Follow up to Atlanta Pride post (m)

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2005
Follow up to Atlanta Pride post (m)
16
Mon, 06-27-2005 - 4:11pm

Today I've been thinking over all that we experienced in Atlanta this weekend, and it stirred up some thoughts about our community and our efforts to be accepted and treated as equally as the rest of the population.


I was disappointed in some of the behaviors and displays that I observed. There were not many, but the few I saw lessened the family-friendly atmosphere of the festival. It was nice to celebrate the part of my identity that is a lesbian, but maybe being publicly acknowledged as a lesbian isn't as cool as I once thought. I used to crave that acknowledgment, but not so much anymore as I realize that being a lesbian is only part of who I am. I'm also a mother, daughter, friend, co-worker, etc. I didn't grow horns when I discovered my sexual preference. I'm still the same Kirche I was 30 years ago.


So I guess the point of all of this is that

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 06-29-2005 - 8:30am

Thanks for clarifying.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2005
Wed, 06-29-2005 - 8:55am
Didn't realize that you lived in the area, Sherri, and were at the events last weekend. I think some of this has to do with our own personal opinions of what we find acceptable and unacceptable in general, especially for children. That's really what I was focusing on when I started this thread, but I didn't really explain it well. I am all for people expressing their individuality and making Pride events diverse. I want my kids to see that people express themselves in all kinds of different ways through what they wear and say. However, I would not have taken my children to Pride because I don't think it's appropriate for them to see men only wearing feather boas or the woman who unbuttoned her shirt and walked through the parade barechested or the S & M couple on the bike. Other parents may feel that that kind of thing is ok for their kids to see, but not me. I want the diversity, but I want the environment in which it is displayed to be appropriate for all ages. If Pride is only targeted to adults, that's fine, but from what I saw this weekend it's open to all ages.

Ting
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-01-2005
Wed, 06-29-2005 - 5:57pm

Oh Trust me Sherri hehe I never want to be an conformist or expect others to be one either.

 *Hugs ~  Caly

aka  

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 06-30-2005 - 4:05pm

It's come a long way.


The Pride I used to attend up North was not nearly so large as Atlanta's, so my first year here, I was shocked, on many levels.


I've got three sons, and the first year here, the youngest was FIVE, and the oldest 13.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 06-30-2005 - 4:09pm

And isn't that such a fine line?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2005
Thu, 06-30-2005 - 4:14pm

I enjoyed your post, Sherri. Thanks for talking through everything with me. I think you summed it up well when you said...


"I

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