[quote=“magnolia”]QM: Here lies the essential dilemma - nothing is EVER going to be completely representative of ALL gays and lesbians - but what’s the point of a parade if you’re not going to dress up? The media isn’t making a political point by focussing on drag queens and half naked men, they’re focussing on them because they’re visually interesting and more “newsworthy” than the Gay Lawyers in Suits group marching behind them - sure, they don’t represent you because they’re out there representing THEMSELVES while you’re on the sidelines, apparently hating it - come on, QM, parades are about showing diversity, not conformity, surely?
When Rio has the Mardi Gras, you don’t hear people complaining that girls in feather headresses and half-naked men aren’t “representative” of the citizens of Rio, gay or straight. Why is that? Because IT’S A PARTY!
And as for showing how some gay people are “as normal” as straights, well, forgive me, but don’t you mean “as boring”? :P[/quote]
Sigh… I knew I was going to get slammed by someone for what I said. It was inevitable.
First, I am, by no means, saying that something should or can be representative of all gays and lesbians. This diversity among the gay community is exactly my point in expressing my opinion about the parades and the name of the (apparently not to be) forum. Unfortunately, many straight people are not familiar with that diversity. Rather, all they often see (and, therefore know of) are those members of the community that fit a certain stereotype of what a gay man or lesbian is. Therefore, those images, visually interesting or not, just serve to reinforce that stereotype. And, in doing so, can server to reinforce their prejudices. For this reason, I think that anything that purports to represent the gay community as a whole, which most parades purport to do, should be as representative as possible.
Second, I don’t think the purpose of a parade is necessarily to dress up and have fun. That is certainly one purpose. However, parades can have many purposes, depending on the needs of the participants. I believe, as the name seems to imply, the original purpose of the parades was to show pride – i.e., to show people that gays are an integral and diverse part of their community, from the policeman in their neighborhood to the drag queen in their building. Perhaps that is not the parades purpose now, as many of them are changing to “mardi gras.”
Third, if the purpose of a parade is to show people that gays are out there, whether they know it (like it?) or not. Then, I still think it is a shame that the media has to focus so much attention on the half-naked men and/or drag queens instead of the lawyers, police officers, fire fighters, etc… I think the “normal” groups would be a lot more shocking for many straight people to see, since they go against the stereotypes they hold of gay people. So, in my opinion, the gay lawyers behind the drag queens should be more “newsworthy.” (By the way, I never said that the media was being political. Try not to put words in my mouth.)
Fourth, I have attended (yes, on the sidelines) a few Pride Parades. I have not, in any way, “hated it,” as you suggest. In fact, I have found them to be a blast. I loved watching the half-naked men and the drag queens. I am planning more parades/mardi gras in the years to come. And, I would even consider participating in one directly.
Fifth, though, I believe you were joking, the use of the term “normal” was not in any way intended to indicate “boring.” Again, I think there is a tremendous amount of diversity in the gay community. Just because some people prefer a quieter, simpler life than you apparently do, does not make them boring.
However, a better way to express myself would probably have been to say, “To show straight people that there is as much diversity in the gay community as in the straight people. We have people who like to go to bars and people who like to stay home, people who are butch (both men and women) and people who are feminine (again, both men and women), etc… just like in the straight community.”
Sixth, I believe that everyone has the right to live their lives the way they see fit (as long as they don’t hurt others or infringe on other’s rights). In doing so, they have the right to “represent” themselves anyway they see fit. If you (or anyone) wants to dance half-naked in the streets during the parade, that is fine. I have no problem with that.
Finally, if you think I’m being a little sensitive on this. I admit I probably am. But, I’m tired of gay people who talk about diversity and accepting differences but judge others in the gay community, like myself, as boring, etc… just because we don’t enjoy or do the same things they enjoy or do.