Why We Need To Celebrate Pride

Here in Orlando we just had the huge pride event known as gay days. Living in Orlando for my whole life, I have attended many of the Gay Day events each year. There was a time when I stopped going because I was over the whole experience...

until I met Randy.

A few years ago I was dragged by my friends to attend one of the main events which takes place at one of Orlando's theme parks. It is June so it is hot, humid and everyone will be wearing red in the unforgiving sun. I was not so excited to get up and show my pride so early and I was hoping I would not get drenched in one of the thunderstorms which occur each afternoon here during the summer.

After protesting, I finally agreed to go. I dragged myself out of bed, put on my red shirt and off I went to the crowded theme park to bake in the sun while waiting over 45 minutes to ride a 2 minute ride.

During the day, as my friends and I are walking to the next ride, I noticed a guy my age walking all by himself. I thought how sad is it to be here all alone. I did not understand why you would come to Gay Days alone.

He happens to get in line in front of me for the ride. He is smiling and seems to be having a great time. He is looking all around and seems to be taking it all in. He turns and says hi to me.

I smile and introduce myself as Michael and he says his name is Randy. Randy has a southern accent and tells me he is from a small town in Georgia. I asked who he came with and he said he made the long drive himself. He saves a lot of his money to afford this trip each year.

He is not "out" at home because his town is not accepting of the gay community. He doesn't even know another gay person within the small population of his town. His mother passed away when he was young and his father is battling his third round of cancer. His father, who knows he is gay, needs someone to take care of him and Randy is all he has. He has placed his life on hold to care for his father. He said, "It was the right thing to do."

This event each year is his chance to be with other gay men and see them having fun, in loving relationships and spending time with friends. He gets to be proud he is gay. He gets to be out for a whole day and celebrate who he is.

This conversation did not take place waiting in one line but throughout the day as I invited Randy to hang out with us. He greatly appreciated this because he said most gay guys just whisper and stare at him because he is alone. (Of course I had to admit that is what peaked my curiosity when I first saw him.)

When it gets hot later in the afternoon most people start heading home. This is also when the storms start rolling in. It starts to pour and we sit under one of the covered restaurants until it stops. At this point, most people are giving up and leaving to get ready for their evening parties. My friends start heading out and I asked Randy if he is ready to go. He said he was staying to see the fireworks. This was his whole day and he did not want miss a minute if it. He didn't have the money to attend any of the other high price events and he really wasn't here for the parties but just to enjoy his day with other gay and lesbian people.

I stayed with Randy until after the Fireworks and gave him a ride to his hotel. He thanked me for inviting him to join us and we promised to keep in touch.

Spending time with Randy showed me a perspective I never thought about. These pride events are more than just a fun time together as it some people's only chance to be with other gay and lesbian people and to celebrate who they are. To feel free, loved and part of a greater community which could be found where they live.

After since that experience, I have always made sure I made the time to attend at least one pride event. To celebrate my gay pride not only for myself but for the many who can't make it.

I would love to hear about your experiences with pride events. I'm looking for you to share your positive experiences that you've had while at any Pride event.

(Photo: Getty Images)

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Michael Moniz is a life coach focusing on the LGBT community. His practice helps others with self-image, communication skills, self-leadership and setting and achieving goals. Check Michael's website for more information and to schedule private consultations.

Do you have a question about how to improve your life? Send an e-mail to pnohealth@planetoutinc.com

Comments

[david]

yeah, cuz picking up a trick is what gay pride is all about. :(

[JimE]

sounds like a complete fantasy. nice try. But if Randy made the long drive himself then why would the author give him a ride to his hotel? Wouldn't he have driven himself to the theme park too?

duh

[Robert Roberts]

What the hell is a life coach and is it a real JOB? Please. Save this crap for old queens who look back on their sad lives. Gay Pride is looking for a Hot Man or Men to have sex with. Period

[Bernard]

I lived in Florida until recently. In went to pride twice. Only once to the park. You're blatant lie that the event is "held in a theme park," where in actuality, it's more like those who come for the "celebration" "take over" the theme park is the more accurate choice.
I remember the shock and horror on those poor people who, most of which were foreign, must have spent a pretty penny to take a trip across the world to See THE DISNEY WORLD and then are suddenly placed in a situation where they are continuously forced to sheild their children s eyes from the lack of humility being displayed.
I think it's possibly one of the most disgusting things. How people just think "I'm gay so I own this park" and do whatever the hell they want. I honestly was absolutely disgusted.

