Calgary Pride 2012 – Needed or Not Needed
For years I have been struggling with the dilemma – Are Pride parades doing us good or messing things up? Are we sending a positive message or we are just making things worse?
Every day we live our lives trying to show the straight world that our lives are not much different. We go to work, we pay taxes, we go to college, we donate money, we take care of our children, and we love our families. We are trying so hard to show that our lives are normal and that being gay is not an alternative lifestyle.
And then once a year – flags are flown, crazy outfits are worn, naked bums are shown, all sorts of different comes out and it even scares me. It scares me because I know that the straight community also sees what I see and will not hesitate to use this craziness as ammunition to discriminate against the gay community.
On the other hand, I celebrate diversity. I celebrate the fact that we are so different and we are everywhere, and we are not afraid to laugh, to have fun, to be proud, and to be visible. Being different just means – seeing the world from a different perspective, seeing what others do not see, offering creative solutions, and making this world so much better.
I might not be very comfortable with some outfits, crazy hair styles and some naked body parts but I never forget the reason there is pride parade. It is there to remind us about those who need to know that they are not alone in this world. Bullied kids, bullied adults, abused women and children – these people are the reason we are out there and by “WE” I mean people from all walks of life, all ages, different genders, no gender, bears, skinny, fat, tall, short, disabled….We are there to stand up for our rights to be treated equality.
7 responses to “Calgary Pride 2012 – Needed or Not Needed”
Leave a reply to Dace Cancel reply
Blog for LGBT Families
The Long Way Home 
Think it’s needed….
I agree with you, Dace.
We have a gay festival in Sydney each year ‘Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras’, which culminates in an incredible highly structured parade with floats and elaborate costumes; it’s a wonderful affair.
It started in the 70’s. I was a little skeptical because of the skimpy costumes, etc.; they were out to shock, and shock they did.
Today it has become a major attraction bringing millions of dollars to the Sydney environs… They (the participants from all walks of life) are still out to shock (just my observation), but hey; why not…!?!
What I’m trying to say is; I believe there needs to be a visual display, otherwise those of us who are straight don’t get it…! For the most part straight people are scared; they fear difference, just as I’m sure there are gays who are scared of straights. How can we all come together otherwise? It needs to be in fun, and light-hearted to show that we are all the same in the ways that count… As you said; we all pay our bills, love our children, etc., etc.
My understanding of The Mardi Gras today is: The shock has faded and, apart from it being another revenue raiser, tourist dollar raiser, business opportunity and TV filler, it has infiltrated the minds of many who today just accept it as another festival, another ‘happening’ in our world.
And, that’s what it takes. It takes putting it out there until it becomes the ‘norm’…. When that happens, people’s scary goes away, or at least it abates, and that’s what is needed. Only shining a light on difference until it is accepted is what is needed to bring that about. That, and that good old friend; time…
The shock probably is necessary to raise an awareness in some people. However, is that actually the right way to go? As I said, my friend, I am still on the fence on this one…
The parade in Sydney these days is ‘less’ shock and more a celebration. It has evolved over the years from a fledgling attempt to be seen, to being a powerful statement of cohesiveness and fun. I would hope that this would be the end product of the affair about which you are referring… I do appreciate your sentiments though. It would be more dignified if it could be achieved with a little more decorum. Perhaps that will come…
I think it’s needed and I used to be somewhat shocked by it as well… until I became pre-med and saw a new dimension of naked… even below skin deep. Despite the fact that I’ve changed majors, those shadowing experiences and A&P classes stick with me (and I don’t mean just on a transcript).
geezez about the” below the skin” part. 🙂 There is some truth to the statement that as more you shock somebody as faster they develop an immunity and as faster it becomes a norm
I’m with you there. Great to celebrate our diversity but the craziness might indeed scare some people…!
I guess it is scary only for those who have a reason to be scared…