We can’t have a Christmas tree at city hall, but its alright to fly a pride flag? I don’t see anything to be proud about. I think there should be a bi-law against the kind of public display of sexual vanity that goes on at these parades.

IMO most gay men are emotionally damaged individuals that have no qualms about continuing their cycle of sexual abuse. If I was mayor there would be no pride parade in PG.

As far as I’m concerned be gay all you like. But do you really have to jam it in everyone’s face? Oops we are both homophobics by making comments.

Some people are proud that they are:
1. female
2. male
3. black
4. white
5. chinese
6. heterosexual
7. homosexual (may no longer be a pc word)
8. black haired
9. grey haired
10. children
11. teens
12. middle aged
13. seniors
14. short
15. tall
16. born in Jamaica

etc. etc.
The thing about all those categories is that they are attributes we are born with or attain during part of our lives.

Some people chose to celebrate that fact, especially when they feel that they are not being accepted.

A good approach? That is left up to the individuals to decide. We are still allowed to do that.

I hope they will have a flag up for easter weekend with the cross, just to give all people the same rights

What do you call a gay man on the moon?

An astronaut you homophobic cretins!

Happy Pride Week!

Happy Pride Week! So glad we live in an accepting town!

eagleone, that’s the best comment i’ve read on here in a long time.

What do you call 1000 rednecks on the bottom of the ocean?

A good start.

Cretin? Really? Defined as – A person deformed and mentally handicapped due to a congenital thyroid deficiency.

Hard to get acceptance when if you get an opinion contrary to your own you start flinging mud, and then use a word that defines a person in most unfortunate circumstances.

I admit, I never know what to make about the gay pride thing. Am I uncomfortable around gay men? Only if they hit on me – which never happens because I’m just not that good looking. Am I uncomfortable around Lesbians – no – and they never hit on me either – go figure.

The real issue is probably almost all of us are to some extent xenophobic. We feel comfortable around those who are like us. What else explains “black” and “white” churches each worshiping the same God who preached acceptance.

Overtly gay people, are not like “us”, and therefore make us uncomfortable. I think what a gay pride thing does, is puts people of a different lifestyle in our face, hoping that we’ll lose some of our xenophobia and become more accepting of them – and I think I agree with that. Because frankly, beating someone up, or to death, because they love the same gender, doesn’t seem like a “Jesus” thing to do.

Much the same is done by the Indo Canadian community celebrating some of their traditional holidays and beliefs, giving us all the opportunity to see they aren’t so much different than we.

As a white, straight, middle aged male, what scares me is one day in the future, I will be the colour minority. And will I find acceptance among a society made up of non-white people? Will the non-white majority in the future take it upon themselves to oppress the white minority for the evils done when we were in majority. Because the thing is, every group is xenophobic, including non-white groups. And they could just as easily become as non accepting as we whites have, when they are the norm, and we are the abnorm.

Proud to see my community grow in diversity! Pride is all about celebrating every individual for who they are, even the cynics on Opinion 250 – even Eagleone has to be forgiven for his trespasses…which are pretty perverse.

Sigh…its only a week for pride.
Then they can go back to being ashamed again.

**waiting for the arrows to fly**!!;)

I can’t understand how some people have so much energy to hate another group of people that might be different in some way and otherwise have no effect on their day to day lives.

I seem to be in the minority being a white heterosexual Anglo-Saxon male, and proud of it. There is my pride and I flaunt it.

Some people are gay. Get over it.

I’m PROUD I shaved my legs this morning! Do I get a Parade?

“IMO most gay men are emotionally damaged individuals that have no qualms about continuing their cycle of sexual abuse”

IMO your statement is simply absurd, ludicrous and inflammatory.

“As far as I’m concerned be gay all you like. But do you really have to jam it in everyone’s face”

Actually, many people out there don’t like the fact that they are gay, often because they have to deal with attitudes like the one you display.

“The real issue is probably almost all of us are to some extent xenophobic”

Perhaps in places where people only interact with people who look or act them. I’d suggest it’s certainly not the norm in places where people have established relationships with people who are “different” than they are.

“We feel comfortable around those who are like us. What else explains “black” and “white” churches each worshiping the same God who preached acceptance”

I would suggest that perhaps those black churches formed because of the fact that the people in the white churches were more concerned with killing black people and not allowing them to contribute to any part of their white society.

“As a white, straight, middle aged male, what scares me is one day in the future, I will be the colour minority. And will I find acceptance among a society made up of non-white people”

As a white, straight, young male, I can honestly say that thought has never entered my mind. I couldn’t care less what percentage of the population shares my skin colour. In my experience, if you treat people with dignity and respect (regardless of their race, religion or sexual orientation), you will be accepted.

I’ll finish up my comments with a few points:

1) After reading some of the responses here, I can see why PG has the reputation it does. I’m also encouraged by some of the other responses and I hope that those people continue to support stuff like PRIDE week as I think it will help to make PG a better place.

