@Loni Jay: I struggled with this too, believe me. How can you be proud of something you've never accomplished? This is how I eventually interpreted Gay Pride:
Okay, so you just came out. Your mom called you a fag, your dad kicked you out, your friends all hate you, you're pretty much homeless until you find a distant relative that accepts you into their home. And you survive. Despite everyone bringing you down, you keep going.
While this story is not anecdotal, it certainly captures the spirit of Gay Pride, I think. Basically, the accomplishment is not being gay, but overcoming the shit that is associated with being gay.
"Without a fairy, you're not even a real man!" ~ Mido from Ocarina of TimeYes...that's a good point too, Snail. There's also the feeling pride in putting up with and overcoming any of the shit you've been thrown because of it. I am proud that I can get over the name calling and such. I am happy with how things are generally and I don't let that shit bog me down too much.
If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah[1]
This sums up my "gay pride" ideals (NSFW-language.). I personally have self-pride, and thats about it.
edited 15th Mar '11 4:18:40 PM by Vyctorian
Rarely active, try DA/Tumblr Avatar by pippanaffie.deviantart.com
I generally don't like any parade that isn't The Macy's day one...so yes. Everyone has to earn respect (gay, srt8, White, black, male, female, ect.) , it's only self-entitled pricks who haven't worked a day in their life who think otherwise.
And frankly yes, I live with homophobic parents who think that's what being bi/gay is, and was raised being taught thats what it is, so yes, they are hurting us more than helping us!
edited 15th Mar '11 4:29:31 PM by Vyctorian
Rarely active, try DA/Tumblr Avatar by pippanaffie.deviantart.comGoing by the definitions of pride I can find online and in my two dictionaries it is pride actually. Behold.
Self-respect and such fall under that banner of pride.
It is similar to cultural and racial pride. So it seems to me anyway.
Also can someone sum up for me what is in that video?
Wait what...we are not earning rights? I would think this hard fought battle in courts and such was trying to earn rights...The pride parades are part of this effort...
edited 15th Mar '11 4:28:26 PM by Aondeug
If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah^^ I just don't like the idea that minorities have to "earn" their rights from the big bad white straight males. It should be a right we have unconditionally, not something we have to earn. This doesn't mean I'm a lazy ass either. We'll keep fighting this regardless.
So the problem is gay people, right guys? It's definitely not how your parents were raised. Oh, certainly not.
edited 15th Mar '11 4:32:19 PM by snailbait
"Without a fairy, you're not even a real man!" ~ Mido from Ocarina of Time
Obviously not, I'm pansexual which is worse in my parents eyes, but granted not everyone else is as free-thinking. Also he never said earn rights , he said Respect. Big Difference.
also it's not just big bad white males, I know a Hispanic women who doesn't respect gays or bi's.
edited 15th Mar '11 4:34:29 PM by Vyctorian
Rarely active, try DA/Tumblr Avatar by pippanaffie.deviantart.comNot quite as familiar with Japan, but I'd need some convincing that what was going on in Greece was actually widespread bisexual attraction as we know it today, rather than just sex as a cultural institution. There was a huge power dynamic regarding who was pitching and catching, for one.
edited 15th Mar '11 5:14:29 PM by Pykrete
If not saying conform to stereotypes but what I'm also saying is don't go out in public with ass-less pants, s/m gear and start waving around pink flags and yelling about how much you like sex. (I've been to a parade before) and expect to get more respect. .
Your embarrassing yourself, me and the rest of the community but not having the decency of human politeness. Seriously for everyone 1 person like that I know I know 9 people like me who are afraid to say their gay/bi/pan because all people think of is that one guy.
Edit: Didn't finish my thought in paragraph one.
Edit 2: Spelling.
Edit 3: Spelled two when I meant the number 2.
edited 15th Mar '11 4:47:15 PM by Vyctorian
Rarely active, try DA/Tumblr Avatar by pippanaffie.deviantart.comAh. 'k then. I was just a wee bit confused, Loni. Yes that seems to be the current situation. The belief that LGBT are demanding more respect is bothersome...
As for fearing coming out because of gay pride parades...I've never felt this fear. Or fear regarding it at all. Save for coming out to my grandparents because I am very fond of them and would hate for them to be upset with me about it. If all they think of is are crazy half naked fucks then ok. So be it. At least I know how to party apparently. I did feel the fear of flirting with girls or telling them how I felt, but eh. Doesn't bug me so much now. This may change a bit if I get jumped, but until then? Meh.
It should also probably be noted that I don't have much of a desire to really mention it to anyone unless it is being directly asked. If not it typically just shows in how I talk about girls I suppose? Save to my grandparents. They're a special case in regards to these matters.
edited 15th Mar '11 4:50:47 PM by Aondeug
If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan ChahWith me it's less the fear of coming out and more the want to go back in. I always get questions of what X is like, and how often do I do X, when X is some activity I've never even considered doing or most of the time heard of, but because I'm some sort of alternate sexuality I must know all about X, so I become the resent person to lob questions about every fetish known to man, because since I'm an alternate sexuality I must know all about X, right!
And when I don't know about it then I'm suddenly a poser who only said I was pansexual for attention or whateva.
Rarely active, try DA/Tumblr Avatar by pippanaffie.deviantart.comI tend to deal with that by just answering honestly or joking about shit. Thankfully I don't get a lot of "YOU'RE JUST A POSER" from people I reveal this to. Those who have said this I have not been kind to... They were people I could afford to be a bitch to. I've been very lucky in this regard.
Questions I tend get..."What does pansexual mean again?", "How do you know? Have you actually done anything?", "How do girls you know...do it?", "Why can't you just say bi?", "-enter question about fetishes here-".
I tend to have or at least understand and take interest in most of the fetishes I get asked about...
edited 15th Mar '11 5:11:27 PM by Aondeug
If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan ChahYour embarrassing yourself, me and the rest of the community but not having the decency of human politeness. Seriously for everyone 1 person like that I know I know 9 people like me who are afraid to say their gay/bi/pan because all people think of is that one guy.
Why not? Why can't they do those things? Why do they have to stop just because people don't like it?
And obviously if someone thinks you're that kind of person after revealing your sexuality, then you either A) Educate the person that not all queer people are like that or B) not associate with that person.
"Without a fairy, you're not even a real man!" ~ Mido from Ocarina of TimeThey are people and I don't agree with bashing them. Unless they reveal themselves worthy of it. The problem is that everyone has different views on what "worthy of it" means...
If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah

Loni Jay: Apparently pride has another secondary definition where you can take pride in being who you are. A sort of feeling of self worth. Feeling like you're an all right dude. Or some such. I can understand it a bit better after having it explained to me and by those terms I suppose that I do feel proud. I don't feel badly about it in any way. I am not going to say I have GAY PRIDE though.
edited 15th Mar '11 4:06:21 PM by Aondeug
If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah