tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607955612343993162.post7640310898900302651..comments2023-11-29T08:58:41.094-08:00Comments on Playing Basketball From The Closet: Gay PrideBallerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765237119454186998noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607955612343993162.post-15809254719925628572010-04-11T17:59:51.174-07:002010-04-11T17:59:51.174-07:00I agree with you. It is a difficult question, alth...I agree with you. It is a difficult question, although it seems assimilation has more power in the long run than perpetuating differences. I understand what Norcal Sam said about the differences between certain places where people live. When extreme intolerance exists, it is sometimes necessary for the minority to exert it's presence in a desire to feel included. There comes a time when assimilation must take precedence. As 'gay neighborhoods' are slowly dissolving people are realizing gay culture is more of subculture and does not represent everyone who finds themselves attracted to people of the same sex. Leading by example rather than words and parades is the route I opt to take. Unfortunately part of the reason I choose to do so at this point of my life is because of the stereotype carried by the word 'gay' and how it does not define anything I am a part of (again, nothing against the way others choose to live their lives), and in some ways I feel as though it minimalizes what I have done and what I am capable of. At the same time, I'm happy to be attracted to men, and would never duck questions about my interests or relationships if asked. Just another perspective.orionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14275464967381622342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607955612343993162.post-75674830659418378232010-04-04T23:30:18.293-07:002010-04-04T23:30:18.293-07:00I agree with Alice and G&P. Pride was very im...I agree with Alice and G&P. Pride was very important to me the first years I was out and those of us who live in tolerant locales may get jaded and may feel assimilated. However, there are always folks either Not living in a tolerant place or just coming out where a Pride Parade is a thrill. <br /><br />I bet you will have a new perspective on this when you attend one. I hope you can do so very soon.NorcalSamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06990579954924316406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607955612343993162.post-82521672324777511472010-04-02T20:20:55.501-07:002010-04-02T20:20:55.501-07:00I like what green & purple said re: St Patty&#...I like what green & purple said re: St Patty's Day parades. I also think of it kind of like Canada's approach to a multicultural society - salad bowl vs. the US's metaphor of a melting pot. In a salad, everything's still unique, but it comes together well. In a melting pot, those of us who are different are encouraged to stop being so weird, just be like everyone else!<br /><br />Pride is really amazing - I've been to SF pride a number of times, and just started going to one in my new small town. Pictures and even video just don't capture the swelling of happiness and affection that comes out when something like a PFLAG float comes by - it's an LGBT island, and knowing that you're accepted by everyone there is really powerful. After a few years in the Bay Area, I and many of my friends started to take Pride for granted - figting the traffic wasn't worth it for us to go. But knowing that it was there was still great, and knowing that it's there for all the people who aren't yet jaded is wonderful. I'm way more pro-Pride now that I'm in a small town. <br /><br />I agree that there may be some people whose intolerance gets revved up after seeing 2 guys kiss on a float, but that's why most of the meaningful change on gay rights comes when people know someone queer personally - a parade isn't going to sway anyone who's still deciding whether we're icky or not, but they're not who it's for.alicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03182612141561309090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607955612343993162.post-90839452528300415562010-04-02T14:39:08.249-07:002010-04-02T14:39:08.249-07:00I don't think that the parades make us look so...I don't think that the parades make us look so different, as they are a way to celebrate our community. Kinda like the parades for the Irish on St. Patrick's Day - I'm partly Irish and can celebrate that, but also still be gay, American, etc. I can also was in awe when I marched in the San Francisco parade in 1990 after moving to Northern California from a small town in Georgia. I had never seen so many gays and lesbians before and really did feel pride in our community. I bought a poster of two guys enbracing while holding the American flag with the caption "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" that I had framed and is still on my wall 20 years later. So there are always new people at each parade who can feel that awe and sense of community.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03977500768335143957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607955612343993162.post-67280314932715484242010-04-02T14:04:56.774-07:002010-04-02T14:04:56.774-07:00good post and a question ...... what do you think ...good post and a question ...... what do you think of your former NBA Team's chances in the upcoming playoffs sir !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com