By Todd Schoepflin
Occasionally, when talking about sexual orientation in my Sociology courses, a student will ask “Why can’t we have a straight pride parade?”
It hasn’t happened a lot, but enough students have asked the question to make me want to offer a response. I want to point out that the question tends to come out of nowhere. It’s not as if I lecture on the history of gay pride parades, or offer a sociological analysis of gay pride parades, which might open the door to such a question. Rather, the question gets asked during general discussions of sexual behavior. The question tends to surprise me, so I haven’t yet offered a consistent response in class.
I do tend to begin by answering the question with some questions: Why? Why would you want to have a straight pride parade? What kind of parade would it be? What purpose would it serve? I ask those kinds of questions as a way of pointing out that a parade doesn’t seem necessary for a group that enjoys a privileged way of life. 
Here’s a blunt way of saying it: Life is a straight pride parade. Walk through a mall holding the hand of someone of the opposite sex. Will that generate a dirty look? Bring home someone of the opposite sex to meet your family. Will there be disapproval? Do you have to “come out of the closet” to announce you’re straight? My point is that heterosexual relationships are encouraged and accepted in society. And while there is more approval for LGBT relationships than in past decades, there is still not full tolerance and acceptance for those relationships in society.
One function of a gay pride parade is to seek acceptance and understanding from society. Another purpose, it seems, is to spend a day with a group of supportive people. A man like me doesn’t need to march in a straight pride parade because I can walk in any public space with my wife and not be harassed, judged, mocked, or harmed in any way because of our sexuality. The question “Why can’t we have a straight pride parade?” suggests that straight people are being deprived of something in some way. I just don’t see how that’s the case. Heterosexuality is embraced by our society. It is not a basis for discrimination. So my answer, in sum, is that no parade is needed.
A follow-up question I sometimes receive when handling this topic is: “But why do they have to flaunt their sexuality?” The question assumes that anyone who is LGBT goes out of their way to call attention to their sexuality. Such an assumption strikes me as entirely inaccurate. I won’t pretend that some of my best friends are gay. Actually, all of my best friends are straight (as far as I know).
But I do have friends, neighbors, and co-workers who are gay. None of them flaunt their sexuality. What, by the way, does “flaunting it” mean? How does a person flaunt their sexuality? Am I flaunting heterosexuality by wearing a wedding band? By having pictures of my wife and kids in my office? By making references to my wife?
Students will sometimes claim that what really offends them is public displays of affection—it doesn’t matter who is kissing or hugging in public, they say, they just wish there was less of it. I don’t buy it. Simply put, I think a lot of people aren’t comfortable seeing gays and lesbians as couples. And I can think of some reasons why: it could be how someone was raised (a family belief system), it could be based on religious beliefs, or because of homophobia.
Beyond parades and expressions of sexuality, there is a bigger picture to consider. Lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgender people deserve to live and work in communities that are “safe, healthy, and satisfying.” I think everyone wants this for themselves and their families. Everyone wants respect. Everyone wants to be treated equally. Sexuality remains a major factor in how people are treated in society. Curiosity about parades and displays of affection are understandable, but the larger issue is the existence of inequality based on sexual orientation. In conclusion, I believe the following questions should concern us: Why aren’t people treated the same in society? What can we do to promote equality? Finally, how can we work to achieve equality?
No, it won’t stop until the radical liberals in Washington finish relegating the straight, white, Conservative, Christian with a JOB to second-class citizen.
We now live in a nation where the only culture we are permitted to disrespect and belittle is that of the Conservative rural working person! Read the Scripture of Sodom and Gomorrah then look at what is going on here!
Why can’t we? All we need is a permit floats music, bands it’s a party. Why can’t we
I havent read all the post but it seems to me a gay pride parade is really an organized protest. A parade is to celebrate our country, or special holiday, like new years or st patricks day or even a championship in sports. So if homosexuals want a parade to promote, protest or celebrate Homosexuality then heterosexuals absolutely should have parades also. To celebrate love and the gift of life. It should not depend on weather or not someone gets beat up or discriminated agsinst. A parade is basically a public celebration and we all should have the right to celebrate. But people should keep their clothes on. Lets have some class and dignity.
These gay pride parades have made me really sickened by gays, they seem self absorbed gluttons with one track minds. Truth is I never cared until they start shoving in peoples faces. Now I find it offensive. Absolutely gross to see the guys in those outfits, just gross public indecency.
