PRIDE
I've heard I person or two say that there is "No point" to the pride parade. The suggestion was that there was nothing special about being gay, "who cares what people do behind closed doors?"
I wish that were true.
In the united states it is estimated that 15% of reported hate crimes where directed at homosexual people.
There are seven countries where homosexual acts are punishable by death.
In 1998 Mathew Sheppard was picked up in a bar by two men posing as gay men. After taking Mathew a remote area, Russell Arthur Henderson and Aaron James McKinney savagely beat him, tied him to a fence post and left him for dead. He was found 18 hours later by a passing cyclist.
While Matthew lay dying in hospital, just a few miles away, a group of students from Colorado State University thought it would be funny to ride atop a homecoming float that featured a scarecrow figure designed to resemble Matthew's battered body. The figure was wearing a sign that said "I'm gay." An obscene message was painted across the back of the scarecrow's shirt.
On December 3, 2007, Craig Gee was attacked by four men whilst holding his boyfriend's hand walking down Crown Street in Surry Hills, Sydney, Australia. Part of his skull was reduced to powder and his leg was broken during the attack. Despite the attack, Gee and his boyfriend joined the Chief of Parade Margaret Cho to lead the 2008 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.
As recently as February of 2008 a fifteen year old boy was shot in the head in his own school because he was openly gay
At least 41 states in the us have statutes and/or constitutional provisions that prohibit same-sex marriage.
Clearly some people care very much about what gay people do behind closed doors.
As long as violence and discrimination against gays and lesbians exists there is a place for events like the pride parade.
Events that are positive and life affirming, where groups like PFLAG (Parents and friends of Lesbians and gays) can stand up and be heard. Where a parent of a homosexual could, in a public and tangible way march side by side with there child and say "your my kid and your gay and thats alright".
Pride is where politicians, police and public figures send a queer positive message to the public. Pride is where, for the first time ever, the Canadian military came out and marched and acknowledged there gay brethren.
Human rights issues and political agenda's aside Pride is a damn good party. Today the haggis and I wrestled out way to the crowded side of the road and watched the party go by. People where happy, smiling, dancing.
It made me feel good to be there, cheering my self hoarse, howling at the outrageous drag queens and taking as many photos as I could.
I wish that were true.
In the united states it is estimated that 15% of reported hate crimes where directed at homosexual people.
There are seven countries where homosexual acts are punishable by death.
In 1998 Mathew Sheppard was picked up in a bar by two men posing as gay men. After taking Mathew a remote area, Russell Arthur Henderson and Aaron James McKinney savagely beat him, tied him to a fence post and left him for dead. He was found 18 hours later by a passing cyclist.
While Matthew lay dying in hospital, just a few miles away, a group of students from Colorado State University thought it would be funny to ride atop a homecoming float that featured a scarecrow figure designed to resemble Matthew's battered body. The figure was wearing a sign that said "I'm gay." An obscene message was painted across the back of the scarecrow's shirt.
On December 3, 2007, Craig Gee was attacked by four men whilst holding his boyfriend's hand walking down Crown Street in Surry Hills, Sydney, Australia. Part of his skull was reduced to powder and his leg was broken during the attack. Despite the attack, Gee and his boyfriend joined the Chief of Parade Margaret Cho to lead the 2008 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.
As recently as February of 2008 a fifteen year old boy was shot in the head in his own school because he was openly gay
At least 41 states in the us have statutes and/or constitutional provisions that prohibit same-sex marriage.
Clearly some people care very much about what gay people do behind closed doors.
As long as violence and discrimination against gays and lesbians exists there is a place for events like the pride parade.
Events that are positive and life affirming, where groups like PFLAG (Parents and friends of Lesbians and gays) can stand up and be heard. Where a parent of a homosexual could, in a public and tangible way march side by side with there child and say "your my kid and your gay and thats alright".
Pride is where politicians, police and public figures send a queer positive message to the public. Pride is where, for the first time ever, the Canadian military came out and marched and acknowledged there gay brethren.
Human rights issues and political agenda's aside Pride is a damn good party. Today the haggis and I wrestled out way to the crowded side of the road and watched the party go by. People where happy, smiling, dancing.
It made me feel good to be there, cheering my self hoarse, howling at the outrageous drag queens and taking as many photos as I could.
Labels: Miscellaneous
posted by veronica at 10:15 PM
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