And THIS is how we choose to make people accept us? And I do mean "make" them accept us... By shoving it down their throats???

Its especially ironic when you consider the fact that gay people STILL go to Disney even though Disney refuses to acknowledge it's a REAL event. If it did that, it would loose revenue from Christian organizations (which I can tell you will only go on trips to Universal and now probably only the Holy Land Experience park) because of this event.

If Disney ACTUALLY cared about us, it would make it official, put it on its calendar so that people can DECIDE if they want to go during that time... But no. Why do that? Just have them fly across the world, pay all this money to stay in the on site hotels and a package deal for the parks, only to realize they may not be able to take their kids TO the parks.

We're nothing but money to them.

This... fantasy you've concocted about why "Pride" is good is absurd. One person suddenly has a good time and we should all feel good about it despite all that's wrong with it?

Can they get some real writers to write these articles please?

[Victor]

Well I have to admit I'm fairly horrified by the other comments. I'm guessing having been to Orlando that the friend in this situation probably took the train into the park. That's how Disney is set up. The hotels are in one area and you can grab the train into the main park area.

In terms of David's comment: Even if the author and this person ended up having sex, he lives a life where he doesn't have access to any other gay men or lesbians, how precisely is his making a physical connection a bad thing?

Now for my actual comment. I don't have any big meaningful Pride experiences. My home town has a Pride filmfest, but not a full on pride festival. The closest one is Indianapolis Pride. They are always fun, and I am generally working a booth. I have to admit that at this point in my life I am closer to where you were when your friend had to drag you to Gay Days. The thing about Pride is it's a big family reunion. You get to see all your old family, the ones you want to see, and the one's you'd rather not. You also get to meet their new flames and friends and people they just thing you should meet. It's hands down the best thing to keep our community together, even if everybody does know and gossip about everyone else like the bitter old queers we are.

[Kevin]

Wow these posters suck, and not in a good ways. Yeah there's no such thing as a sad story, I'm sure everyone is as fake as you guys say.

Oh and when I went to Disneyworld, I took a shuttle dispite diving down from Canada, cause they're at almost every hotel in Orlando and they're covenient.

[Chris]

I guess everyone is calling the bluff on a made up fantasy story. I still think it is a good story whether it is true or not.

[Duncan]

I think Gay Days at Disney is different for everyone much like pride events everywhere. For me and my partner who live in florida and go to the parks all the time it is a time we can go to the parks and hold hands and enjoy ourselves. It is a chance for us to be around others like us. People talk as if everyone there is walking around naked or in leather. This is just not the case. People are there to enjoy the park. As a business that caters to families I understand Disney's position and dont have a problem with them not endorcing the event. As for forcing people to accept me I dont feel I need to. They should respect me and allow me to act as anyone does. Again this is not asking for special rights or acceptance but for everyone to treat me the same as they would my sister and her husband. I dont think that is too much to ask for. I guess I am a sentimental queen I believed the story and am shocked that so many didn't. As for him driving him back to the hotel. Most at Disney World dont drive their cars to the parks, especially if they are staying on Disney property. They take a bus.

[Woody]

Wow. There are some sad, cynical, bitter, pinched, and shallow queens posting comments here. Yeah, the very same ones who whispered because Randy was at Gay Days alone. Your lives must be miserable to be so full of negativity.

As for the story in the article, I can tell you that those small towns in Georgia can be exactly as Randy has experienced. How do I know? Because I'm from one of those small towns in Georgia. Luckily I'm back up in the Atlanta area, but let me tell you it can be a desolate social wasteland for gay men and lesbians there.

MIchael, thanks for hanging out with one of my fellow Georgians. I've no doubt your kindness to Randy will be remembered a long time. And Randy, if you're out there, I'd love to hang out with you sometime, too! I'll be thinking of you when I go to Atlanta's Pride celebration this fall!

