It would be great to see more athletic, masculine gay men march in the pride parade. There are still too many effeminate bar flys and drag queens in this parade. Otherwise it is a fun event. However I do not embrace the term fabulous that is too femme for me. I prefer saying that we are fantastic.
I agree with The Why Not Guy! If you have a problem with the representation at the parade, then do something positive to change it.
What a bore to think of gays as nothing more than additional riding-lawnmower owners and propane-grill enthusiasts.
PGF - What makes us any different than anyone else? I agree with Karen, this is another one of those stereotypes that holds us all back. The always partying, living the glamorous life, without responsibility or a care in the world gay guy. Seriously, we know a few guys who are like that, but the vast majority of us are hard working people with responsibilities, obligations, and too much on our plates. I happen to look forward to mowing the lawn and our weekly cookouts, they are relaxing and enjoyable to me and my family.
allentwnguy1- Right on!
I am not against the parade or march; however I truly believe that we are better than this. I refuse to let GLBT rights be relegated to one weekend, and one month, per year. We shouldn't settle for the same crumbs that were offered by other minority groups. The GLBT community spans all races, professions, and religions, we are more than what is represented in the parade. It really doesn't matter if we carry signs saying "I am your _____", people only see the parody of who we really are. I'll say it again, we cannot move forward if we make a spectacle of ourselves. If we don't take ourselves seriously they why would anyone else?
I wonder how many flamboyant parade goers are actually starights, as has happened in other cities. Straights like to have fun letting it all hang out and what better excuse than Gay Pride Day?
Don't look now, I think he just winked at one of the ladies.
lizzyb - Seeking attention much? I remember when I first came out and wanted to tell everyone and throw it in their faces and then I realized how annoying it was to everyone and so I stopped. A friend told me that I was acting like a two year old who just found out what was under her diaper so I had to show and tell everyone much to their embarrassment. We all know that we are warm and fabulous humans and we all know what we deserve but jumping around naked isn't going to help. Letting people know that we are all around and just like them tends to further the cause more than proclaiming to Mom that you finally think for yourself.
I'm going to skip the March and the Parade this year. I think that the rights movement has progressed to the point that we no longer should showcase the extremes of the GLBT community, instead we should focus on the mainstream. I remember when I first came out at 19 and my mother said (jokingly) "so I guess we need to get you some flannel shirts". I know that she is joking but a lot of other people see us as either absurd bois with feather boas or wanna be lumberjacks with mullets and flannel shirts. The more we focus on making a spectacle of ourselves the longer it will take for the rest of society to truly embrace us as individuals with the same rights as anyone else. I believe that if we want to be treated seriously then we need to behave seriously, instead of getting all dressed up in a way that reinforces stereotypes, biases, and prejudices.
Heather - I'm not knocking your choice to skip the marches this year. But it's not the parade's job to represent you. It's your job to represent yourself. If you want the parade to be an accurate depiction of the diverse gay community instead of just the the extremes, then you have to get in there and represent yourself.
I would luv to see the day NYS allowed us to actually get Married in this state and were more accepted as individuals rather than some sort of Taboo
When I was on the Pride board I was able to come up with a ton of good ideas to show the diversity within our community. Unfortunately the Pride Board and Pride Buffalo really just had our hands full putting on the parade and celebration. While the ideas abound there just isn’t the support from the community in the form of people interested in serving on committees and the board. Nor is there tremendous support at events that are held to help pay for the events on Pride weekend. It was costing in the 35,000-dollar range to put on the events of Pride weekend.
To RPreskop: Everyone is invited to march in the parade, just sign up in advance with an idea of what type of contingent you are going to have (walking, float etc.) It’s only then you can change the face of the parade of the parade to a more balanced view of our community. One idea was to have an “Everyday People” contingent. Have people parade in their work clothes/uniforms march and carry a sign I AM YOUR _______ (doctor, dentist, mailman, waitress, etc.) It would give people an idea of the everyday jobs we do and show another side of who we are. The parade is what we make it. Next year take part. March, volunteer, and make it happen.
I’ll tell you this we do need the parade. It all hits home when you see a young family (mother, father and 2 children) standing on the side Elmwood with their pride flags waving cheering the parade on. That site did bring tears to my eyes.
Pride
As a long-time resident of Bidwell Parkway, I am opposed not to the Gay Pride Festival, but its location. It is far too large and disruptive to be held in a residental area. Delaware Park Lake is just a few short blocks away. Why not have the parade and end at Hoyt Lake? I also resent the fact that residents were never made a part of the permit process, and yet are asked to put up with noise, garbage, and limited access to their own property. One would think that since the gay community has borne more than its fair share of abuse, they might be more sensitve to the feelings of others.