BTW gays genes have been selected for extinction, gays do not pass on their genes. Nature has determined there is nothing for you to be proud of.
seems they need parades because they have huge guilt and pain-of-rejection built up deep inside and need desperately to release it… so need to parade it overtly in a effort to try and achieve emotional peace inside – in effect, by screaming in the most in your face obnoxious way: “FU” to the rest of society… history tells the story – when rampant homosexuality becomes the norm, civilizations crash… guess it’s western civilization’s turn now… history proves it’s not a sustainable foundation for long term cultural security and competitiveness… sad, but oh well… what can we do… ?
I see no logic to your argument. If asked if there should be a national pride day would reply that becauae there are many people of that nationality and that’s accepted, there sould be no pride in one’s nationality? What about parades for pride in our military? Should they be bared simply because the military, Army, Navy, Air Force, accepted parts of our society! Your argument fails.
I don’t pretend that I have gay friends because I don’t. Straight people only have gay friends to play the not homophobic card despite it being well known that ALL straight people are hateful and afraid, doubly so anyone who says they aren’t . But I know I am hateful trash. Now if only I can get the gay people who keep talking to me to realize how much I am oppressing them and leave before they get hurt more…
Pride is the reason for people to divide. Division is reason for people to discriminate.
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Homosexuality is absolutely sickening and disgusting. This mental illness shouldn’t be celebrated at all. Sick gay freaks deserve to be discriminated against. I used to be tolerant of gays, but now they are constantly shoving their perversions in my face with the help of major corporations. I will be boycotting all corporations from now on that pander to the gays like McDonald’s, Target, Microsoft, Apple, Twitch, and Starbucks.
ok here is my point I have no cross to bare with the Gay pride but is it really necessary to dress like some sort of clown to get a point across, for me this only serves to diminish the impact on what is trying to be achieved. If this group is serious about its aims the it should drop the panto and become more credible with parades that make a point no a fiasco. I am simply astonished that in this day and age that a minority group have to resort to anger, panto and outlandish flaunting in the street. the every day person has little interest in this but would take notice if the gay community started acting in a responsible manner without all the theatricals or the pride marches
I ask the same about a straight or Straight Christian day. It seems only homosexuals have the right to their sinful day both in communities, and State Fairs. And if a straight and Christian calls them out on it they get offended. And they can have us arrested for harassment for pointing out they are sinners, and abnormal people. I am offended by these people, and that The Supreme Court, the Congress, Governor’s of states like New York, or the state legislatures all go against God and his teachings in the Bible.
if anyone is still reading this thread I would like to point out august 31,2019. Boston’s Straight Pride parade. For all of you who were spouting about straight people not being discriminated against think again. There were may 300 people participating in the parade itself. Over 1000 showed up to protest. How is that not discrimination. We have just as much right to be proud of being who we are as you do.
for the person that brought up mardi gras, it is NOT a straight pride parade, Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday”, reflecting the practice of the last night of eating rich, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season.
for the person bringing up the 1960s, we may not have civil rights marches but we have people whining for reparations for something they never personally experienced and acting like they are the only race to ever be enslaved, well newsflash they’re not. Egypt enslaved the hebrew, africans enslaved themselves and everyone else, the irish were sold right along side the africans in early america and the asians built a lot of the railways, hell look up this link
https://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-africa/white-slaves-barbary-002171
slavery is a persistent disease that every race and country deals with off and on through out history.
In america today I am much more likely to be ostracized for being a white straight person then gay people of any other color or even straight people of any other color. There are people that tell me that I should be ashamed because I am white, that I shouldn’t take pride in my heritage, but every other race out there is encourage to do so themselves. there is a month for EVERY OTHER RACE. but we are being unreasonable and racist because we want to celebrate our history.
the world is a dangerous place for someone who isnt considered a minority anymore and it is only going to keep getting worse the more that we give in to people that think they are being oppressed…
I have one more thing I disagree with before I get off the soap box. The transgender thing (this is to you concerned- i’m super amazed that you straight people have ANYTHING to be proud of.). the transgender THING (yes I called it a thing) is getting out of control. studies released in 2016 estimate the proportion of Americans who identify as transgender at 0.5 to 0.6%. less then 1% but you think that we should change everything to fit this phenomena. Gender neutral everything, getting into the military (for which there are GOOD reasons they aren’t allowed), transgender camps that accept children sometimes as young as 4, and on and on I can go. Hell recently with this sex ed bullshit being shoved down the throat of k-12 kids! the younger ones dont even know the difference between boys and girls other than coodies but they should make the life and mind altering decision of whether or not they were born in “the right body”?
