Are you tired of everything gay being commercialized?

[Shawn]

I am sick of it. I am sick of PRIDE being turned into a circus. I am sick of all these peopel treating it like a sales convention. Why is it that anything gay should cost more than the same thing to a straight person? I thought when I came out that I would be happy to be part of the community. I was wrong so far. I think I am happier with my straight friends just being myself and loving life.

This is one of my many gripes, so come on and lets talk about it!

[Shannon]

ok, let's talk. Can you be more specific? The money from a lot of prides goes back to the gay community. Please help me understand.. what is it that you're really upset about? You can be happy with both, let's talk.

[Shawn]

What bothers me is how it is now a meat market. They want all the pretty boys to come half dressed and advertise their product. The very companies that fire people for simply being homosexual are there advertising they want our money. It seems as a community some companies now think they can buy us. It is like instead of being people, we are something different, like we are numbers to them. I understand this is the purpose of most businesses is to sell a product. But, if your biggest group of customer’s are gay or the customers you target often are gay, then at least have gay friendly practices.

Also, I guess another thing I am meaning is that it seems all it is now is a place to buy things and sell things. It is no longer about coming together for a good time as much as walk and see all the stuff and spend money. I would rather donate $20 to a good time then spend $20 on a coke and hotdog. Just the idea behind pride I think has been smeared or skewed in some form.

[Shannon]

Welcome to the real world my friend. I hear your words. Women have been part of that meat market for eons. Aside from that; I agree with you on some issues. Now, I am curious to know how you would run a pride celebration? What would you like to see happen? What would you do differrent? Let me know and I may have a suggestion for you. Let's keep talkin. Anyone else care to chime in here?

[Shawn]

Well, I guess I would prefer a more friendly picnic type pride. Something where people just kind of hang out, meet new people, have some fun. I understand it needs to be funded. It just bothers me that it is a huge advertising campaign. I am not the only one I have heard say this. But, then again, I have never been to one other than Atlanta.

[Shannon]

I think your idea is great! I bet you could put something like that together pre-pride, like the weekend before or after your pride event. Have you thought about becoming a part of your pride organization? I bet you're a person who could really make things happen if you were a member of the pride organization in your area. You can make the change. Good luck with whatever you decide, if anything.

[Kelly]

Shawn, I know what you mean. It does bother me to see certain booths at the Festivals, selling their "wares" that don't really have anything to do with "Pride". Usually at what seems to be inflated prices. Especially food and booze. Also, companies like car dealers and jewelers, kind of bug me, because you can see the dollar signs in their eyes ! "Oooh, a new group of people with disposable income that we can tap into!" But, with that being said, these events do have to be funded, and each vendor pays to be there, so it is kind of give and take. If they're willing to give their money to support the venue/event, then , hey, we should let em spend their money. However, I definitely agree that if the company seem to have anti-gay type policies for their employees, then they probably should be rejected as Sponsors and/or Vendors. Also, keep in mind that the Atlanta Pride is HUGE, especially compared with smaller cities, where the organizers are struggling to even fund the basic event.

[Scott Turner]

Shawn, maybe you need to come to St. Pete Pride. We are one of the last Pride's that do not charge an entrance fee for our Promenade. We base our Pride on a "family" celebration, be it gay, straight or what have you. We are a 501 3 C non proffit Pride that gives back to the community all year long. Please don't let the celebration of Pride take you in other directions, It's all about celebrating diversity, and accepting it.

[Shawn]

I can't afford any more time for a PRIDE Comm. I am already part of 2 501 (3) (c)'s. I run one and am a large part of another. My cause is abused and neglected children. I am constantly in a courtroom arguing for children's best interest. So, I am not sure I have time between that, my religion, and other programs I am part of.

I offered a few years ago and they told me they had plenty of help. So, I think they have the "group" they want.

I don't know, just thought this would be a good conversational piece.

[Shannon]

It has been! Thanks!

[Steph]

Where i live we don't have many Pride festivals or Marches because a few years ago the public voted not to let us have them. But this year there's going to be a small community to celebrate, it's just like a small gathering. I've never been to anything Pride because i've never had an opportunity to go, but this year i am definitely attending.

I've heard a lot of people say that it's all about the money, and then their are others' saying that it isn't. I don't really know what to believe, i guess it all comes down to individual choice of opinion. I just think either way that it's an excellent idea for the Gay community to celebrate their sexuality out in the open. I agree that Pride should not be about the money but to a certain extent we have to learn that money does have a value in this world.

I think Pride should be less commercialized and more personal to the community. I don't really know what happens in a festival seeing as i haven't been one before. I just think we should celebrate our sexuality with our heads held high, that's what it's about right?

[Shannon]

Well said, well said.

[R.Jonathan Taylor]

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