2) After living in a large city for a year, I think I can conclude that cultural diversity most certainly does enrich a city and even one’s personal life. We learn through experiences and if we limit our experiences, we also limit our growth.

3) For all of those who have issue with PRIDE week, I feel the need to say that the week probably isn’t intended for you in the first place. So unless you believe that you have the inherent right to direct and control the lives of other people, you can probably just disregard the festivities that are being scheduled. I’m sure that the participants won’t mind, LOL.

Wow, Ski50 has a dictionary.

Look up, Progress.

And all of you bashers out there, let me remind you that those who tend to bash the most, are secretly wishing you were in the parade.

Like Buddy Cole says, “You smell like rough trade to me!”

Everything NMG said. If there is any question as to why Pride parades exist, the answer can be found in these comments. We’ve come a long way but it seems some of you would prefer not to join us in the 21st century.

For the record, I am an agnostic who sees nothing wrong with a Christmas tree at city hall. I have a Christmas tree up in December. But I really don’t know what that has to do with love and acceptance for LGBT folk. How do you know they don’t like Christmas trees?

Happy Pride Week! Seems I’m always out of town for the parade. Hope to make it next year. Maybe I’ll even bring my kids! Gasp!!!

When is heterosexual week?

The other 51 weeks of the year NoWay…
I am good friends with a couple of gay people and they are the nicest, least judgemental people I know. Some people on here do not seem to be very comfortable with thier own lifestyles. “the lady doth protest too much, me thinks”

This is clearly Prince George at it’s bloody finest. This town is full if ignorant, stubborn stick in the mud idiots who I am glad only have the guts to comment anonymously on the internet and not in the public eye.

It’s people like Eagleone who should be a minority in the cruel world and treated unfairly JUST to give them a taste of their own crap. The relatively small homosexual group in our town rarely do things in support of their beliefs in comparison to the churches, events, and various other things you people think are more important. @ bc bob, make a flag and fly it in your own yard, or, go to church, where Easter belongs.

Ahem, NoWay, please, keep ALL things you strongly believe in to yourself including opinion, religion, sexual orientation and anything else close to your heart, how does that feel? Pretty bad huh?

The world is moving forward with or without you morons and personally, I think you and whoever thinks you have a valid arguement, can get stuffed.

I, a white, heterosexual female, will be supporting gay pride and proudly ‘shoving it in your faces’ this, and the next 51 weeks.

@NoWay – every week is heterosexual week. It’s ‘normal’ and accepted, to be straight.

You should pretend for one day that you are gay. That moment when someone asks you: ‘What does your husband do for a living’ and you have to contemplate whether or not you tell them that you actually have a wife? What will the response be? Will they hate you? Will they snicker as you walk away, and tell homophobic jokes about you in the staffroom? Will you no longer be up for that promotion?

Have you heard of any heterosexuals being murdered for being straight?

One example, among thousands: http://www.kristv.com/full-coverage/teens-found-shot-in-portland/

Have you ever had to wonder if your family would disown you, because you love someone of the opposite gender?

Pride has an important history to it, and until the likes of Eagleone who believes that “most gay men are emotionally damaged individuals that have no qualms about continuing their cycle of sexual abuse” no longer exist to spew hatred, and be less than accepting, PRIDE week will continue to be important.

Today, I attended the raising of the flag at City Hall, and I was proud. Not only proud to be a gay woman, but a proud woman who lives in a progressive community.

Happy Pride week, PG! Rise as the Phoenix.

Straight pride parade: Halloween
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/happy-heteroween/Content?oid=2594616

Unfortunately, I’ve seen Eagleone post worse things than the top of this thread.

It is a pleasure to read some intellingent postings such as Becks and NMG. A refreshing change from the complete morons that usually post on here. There are one or two exceptions such as Gus. But eagle whatever you call yourself. You are no eagle, but a sludgeworm, no worse your a complete absolute moron.

they really should have spell check on this site.

There sure is a lot of hatred being flung back and forth from both sides of this arguement.
Personally, I don’t care about how any adult expresses him or herself, just keep it discreet and legal. The pride parades I have seen (on television) seem to have a high percentage of folks who flaunt the racy and extreme side of their lifestyle choice, why is that? Why not enjoy your choice of distraction behind closed doors?
And for the record, I am against gay pride parades, and the city flying the rainbow flag in honour of same, and sorry to disappoint, but as a straight who does not approve of flaunting “pride” I DO NOT hate you for being who you are)
Hey, we are all allowed an opinion, right?
metalman.

eagleone has spoken the truth of his feelings about the subject. Hardly worth all the childish name calling
“And all of you bashers out there, let me remind you that those who tend to bash the most, are secretly wishing you were in the parade.”
Hardly!
I would like to say that the list at the top of the post has one mistake. Homosexuality is not something you were born with. Homosexuality is a lifestyle “choice”. It is an abomination to God and is therefore wrong to any one who calls themselves a Christian. God did not say hate the sinner — he said love the sinner and hate the sin. I hate the sin and I have loads of trouble loving the sinner. I live and let live but I refuse to condone it or say that it is natural and my family and I will never accept it as anything but a lust of the flesh.
Rant finished.