[James]

Just a city boy, born and raised in south detroit
He took the midnight train goin anywhere

:)

[J]

Seeing the comments just prove why I hate pride events nothing but assholes who think they are better then everyone else thinking with their dicks like they do every other day of the yr so refreshing lol

[Tom B]

The story was bitter sweet whether true or not, but some of the comments were completely horrifing. Are ther actually that many bitchy queens out there what stereotypes. I choose to belive it was just one jerk posting over and over, otherwise how sad.

[Shocked and Disgusted]

I am ashamed to be gay at this moment after reading what some of my fellow gay brothers are saying. Way to take a good article and piss all over it. No wonder people don't treat us with any respect.

Respect is EARNED not given and so far the majority of people commenting on this story have earned our community nothing but disgust.

Way to go guys. The vocal minority always seems to ruin it for the rest of the people who are quietly working for all of us.

I personally think Pride Parades do more harm than good. In theory they are great but in reality they show off a very small percentage of the whole gay and lesbian population. They don't show what the majority of gay and lesbian people look like. They bring out the very loud, vocal people who live to get attention. I would love to see a parade full of accountants, doctors, nurses, firemen, etc, who simply go to work, come home, make dinner and lead pretty much ordinary lives. But no, all we see are the guys and gals who love to party and dress in wild customs that the majority of us wouldn't be caught dead in.

Michael, I think you did a great job with this article and I'm so glad you offered your help to Randy.

[Frankly]

Robert, you are a prime example of why the gay movement gets bogged down. The Pride events are a commemoration of our modern civil rights struggle. If you find a "hot man" to have sex with, more power to you.

But, it is people like you who put the whole focus on hedonism that really have destroyed the pride parades and events.

And I believe the story of the guy alone.

[Dusky]

After reading about Randy,i'm actually happy that though i share the same background as him, i'm still better off.Secondly after reading such mixed comments,hmm i guess i still have a lot to learn after coming out..

[Obama]

"Don't ask don't tell",....established in 1993 and reconfirmed in 2009.

[Oneal980]

I went to Gay Days for the first time in 2008 and had a blast. I'll admit, the pool party at the host hotel was were the main events were and it was a complete 24/7 night club with little "pride" resonating from many people. Though, that last party on Sunday when I stayed with my friends all day around the pool was great. People actually talked to one another without looking for sex, but still I met an amazing guy from Argentina named Jeffery and we spent the night just partying and falling asleep together.

Gay Days is an absolute recommendation if you've never been. The parties are wild, and being able to show your pride throughout Disney World is a plus as well; just know if you go, go to party and not solely for the pride factor. Gay Days is defiantly gay, but not a real pride rally/parade geared rousing event. Also, buy a few bottles of your favorite liquor and a fridge for your room; the hotel raised the price on the same drink each day!

[trent]

The sad part is the people who cannot just for a moment cannot believe in Tinkerbell, sit there and mumble obscenities while everyone else is accepting, or trying to make the effort. Sure, we all notice you, sitting there with your arms crossed, eyes shut tight and forcibly turning your head away, it's obvious someone in the past has so defiled your goodwill, imagination and creativity you think it is ok to pout and rain on the parade. Go ahead and just make this your little stubborn tantrum and scream at the walls, the only one losing out in this is you.

[ruralcountryguy]

Not one time in my life, have I gone to a pride event. Its not that I'm not proud of who I am, but its just that where I'm from, gay means death. The town I live in has only about 500 people in it. But this story is pretty cool.

[Jason]

I feel like I was in the same position 3 short years ago. I came to Orlando for GayDays when I was 17 and the only person I was out to was my mom. I was from Gulfport, MS so also not the most accepting place on earth. I went to Magic Kingdom alone, feeling vulnerable and a little scared until I met a great group of people from PA who invited me to ride a ride with them. We kept in touch throughout the year and for the next two years we talked and met up at GayDays in Orlando. I am now living in Orlando for college and am for the most part out. I attended this year's celebration with my own group of local friends and had a great time (the PA group couldn't make it this year). Still, I feel like I owe my current confidence and ability to come out to that first wonderful group of people who showed me the ropes of the community and helped me through a very difficult transition in my life. That is exactly what a Pride event is for, fulfilling the hopes and wishes of other, new gay people and reestablishing our roots of pride in our community and in ourselves! So next time you see someone who looks like they're struggling on their way out, give them a small gesture of kindness. It might just make the difference they need in their lives to help us out later!

