24th Annual Gay Pride Events and Parade

[Doug Loudenback]

^^ my oh my

[Bunty]

We aren't talking about Sturgis, Mardi Gras, or San Francisco. We are talking about OKC.

I guess my question would be: if similar activities/attire were engaged by others in an otherwise "straight" parade, would that be acceptable? For instance, if the folks from the various adult "gentleman clubs" in the metro area had a float or floats, wearing their "work" attire and the like, do you that would be ok to have on a public street, where access is not controlled or limited by age etc? In recent years there have been children's activities at the Pride parade. Is that ok?

When an "adult" event is held, it needs to be limited to those of legal age on private property with controlled access. No matter the sexual orientation of the participants.

Then go to the OKC gay pride parade and judge for yourself if it's appropriate for children. It's probably tame and subdued compared to the San Francisco parade.

[earlywinegareth]

"Free your mind and the rest will follow; be colorblind don't be so shallow."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaoSS...eature=related

[Roadhawg]

We aren't talking about Sturgis, Mardi Gras, or San Francisco. We are talking about OKC.

I guess my question would be: if similar activities/attire were engaged by others in an otherwise "straight" parade, would that be acceptable? For instance, if the folks from the various adult "gentleman clubs" in the metro area had a float or floats, wearing their "work" attire and the like, do you that would be ok to have on a public street, where access is not controlled or limited by age etc? In recent years there have been children's activities at the Pride parade. Is that ok?

When an "adult" event is held, it needs to be limited to those of legal age on private property with controlled access. No matter the sexual orientation of the participants.

I don't know about anybody else but I would go to that

[Doug Loudenback]

Larry, one can never tell what each successive parade may bring, but this slideshow by taos3 of the 2006 parade seems to reflect standards that I think (but don't know) would be OK with you. This is Oklahoma City, not San Francisco.

I've embedded the slideshow in my blog post and I'd do it here but that can't be done in this forum's software (to the best of my knowledge), but you can click on this link to see the 2006 slideshow, 39 photos.

Having done that, what do you think, my friend. Still scary?

Well, this one IS scary ... and I understand that it can be seen from either side of the window, depending on perspective ... the question, I suppose, is WHO ARE the would-be body snatchers, people who think like Sally Kern, or you next door neighbor who, in the main, probably pretty much thinks the way that you do and is an otherwise decent and fair-minded person but who happens to be one of the following: LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) ...



Fear is always a bad and false motivator, though ... compassion is better ...

[PennyQuilts]

PennyQuilts, I'm not sure from your comment where you're at on this. Are you saying that OKC Pride has done or allowed to be done anything along the lines that you mentioned? I'm a bit surprised by your comment, and, based upon what I already know of you first hand, I'm confused. Care to clarify?

My response was strictly limited to the previous comment made that they need to be careful how they behave so as to not encourage bad stereotypes. That's all. I am not saying that is what they have done but if they did, I personally think it would be a bad idea because it would encourage ignorant people to think that was what gayness was all about. It isn't, of course.

[PennyQuilts]

Penny - I do see Pride Parades in the same lights as Mardi Gras: they are pushing the envelope with entertainment while also spreading the message that OKC (and other cities with pride parades) has a significant glbt population that people otherwise wouldn't realize. Sure I disagree with some of the acts that some people do during the events, but I think it is really all in honest fun and perhaps they are making fun of the stereotypes (counter-culture) or the fact that they have to hide because of the 'fear' of the sexuality itself. But people DONT have to hide during the pride festivities.

If I can recommend, take it all as entertainment. There is always something to learn and hopefully OKC's glbt community will do a better job with their festivities given the 'somewhat conservative' nature that exists in OKC. I think OKC's pride parade should be more on the lines of educational and community building than a counter-culture show.

GLBT does add a positive contribution to OKC and is a part of OKC's diversity. Sure, it would be nice if business owners in the 39th district spruced up the neighbourhood and it became upscale similar to other gayhoods around the world. But most would be surprised that there are many gay run businesses all around the city, they just chose not to posterize their sexuality with business.

I dont see the pride festivities as the catalyst of developing 39th street, I see it as an opportunity for the glbt community of OKC to openly celebrate and have a day of Mardi Gras celebration their own way. Nothing wrong with that IMO and I am happy that OKC has a Pride event and even more happy to see OKC residents embracing it (even if there are still some 'questions' about what the event really is).

Gay folks can certainly want to have a madi gras type parade if they want. I have no problem with that. I just think that if they do, they need to make it clear that it is all in good fun (like mardi gras) and that they aren't trying to suggest that being gay amounts to being a hedonist. Make sense? It won't change the minds of people who are anti gay - they'll be looking for evidence that gays are out of control perverts - but it would be a fairer statement about what the purpose of the parade would be. I'd say the same thing about a parade celebrating women. If it amounted to a bunch of debauchery, I personally would be unhappy with that. Being a woman doesn't make me a slut. But if it was a parade that was touted as "girls gone wild" or something like that, I might not attend but at least I wouldn't worry that they were trying to portray women, in general, as being like that.

[rondvu]

All this talk about Mardi Gras makes me think of boobs and beads. Wonder what would be shown at the OKC gay parade if they where throwing pearls? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx-y8...eature=related

[earlywinegareth]

OK, how about a show of hands...who here has actually seen a pride parade in person??

