Fantastic and thoughtful piece, Gents. Respectability politics set my teeth on edge because at its core it is nothing but a way to shame anyone who doesn't step in line under an agenda, and to further marginalize those who already exist on the fringe and are most vulnerable. Your statement that "...queerness is all people" is so damn perfect, because (at least to me) it's a reminder that everyone wants to be able to embrace who they are and live freely, and without fear.
Well said sirs. I usually don't like to attend the Pride Parade but that's because I never liked parades period. However you're right that it's important to honor everything about Pride and Stonewall.
Such a great point about respectability politics and people making the same arguments over and over again. Sylvia's rant is still relevant to today as it was then. However many gays have didn't bother to reciprocate the support from the trans community once marriage equality was achieved. How many years have the trans community been told to be patient and wait their turn. Well here they are now getting attacked on the streets and marginalized by bigoted Bills
And the police officers, queer or straight, should be reminded of everything you've stated
Well said, all of it. I'm now pondering this notion: if it's, as you say, "about challenging social norms and celebrating the freedom to be that which society has told you you can’t be" that sounds like gay cops DO belong (alongside the puppy play and nipple clamps, totally). And also in These Times, any cops are a needle scratch at minimum, and an actual danger at worst. I think I'm falling on the side of letting them watch from the sidelines, strictly in an off-duty capacity, until we have some serious big-picture reform.
Thoughtful article and yes, there's still a ways to go and people do have to be reminded of that.
San Francisco is doing a virtual parade this year. I remember the first Pride I attended and now I feel old. It was in '94 and I enjoyed myself and the sights and different groups that were there and just vibe. It also didn't dawn on me that I didn't feel overwhelmed by people because even though there were a lot, it was also the 25th Anniversary of Stonewall and the Gay Games were taking place in New York so a lot of folks were in NYC.
Ooh, does Daisy sleep on her back? I'm always surprised/amused when I see cats, paws stretched out and back over their heads snoozing on their backs.
On Pride: Keep the Kink, Lose the Cops
Fantastic and thoughtful piece, Gents. Respectability politics set my teeth on edge because at its core it is nothing but a way to shame anyone who doesn't step in line under an agenda, and to further marginalize those who already exist on the fringe and are most vulnerable. Your statement that "...queerness is all people" is so damn perfect, because (at least to me) it's a reminder that everyone wants to be able to embrace who they are and live freely, and without fear.
Well said sirs. I usually don't like to attend the Pride Parade but that's because I never liked parades period. However you're right that it's important to honor everything about Pride and Stonewall.
Such a great point about respectability politics and people making the same arguments over and over again. Sylvia's rant is still relevant to today as it was then. However many gays have didn't bother to reciprocate the support from the trans community once marriage equality was achieved. How many years have the trans community been told to be patient and wait their turn. Well here they are now getting attacked on the streets and marginalized by bigoted Bills
And the police officers, queer or straight, should be reminded of everything you've stated
This is so good. Thank you.
Well said, all of it. I'm now pondering this notion: if it's, as you say, "about challenging social norms and celebrating the freedom to be that which society has told you you can’t be" that sounds like gay cops DO belong (alongside the puppy play and nipple clamps, totally). And also in These Times, any cops are a needle scratch at minimum, and an actual danger at worst. I think I'm falling on the side of letting them watch from the sidelines, strictly in an off-duty capacity, until we have some serious big-picture reform.
Thoughtful article and yes, there's still a ways to go and people do have to be reminded of that.
San Francisco is doing a virtual parade this year. I remember the first Pride I attended and now I feel old. It was in '94 and I enjoyed myself and the sights and different groups that were there and just vibe. It also didn't dawn on me that I didn't feel overwhelmed by people because even though there were a lot, it was also the 25th Anniversary of Stonewall and the Gay Games were taking place in New York so a lot of folks were in NYC.
Ooh, does Daisy sleep on her back? I'm always surprised/amused when I see cats, paws stretched out and back over their heads snoozing on their backs.