If you think you might be trans then wait until you have gone through puberty to make sure that you are certain and sure as fuck not before you are 18. after you are 18, go be marry but don’t come crying to the rest of us if you discover that you aren’t any happier. There is a reason why Gender dysphoria was listed as mental illness just like Body dysmorphic disorder as well as eating disorders. Making this a wide spread (age wise) hysteria helps no one, particularly the children.
ok I lied one more thing for the same person: your whole post made no sense. you say that straight people have nothing to be proud of but everything you listed as a reason is bullshit and applies just as much to LGBTQ maybe even more so in some case. you just can’t seem to admit to yourself that you discriminate just as much as those you accuse.
Now I’m done.
I just don’t understand what you straight guys want to be proud of. You’re not oppressed so why do you need to be proud of your sexuality, everyone is already fine with it. We are not discriminating against you, only rude homophobes and although we may make jokes we don’t honestly think all straight people are like that. Also anyone can come to pride, we aren’t trying to separate anyone. We are a just minority and we are trying to prove that we are not ashamed of it and are thus proud of it. The same as Black History Month or a Women’s March. Because we don’t have the same rights. Maybe legally, but not how we are treated by others. But sure, the straights are the ones being discriminated against. Yes we may be a bit extreme about it but it is because we had to hide it for so much of our lives. Yes, some people may be indecent about it, but like people said there are other parades where people act like that, not just Pride. We do not hate heterosexuals (Except for a few, but you can’t hate a whole community because of a few bad people, we don’t hate all hets cause some are homophobes.) and we except them at Pride, we do not discriminate against them. Stop whining that we want to be proud of who we are after so much hiding. And to you who say we’re not oppressed? fuck you. We have been beaten up, abandoned, raped, insulted and ignore because of who we are. Teens have been left on the streets because their parents don’t accept them, raped to try and “fix” us. We’ve been misgendered, told it’s just a phase, to just make a choice (bisexuals and pansexuals), told we just have to try it out the other gender. We are judged based off of stupid stereotypes and assumptions. But sure, you’re being discriminated against, I wonder why? Maybe because you are horrible hating people who won’t just let us be. We are not making stuff up. There are studies behind the way we are so don’t hate. Do some research before you share your simple minded ideals after a well written article.
Being proud of your lust feelings is pathetic and so is all the attention for lgbt.
I am the person who would say, “hey can we all be just cool with each other?” There are many good points made here. I think though, emotions get flared up and people begin to lash out. What I have to say about this, I have three kids, I just wish they all would not talk about any of this until age 18;)I think kids should not discuss this, they need to play and just be kids, and why I say this is because in my co-op, I hear many girls saying “I am bi or I like girls” how about you just be a kid and then you can think about it.
Enough with the parades!
I’m not “safe, healthy and satisfied” seeing this filth on the streets!
My daughter is gay and I have a transgender sister.
I just dont see the need for a whole month of gay pride …. being thrown in my face. and those crazy thems and theys her hers pronoun bullshit. As well as non genders, furries who want litter boxes in schools. This world has gone BAT SHIT CRAZY
We should have straight parades. Everyone should be proud of their sexuality, no matter what it is. No one should receive treatment that other people don’t as a result of intrinsic characteristics. Either everyone gets a parade, or no one does.
AWe should have a straight month because sometimes it feels like were put on the back burner for not being something that this society want us to be. Over recent years, a growing number of straight individuals have felt overlooked, misunderstood, and sometimes even excluded in today’s cultural landscape. Straight people are starting to feel like the “old guard,” the ones who are just considered boring or out of touch for not keeping up with the latest trends, movements, or ideologies that are popular right now.
It seems that straight people are being quietly pushed to the side, with less recognition of their struggles or experiences. The idea of a Straight Pride Holiday is not about making others feel less important or valued; it’s simply about creating a moment where straight people, too, can be celebrated and acknowledged for who they are, without being made to feel like they are the “bad guys” or outdated.
More and more, straight individuals are being cast aside for not always agreeing with the shifting cultural standards or for simply sticking to values and beliefs that have been part of society for generations. This can leave people feeling isolated, judged, or like they don’t fit in. A Straight Pride Holiday would help give these individuals a sense of validation and pride, showing that being straight is not something to be ashamed of or dismissed.
Straight people shouldn’t feel like they’re the last group that doesn’t get a holiday, a month, or a special event to celebrate who they are. In a society where everyone else gets a moment of recognition, it’s time to acknowledge that straight people have their own set of experiences, and they deserve a space where their identity is honored as well.
A Straight Pride Holiday would help to remind everyone that we all deserve respect, recognition, and celebration. It’s not about taking anything away from others; it’s simply about ensuring that straight people have a chance to feel seen and appreciated, without being made to feel like the odd ones out.
