i just hate the fact that gay pride has become a sexual event, when the purpose was supposed to be something else.

Yeah, I do think that might be what others were saying but didn't express it the right way.
I mean the pride here got messy really fast.

There's a difference between not wanting to fit into a stereotype and not wanting to be around people of that stereotype. Is being around 'fem queens' and 'naked guys' going to turn you into one of them? I'm not understanding your point.

Yaaaaasssss!!!!! I'm going to working at a tent for a friends friend who makes their own swimwear trunks I can't wait for it.



Also, Carly Rae Jepsen is performing. Someone let Devon know and he'll get a hit thread when more than 20 fans show up.

I might go to Chicago's Gay Pride, but I have no one to go with.

You can go with me sis

Meet me at 451 West Oak Street! Call first before showing up though.

I don't think they represent gay people in a very positive way and I'm not really that outgoing.

Umm..

Well, that was before I had someone to go with. It's no time soon.

Screaming at the internalized homophobia in this thread. I'm not surprised, though.

I go every year. Where I'm from, the parade and festivities surrounding it are very family friendly and it's an incredibly lovely atmosphere. I think some of you should stop letting gay pride in more liberal places like NYC and West Hollywood make you think all gay prides are like the ones in those cities. Or stop hating yourself and accept the fact that people of all genders and sexualities express themselves differently.

They wouldn't be hating themselves, they would be hating the sleazy peeps who let it all hang out in public, no?

It's people in their damn underwear. Unless you live in a place where it's legal to be naked in public, people aren't allowed to be naked, and if underwear bothers you then I think it's you who has the problem.

Most of the people who attend half-naked don't dress that way every single day. This is the one day out of the year they can get with people like themselves and just let go and have fun without being judged. It's all about having fun and celebrating who you are.

Gay men in their underwear do not make the gay community look bad. You don't know those guys, you don't know what they do in their private time. Maybe they volunteer at homeless youth shelters? Maybe they work with HIV+ people and help spread the word on how to keep yourself safe. You don't know them, you're passing judgement on them because they decided to have some fun for a day. If you want to complain about gays giving the community a bad name, focus on gays like Perez Hilton and the many, many, many closeted politicians who try to pass anti-gay legislation to hide who they are.

Drag a bit.

The meaning and purpose of gay pride is incredibly important to our community. I remember being a scared, closeted teenager and attending my first pride and seeing how many people were there celebrating life and each other. It was incredibly eye-opening and allowed to me to see that I wasn't alone and that people would support me for being who I was. I thought it was amazing that so many people were so carefree and not caring about what people around them thought. It was one of the most important events of my childhood, and I know many people who feel the same way.

yas @ some of these scalpings