[Derrick]

I love the story ...I went to pride alone because my boy friend is not really into things like this,,,,I was also lucky to meet a very nice couple to enjoy the day with also met some of their kind friends who were welcoming to me and everyone around them...That is the reason I do find PRIDE at events like this...I still hope all gey men and woman will keep opening their arms for others.....AFTER ALL IF WE CAN NOT SUPPORT EACHOTHER HOW THE F$%K CAN WE EXPECT OTHER TO DO THE SAME......love and pride to all

[Daniel]

One quick comment. Perhaps these pitiful posters are not bitchy queens (they do sound bitchy though) but instead straight acting masculine men lovers. Don't try to blame everything on queens. Although I'm now guilty of it myself I would like to suggest we stop perpetuating stereotypes and making asses out of ourselves by assuming.

[Laun]

Pride is something that needs to be celebrated more on a daily basis than a park or town hosted event in the circus. We should enter the public as do every straight personage does where we feel comfortable and is appropriate. That is living and showing/ celebrating pride.

[Bernard]

I think that the irony is here is the lack of thought going on. We have a pride event at a venue that ignores us, but willingly takes our money, with people who neither want us there but are horrified by how people are acting. Yes, the vocal minority makes the whole situation worse for all of us. Agreed.
I just think that there are BETTER ways to go about this, than misconstruing an event to be something more than it is. I don't like to use arguments from authority but I went to the celebration and all I saw were people who weren't celebrating who they were... they were acting arrogant about it. You see tons of straight people walking around you every day. Are every single one of them holding hands or making out? No.

To claim that such an event allows us all to enter the same arena as equals is naive and absurd. All it's doing is focusing our energies into a useless direction.

Like stated, why don't we have a parade of Doctors and surgeons and artists and prominent people rather than relegating ourselves to a mod mentality that, parasite like, takes over a park for a few days!

Why not.... work to create means to CREATE a community rather than devide it by allowing what SHOULD be a great example of gay pride, into a disgusting tribute to our sensuality.

Why not have a pride event take over "Habitat for Humanity" for a week? Why not have a pride event take over "The Red Cross" for a day? Oh because they're christian? Then why don't we make ones of our OWN!

No one thinks of this. It's more fun to just sit on a roller coaster wearing a red shirt looking like a doofus saying "I'm having fun! This is the epitome of what it means to be gay!"

[Cobalt]

There is something very liberating about Pride for a lot of people and it has simply to do with numbers. For many people in either isolated or homophobic communities or for people who are young, the experience of being with a large number of gays and lesbians is a revelation.

Randy's story is not an isolated example. I have heard the same from many other people attending Pride for the first time. Michaels Montz's point is well made.

[Chris Olson]

Wow. This story brought tears to my eyes as I lived in Orlando 16 years and went to as many GayDays at Disney. To the poster who said it is not a pride event cause you lived there, you are full of it. It is a pride event that happens in Magic Kingdom.

When I read the posts, I was heartbroken that our community is so filled with negativity. And these are the same people who think everything should be handed to us on a silver platter?

The point of the story is to reach out to your fellow human. But where is the humanity in these posts? And I have moments I cannot understand why straight people hate us and deny us rights. These posts clear it up. Our community wants acceptance, but cannot accept. We want equal rights, but do not give it to others or even ourselves. We cannot support or defend our fellow family members. It is sad.

[Rene]

The only reason the day is not made official at Disney World is because they do not want to exclude anyone. Not that Disney is not behind Gay Pride. Hello! The current president of the Disney Corp. is gay. People really should learn a little more before posting crap.

[Zach Lester]

Living here in West Virginia, Pride events are few and far between. The State's only pride festival ended this past weekend, of which I got to go. Being this was my first Pride festival I must say I had a wonderful time.

I have been out of the closet for years but had never had the chance to go to the Pride events in Charleston, WV. It really was like a big family reunion meeting people you like and you don't like and making new connections, but for one day you didn't have to worry about who seen you with who, or what someone was going to say about you, it was a day to be yourself.

