gaypride

Gay Pride

So, it’s that time of year again, huh? Ten years on. Gay Pride. And the streets of Johannesburg are awash with thousands of queers celebrating their "Pride" in their homosexuality. Or so the organizers thought! The pitiful turnout this year raises some questions as to why gay people are no longer supporting this orgy of exhibitionism in the streets of Johannesburg.

It was interesting that NONE of my friends participated this year. I asked them why, and the answers were varied and interesting.

The most common reason was that they were tired of all the hoopla associated with the parade. What was it all in aid of (other than the few commercial players making bucks out of the gay community)? Constitutionally, is there any need for this type of parade any more, or has it passed its sell-by date? The impression I got was that boredom had set in. Taking to the streets to make a spectacle of oneself, or simply to walk hand-in-hand with your lover in public was no longer a novelty. B-O-R-I-N-G!

Another interesting reply was that “normal” gay people had become embarrassed with the freak show which Gay Pride had turned into. It has merely become a vehicle for the lunatic fringe of the sub-culture to show the world just what freaks they actually are. The press, always on the lookout for sensational pictures of gay people, zoomed in like bees to a honey pot, and all media coverage of the event featured these “alternative” elements of gay society. Mainstream gays have been turned off by this portrayal of gays all being like this, and feel marginalised. There is consequently no reason to participate.

An interesting reply was that last year’s Pride Committee had shot themselves in the foot by giving Lesbians preferential treatment at the parade, making white gay males feel like outsiders. If the parade was to be a Lesbian Parade, so be it, let them have it, and the moffies will stay away. In all honesty, if one looks at the huge parades of yesteryear, they would have been non-events if it hadn’t been for the white males, who made up 95% of the marchers. So Political Correctness has claimed another casualty.

Many of my friends said that they were not participating because the parade was too long and they didn’t want to walk through the dangerous ghetto of Hillbrow, once again. If a new venue, through a safer environment was planned, they would consider taking part again. But Hillbrow? No thanks!

And my reason for not participating this year (the first time that I have not)? Simply because I had better things to do. I have a life and was living it.