[quote=njtosd][quote=outtamojo][quote=njtosd][quote=spdrun]If Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, West Indians, Chinese, Irish, Italians can have their own parades, why not gay pride?

As far as flaunting it, would you be offended by a straight couple hugging and kissing in public?[/quote]

I don’t understand the concept of pride in something that just is. I don’t see being heterosexual or homosexual (or having two ears or a spleen) as being a source of pride (or shame). One can have pride in overcoming prejudice or battling unfair treatment, but that is different. It seems that too many attempts to fix problems caused by discrimination just results in lines being drawn in new places.[/quote]

You may not see these things as a source of shame, but sadly, many segments of society do. In a world of emotional humans, nothing is ever something that just is. The pride message I believe is just other like humans trying to help those who have been beaten down and ridiculed join society and be comfortable with who they are.[/quote]

The problem with the word pride and the current usage is that it is only acceptable when used by those who have been the target of discrimination. Most would not think it would be appropriate for people to say I’m proud to be white and of northern European descent. In fact, although gay pride is seen in a positive light, white pride is a term popular with imprisoned neo-nazis*. To me, this sort of takes the meaning out of the word – it seems like something people use to convey whatever they want (like “Smurf”). I guess I wish people would stop relying on popular buzzwords (“critical mass” is gone, “reach out” sounds a little creepy to me, apparently “amplify” is enjoying current popularity) and just use words that communicate a thought. I had this discussion with scaredy in another thread – I think educators should be prohibited from using the word amazing, and maybe phenomenal.

*In a similar way I find it sad that the four leaf clover is now the symbol of both a decadent breakfast cereal and the Aryan Brotherhood[/quote]
Saying you are a proud Scandinavian or proud Norwegian won’t raise any eyebrows and
I have yet to hear objections to Octoberfest or to St. Patrick’s day -celebrations originated by the fair skinned. Somewhere out there is the master key to all we object to but I haven’t found it yet.