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Posted: 6/10/2008 8:20:56 AM | Last weekend I took my 13 yr old and 8 yr old to the Gay Pride Parade and Pride Day.. We went with my BF and my friend.. The parade was very tasteful nothing lude.(we live in a small city, the parade here isn't that big). The kids had a great time. The kids made tye dyed rainbow shirts for the occasion.. I'll admit my oldest who is a boy was kinda weirded out but he's at that age and he has a better understanding on what Gay means, but he enjoyed himself (I even got pictures with the kids with a few drag queens). My daughter loved the hair, make-up. glitter and dresses/customes.. It was dress up heaven for her..
So here's the thing, I sent Mom a few pictures, just of the kids. I took a few just of the kids through out that day.. She calls, and made a comment about the cool T-shirts we made and asked where were we.. Well I told her and she got really mad!! And she wasn't the only one.. A friend of mine aid it was wrong of me to take the kids to something like that..
In my opinon, people are people! Gay people aren't going to convert my kids.. My Mom assumes all gays are perverts and sexual all the time which is true about some hetro's as well.. My friend said 'She wouldn't want her son to see 2 guys holding hands'.. My friend is diabled too and I said 'Some people don't want to see 2 disabled people holding hands.' They assume we are not capable.. So what's the difference between us and them, she had no answer.
I am not gay, I have friends who are and want my kids to be tolerant of all people. I have Cerebral Palsy and my kids would not stare at or make fun of a disabled person.. I want my kids to not be that kid who hates someone for their sexual orientation, disability, race, or whatever.. My gay friends do not flaunt their sexual stuff around my kids nor do my hetro friends. I have always taught my kids that people are people no matter who they love, want to be with, regilous belief's, or beliefs in general, or what they look like and etc.. And of course I taught my kids about bad people and the dangers of people, hetro and gay, but just because that person is gay doesn't make him/her bad..
What is your opinon?? Would you take your kids to Pride day?? | |
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Posted: 6/10/2008 8:39:47 AM | For sure I'd take my kids. Unfortunatly, those who have a problem with the gay pride parades usually associate the parade with sex, when it's nothing of the sort. It's a way of those who are gay to take pride in who they are and who they love... it's not about sex.
You had every right to take them to the parade and let them be happy about it. You said that you are tolerant of all people, and taking your kids to this parade helps them to be tolerant as well. Don't listen to what other people say about what you should expose your kids to and what you should tell them. It sounds as though your mom and friends are being ignorant and talking about something they don't know enough about. Also, as my parents show the same sort of intolerance, I think it shows alot more in the older generations.
You know you did the right thing and I'm sure alot of people would agree. Your doing great mom! | |
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~Kyn~
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Joined: 2/15/2008
Msg: 3 | |
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Posted: 6/10/2008 9:21:01 AM |
What is your opinon?? Would you take your kids to Pride day??
Sure I would.
As you mentioned...VVV...THATS the most important thing IMO.
The parade was very tasteful nothing lude.
I would tell em to STFU and until/if or when they go to one...to keep their opinions to themselves cos its none of their fricken business. | |
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Posted: 6/10/2008 10:28:29 AM | | Well the only thing I would do different is let the kids know what they may see and that some people are different and like to dress differently that way they aren't confused or wierded out at what they see. some people are strong in their beliefs so I wouldn't let your mom get to you, just shrug it off. And let her know that you're the parent not her, so it's up to you how you raise her kids. But that's only needed if she mentions it again. | |
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Posted: 6/10/2008 10:41:12 AM | I see nothing wrong in taking your children to the parade. Unfortunately, some parents live in the "old days" and aren't as tolerant of "different" lifestyles or "different" people. I've chosen to raise my son to be open minded. Even if it is something he wouldn't like or do, I've raised him to respect those that live "differently". Many great friendships could be missed out on because of being closed minded.
My son (when he was around 3) used to love dressing up in his older sister's dress up clothes. I took many pics. My dad used to say "stop letting that boy do that, he's going to end up a fruit cake." After one too many times of hearing my dad say that, I finally lost my cool and snapped back "fruit cake or not, I'll still love him and so should you." It is frusterating when others want to attack. | |
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Posted: 6/10/2008 11:01:19 AM | Wandersbaby.. I did have a talk before the parade with my kids.. I guess hearing it and seeing it are 2 different things.. As I said my son had fun but he is teenaged boy and he is just discovering his own sexual feelings.. You know how boys are..
