--"Gay pride," from Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
'"[Pride] is intended to be two things: a reflection and a celebration of the community and, to a great degree also, a parade for tolerance in our community...."'
--"B.C. Liberals offer no excuses for missing pride parade," by Jonathan Fowlie,
The Vancouver Sun, Wednesday, August 3, 2011, p. A2
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'A local professor...has called to ban the Vancouver Pride Parade for its "overly sexual content" and vulgarity.
'"Vancouver's so-called 'Pride Parade' should be banned. It is vulgar...to say the least!," Shinder Purewal, a Kwantlen Polytechnic University political science professor, tweeted.
'Purewal said he openly supports same-sex marriage, but criticizes the content of the parade itself for being too sexual.
'Anyone who has seen pictures or videos [promoting the Pride Parade]...the sexual part is too much," he said. "You wouldn't want to take your families there."'
--"Pride too sexy: Kwantlen prof," Metro, July 29-August 1, 11, p. 02
Reactions to Purewal's view from www.macleans.ca:
Well, I hate to have to say it but Shinder Purewal is absolutely right! The reason I hate to say it is because I'm gay, I'm not ashamed of it, and I'm not in the closet. Seeing those events does not make me proud at all but rather quite ashamed and angry. The negative stereotypes that mainstream society has about gay people, i.e.: that we are all fairies and freaks and we do nothing but sleep around, are only reinforced by the people who attend and participate in the gay pride parade. Would Black people hold a Black Pride parade and present themselves as slaves and servants? NO. Then why do we have to have events like this that reinforce our stereotypes? Most people are only exposed to gay culture when they see coverage of this on the nightly news. What the heck do you expect them to think? I live in the suburbs, have been in relationships, but have yet to find that guy I want to spend my life with, but I am hopeful he is out there. When I do find him, I will shout from the rooftops the pride that I feel being with him, a pride I would like to show by being able to walk down any street and hold his hand without fear of being looked at as an outcast or [becoming a target of violence]. As long as these shameful events continue to cast my sexuality and that of many, many others who may feel as I do, in a negative light, my dreams of Pride will never happen.
--Mark
If heterosexuals had a parade and there naked people gyrating during the parade and around the associated events, they would be stopped and arrested.
The pride parade is fine. The naked perverts are not.
--Roger
Why do they have to be so disgusting? I am ok with gay but to do whatever you want in a parade....Gays, you are not furthering your rights by doing this. You are turning people against you.
--Paul
And these reactions from The Vancouver Sun, Monday, August 8, 2011, p. A8:
I know many compassionate, liberal-minded people who wonder why simulated sex acts, nudity and shouted profanities...can be sanctioned at one public event and not others.
--Peggy Trendell-Jensen, North Vancouver
No one is questioning the rights of gays, lesbians and transgendered to express their sexuality.
What is in question is how much sexual content (homosexual or otherwise) is publicly acceptable at what is billed as a "family friendly" event.
Homosexuals have a tremendous amount to be proud of. Contributions to literature, music, design, and the arts, are enormous and have had a profound influence in [the] shaping of our society and culture today.
What I'd like to see is a truly family friendly parade, one that we can all share and enjoy, taking pride in other culture and diversity. Let's save the ass paddling for the nightclub or cabaret later.
--Geoff Snell, Richmond
It's too bad the professor who called the pride parade "vulgar" received such a backlash.
I completely agree, having a sexually themed parade down the streets of Vancouver is vulgar.
I have no problem with same sex relationships, or marriage for that matter, but I know where to draw the line.
--Jesse Beaton, Delta
I am a supporter of gay rights, but the whole idea of shocking the world into acceptance is not the way to gain sympathy for the cause.
I believe the gay pride parade should exhibit gay love, not be a grandstand of blatant sexuality.
Call me old fashioned, but I believe leather whips and nudity belong in the bedroom.
[For] future generations to be more understanding and [to] change people's perceptions, then maybe the gay community could...make a few changes to the event.
Try to make it as welcoming as possible, not one that parents feel they must shield their children from because instead of candy, condoms are passed out.
For a group trying to break the stereotype, they seem to do a pretty good job of fitting the mould.
--Caitlin Hillcoff, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
In this post, I decided to let others speak for me. They did a far better job than I ever could.
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