Pride organizations are really one of the strongest tools the gay community has. In places like WV the glbt community has little to turn to other than Pride organizations and events. Some friends and I have teamed up with the main Pride organization in Charleston to start a chapter in southern WV were there is literally nothing gay for 75 miles. We are doing this not to look for our next fuck or self recognition but to strengthen the gay community and serve as a voice in our area for equal rights, where there was no voice before. The glbt community needs to stop being so catty and cynical and tearing ourselves apart from within our community, and band together for our causes. We have enough people on the outside of our community trying to tear us down but we are doing a better job at then they are.

[solo]

I travel in my car and just park it and take cabs everywhere cause its easier than guessing were the streets are and plus gay pride being drunk is better so why drive? sounds like a real story to me, since i have gone to prides an its not to hook up! Its to be happy and party! not all GAYS are the same duh!

[Ha!]

Again I see a ton of assholes on both sides of the spectrum. The point of PRIDE IS TO BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE AND NOT HAVE TO BE FORCED TO LIVE IN HIDING. GAY PEOPLE ARE CONSIDERED AS VERMIN INSECTS PEOPLE THAT MUST DIE. DO YOU ASSHOLES STILL WANT TO LIVE IN THE CLOSET AND WATCH STRAIGHT PEOPLE HOLD HANDS AND PRACTICALLY HAVE INTERCOARSE INFRONT OF YOU AND SUCKING FACE EVERYWHERE THEY GO. IF YOU ARE ASHAMED TO BE YOU THEN FUCK OFF. PERSONALLY NO I WOULDN'T GO AROUND PRACTICALLY HAVING SEX INFRONT OF EVERYONE LIKE STRAIGHT PEOPLE DO. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE FREEDOM TO HOLD MY LOVERS HAND AND KISS HIM AND BE HAPPY JUST LIKE EVERY STRAIGHT HATE MONGER ON THE PLANET. PRIDE IS A SYMBOL OF FREEDOM. FREE TO BE YOU IN PUBLIC AND NOT BE THROWN IN THE CLOSET BECAUSE YOU LOVE YOU HUSBAND. IF IT LOOKS LIKE SHOVING OUR GAYNESS DOWN PEOPLE'S THROATS THATS THEIR FUCKEN PROBLEM. THEY SPENT THEIR ENTIRE LIVES HATING US AND TEACHING THEIR KIDS TO HATE. I DON'T WANT TO BE AFRAID TO GET MY ASS KICKED EVERYTIME I PUBLICALLY SHOW LOVE AND AFFECTION TO MY LOVER OR DATE. ITS NOT WRONG FOR US TO BE ALIVE. YOU PEOPLE NEED TO GET A FUCKEN CLUE. YOU HAVE TO STOP BEING ASHAMED OF WHO YOU ARE AND EXCERSIZE YOUR FREEDOM TO EXIST ON THE PLANET. I'M SICK OF STRAIGHT PEOPLE SHOVING THEIR SEXUALITY DOWN MY THROAT. THAT TO ME IS DISGUSTING!!!!!

[Ha!]

Michael I like what you wrote. I'm usually a total KUNT here. Whether your story is true or false it shows that you know what pride means to someone that can never show love and affection or just be themselves. Personally I believe you and I think you're a sweet guy.

[splerrk]

Pride? HA !!!
What a bunch of BS!!!
We spend our lives struggling for acceptance from being "Left Out" or feeling alone from the segregation of societies hetero majority & we even come OUT to join our gay community to feel more accepted.
You'd think especially these days we'd reach out & support each other of our kind.
And this is a beautiful article I believe is intended to remind or COACH us to do just do that as part of our lives.
Unfortunately, as evidenced by the first few comments left in here, most of the GAY Community has nothing but the most negative things to say about each other & some even live for finding the slightest flaw in everything bringing everyone down with them & out on the streets they stop at nothing to make others feel they are not welcome because they are not good enough to be gay.
And as for the stupid little immature bitchy ass twink who Bitterly said save this for the Bitter Older Sobbing Queens, ...
I have good news for you...
As a 42 y.o., my generation (at least most that I know) never would say any kind of crap like that.
And we had much better bodies, looks, respect with manners for all our fellow humans unlike your bad attempt of a better remake.
In fact we still do at our age.
Do you really think that all of us want someone younger.
YOU WISH.
Besides, whoever makes those kind of shitty remarks is only pretending to think they are as hot as they think they are.
Next time you see some ugly shit head make a judgmental remark on someone: Look, Point, & Laugh as you will see that they aren't physically good looking enough to pull off remarks like that.
So be aware of your surroundings as you watch your back as YOU BITCH follow your pack to back stab & cut each other down& blindly overlook the fact that it is people like me that goes home with the prime babes you only wish or lie about having.
And in 20 years, lets see who is really the bitter one as you have already busted yourselves.
Gay Pride?
TSSK, ... TSSK

