Not in your face enough

Initiated as small, defiant, sexually daring protests, gay pride parades have become mainstream spectacles patronized by corporate sponsors and straight politicians as they spread nationwide. For many gays, who prize the events' edginess, the shift is unwelcome — as evidenced by bitter debate preceding Sunday's parade in Dallas.

At issue was a warning from police and organizers that rules related to nudity and sexual behavior would be enforced more strictly than in past years. Police said anyone violating indecency laws in front of children could be charged with a felony.

The warnings outraged some local activists, whose reactions swiftly echoed through gay-oriented social media nationwide.

"To make the parade more 'family friendly' and to accommodate comfort for the increasing number of attending heterosexuals and corporate sponsorship, participants are being asked to cover up!" activist Daniel Scott Cates wrote on his Facebook page. "The 'queer' is effectively being erased from our pride celebration."

Another activist, Hardy Haderman, wrote an aggrieved column for the Dallas Voice, a weekly serving the gay community.

"The assimilationists insist we tone down and throw away all our joyous sexiness," he wrote. "Why? To do that turns the Pride Parade into a We-Are-Ashamed parade, and I refuse to be part of that."

Despite the controversy, the Dallas Voice reported that the parade was "business as usual," with larger than normal turnout marking the event's 30th anniversary. There were no reports of arrests, and some marchers did dress in skimpy underwear, despite pre-parade speculation this would not be allowed.

The parade is organized by the Dallas Tavern Guild, an association of gay bars. Its executive director, Michael Doughman, said the change this year did not involve any new rules — but rather a warning that existing rules would be more strictly enforced.

These rules, he said, were drafted to conform with the city's public nudity ordinance and the state's anti-obscenity law, which bars the parade from featuring sexual paraphernalia and "real or simulated sex acts."

"Most people abided by the rules — but we had some individuals who decided to push the envelope a little to see how far they could go," Doughman said of recent parades. "So we asked our police security officer to bring it up as a reminder."

"We aren't trying to stifle anybody's right to be gay or express themselves," he added. "We are trying to create a friendly environment for everybody. We can be gay without being naked."

Among gay activists beyond Dallas, the dispute elicited sharply divided opinions. Those agreeing with Doughman included John Aravosis, a prominent Washington-based blogger.

"I got involved in gay politics 20 years ago in order to win the right to serve in the military, have a job, and get married, among others," he wrote. "It had nothing to do with public nudity... I'm open to a good explanation of how this links back to our civil rights, but I've not heard a good one yet."

What, you mean they have to follow the law or face the consequences? How infair...not

Many people have a problem with the decency side of the issue. I don't want to watch heteros going at it in public......much less homos.

Ok, be proud if you find nothing wrong with being attracted to the same parts you got......whatever......just don't expect special treatment. Just act "normal" and everything will be good.

That is the main issue with all groups now-a-days. Everyone wants to be accepted into the whole.......but they do not wish to conform to that whole. Race, religion, sexual preference.......it is all the same. You want to be accepted....look and act like the norm and there will be no problems.

I think the flamboyance of the in your face type gays is really only a disservice to the ones who do just want equality. They think that shit really helps their cause, because all it does is turn ppl off

Nah, it is exactly what they want. Unless they can fabricate a falsity, they can have no "intolerance". The ones who do it love the attention. It helps make them feel "special".

Whatever......some just love walls......white friggin walls......look it up.

Marconius wrote:The ones who do it love the attention. It helps make them feel "special".

  

I never understood the erotic pride parades. Sure, back in the day the shock value got you press, which got your cause in the news (when it would otherwise have been ignored), however gay rights issues are currently front and center. People are aware. All the erotic displays do is reinforce some nasty stereotypes.

There is a gay pride parade every year in Fresno. Its a family friendly event and the participants are fully clothed.