This country-- and particularly the "Gay Community"-- has lost any sense of humor that it ever had (debatable).
What a bore to think of gays as nothing more than additional riding-lawnmower owners and propane-grill enthusiasts.
faustus Seeking attention all the time. The proclamation of my homosexuality and democratic politics came 30 years ago. I act my flip flop size now 91/2 and thank you very much not ....old tired and boring. I'm wishing I never had to be so in your face...but hiding behind the door while self righteous straight people enter and go to the front of the line is not what my mom wanted for me. Much to my mothers chagrin I have been thinking for myself since four and challenging her a along. Smile your on the lizzycam. Over and OUT
What are you saying Heather? You think that other groups have it worse off then the gays and lesbians? We've been persacuted forever and its time that we fight for our rights.
Heather is spot-on. The Pride Festival plays up all the worst stereotypes about the gay community. The real battle is over political and social rights. Events such as this may be fun, but they do a disservice to the cause.
I agree with you in some ways heather, it is sad to see some of us gays act the way they do that seem so sterotypical , because they think that's the way "they should act" When in fact, all they have to be is "Themselfs". But to each his own. And as far as the flannel and mullets, the 80's over. Don't think people should really be dressing like that no matter gay or straight, lol
@RPESKOP- So, you believe the people are nimbys on Tillinghurst and holding back Buffalo's progress for what they think is best for their area. Yet you want to see less "barfly's and drag queens" at Buffalo's gay pride to accomodate your needs. I guess that would make you wanting to hold back buffalo's diverse gay community and the progress they have made.
to RPreskop: dont worry about an ideal parade lineup. you have to accept the whole range of diversity within the gay community and give credit to thoes who put themselves out there to march. if some are put off by who marches then let them skip the event.
ps. protesters stay off of the corner of elmwood and auburn this year. your negativity is not welcome.
I know, u don't ever see us gay people protesting at thier events, so why should they try and ruin ours
yay gay day is almost here! Three cheers for the organizers of our rainbow festivities. I'm glad we celebrate our pride. wish we could be celebrating full and equal rights without people denying us our full and equal benefits. when do the haters hold their parade? I would attend. I would show them how to respond to people who are not as they are. i would cheer them as they paraded by because they can hate all they want as long as they leave us to love and be loved all we want. celebrate and embrace our differences. Three more cheers for Gov. Paterson for stepping up and helping our agenda along. Lesbians and Gays with scooters and motorcycles come out both days and ride in the parade with me. We're here We're Queer We're Fabulous come ride with us. SQREAM 'n Buffalo Scooter Queers Riding Everywhere And More. ps Hi mom i'm a lesbian
I hope there is a parade next year, along with Pride Celebrations. Interest in helping the committee has waned. A very small group of people are pouring their hearts into this week. I applaud you. Wear your colors this week and every week. Be Out and Proud this week and every week. Be the wonderful warm fabulous humans you are and one day we'll get our rights. I'm bringing my digital video camera to the parade on Sunday. Smile for me. Have fun. The weather looks good so far. Mom I'm a democrat too!
Heather, I think you may be missing the point of a Pride Celebration. It's a party. It's supposed to be fun. It's not a protest march. And not everything is about public perception and PR. Sounds like you are pretty concerned with how people view you in light of your sexuality. That's a shame.
I plan on attending, having fun with friends, celebrating all of the diversity of the community (including the stereotypes), listening to some great music, etc. The last thing on my mind during pride will be whether or not straight people are judging me.
Yay!!! Can't wait, and I live right near elmwood now.... partay @ my house lol
And we do have fabulous (fu if that's too 'femme' for you :-P) straight people, 1/2 the people coming to my pre-pride celebration are!
...We celebrate the gay hero, the lesbian hero, the bisexual hero, the transgender hero and the straight ally hero.
Whether you made your mark by saving a family from a burning building or by coming out in your classroom, we celebrate and cherish you. You walked hand in hand with an elite group who were...
=)
Happy Pride everyone!
What a big parade we were. Out loud and proud. Thanks for all who came out to cheer us on. Hot sunshiny day. Perfect. Great to see Byron, Antoine and Sam out pressing flesh and taking the big walk. My only criticism is the language used by the comedian. It a family event. Clever comedians can be awesome without the vulgar language. But funny none the less. I hope the neighbors were not too off put today or last night for that matter. Thanks to Nanc and Michelle and their assistants for a great week. Looking forward to 2009 and more scooters. ps I got the folks to my right on Lizzycam. Hope you were smiling...yeah you were. OUT
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