[KC880]

It's all about bodies ^,...TSSK,...TSSK

[Bradford Noble]

I see it all now. The editor says, write something positive about Pride to kick off the celebration and so you write something heart felt that moved you.

Then of course the comments get posted and they rip you a new asshole for it and call it fake or find things wrong with it because god forbid you should ever leave out the part where the guy takes a bus or the monorail from his hotel to the park. Jesus, people - if the story was a fake I'm sure it would have included hot sex.

Then in response to your suggestion that people share positive experiences about Pride you get hate comments. Typical.

Says a lot about the people who are sad about having to go through another Pride alone like your friend Randy. At least Randy did something about it instead of just bitched.

Anyway I've had great experiences at Pride - usually I like to be in the parade rather than watch the parade, and then go to private parties and see the fireworks after.

It's better with friends than alone.

Thanks for your article, it was sweet.

Bradford Noble

[Chemosh]

The story was bittersweet true/not because I have been that guy all alone just being around my ilk. And I do not feel parasitic as one suggested "taking over" a venue to have fun. I also think that taking over a Habitat for Humanity is a good idea as well but having just a play day is just as valid. I have been to a couple of Pride events in Dallas as well to take a buddy of mine that was blind from CMV caused by his HIV/AIDS before he died. While we waited for our first Pride parade some histrionic religious fanatics drove up a side street, got out of their car and began to yell at the folks sitting on the grass waiting for the parade to pass. They yelled how we were all going to hell, we were perversions and how god hated us. After they got back in their car and left, everyone on the grass chuckled at the show of hatred. Steve leaned into me and said with a sly grin: I guess that was not part of the parade!? LOL

[david]

If our community spent as much time building each other up as we did tearing each other down, we'd accomplish a lot and we'd understand each other a bit better as well.

[BB]

Wow, I'm disgusted with so many of these comments. I can't believe how many of you are spewing negativity and talking about someone and something you don't know anything about. The author of this article is one of the most kind hearted, decent, and honest human beings on the planet.
Michael, keep doing what you do! Your positive attitude is inspiring.

[Gary]

I am actually ashamed to be gay now when I can get better respect/treatment from straight mainstream people then I have ever gotten from fellow gaymen.

I went to Pride last year in Providence, RI... Unlike Michaels' support of Randy ( God bless Michael - atleast he is a true gayman who doesnt think of only himself! ), The outcome I experienced was quite different.

I went to Pride "alone", and all while I was there, I was ignored and felt completely invisable. I am far from a troll or ugly, even thou I am 46 now, 45 back then. I seen no care or support for those of us who are alone...For shame.

It is now because of this I find I cannot support Gay pride, There is no "community effect" from the alone persons view. If this is how gaymen treat their fellow alone gays, then I dont see where there can truely be a real "pride" when its mostly now from what I seen, just a new venue where "slutting in the streets" and pushing it upon the straights is so right - couldnt be more wrong!

Is this really what we want mainstream society to see and learn about us?? I definately dont...and with the way its going, I cannot see anything to be "pride"full about.

Just my 2 cents from a fellow gayman who doest exist in the eyes of other gays.