Thanks for all the oppinons!! | |
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Posted: 6/10/2008 11:05:41 AM | If I didn't, it would be because I was too lazy to pack everybody up or because it was too hot, not to avoid the environment. I really do not know anyone who is rabidly homophobic. The only person that I know that thinks it is a choice also believes what others do is their business and oddly enough, her best friend from college is gay.
My children have been taught tolerance and when the subject of ordination of gay ministers in the church came up, they scheduled some speakers on both sides of it. My daughter was there when the anti-gay speaker did his thing and she came home raving about wanting to whack the man with a skillet; it probably wasn't a particularly Christian attitude but I respect her desire to champion those who suffer discrimination on any basis.
People are odd about their prejudices. When same sex marriages came up as a debate point in the last election and they were discussing it at school, a girl said that she agreed that they should not be able to marry. My daughter knew one of her parents was a foreign national when the parents met and when my daughter asked if it would have been wrong for someone to say they couldn't marry, she said, well yes it would be wrong. The girl never did understand that what they were discussing was the same concept.
People are people. Some are good and some are bad. My children take each person as an individual and like them if they are nice people without interviewing them as to sexual preference. My mother is not the most tolerant person on the planet but she recognizes it, at 78 is not going to change, but a few years ago she gave the kids a multicultural storybook, cultural mythology type of thing, one for older kids not tots, and she said that I had really done a good job with my kids in this area. Pretty high compliment because she thinks everything I do parenting or otherwise is wrong. | |
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Posted: 6/10/2008 1:47:03 PM | | Columbus, Ohio has the best and funniest gay show on earth. What a fun time I had with my freinds. No I am not gay, however I do have several children ranging from 6-17.....I would not in any way take my daughter 6 to the parade. As for the teenagers they have free will to go and get a kick out of what ever they want. If one of my children tell me that they are gay I would still love them to death. As a strong Christian mom I do believe that being gay is not a choice......by the way. MY coz in Toronto use to play music in a transvite bar......hell those women/men looked so good.....what a joke I needed some advice from them. Once in PA in center city the cover of the fashion secton layout was a transvite. He looked great, dressed in womens clothing. And was he ever hot when he was in mens clothing which I prefered. As for visiting Toronto, one never knows how many women are really men. lol and this is not speaking from experence. I love my gender and have no desire to change who I am. | |
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Posted: 6/10/2008 2:18:26 PM | My opinion is that your mother and friend are homophobic and ignorant.
I'm jealous cuz I've tried to take my girls to our local Gay Pride parade for the past 2 years but something always comes up. | |
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Posted: 6/10/2008 5:45:51 PM | I live in Toronto and I've seen pictures/videos of the Gay parade here and there is no way that I would take my son to see that because of the nudity and sexual acts performed (without it being the real thing).
disclaimer: I don't know if it's always like that
I think if you are comfortable with taking your kids to that event or any other that is 'suitable' for them then I say why not??? In my case, it's not suitable for my son, but if it were....I would take him.
Acceptance, tolerance and knowledge all go together. We all fear the unknown. | |
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Posted: 6/10/2008 6:28:21 PM | | I wouldn't! Thats not really a place or celebration for CHILDREN. | |
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Posted: 6/10/2008 6:47:13 PM | paul 33.. Why isn't it for CHILDREN? As I stated I live in a small city, and the parade here is basically drag queens dressed in their best dresses. No nudity, no sexual acts or play.. Just cars with rainbow balloons and flags and people dancing on most floats with appriopate clothing..
I guess I don't my kids if they saw a man who is femine or gay or in a dress they won't judge, snicker, laugh or make fun of that person.. They will be tolerant.. | |
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Posted: 6/11/2008 11:26:21 AM | Hmmm...I have mixed thoughts on this.
1. I think it is VERY important for children to understand diversity and learn to be tolerant of others, even if they don't agree with them.
2. I think if the event is tasteful, I don't see a problem.
But, here is where my other thoughts come in....some people may feel ostracized if there are a bunch of kids running around at a gay pride parade who have no knowledge of what 'gay' is. But, as long as your intentions are right, I don't see an issue there.
I've had a lot of homosexual male friends. Some of the greatest guys I know. But, there is a lesbian couple that live down our road that I'm not particularly fond of. Not because of their sexual orientation, but more of the way they go about it. My other neighbors have a 4 and 6 year old daughters...well, this lesbian couple always do weird (in my opinon) things. Like...they tell the little girls that it is okay to kiss and have sex with other women (now, I will say there parents are open about sex and have started teaching them young). They mildly man-bash to the girls. Telling them that you can have fuller, more complete love with a woman, than with a man.
