Tonight, we are sunburned and tired, but once again, amazed and uplifted by having spent time immersed in the open and joyful atmosphere that surrounds "Pride." It is just enlivening to get to see people of all ages and shapes and colors out in public celebrating the love they share and the fact of who they are. It did seem that there were fewer "nasty" Christian crazies out with bullhorns spewing hatred as we traveled the route. I'm not sure what might have suppressed that particular behavior, but I am glad to see it, whatever the cause.
We had a great time. We ended up feeling sapped by the heat, and that stopped us from staying to participate in the festival, but maybe some year we'll hang out, after the parade, to enjoy the atmosphere of the post parade festivities.
swan
I'm so glad you guys went! I'm also glad to hear the crazy-Christian types were less this year. I imagine it was a kick in the teeth when Obama was elected. I hope so. I've also read that fewer people, at least in this part of the world, are choosing religion these days.
ReplyDeleteI hope that's true too. Not a fan of religions.
We were once again thrilled and uplifted by the tremendous HUGE volume and quality of energy exerted by the tens of thousands of onlookers for this diverse community event. It exhibited all the best aspects of "community" in an idealized sense.
ReplyDeleteWe were there representing the state wide organization I direct a local chapter of.
We three road in a highly decorated pick-up truck wearing t-shirts that said "Another straight person for Gay rights."
I am only sorry we were not up to hanging around through the afternoon and evening. It looked as if things were winding up for a great party.
I too was thrilled with the relative absence of religious folks there to attempt to squelch the freedom of people who chose to be who they are.
All the best,
Tom
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined.
Amber, I just have to say, I don't think being religious has anything to do with being intolerant. It may be that there are more religious intolerant people than not, but I've met plenty of intolerant gay and kinky people too.
ReplyDeleteAnd, as an Orthodox Christian practitioner of polyamory and bdsm, let's not assume that everyone with an open mind must not be religious.
I fully support gay rights. Our local pride event is also this weekend. But you know, I get sick of hearing how horrible I am for being a Christian by people who claim to be open minded but think it's acceptable to judge another group of people.
I don't think being open minded means holding strong opinions that are different from the mainstream, I think it means being open to all opinions including those you don't like or don't agree with.
Bridget, I didn't say ALL Christians were "horrible". I specifically said I was glad the crazy-Christian-types weren't there. My brother was a Christian minister, is still Christian although at the moment he is not preaching anywhere and he is very tolerant and open-minded.
ReplyDeleteMy neighbor teaches Sunday School and we're good friends. She is also supportive of gay rights but tells me most of the people at her church are not.
There are obviously people like you and my brother and neighbor, although from what I've seen over the course of my life, and from what THEY themselves tell me, tolerant, gay-supportive types like you guys are in the minority comparatively speaking. And you know this already; you can hardly be unaware of it. My neighbor and my brother are aware of it and deplore it.
As for not being a "fan" of religion, that's my personal opinion and it goes for ANY religion; Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Shinto, Hinduism, Paganism, whatever. This weird need to gather in a group to worship something that doesn't exist and discuss events from long ago that never happened in the first place and argue the validity of their meaning just doesn't appeal to me at all.
That being said, I would never try to stop anyone from believing whatever they want to as long as it doesn't affect me personally. And most of the time, it doesn't.
But when it does, or when it affects others who are just doing their own thing, then I do tend to get pissed.
Like the crazy-Christian-types picketing the nearby abortion center; I boo them every time I drive past. It's none of their business what other people do with their bodies or their lives.
Amber -
ReplyDeleteMy only point is about judging groups of people. Like your brother and neighbor I also deplore a lot of the behavior I see from others who claim my religion.
I also deplore a lot of the behavior I see from others who claim my adult lifestyle.
How many "poly" people do you know who place all kinds of judgments on others? "So and so isn't really poly because he has two women but they don't see anyone else. It's like a harem." "So and so isn't really poly, he's just a swinger who likes the word - poly is about commitment not sex."
Then there are the kink police. "So and so is just a dabbler, look at him playing with his paddles and fur lined cuffs. Real kinky people draw blood." It just goes on and on.
Yet all of these people would probably describe themselves as open minded and say they hate how many people in this world try to keep people from doing their own thing.
So who decides what is and isn't ok? And what makes someone open minded and/or a real and true practitioner of whatever it is they do?
I realize I addressed my post to you, and it's true that your comment hit a nerve. But in reality, I think that I'm just sick of high and mighty people in general.
I don't know you and I can't say whether you are or are not intolerant, high and mighty, or anything else. I assume you are probably a perfectly nice person. So, hopefully you won't take my sentiments personally. Still, I can say that your post got me thinking about these issues again.
I really don't have anything to say about the need for religion. Everybody has an ideology and value system that they base their actions on. Religion is one way to get there.
Bridget, unlike you I see nothing wrong with judging. We all judge, constantly. When we shop, when we drive, when we pick friends or lovers. Who we allow to be close to us or not. What is right or wrong. Judging is a good defense mechanism.
ReplyDeleteYou're judging right now when you speak of those who are "high and mighty". Assuming those who are high and mighty are also intolerant. Not necessarily so.
Actually, right now I WISH I was high and mighty and I wouldn't be having the financial issues we're having. We'd have a big fat check coming in from the High and Mighty Society, right? HAHAHA! *grins* :)
Amber,
ReplyDeleteI can't see this going anywhere productive at this point, but I think there are two different types of judgment. Obviously everybody makes judgment calls about their own lives.
Judging others who are doing no harm to anyone as wrong is another matter. That's what I take issue with. "Christians" aren't crazy as a group, "Poly" people can't be lumped, neither can gay or straight or black or white.
As for my alleged assumption, I personally use the terms "high and mighty" and "judgmental" and "intolerant" to mean the same or roughly equivalent. So yes, if I perceive someone as high and mighty I also perceive them as intolerant.
It sounds like perhaps you are using the term high and mighty to mean affluent? That isn't a meaning I am familiar with. I definitely don't assume that everyone with money is intolerant.
Bridget, I don't understand what you are having a problem with. I never said "all" anyone; all Christians, all poly, whatever. Nobody has said that.
ReplyDeleteAnd the last part of my comment was a friendly joke.
Get a grip.
Amber, I wasn't upset. I thought we were having a conversation about a worth while subject. Clearly I am the only one who thought so, though, so let's all move on.
ReplyDelete