[Chemosh]

ALl I can say to Gary is that although men are men regardless of str8 or gay I think you would find any event is what you make it. I got a kick out of your not being a "troll". Since you use that term I would feel fairly safe to guess that it is one of the ways you define other guys. As for me I am 53 and I am not adverse to being the one that approaches ANYONE to say howdy. And I get the same respect I give most of the time ..but people are people and your never gonna be a hit with everyone. As for "slutting in the streets" the Pride events you have been to are different from my experience. I am sure there are always some lunatic fringe everywhere though. But that does not characterize the event...unless of course your a puritan that can find depravity anywhere/anytime.

[Irvin]

Wow you bitches are so fucking jaded it's disgusting. Gay pride is not about just hooking up or shoving shit in peoples faces, it's having the option to do so, it's about sending the message to the world that we're still here and queer. When i was young i remember people calling me a fagot all the time, God how I hated that word. But i grew up i found my community, my local gay clubs, and plan parenthood rainbow center for gay youth. I met other fagots just like me and as time passed i thought too my self, so fucking what i am a fucking queer, I am nothing but a fag, and I should be proud. Once you show people that a word that is meant to degrade you doesn't hurt you instead it makes you proud because you recognize it, because you could take a step back and realize that all though our community might have it's flaws just like everyone else, us as fagots got some pretty amazing lives, when most of us have to take rejection from our family, beatings at school, and isolation from our peers, and yet we keep going and we make our own fucking parade if they won't have it for us, and make our clubs if they won't accept us into theirs and create gay neighborhoods if we can't safely live in theirs. I mean we are some creative mother fuckers and we should be proud of our selves. Ten years ago i came out fearing for my life now i wear it proud and everyone is so accepting because they see how accepting and PROUD I am of it and they see no weakness in my soul over it. Pride is what will keep us going and we have to show it even if it is a guy making out with his boyfriend in the middle of the street, fuck it, that's his way of expressing gay pride, by showing everyone that yes he likes boys and doesn't care if anyone has a problem with it, and if some other fagot goes off and knocks them down for making us homo's look like a bunch of sex fiends, then i say support that fagot too since he cares enough about his community to be involved and say something. Because weather your sucking dick in public to say your here and queer or your protesting against the excess way's of our kind the point is your part of this community and you care. Have you guys forgotten when you were barely coming out and some one tells you that there is a whole weekend dedicated to you. I remember being so nervous when I first went to my gay pride i remember a lot of cute boys but most of all i do remember seeing older guys living a very happy life's, smiling and with partners and some even with kids. I remember thinking wow there are so many people like me that are living happy normal life's. At the age of 17 I thought all we did was go to clubs and porn shops to meet but when i noticed that i had never seen these homo's at a club before (mind you i was at the pride event in the afternoon I've never gone out that early to get fucked up in my life) I realized that there is life that's more than clubs and that when i get older i will have other stuff for me too look forward to like the other guy's, stuff that i didn't want to understand then but am beginning to now at 25. But the main point is that at the age of 17 you have no idea how much PRIDE day meant for me and to other queers who are closeted or recently coming out it was nice to feel a part of a community. It was a nice day to be a FAGOT.

[FREDDY]

i went to disney for their rendition of guy pride... it was the worst display of homosexuallity ive ever seen... most of those queens acted as if they where in a whole in the wall gay bar in nyc. AND TO THE BUTTHEAD WHO SAID GAY PRIDE IS ALL ABOUT LOOKING FOR MEN FOR SEX IS FULL OF A HUGE PILE OF SH,,,,,T.. maybe thats the case for you .. im a single parent gay male and i would never take my kids to any pride or gay parade because of the strong sexual content.. you want poeple to treat you like a normal person than act like it in public..keep the sexual crap at home where it belongs.. gay parades will never be seen by the world on regular tv because of the sexual gay freaks who show up with buttless chaps and thongs.. and the rediculous lesbians who think that there in a sex camp walking around topless... what the hell is wrong with you poeple? stop making out that being gay is all about sex.. everthing is sex sex sex.. i love sex to but jesus christ i do it at home and keep it private.... stop showing the world that you are a sexually depraved freak..