Now, I don't look down on 'gay' people. I say, live and let live. But the morals I have and what I believe in is that I will teach my children that homosexuality is wrong (however, it doesn't make the people that have that orientation bad people). Now, if my child decides to have a same sex partnership...fine, I'll love her no less b/c of it...but I won't agree with it.
So....I dunno....I guess having seen a lesbian couple do some of the things they do in front of children has kind of left a nasty taste in my mouth. I guess what I'm trying to get at, is it is important for YOU to instill values and morals in your child....not, let other people do it for you.
~Welder's Girl~ | |
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Posted: 6/11/2008 2:17:43 PM |
I wouldn't! Thats not really a place or celebration for CHILDREN.
How many have you been to? How many different cities' gay pride parades?
Serously, if you are going to make a statement like this, be prepared to back it up - because the parades I've seen - no reason NOT to take the kids. | |
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Posted: 6/11/2008 3:42:38 PM |
I wouldn't! Thats not really a place or celebration for CHILDREN.
If kids can go to a straight wedding, they can go to a gay pride parade.... in principle anyway. There's probably some truth to...
I live in Toronto and I've seen pictures/videos of the Gay parade here and there is no way that I would take my son to see that because of the nudity and sexual acts performed (without it being the real thing).
and similar things though.
Personally, I don't care if my [as of yet non-existent] kids see this sort of thing, but if you want keep them away from nudity and whatnot in general, then find out what the local pride parades are like. But seeing gayness in general isn't gonna turn your kids gay or anything (not that being gay is a bad thing anyway etc.) | |
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Posted: 6/11/2008 4:13:02 PM | | Now a days, half the people kids look up too especially girls are walking around half naked, or no underwear on or whatever.. Some of these people that our kids want to be like are in and out of rehab, or/and jail.. Sex is everywhere now, TV, movies, music, music video's and just in general.. So what is the difference? I walk down my street and I see a young couple kissing sweetly or holding hands because they love each other and we say 'Awwwe ain't that sweet.' If it was 2 guys or 2 girls, most would say 'Ewww, that's just nasty.' Even tho it was the same sweet kiss as the hetro couple.. | |
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Posted: 6/11/2008 5:27:46 PM | | Not a chance. What a selfish thing to do. You say people are people. Fair enough. I have a problem with people who take their choice of sexuality and make it a public parade so as to force feed those who perhaps aren't in agreement. I don't care if you're gay but frankly I'm not interested in the ostentatious public outing of similarly minded people in a parade. In my view it's absurd. Keep it home or wherever. Would you take your children to a nudist camp? Would you take them to a free love commune? If not think about why not and then ask yourself what the h you are doing taking them to a gay pride parade. Why not take them to a heterosexual pride parade? | |
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Posted: 6/11/2008 5:52:33 PM | I probably would not, but that is a matter of personal taste to me, more than anything else, I dont like those types of scences-drag, and all of that tends to get on my nerves...but if it is what you enjoy, then more power to you. Also, I would worry, esp in a small town, that some redneck fool would cause a nasty scene and I would not want my kids to witness that, or possibly get hurt.
I have some homosexual friends, and I would not have any problems with any of them babysitting my kids, and I have even (in a very general way) explained it to my oldest (8yo)....He came home one day, and insulted his sister by saying "You're a fag!!' I asked him where he had heard it, at school, of course, then I explained that it was an insult to some people, and that used in that context it is a put-down and a hate word and one I had better never hear again....he wanted to know why it was hateful, so I told him that some people thought it (homosexuality) was wrong......and evil, etc.....and I asked if he remembered watching our neighbors dogs "hook up" the previous week-he did. I pointed out that both of those dogs are male, and made by God, and not in any way capable of evil or "badness"...just naturalness. I told him that most people are more comfortable being with ("kissing and stuff", is as far as I went, here, folks)someone of the opposite sex, and that life is harder if one is Homosexual, but that it is our job to respect everyone, period. | |
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Posted: 6/11/2008 7:20:37 PM | I see nothing wrong with it clambroth.. If I was comfortable naked, yes I would take my kids to a nudist beach or camp.. I know people who do and it is nothing to do with sex!! They are just people.. It has nothing to do with sex at all..