I've seen two...here and Atlanta. Both were attended by people of all ages including families with children. Both were a lot of fun, very positive energy. There were no hedonistic displays b/c well, that's quite against the law and there are cops all over the place as well, mostly to protect the paradegoers from lunatics.

So, if you've never actually seen one, maybe you are guilty of ill-informed assumptions.

[HOT ROD]

Penny, I think they have made it clear that Pride events are educational yet celebratory, with the pride parades being the "mardi gras" type of event. And as has been said, OKC's event is nowhere near as 'offensive' or touching the borders of society as SF's. I think you would be surprised if you went to the very tame and educational OKC parade by comparison.

[PennyQuilts]

Penny, I think they have made it clear that Pride events are educational yet celebratory, with the pride parades being the "mardi gras" type of event. And as has been said, OKC's event is nowhere near as 'offensive' or touching the borders of society as SF's. I think you would be surprised if you went to the very tame and educational OKC parade by comparison.

Asd I said, my post was in direct response to the cautionary comment by someone to avoid engaging in stereotypes that would be harmful.

[PennyQuilts]

OK, how about a show of hands...who here has actually seen a pride parade in person??

I've seen two...here and Atlanta. Both were attended by people of all ages including families with children. Both were a lot of fun, very positive energy. There were no hedonistic displays b/c well, that's quite against the law and there are cops all over the place as well, mostly to protect the paradegoers from lunatics.

So, if you've never actually seen one, maybe you are guilty of ill-informed assumptions.

I wish people would actually read what some of us wrote.

[bornhere]

I guess I will honor the 'secrecy' regarding this late mayor's sexual orientation, even though it was not much of a secret at the time. He was about as 'out' as someone could be in OKC in the sixties. I was aware of it, and I was a teenager.

[bucktalk]

Penny, I think they have made it clear that Pride events are educational yet celebratory, with the pride parades being the "mardi gras" type of event. And as has been said, OKC's event is nowhere near as 'offensive' or touching the borders of society as SF's. I think you would be surprised if you went to the very tame and educational OKC parade by comparison.

Just wondering....what are some 'educational' aspects of a gay pride parade?...for real...

[Thunder]

Just wondering....what are some 'educational' aspects of a gay pride parade?...for real...

That we owns the rainbow? lol

[HOT ROD]

Just wondering....what are some 'educational' aspects of a gay pride parade?...for real...

you may need to go to OKC's parade to find out. One educational thing I can think off the top, is that sexual orientation of a person does not matter to the well being and economy of OKC; in that many in control of businesses and society are not heterosexual. Im not sure if the Pride Parade there would 'teach' that, but it is an avenue for people to come out and enjoy a day together. Other than that, Im not sure what OKC's pride parade is all about but I'd encourage people to take a visit with an open mind and then decide for yourself. ..

[earlywinegareth]

Was flipping thru the channels last night and came across a documentary on PBS' American Experience called "Stonewall Uprising". Very interesting. I didn't know the roots of the gay civil rights movement. Also didn't know that the first ever gay pride parade was actually a civil rights march that came from this incident in NYC. Basically every gay pride parade since commemorates Stonewall and is why they're typically held in late June.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexpe...lms/stonewall/

[Roadhawg]

Was flipping thru the channels last night and came across a documentary on PBS' American Experience called "Stonewall Uprising". Very interesting. I didn't know the roots of the gay civil rights movement. Also didn't know that the first ever gay pride parade was actually a civil rights march that came from this incident in NYC. Basically every gay pride parade since commemorates Stonewall and is why they're typically held in late June.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexpe...lms/stonewall/

Interesting... I didn't know that either

[earlywinegareth]

Yeah, funny how stuff like that was left out of our public school curriculum on the civil rights movement...and still is.

[jmarkross]

Once in a while...it is good to look around you and see what is going on...even read a book every now and then.
Do you expect everything to be laid before you to absorb--if you wish--or do you think you have any obligation to self-educate yourself?
It is the difference between those who are somebody--and those who are not.

All this information has been common knowledge to most people for over 40 years.

[lake hefner breeze]

No one should be proud of being gay and they should not have a parade for it.

It is shameful, immoral behavior.

This is not a family event.

[jmarkross]

No one should be proud of being gay and they should not have a parade for it.

It is shameful, immoral behavior.

This is not a family event.

Un-hinged...

[earlywinegareth]

No one should be proud of being gay and they should not have a parade for it.

It is shameful, immoral behavior.

This is not a family event.

Does that mean you won't be attending the event? I'm sure the organizers will be heartbroken, lol!

[dankrutka]

Yeah, funny how stuff like that was left out of our public school curriculum on the civil rights movement...and still is.

I teach, and many others, teach about Stonewall now. It's just recently started to be included in U.S. History curricula. Obviously, everyone should know about this.

[dankrutka]

No one should be proud of being gay and they should not have a parade for it.

It is shameful, immoral behavior.

This is not a family event.

lake hefner breeze kind of sounds like a gay name. You should definitely come out to the parade. Lol.
A lot of old people do not support gay rights. Young people do. If you haven't noticed you are literally a dying breed. Gay rights are on their way and comments like yours will be viewed in the same light as racists in the 60s. The future is bright...