "WITH EQUALITY COMES PRIDE" or even "EQUALITY, FREEDOM, & PRIDE". There are many ways to arrange the words so they cover all the aspects of being an AMERICAN and being treated the same as any other American.
6
out of
6 found this valuable.
Do you?
|
JTnlvnow |
10. RE: Let's change PRIDE this year to EQUALITY
Jan 20 2009, 1:46 AM EST
"Rather than flashy pride marches, dances and parties- leaders of this site should contact every major pride organizing group to get together on an EQUALITY march - we need to change our language and the view of ourselves that we present to the world."I really like this idea. Do you find this valuable? |
Judegeekgirl |
11. RE: Let's change PRIDE this year to EQUALITY
Jan 21 2009, 7:04 PM EST
I'm straight so I have never been to a Pride parade. Now, I'm amazingly tolerant (hey, I love Castro St.) but if gay pride parades look like football tailgating parties, you will not get straight people involved. It needs to be more serious if you want to be taken seriously. The fun can be later. I really think you need to encourage as many straight people as possible to join you. Families and friends. If there is a March on Washington, why not have marches in other cities too? Not everyone can get to Washington. Someone had posted that in a protest march people should carry signs saying their occupation. Straight people could carry signs that say "My son is a gay straight A student" or "my best friend is gay". I think that is a great idea. Be the people that you really are. 8 out of 9 found this valuable. Do you? |
TruthandLove |
12. RE: Let's change PRIDE this year to EQUALITY
Jan 21 2009, 7:22 PM EST
I like thatWe need to call our selves PRO EQUALITY..... 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
|
AZDDW |
13. RE: Let's change PRIDE this year to EQUALITY
Jan 21 2009, 10:40 PM EST
Thanks for that post Judegeegirl. I really like the idea of signs with your occupation on it. One thing I always hated about the insanity factor of pride parades is that otherwise intelligent people "flip out" during pride. They are people (doctors, lawyers, managers, owners, caregivers, business leaders) who are mainstream 364 other days of the year and then act like fools during pride. These antics are then filmed and played on endless loops by hatemongers like Bill O'Reilly (among others) in order to prove that gays are "out of the mainstream". What a great way to counter that by marching with straight people and with signs that show our occupations, and how average and everyday we really are. Now that is pride! 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
|
Judegeekgirl |
14. RE: Let's change PRIDE this year to EQUALITY
Jan 22 2009, 9:02 AM EST
My husband and I are close friends with four gay couples and I know, casually, through church and work, many more.I really hate to break this to you guys. You are pretty much just like us. I know scientists, HR managers, nurses, doctors, school teachers, lawyers, accountants, clergy, professors, MBA's, engineers, college students, retired folks. They are fun, loving, kind, intelligent but they have pretty much the same life as me and my husband. I will admit - they do throw better potlucks. Other than that.....
2
out of
2 found this valuable.
Do you?
|
jaysays |
15. RE: Let's change PRIDE this year to EQUALITY
Jan 22 2009, 10:21 AM EST
"My husband and I are close friends with four gay couples and I know, casually, through church and work, many more.I really hate to break this to you guys. You are pretty much just like us. I know scientists, HR managers, nurses, doctors, school teachers, lawyers, accountants, clergy, professors, MBA's, engineers, college students, retired folks. They are fun, loving, kind, intelligent but they have pretty much the same life as me and my husband. I will admit - they do throw better potlucks. Other than that....."I've spent most my life trying to "fit in" and when I finally accepted the fact that I don't but it was ok... you go an burst my bubble! ; ). *obviously I'm kidding* I like the idea of Pride being "Equality". I've only attended a couple of pride events in my life. One parade and one gathering at a park. The parade was a bit more crazy than the event in the park... the park event had a dog show and all sorts of "family friendly" events. It was really kind of boring. No hatemongers repeatedly showed the dog show over and over. Do you find this valuable? |
|
ridgejoe321 |
16. RE: Let's change PRIDE this year to EQUALITY
Jan 22 2009, 1:00 PM EST
I really like this idea of carrying signs with our occupations - this makes it much more real - let's keep evolving this idea, and maybe by spring we will have a 50-STATE STRATEGY for EQUALITY!!
2
out of
2 found this valuable.
Do you?
|
don_mohidin |
17. RE: Let's change PRIDE this year to EQUALITY
Jan 22 2009, 5:27 PM EST
"Rather than flashy pride marches, dances and parties- leaders of this site should contact every major pride organizing group to get together on an EQUALITY march - we need to change our language and the view of ourselves that we present to the world."Here is a suggestion for a placard for your next march. How about quoting our new President's speech: 'We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense...' 4 out of 4 found this valuable. Do you? |
frelling_cute |
18. RE: Let's change PRIDE this year to EQUALITY
Jan 22 2009, 6:07 PM EST
This is refreshing to see because there aren't a lot of Straight people out there that don't care about sexual orrientation and realize that Gay people are just the same except for Sexual preference. Yes, we are just the same as everyone else. We stay home and socialize with friends on the weekend and yes, are known to have better parties than everyone else so everyone comes over to our place so we can dance in the living room. Do you find this valuable? |
|
frelling_cute |
19. RE: Let's change PRIDE this year to EQUALITY
Jan 22 2009, 6:09 PM EST
"I'm straight so I have never been to a Pride parade. Now, I'm amazingly tolerant (hey, I love Castro St.) but if gay pride parades look like football tailgating parties, you will not get straight people involved. It needs to be more serious if you want to be taken seriously. The fun can be later. I really think you need to encourage as many straight people as possible to join you. Families and friends. If there is a March on Washington, why not have marches in other cities too? Not everyone can get to Washington.It's funny because in recent years, most straights come to pride than ever before to see what it is all about. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