I did not force feed anyone, my kids had a blast and enjoyed themselves.. I have gay friends and we were out there supporting them. Being gay doesn't equal a sexual freak.. We as hetrosexuals are free too express affection, kisses, hugs, holding of hands.. Why shouldn't gay people be allowed?? We hetrosexual parade every day and free to love and be with whomever whenever and where ever we want.. Homosexual do not have that, people are mean and ingorant and if being at a parade will open my kids minds up to the fact that its not ok to snicker or be rude to or make fun of 2 guys or 2 women loving each other as a man and woman would weither when they grow up they agree with it or not.. .. | |
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Posted: 6/11/2008 7:57:55 PM | ok, you wanted opinions, and here's mine.
I personally wouldnt take my kids to a gay pride parade.....we have gay friends and my children are not just tolerent of them, they have very close bonds and attachments as they have always been family friends and have been with us through some really tough stuff...
My children appreciate that our gay friends are no different as far as the love and friendships we share.....a friend is a friend is a friend type thing, ya know?...but they know they have a different sexual orientation. My friends also understand that our bond with homosexuals is with THEM personally, not the whole community of gay people in my county....I support my friends because they are my friends, not because they are gay...they feel the same about me, nothing to do with my heterosexuality . The "gay community" could care less if I support them or not, and while our friends are never inappropriate in their behavior, I cant always be sure, especially in a gay pride parade that someone I dont know, may do something Id rather my children not see just yet...so no, Id not take them. | |
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Posted: 6/12/2008 3:32:36 AM | | You're rationalizing now. I didn't say you force fed anyone. I said that the concept of the gay pride parade is force feeding something on the public. Hetersexuals are free to hug and kiss and so are gays. What the hell is the idea behind the parade? It is to force feed the belief on others. Heterosexuals, contrary to your opinion, don't have parades touting their choice of sexuality. You're confusing what you view as a legitimate choice for the parade and the issue - namely taking children to such an outing. By using emotive words, eg, snicker; rude; mean and ignorant, you are attempting to legitimize your point of view which pretty much explains your ill conceived decision to take your children to something they didn't want to see. | |
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Posted: 6/12/2008 5:33:53 AM | | Its not force feeding, its celebrating choosing to be who you are even though its unpopular in many circles and they have to go through a lot to do so. Its a celebration of being who they are. There's nothing wrong with that. | |
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Posted: 6/12/2008 6:05:03 AM |
Last weekend I took my 13 yr old and 8 yr old to the Gay Pride Parade and Pride Day..
Oh my god! I hope they didn't touch any of them, you are aware that homosexuality is contagious and your kids are now going to spread gayness throughout the entire god fearing straight community.
I'm joking of course.
I think it's great that you take your kids to something like this, they are quite spectacular events and are always lots of fun. I generally watch the Sydney pride rally on the tv with my kids.
I also explained to them how the event evolved and why it was started in the first place. The rally was initially started in late sixties/early seventies when gays were condemned and treated as second class citizens because of their sexual orientation. The event gave them the opportunity to express their opinions and gain acceptance with the safety of numbers. The very first Sydney rallies saw people abusing and even assaulting the marchers, since then they have since then they have gained a huge amount of acceptance and are as much about the glamor as they are about acceptance, in my opinion.
Hetersexuals are free to hug and kiss and so are gays.
This may be true in theory, however in reality if you ask a gay or lesbian if they have been insulted or abused for displaying affection in public they will say they have.
Just thought I'd give a hetro male point of view since there doesn't seem to be too many on this thread....wonder why that is. | |
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Posted: 6/12/2008 6:29:13 AM | Clambroth, nobody forced my kids to go.. They had a choice come with me to the parade or spend the afternoon with their Dad.. They wanted to come.. So I didn't force anything , they wanted to see..Plus, they made rainbow tye dyed shirts to wear that day and they wanted to show them off..
You may think gays are free too kiss, hold hands or whatever but it is not true.. Some get beat up for it or killed.. Like that 14 yr old boy who gave another boy a valentine and instead of thanking him but no thank you, I'm not gay.. He killed him.. For what?? The boy who gave him a valentine wasn't making sexual advances.. Just a valentine card..
Julianx .. thank you.. I agree.. I have met more inappriopate hetro's in my life time then inappriopate gay's.. The friends we have love my kids and would never do anything inappriopate with my kids around.. | |
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Posted: 6/12/2008 4:24:32 PM | | The last parade I went to had men wearing bad wigs, dresses, fake boobs and too much makeup. That Barnum and Bailey really know how to offend people. | |
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