Pride parade funded - Conservatives in a tizzy - Ablonczy demoted

[jammies]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I'm almost totally free enterpise when it comes to that kind of stuff. I think that the regional businesses that directly benefit should be the ones that support tourism and promotion.

The problem is that many of those businesses won't pay out because the benefits of the event are not directly linked to how much you are willing to invest. You can invest nothing and let other people assume the costs while you just enjoy the rewards.

[Pastiche]

I don't get it.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Pastiche makes an interesting point. A gay person cannot divorce him or herself from their sexuality. That sexuality is what makes them gay. Thus, a gay pride parade will inevitably be about celebrating that sexuality and, as such, there will be more usually be more sexual imagery than other parades would have. As an analogy, the Stampede Parade is, at its essence, a celebration of Calgary's western heritage and as such one cannot be surprised at the fact that there will be more western imagery than other parades may have. A Pride Parade in Calgary, on the other hand, might combine them both by an overabundance of assless chaps. Kidding.

I am quite prudish and wouldn't do the drag thing or wear a thong...hell, I wouldn't even wear a sleeveless shirt! But I am proud of who I am and will march as who I am. But I am not really one who will tell other people what I think that they should wear.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by ben voyonsdonc

Pastiche makes an interesting point. A gay person cannot divorce him or herself from their sexuality. That sexuality is what makes them gay. Thus, a gay pride parade will inevitably be about celebrating that sexuality and, as such, there will be more usually be more sexual imagery than other parades would have. As an analogy, the Stampede Parade is, at its essence, a celebration of Calgary's western heritage and as such one cannot be surprised at the fact that there will be more western imagery than other parades may have. A Pride Parade in Calgary, on the other hand, might combine them both by an overabundance of assless chaps. Kidding.

I am quite prudish and wouldn't do the drag thing or wear a thong...hell, I wouldn't even wear a sleeveless shirt! But I am proud of who I am and will march as who I am. But I am not really one who will tell other people what I think that they should wear.

Why does sexuality have to be expressed this way? As a political science graduate, I focus a lot on studying the citizen's relationship to the state or city. Recently I've been studing the idea of "eros," the Greek notion of soulful longing. I won't digress into the point, but along the way I've read Plato's Symposium which poses questions mainly in regards to homosexual erotic relationships. Socrates makes the point that "sex" really doesn't have much to do with it. Ultimately, it's a form of deep bonding between two men for the purpose of sharing virtue and knowledge. In the text, one of Socrates' lovers enters the discussion, but notes how Socrates slept in his bed, yet refused sexual intercourse.

I'm not sure where I am going with this point, but as a heterosexual, I do think it's important to understand the homosexual experience as an extension of the natural. Sex is a base act, differing little from animal behaviour. Love is something entirely different and I do not understand how gay pride parades translate that value.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by ben voyonsdonc

Pastiche makes an interesting point. A gay person cannot divorce him or herself from their sexuality. That sexuality is what makes them gay. Thus, a gay pride parade will inevitably be about celebrating that sexuality and, as such, there will be more usually be more sexual imagery than other parades would have. As an analogy, the Stampede Parade is, at its essence, a celebration of Calgary's western heritage and as such one cannot be surprised at the fact that there will be more western imagery than other parades may have. A Pride Parade in Calgary, on the other hand, might combine them both by an overabundance of assless chaps. Kidding.

I am quite prudish and wouldn't do the drag thing or wear a thong...hell, I wouldn't even wear a sleeveless shirt! But I am proud of who I am and will march as who I am. But I am not really one who will tell other people what I think that they should wear.