Well said Supertech. Thanks for the perspective.

Personally I don’t hate anyone. They are entitled to their opinions too. Although I don’t see why its alright to attack someone for their opinion when claiming the high ground? I think it says a lot about the uncompromising nature of the proponents for the lifestyle. I also think it shows a level of confusion in their thinking when taking the low road.

I see the act of men on men sex as a sin that if its going to be done should be a private matter. I don’t want that kind of perversion pushed on children as something that is acceptable, and I don’t want public endorsements for men dressed up as ladies in sexual outfits prancing around in front of children. I don’t like the way they use PR parades for recruitment purposes geared towards children, and then tell others that object to mind their own business.

To be respected one has to earn it, and public displays of vanity only confirm the sinful nature of their culture. If its just about accepting close friendship or dependency relationships and not about the sex then why not promote that aspect?

It just figures Rogers was in the parade.
So if this is all to be acceptable, we have to have a week of it, glorifying it?
Why can’t you be accepted without ramming it down our throats?
I don’t want to know what people do behind closed doors.
Why doesn’t every other sick fetish have a parade and a week put aside?
Oh, and Eagleone, you don’t have to justify your opinion, I think quite a few would agree with you. Yes well put Supertech

Oh and pizzacook calling people morons?hahahaha. Learn to spell smart guy.

Oh oh. Wouldn’t want to upset your imaginary friend.

Well said Eagleone

“Homosexuality is not something you were born with. Homosexuality is a lifestyle “choice””

You are wrong.

“It is an abomination to God and is therefore wrong to any one who calls themselves a Christian”

So is this portion of your argument only meant to apply to people who call themselves Christian? Please clarify. If so, then I’ll disregard it since I’m not Christian. If not, then I’ll discount it as being completely irrelevant given the age we currently live in.

Have a nice day.

Not looking to get into the scrap, I just have a question. Is there not gay christians ?

Is…are…same question.

“Not looking to get into the scrap, I just have a question. Is there not gay christians?”

Nope. According to some, those would be the christians who have yet to make the right “lifestyle choice”.

About 2 years ago, on a ‘merican lecture tour, the preident of Iran, I’m AdickAjad
:) claimed that there were no homosexuals in Iran. So Muslims and Christians are not gay, it must just be an athiest thing !

women had to march and break a few windows to be recognized as human beings, vote, own property and have a say in their own life’s course…

Black people had to march for the same as above and just to be able to sit on the bus…

Entire countries and continents were settled by people fleeing religious persecution, and the freedom to choose their own God….

Millions have marched and flooded the streets with their anti-war message….

Millions more for fair labour practices, the history is rich and coloured in blood…

Any group that has been disenfranchised and been denied freedoms, general acceptance (job and career, family, etc.), feared for their safety because of their beliefs/orientation or even been murdered for them…people that live, learn, love, give back to their family & community and generally want to leave this earth in better shape than they found it, otherwise law abiding citizens….

MARCH ON!

As to the comments by bcnorth250;
I would submit that you are comparing apples to oranges. Women fighting for the rights of women, blacks fighting for equality, or for another example, the orange vs. the green in Northern Ireland, none of those groups were/are fighting for the right to choose a sexual persuasion, or demanding that the majority officially approve of their choice. Sex is something that should be kept discreet, and behind closed doors, by consenting adults.
Gay parades flaunting alternate lifestyle choices send the wrong message to impressionable youngsters.
metalman.
metalman.

Metalman, I hear you and I too, used to feel the same way with regards to your comment “Sex is something that should be kept discreet, and behind closed doors, by consenting adults.” but you have opened up a can of worms here….and I have since had a change of heart, admittedly with tragic happenings in my own family (and so many others I have since learned)due to the silence and taboo surrounding this lack of communication.

The “fights” I have mentioned were all thought of, in some shape or form, in the same manner, at one time. You know, an employer’s right to manage (just throw his body on a coal cart and call ‘is missus to come get ’em) and the old a “man’s home is his castle” so a few light slams now and then to keep the little woman in line. just don’t draw attention to it to “they’re not really people anyway”…on an on, are gone…shame and guilt prevail.

Keeping sex in the dark is a big mistake – most kids as of the age of 11 years old can tell you stories that will make your hair fall out. It is a fast paced, information highway, world out there and by refusing the discussion we are opening up a realm of possible hurt. Silence certainly has not worked and I can offer many examples. Talk, be honest, create an informative and balanced decision and guide accordingly.

My point is, to effect change, like-minded people must band together and bust out walls, wave the flag, fill the streets, force change or at the very least, encourage conversation.

The challenge will always be: where to draw the line? Tough call for many, but we are lucky to live in a country where it is possible.

PS: I love the orange vs. green analogy..it tore my ancestors apart decades ago and still lingers.