I am going to avoid “NYC Pride” this year as too commercial, too many banks, pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies and too long,’ was Tom Burrows solution. ‘I attend neighborhood Pride Events like Bushwick Pride, Queens Pride and Brooklyn Pride. The other often-repeated complaint was that the bigger festivals tend to rely on heavy corporate sponsorship. ‘VPS definitely heard through our consultations, that many people felt that Pride events were all just about alcohol consumption and partying.īirmingham Pride, England, 2017 (Photo: David Hudson) 2. She believes all festivals should regularly survey people on why they might not attend. Singer Anitta performs for Sao Paulo Pride 2018 (Photo: | Instagram) Listening to complaintsĪndrea Arnot, Executive Director of the Vancouver Pride Society (VPS) in Canada, is sensitive to these criticisms. Also being adopters, the things you see are not always appropriate for children,’ says Mark AW. ‘Because they are very “gay” stereotype and don’t portray the majority of us that just get on with life without having to parade around in next to nothing. It has evolved into a widespread public drag show and freak show,’ says Herb Williams. ‘The Parades started in my city as a Dignified March where nobody tried to grab attention.
You can have pride and not need to show your ass in the streets.’ ‘Because people turned what those who fought for back in the day into nothing but a chance to walk around half naked and into a sideshow,’ says Steve Early. This was echoed by Perry Gentry: ‘Too much of a circus, too many tourists, too much drug use and drunkenness, and frankly I didn’t see what gyrating half-naked gym bodies on floats has to do with Pride for those of us who are average.’ ‘Most of those in attendance have no idea what previous generations went through!’ ‘It’s a circus and has no relevance to its original purpose,’ says Sez Robbins – a sentiment liked by many on Facebook. Or they think attendees party just a little too hard. Lots of those who don’t like Pride have an issue with the way some participants dress. Drag queens at Birmingham Pride in England in 2017 (Photo: David Hudson) 1. Their reasons fell into a handful of related categories.
We asked our followers on social media why they don’t attend Pride festivals. And it certainly doesn’t apply to everyone. However, although that may be true for some, it’s only part of the story. Hating such festivals is similar to denigrating those they perceive as too femme or letting the side down. The writer suggested the reasons gay men hated them were often rooted in internalized homophobia. However, not everyone is a fan of them.Ī recent column on Them explored the reasons why some gay men hate pride parades. Pride festivals are an opportunity for LGBTI people and allies to come together, celebrate or demonstrate.