So your point is that a Heterosexual Pride Parade would be quite acceptable where there is nudity, simulated heterosexual love, women flaunting their assets to everyone lining the street, advertisements by strip clubs, sex shops, and adult video stores, and a rampant sexual overtone to the parade.... this all would be good and should be supported by John Q Taxpayer? Somehow I don't think that would fly either

[LChoy]

Originally Posted by Rerun

So your point is that a Heterosexual Pride Parade would be quite acceptable where there is nudity, simulated heterosexual love, women flaunting their assets to everyone lining the street, advertisements by strip clubs, sex shops, and adult video stores, and a rampant sexual overtone to the parade.... this all would be good and should be supported by John Q Taxpayer? Somehow I don't think that would fly either

Sounds like Mardi Gras or Carnival

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by Lchoy

Sounds like Mardi Gras or Carnival

But neither one of those are Canadian events.

[ben voyonsdonc]

I'm also a Poli Sci guy.

I agree that there is more to being gay than just sex. There is more to sexuality than sex. However, sex and sexuality are still quite intertwined and often overlap. As an aside, if you went to calgary pride last year or the year before there was absolutely no nudity or anything even remotely lewd involved. There were drag queens and guys dressed in tight shorts but that was it.

The Pride Parade is one of the few times that I would feel comfortable enough in my surroundings to even hold hands with another guy...I'm single though so there will be no hand holding for me!! Anyways, it is a sad reflection that gay people still can't even show the slightest affection (ie a peck on the lips or holding hands) without fearing hearing snickers or rude comments. I wish this wasn't the case but it further confirms the need for the existence of Pride Parades.

[Bunk]

Sounds like Red Mile celebration. "Shirts off for Kiprusoff!"

...supported by the taxpayer in policing and cleanup.

[Pastiche]

So your point is that a Heterosexual Pride Parade

The idea behind a Pride Parade is that it's a time to bring attention to other minority identities. Many would argue that everyday is a Heterosexual Pride Parade with the dominant sexuality and images in media, culture and society being heterosexual.

This is why there's no 'white' pride parades, hetero pride parades, middle-class awareness weeks etc. They all establish the dominant paradigm of our society meaning that they don't need to be celebrated through specific events to bring attention to and raise awareness of.

[jonesy]

Gay isn't the problem, being an idiot is.
These pictures are of idiots. Be gay, but don't be such a jerk.
Anyone else doing this is arrested. Who wants to see this in public.

MOD EDIT: NSFW LINKS!
http://chadzboyz.com/gaypride/galler...s/IMG_3665.htm
http://chadzboyz.com/gaypride/galler...s/IMG_3666.htm

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by jammies

The problem is that many of those businesses won't pay out because the benefits of the event are not directly linked to how much you are willing to invest. You can invest nothing and let other people assume the costs while you just enjoy the rewards.

Again, if its generating 100,000,000 for local businesses then it should no longer be something that the government is funding, its in a stable position and its shown relevance to the business community so you put the responsibility for fund raising and the businesses that directly benefit to support it. There's no need for the 400,000 for the government, this becomes budget money that can go towards other festivals or events that can use the help to promote themselves to the point where they become self sustaining.

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by ben voyonsdonc

I'm also a Poli Sci guy.

I agree that there is more to being gay than just sex. There is more to sexuality than sex. However, sex and sexuality are still quite intertwined and often overlap. As an aside, if you went to calgary pride last year or the year before there was absolutely no nudity or anything even remotely lewd involved. There were drag queens and guys dressed in tight shorts but that was it.

The Pride Parade is one of the few times that I would feel comfortable enough in my surroundings to even hold hands with another guy...I'm single though so there will be no hand holding for me!! Anyways, it is a sad reflection that gay people still can't even show the slightest affection (ie a peck on the lips or holding hands) without fearing hearing snickers or rude comments. I wish this wasn't the case but it further confirms the need for the existence of Pride Parades.

Not really..people who aren't going to be tolerant of you, aren't going to change their mind after a pride parade. These things take time, it will take a maybe another 10-15 years before you won't feel the way you do on the general public...

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by jonesy

Gay isn't the problem, being an idiot is.
These pictures are of idiots. Be gay, but don't be such a jerk.
Anyone else doing this is arrested. Who wants to see this in public.
http://chadzboyz.com/gaypride/galler...s/IMG_3665.htm
http://chadzboyz.com/gaypride/galler...s/IMG_3666.htm

Exactly!!

