Peoria Gay Pride on the Peoria.com Forums

Looks like Peoria is having it's first gay pride event in September on the riverfront. I don't think there are very many gay people that post on the forums here, but is anyone planning on going?

Looks like the closest ones in the area would be in the Quad Cities, Chicago and St. Louis, which are all the last weekend in June this year.

:-)

http://www.peoriagaypride.com/

-Chris

I may end up0 going to support a couple I know that's Gay

I'll go in support of my friends!

would it be like a mardi-gras?

What's the purpose of a gay pride event?

I don't like all of the <insert name here< Pride crap.

If everybody wants equality then lets not make events promoting one group. Why not call it a public festival or something on that line?

I'd have to agree. You don't have Straight Pride. At any rate whats to be proud about? I never really cared who was with who and who sleeps with who so I never understood where the pride comes in, who cares.

NO, but where I come from there are many ethnic parades and holidays and festivals, and the Gay Pride Parade has been a part of that for about 15 years

well, there was a guy who was trying to put together "White Pride" events a while back, but I hear he's in prison for threatening a federal judge.

LOL that's GREAT... Poor Matt.He was my ex-wife's neighbor. Like RIGHT next door. Idiot!!(both of them)
Wonder who's girlfriend HE is now...I'll bet he's pretty popular in prison.

Gay Pride is a celebration! One of my best friends is openly gay. We were roommates post college for 2 years. I lived in the Boys Town area of Chicago with him (Halsted/Broadway/south Wrigleyville area) It is always a learning experience to open your mind to other persons and what they bring to the world, as an individual and as a whole. I enjoyed watching the Gay Pride Parades in Chicago. It is a HUGE event in Chicago and other major cities. It truly was an experience and I miss my dear friend as he is now living in LA.


Gay pride {From Wikipedia}

LGBT pride or gay pride is the concept that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity. The movement has three main premises:
1. that people should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity
2. that diversity is a gift
3. and that sexual orientation and gender identity are inherent and cannot be intentionally altered

[1] The use of the abbreviated gay pride and pride have since become mainstream and shorthand expressions inclusive of all individuals in various LGBT communities.

The word PRIDE is used in this case an antonym for shame, which has been used to control and oppress LGBT persons throughout history. Pride in this sense is an affirmation of ones self and the community as a whole.

The modern "pride" movement began after the "Stonewall riots" of the late 1960s. Instead of backing down to unconstitutional raids by New York Police, gay men in local bars fought back. While it was a violent situation it also gave the underground community the first sense of communal pride in a very well publicized incident. From the yearly parade that commemorated the anniversary of the Stonewall riots began a national grassroots movement.

Today many countries around the world celebrate LGBT pride. The pride movement has furthered the cause of gay rights by lobbying politicians, registering voters and increasing vivibility to educate on issues important to LGBT communities. LGBT pride advocates work for equal "rights and benefits" for LGBT people.[

I remember when he tried to organize that, he and his group were ostricised by the press. I don't follow their beliefs but I also don't believe in the way they were treated for wanting to have pride in their beliefs.

There is nothing wrong with having pride in whatever you believe.

I have nothing to add to this thread that would not be considered bigotry. To each his own...... but not in my back yard

According to this then there should be,...Quilters pride, Cooking pride, Scrapbooking pride, Stamp collecting pride, Woodworkers pride, Mechanics pride, Golfers pride, Bicycling pride, Musicians pride, Runners pride, Weightlifters pride, Bird watchers pride, Sewing pride, Painters pride, Auto racing pride, Coin collectors pride, Political pride, Irish pride, Skateboarders pride, Gardening pride, Photography pride, Religious pride, Beer drinkers pride, BBQ pride, Car pride, Home owners pride, Grandparents pride, Horse rider pride, Drug pride, Harley owner pride, History pride, Movie pride, Gun collector pride, Teachers pride, Fat pride, Tall pride, Short pride, Catholic pride, Boaters pride, Singing pride, Taxidermy pride, Mothers pride, Fathers pride, Poker pride, Hat pride, you get the idea. Each and every person should be proud of who they are, as long as they are not hurting anyone else.

Larry the Cable guy said it best "I got friends who like sheep but they don't have a parade everything other week"

well said Superman. When is your parade? And what will be celebrating?