Lots of really good points and arguements in this thread. I have to say that xMemnonx did a great job of conveying his POV, as did the "Pride Pack".
Now, just to throw out some issues from a devils advocate stance.
1) Should Anti-Gay, homophobic groups be allowed to march every year?
2) When will White Male America get to march? Should they be allowed? Talk about a group of people whom life is becoming increasingly difficult for.
3) if a "straight" parade contained sexually lewd or explicit acts, in *most* area's (the all important "most" qualifier...heaven forbid I use the word "all") it would be shut down very quickly and not be allowed to continue the following year. Is it fair that "pride parades" are allowed more leeway in these situations?
4) A main point in gay rights activism is to be treated fair and equally. Why then, do "gays" wish to be so flamboyant and outspoken? Why do they have "pride parades" (an activity that would be criticized and protested to no end were "straight america" to attempt the same thing)? If I (a straight "white" male) were to strut around and act in a way that was against "the status quo" I would be labeled and treated differently. Why then, do flamboyant homosexuals feels it is unfair that they are labeled and treated unfairly as well?
5) Regardless of what's right and whats wrong, there are just certain things that *just are* in this world. I'm not gonna walk by myself through a "ghetto" in Los Angeles. If I do, I'm not going to be surprised if I get taunted, harrased, or if I get the living shit beat out of me. Why? Because that's just the way things are. No, it's not "right". It sucks. But just because it's not right, doesn't mean I'm going to go on an evening stroll through Compton. So, while sacrifices must be made in the struggle for equal rights,does that mean "we" should pity people who make themselves martyrs for there cause?
6) Are you offended by "slurs" (i.e fag, dyke, nig ger, kike, cracker, bitch)? If yes, do you use "cuss words" (shit, fuck, cunt, asshole, etc...) in public? Are you "politically correct"? Have you ever stopped to think about how the "slang" you use on a daily basis might offend someone else, even if you think it's a "harmless" word or phrase?
7)In this day and age, "The White Man" is being blamed for, well, just about every groups oppression or hardship. Because of this, more and more people/groups are altering there behaviors/views/policies. If "the white man" is now a group that is becoming more and more discriminated against, and gay rights (or any "rights" group for that matter) want *fair and equal* treatment, then wouldn't they, therefore, be welcoming continued discrimination?
How comfortable am I? I have gay friends. I have no problem with the homosexual lifestyle. However, I am not comfortable witnessing *public* displays of affection, not just with homosexuals, but with straight people as well. I don't cringe when I see two men holding hands on the street, but I would be equally annoyed/appalled/offended if I saw a couple fucking in a park, whether they were gay or straight.
I am all for the *fair and equal* treatment of homosexuals, people of color, women, goats, cheese, air in a can, and politicians. By this, I mean that I have no problem with people that are different from me,but I do not believe they should be able to do things that "the white folk" wouldnot be able to do as well.
Finally, because some people just wont understand the term "Devil's Advocate", let me just say that *my* personal beliefs are not necisarily reflected in the situations I posed above. Some are, but some are just me looking at situations from varying point's of view. Are *my* opinions perfect? Nope. Are some of my beliefs hypocritical and/or self serving? Yup.
But so are yours.
*edited for spelling, grammer, my faulty spacebar, and a rather embarrassing mistake where I typed that "The White Man" *should* get away with things that other people can't.*
[ 08 July 2002: Message edited by: Spencer ]