[Black Dagger]

Novo will be sticking to commenting in his Rangers thread from now on.

[Novo]

I'm the biggest minority going in that thread, time to start my own parade

[Z]

Has he come out?

[LeatherTrumpet]

Originally Posted by Z

Has he come out?

Novo?

[Marsh.]

I think people saying "Why is this news? It's 2014" don't quite get the point.

Attitudes may have moved on significantly since the dark ages but there is still quite a way to go. Especially in the entertainment industry which is stuck in the 50s.

It shouldn't have to be news and it shouldn't have to be an issue but that doesn't mean that it isn't. There's still a way to go yet and public faces (especially ones that appeal to the youngsters like 1D) coming out is only a positive thing to help encourage youngsters to not feel abnormal or scared.

[Z]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

Novo?

I think he's out and proud already

[Novo]

If I was gay you wouldn't catch me at these silly parades that's for sure, I'd be to busy declaring my love for Bilel Mohnsi

[Z]

Originally Posted by Novo

If I was gay you wouldn't catch me at these silly parades that's for sure, I'd be to busy declaring my love for Bilel Mohnsi

I'm sure I'll be jumped on for agreeing with you (and I really don't understand why people were SO outraged by what you said...) but I also think gay pride parades are a counter-productive activity - I can see why they exist, I'm not that narrow minded, but I just think if you want to be accepted for who you fundamentally are and be treated like anybody else then why are you making a big spectacle of how different you are? It's like fighting for peace, it's a bit of a paradox. But you know, each to their own, you wouldn't catch me anywhere near a gay pride parade but I wouldn't object to other people doing it, that's their prerogative.

[Jarrod]

Louis hasn't come out as gay and until he does... if ever - he has a girlfriend, Eleanor. So no. He hasn't or won't anytime soon.

[Marsh.]

So how did Louis inspire you to come out?

[Jarrod]

Originally Posted by 08marsh

So how did Louis inspire you to come out?

At the time, I didn't realize he hadn't actually come out.

I'm not saying I don't think he's gay because I honestly do. It's just he is currently with a 'girlfriend'. I just thought if he had, I could. I didn't realize until a few weeks later that he wasn't actually gay.

Oh and to add to the conversation above, I wouldn't be seen dead at a pride. I find it slightly embarrassing and I don't see why we should make a public show over it.

[Drew.]

[Ninastar]

Originally Posted by Z

I'm sure I'll be jumped on for agreeing with you (and I really don't understand why people were SO outraged by what you said...) but I also think gay pride parades are a counter-productive activity - I can see why they exist, I'm not that narrow minded, but I just think if you want to be accepted for who you fundamentally are and be treated like anybody else then why are you making a big spectacle of how different you are? It's like fighting for peace, it's a bit of a paradox. But you know, each to their own, you wouldn't catch me anywhere near a gay pride parade but I wouldn't object to other people doing it, that's their prerogative.

nope i agree with it too. just didnt know how to put it into words and you summed it up pretty well

lets get married

[Shaun]

Originally Posted by Z

I'm sure I'll be jumped on for agreeing with you (and I really don't understand why people were SO outraged by what you said...) but I also think gay pride parades are a counter-productive activity - I can see why they exist, I'm not that narrow minded, but I just think if you want to be accepted for who you fundamentally are and be treated like anybody else then why are you making a big spectacle of how different you are? It's like fighting for peace, it's a bit of a paradox. But you know, each to their own, you wouldn't catch me anywhere near a gay pride parade but I wouldn't object to other people doing it, that's their prerogative.

I don't really see what's so "different" about having carnivals (see: Notting Hill) and wanting to celebrate with fellow supporters/members of the LGBT community. Every time I hear "why can't you just be normal" I just see walls and walls of beige and conformity, and it's such a boring thing to ask for. As said somewhere on the previous page, a large part of gay pride is from paying tribute to the movements of the 60s-90s where we were a much more oppressed people. The marches, for example; where they were once greeted with water cannons and arrests, now they're about enjoyment. I think it's a shame to begrudge the partying of a people who've only truly been "free" for about 30 years.

I think people just look at these events and think "right, there's a load of Britney fans in speedos" but it's so much more than that. Offering support to teenagers coming out, lobbying against "straight reform" camps, celebrating historical figures... hell, even being proud isn't that bad a thing *overlooks the seven sins*...

And "if you want to be accepted for who you fundamentally are" shouldn't be an "if you want" scenario...

[Me. I Am Salman]

Originally Posted by Z

I'm sure I'll be jumped on for agreeing with you (and I really don't understand why people were SO outraged by what you said...) but I also think gay pride parades are a counter-productive activity - I can see why they exist, I'm not that narrow minded, but I just think if you want to be accepted for who you fundamentally are and be treated like anybody else then why are you making a big spectacle of how different you are? It's like fighting for peace, it's a bit of a paradox. But you know, each to their own, you wouldn't catch me anywhere near a gay pride parade but I wouldn't object to other people doing it, that's their prerogative.

i really don't see the problem it's just celebration and remembrance, any group of oppressed people deserve a day to express themselves however they want. you're pretty much saying it's their fault to be judged for it :/

[Mitchell]

I am also in the 'will never go to pride' club its not really me

[Ammi]

..I guess with gay pride parades/carnivals, they're such an extravagant type thing that homeosexuals will feel differently about them, as we all do with stuff like that..some people like spectacular occasions and some people don't...I kind of get what some people are saying in that the parades etc seem unnecessary in that being gay should be considered 'norm' so why the need for these extravagant occasions...but heterosexual people don't ever have to 'come out' or declare their sexuality so for a heterosexual person, no matter how much they try, it's hard to understand what it's like to be gay and especially for someone who for whatever reason is reluctant to be open about their sexuality....anyway, people are not a sexuality, they are individuals so you'll never get people to agree on what they like and what they don't like etc and it's hard for a heterosexual person like me to comment on how something should be celebrated or is celebrated because it's like that speech from Panti Bliss..it can be thought of as 'oppression' ..like heterosexual people are telling homosexuals what they should do to be 'normal'...anyway, blending into 'normal' is quite overrated as well....

..oh, I don't think it's a good analogy but for some reason, this also reminds me a bit of the discussion about the 'n' word as well in that there will be black people who would want to 'reclaim' that word and use it and others who wouldn't ever want to use it and I think that's completely up to the individual but not up to a non black person to say ..you should or you shouldn't, type thing and as a heterosexual, I don't think either that it's up to me to say homosexuals should 'blend' if they want homosexuality to be seen as 'norm' or whether they should be 'loud and proud' ...I think for anyone, just be what you want to be, be yourself and celebrate it however you want to...