By the way, I looked at the pics and just threw up! Thank you very much!

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Pastiche

The idea behind a Pride Parade is that it's a time to bring attention to other minority identities. Many would argue that everyday is a Heterosexual Pride Parade with the dominant sexuality and images in media, culture and society being heterosexual.

This is why there's no 'white' pride parades, hetero pride parades, middle-class awareness weeks etc. They all establish the dominant paradigm of our society meaning that they don't need to be celebrated through specific events to bring attention to and raise awareness of.

I disagree with this. I think the whole its ok to celebrate minority activities while not celebrating mainstream or majority view points is wrong.

And before you jump on me about white supremacists, that's not what I'm talking about at all. But there would be nothing wrong in my mind with something like a hetero sexual pride parade since we're celebrating sexuality in the community as long as its not something that's insulting or harmfull to the gay community.

But instead we take the simplistic view that being normal in a demographic sense is something to be mourned.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Rerun

So your point is that a Heterosexual Pride Parade would be quite acceptable where there is nudity, simulated heterosexual love, women flaunting their assets to everyone lining the street, advertisements by strip clubs, sex shops, and adult video stores, and a rampant sexual overtone to the parade.... this all would be good and should be supported by John Q Taxpayer? Somehow I don't think that would fly either

Oh yes. . . I want to go there.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Originally Posted by Rerun

So your point is that a Heterosexual Pride Parade would be quite acceptable where there is nudity, simulated heterosexual love, women flaunting their assets to everyone lining the street, advertisements by strip clubs, sex shops, and adult video stores, and a rampant sexual overtone to the parade....

Our ENTIRE mainstream culture has a heterosexual sexual overtone filled with nudity, strip clubs, sex shorts and adult video stores. I'm not saying that it is good or bad -- it just is.

I dare you to go to a Pride Parade and maybe you will be surprised by the tame nature of the event. I have never seen any nudity or simulated sex at a Calgary Pride.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by jonesy

Gay isn't the problem, being an idiot is.
These pictures are of idiots. Be gay, but don't be such a jerk.
Anyone else doing this is arrested. Who wants to see this in public.
http://chadzboyz.com/gaypride/galler...s/IMG_3665.htm
http://chadzboyz.com/gaypride/galler...s/IMG_3666.htm

NOT work safe!

(Thank god no one was walking by my desk..lol)

[peter12]

Originally Posted by ben voyonsdonc

I'm also a Poli Sci guy.

I agree that there is more to being gay than just sex. There is more to sexuality than sex. However, sex and sexuality are still quite intertwined and often overlap. As an aside, if you went to calgary pride last year or the year before there was absolutely no nudity or anything even remotely lewd involved. There were drag queens and guys dressed in tight shorts but that was it.

The Pride Parade is one of the few times that I would feel comfortable enough in my surroundings to even hold hands with another guy...I'm single though so there will be no hand holding for me!! Anyways, it is a sad reflection that gay people still can't even show the slightest affection (ie a peck on the lips or holding hands) without fearing hearing snickers or rude comments. I wish this wasn't the case but it further confirms the need for the existence of Pride Parades.

Fair enough, but can't public displays of sexuality be along the same lines of social norms? Holding hands, minimal PDA etc...Is the nudity, thongs, and general displays of debauchery really needed? Seems to me that it perpetuates the stereotype of homosexuals being a bunch of sexually depraved perverts, which I obviously do not believe to be true.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

Not really..people who aren't going to be tolerant of you, aren't going to change their mind after a pride parade. These things take time, it will take a maybe another 10-15 years before you won't feel the way you do on the general public...

Do you think that change will happen if people just shut up and stay out of the public eye? Change doesn't come from being timid...it comes from coming out of the closet, uniting together and showing strength in numbers. That is what Pride events are all about.