Illustration by new TNG illustrator Cathryn. Welcome, Cathryn!

Of all the polarizing forces in gay culture — the marriage debate, the role of the HRC, whether to actually take credit for Adam Lambert — the annual gay pride celebrations that take place around the country are among the greatest. Much like the crippling depression that many people feel around the ostensibly cheery holiday season, the glittery parades and street fairs of summer can often lead people to feel more shameful and alienated than any other time of year. Conversely, these can have their intended effect of breeding a renewed acceptance and respect for own’s own sexual identity. With all that said, this week’s staff survey question is as follows:

Does Pride Make You Proud?

Feel free to leave your own answers in the comments box. Enjoy!

1. Zack, Co-founder and primary contributor:

I’m really conflicted on this. My first instinct is be the eternal naysayer and bark a loud and definitive “No!” But maybe I’m answering the wrong question. The no applies to the following questions: Do I want to participate in the Pride parade? Do I think it is not often embarrassing and over sexualized and commercialized? Do I think it helps our cause or advances our culture? 

But does Pride make me proud? In retrospect, I’d say it does. It’s 90% cringe-inducing, but that many gay people in one place revelling in their own considerable freedoms has something going for it. That and all the children of same sex couples with banners proclaiming their love for their moms or dads usually makes me want to cry. 

2. Michael, Co-founder and primary contributor:

There are very few Pride-related events that give me any sense of pride. Hopefully that tide is turning, as we work together to make more awareness of different ways of being queer. I’m encouraged by seeing volunteer opportunities and Buddhist lectures in this year’s event listing.

3. Matt, Staff Contributor:

Pride itself does not make me proud. I am conflicted about Pride (the festival) itself, but I believe that Pride is about annoucing and celebrating our Selves. We are happy with our orientation and with our lives, and this is the time of year we celebrate that. However, I also think that Pride has the potential to backfire to some degree. I feel that it reinforces stereotypes, especially those surrounding our sexual behaviors. If Pride were the only exposure one has to gay people, it would be a lot easier to believe that we do in fact destroy family values. And for some, that is the only exposure they get. A supportive friend of mine once took his young children to Atlanta Pride because he wants them to be supportive of gays when they’re older. Never again. The overt sexual nature makes it unsafe for children, and uncomfortable for other allies. I just don’t know how to feel.

4. Rocky, Music Editor:

 

That being said, however, it is usually an ok party and after a drink or two it all gets a little less complicated. So I guess the answer is “kinda, but maybe not as much as it should.”

5. Corey, Managing Editor and Staff Contributor:

I’ve only been to one Pride.  It was last summer in Portland, as my first assignment with the Obama campaign.  I hated the music, I hated the colors, and I only like looking at shirtless men if I have privacy and a few candles lit.  So I think that’ll be my last.

6. Cathryn, Staff Illustrator: 

I don’t see Pride as a catalyst for making me feel proud, I see Pride events as a reflection of how proud and unified our community is (hence the mosaic). It can be a celebration, or an opportunity for visibility and education, or just a big party, but ultimately I think that Pride as an event is not inherently good or bad. I think, like most things, it is whatever we make it out to be (usually, a good reason to have fun).

7. Mike B., Staff Contributor:

For many years I turned up my nose at Pride, with its gyrating twinks and lip-synching drag queens. Oh, the debauchery! Oh, the images on the TV news! Oh, how my friends must think I’m really one of *those people*. Then I realized — two things: I *am* one of those people, and Pride is, at heart, a celebration. And celebrations are supposed to be fun! Gyrating twinks are fun. Topless lesbians on motorcycles are fun. And although I don’t normally go out of my way to see men in green glitter eye shadow lip-synching to Donna Summer, I cheer and hoot and holler whenever they glide by on their Pride floats, if only because I know we both treasure our freedom to do it.

8. Adam, Chicago Editor:

Every year since I’ve been moved to Chicago in 1999 when I was 14, Pride has been a big deal. If I went I was excited about being around people who were just like me and if I didn’t go, I felt this sense of feeling like an outcast among my straight friends when I was destined to be with other homosexuals for at least one day of a year. Even though i’m older and have been to pride over 5 times, I still feel excitement for pride. I have a great time with friends and get to act like a gay tour guide to my straight friends that don’t understand gay culture and customs. For me, Pride has represented all that homosexuals have accomplished towards being themselves and being accepted and I’m very proud to be included.

9. Wendy, Tampa Editor:

 
Editorial Staff:

10. Jolly, Events Editor:

There are lots of events during Pride that might not be my cup of tea, but after doing research for an article last year and an update for this year about Pride around the world, I’m very proud that we can enjoy our Pride celebrations freely however I choose. It’s also nice that it’s something links the global LGBT community in a tangible way while still allowing for individual expression across cultures. Besides, there’s enough diversity in Pride festivities that everyone can find their own way to celebrate.

11. Hans B., Editorial Assistant:

I don’t know if I’d call it “proud” per se and I haven’t been to one in a few years, but I do like the feeling of being around thousands of other gay men and women in the same place at the same time. You get a view of the diversity of the community all at once, in spite of all the stereotype-perpetuation that inevitably goes on. It could stand to be improved, but I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all. TNG