All the truly powerful entities know that finding a means to justify victimhood and the open guilting of all others is the quickest and most guaranteed route to power. I believe any culture, race, religion, sexual orientation, etc could easily find evidence of being victimized in some way over the ages. The true art is in getting enough people on board by using enough of the right propaganda. Maybe straight white people could reasonably claim victimhood over their culture being systematically dismantled. I’m no advocate of any group whatsoever, just a good observer and one hell of a devil’s advocate. That is a poor cliché, however. That is what is happening if we expand our gaze out beyond each individual group other than white men. I have experienced it already, personally, in this growing gender gap, where women:
in their desire to gain all the rights that men have always had, have created such a disarray of sensible gender roles. Now we have a bunch of entitled young women who are abandoning their relationships, because of their inaccurate belief that they now know and can easily do anything that men could do. I havent met a woman like this that has ever truly known hard labor, though, and that is the foundation of the growth of infrastructure. It feels like its systematic, because if you take this a bit further, with the imagination, through time, you’ll see a bunch of men unwilling to fight in wars or do the necessary hard work, because their primary incentive–getting laid–has been taken from them (in one way or another). Like it or not, you cannot deny the practical truth in these words. Now, you see a really sick, sad thing, these women that are expecting a man to behave and speak like a character from a movie or television show, are actually manifesting a whole new way of getting a man to betray his sacred authenticity, (in my opinion that is the key to power and innovation) because he is changing himself first through his behavior to become this false image of what a man is. It is time for some real clarity to be spread across the world as to natural and acceptable separate roles for men and women in relationships and in real-life. Then, we will have to develop a way to communicate between the true man and the newly freed and empowered, but currently entiltled, woman. I have nothing at stake in this argument. These are just observations without any egoic agenda. They sure feel real though. I see authenticity dying, I see phones infiltrating established relationships, and I see an inability to recognize two similar but ultimately different uses of the English language between men and women only leading to more confusion and aloneness. I feel the greatest pity for the women throwing away good men, because they have been told a pack of lies about what makes a man good. These women tend to burn all bridges on their way out of the relationship and will very likely end up dying with regret in their hearts. Nobody is thinking anything through all the way anymore, our attention spans seem to have adapted to the whole 24 hour news cycle phenomenon. Hate it or love it, but mark my words and keep an eye on it. I bet you’ll see cultures being destroyed due to political correctness of any sort or just due to inevitably having not enough families existing to keep a culture alive. Of course, by culture I am referring to not just the holidays where we buy stuff and celebrate consumerism in its different forms. So, yes, soon, the straight people will become victimized, too. The masterpiece is that it will actually look like they did it to themselves: automatically, when in truth, it has actually been systematically ingrained in almost every individual–through that all too human fear of being rejected by the masses for standing out and being “weird.” (Oh no! So scary. Though it is to all too many)..
Of course, I could expand on any aspect of this argument using actual personal experience, and while I appreciate treating all humans equally depending on the amount and kind of respect that they give to others and earn for themselves. The amount of homosexual media saturation does not match my real life experience, and I have a feeling that the aim is to confuse children sexually at these young ages until the amount of lgbtqanoners that I see in my day-to-day life, in fact, does match the frequency of gays portrayed in the media. If we are going to play that game then shouldn’t we play it fairly by also introducing young children to the beauty and art and “coolness” of real good and sensually-attuned straight sex and the animalistically divine drives it can inspire in others. If we are already going from not talking about sex at all with children to this flooding of lgbtqanon in our media, then perhaps it is time to reimagine the way sex is initiated to young adults as they reach maturity. That way, the boys can learn to be good lovers to the girls (or boys if they wish) and the girls can learn the arts and uses of mastering their innate beauty and sexuality. At least that way, everybody would be having good sex from now on, instead of our current seeming dependence on porn to teach our children how to make love properly, considerately, artistically, divinely, multiple-orgasmically..no wonder lgbtq and this whole gender rift has done nothing but grown lately. No wonder, when I meet a new woman, she is turned on by my fearless authenticity and becomes enamored with my sexual attunement on a plenitude of different levels such as: pace, sensitivity in touch, spending proper time making love to the whole entire body of the woman and not just the greatest hits of a woman’s body–which must get exhausting and frustrating for women, considering the statistics I have heard regarding the frequency and intensity of the female orgasm during hetero intercourse. We could teach this stuff easy enough without debating ourselves, I’m sure, and I bet in time we will be mature enough to take on this necessary task..as well as the communication mismatch I’m currently studying and working on independently lol. I have noticed some patterns that are almost imperceptible in the way each gender both speaks and listens (or hears). You gotta expand your view, because this is all just one big distraction and so many are falling for it, hook, line, and sinker. (hey! There’s a better cliché!)