[FREDDY]

TO SOLO-- its not about sucking face or holding hands walking down the streets... ive been to every parade in nyc ive seen alot of freaky shit.. nobody says dont kiss or dont hold hands. but the gay poeple are getting out of control. not all gay poeple. its ok to be yourself . but come onnnnnnnn .. when was the last time you saw straight poeple walking around in a parade naked???? i havent seen any nudity in the irish parade,, i have not seen assless chaps in the italian parade,,,,, lets be real here.. you are probably one of the freaks who wears the assless chaps walking down 5th ave or maybe the parade in your city... as a gay person this bothers me.. you wanna be yourself fine. but if sex is the only thing that defines you then you may have a small problem..

[FREDDY]

you gay? you want poeple to accept you as normal person? you want a family? maybe adopt a kid and hope he understands your life style? you want equal rights as couples?

most gay poeple say this but dont really mean it.. out of 100 percent of gay poeple i speak with about these things 80 percent just want to party and have sex with anything good looking that crawls... gay pride has nothing to do with sex,,, its about being proud of being gay. like italian proud to be italian, or back pride. not being proud about the fact that all you wanna do is have sex.. sex,,,sex,,, go to a gay club and the main advertisments is not the drink speacials. its sex,, go to pride. its all about sex,, go to gay bath house...sex sex sex.. go to any gym that has a high percentage of gays.. and also all about sex sex sex... mostly anything affiliated with gay= sex.. gay pride is about pride of being gay.. NOT SEX SEX SEX

[Rob]

To echo the comments of many I am ashamed to be gay after reading some of these posts! Unfortunately, the words they are saying are so representative of the gay community, especially in Orlando. So many people are so shallow and can't see past the next trick. I have been fortunate to have meet many other gay people who are not like the shallow people responding here, but it hasn't been easy.

With regard to Disney "supporting" the event. In my opinion Disney supports the event just like they support any other for profit event occurring on their property. (Yes I said for profit Gay Days is not a non-profit organization, people are making a LOT of money off of this event!!!) Disney doesn't announce to the world when any other convention is going to be in town, why would they announce to the world that Gay Days is going to be here. Anyone with the money can rent out any Disney part, as long as the activity is legal. Would all of you complaining about Disney's lack of support be happier if they said "You might not want to come on the first weekend in June because the gay people are going to be here". I feel they are treating us just like they do everyone else.

Disney is actually very involved in the gay community. At Come Out With Pride in October (it's the actual gay pride event in Orlando with parade and all and it's run by a non-profit group) Disney is a corporate sponsor and contributes many hours of time to help put the event on. Disney has an internal Pride organization sponsored by the company. I could go on and on about the things Disney does for the gay community.

It's sad that we want to be treated and respected just like everyone else, but when Disney treats us just like everyone else we get offended by that and say they should treat us different.

In regard's to Michael's story I do believe him. I know Michael, although it's probably been 10 years since I've seen him, I have also been at Gay Days and met people from out of town who were all alone. They just came to be part of the fun and the magic.

Why is it that so many people have to be so hateful. Are you insecure or what?

Next Gays Days I hope that everyone can just act like they do every day of the year. Wouldn't it be great if that family from the small midwest town was here on Gay Days weekend and had a great time. When they went home and someone said Oh My God you were there on Gays Days weekend and they said Oh really? I didn't notice, I guess there were a lot of guys, but it was the time of our life. Everyone was having so much fun. I'd go again!

[Hypnotoad72]

Nice title - why you're telling us to do what you want.

I stopped frequenting these things in 2005. Apart from the token corner featuring historical info from previous festivals and "Which historical figures are gay" (which should read "Which historical figures might have been gay unless they have it written in proof on paper somehow"), it's all about the presence of Coca Cola and 3M if not the presence of athletic guys showing their privates for all to see.

Come on.

That's a cause?

It's all shallow and empty... and vain.

There is no cause.

None that I can see.

And it's their actions that ruin it for all of us.

Your article title tells us why we should support it. I tell you it's not worth supporting until people remember where they came from and why people came out in the first place.

These flings are an embarrassment to us all.

I will say this: The amount of pro-community and "Just be yourself, there is no need to look and act bizarre or like a stripper" responses were refreshing to read.

[Melissa]

I honestly can't believe some of these comments being displayed. It was a beautiful story; why stomp all over the author for writing about it? He's a real guy with real feelings, as is the friend he wrote it about. Do you guys ever even think about how your silly words affect others?

It's a shame how a lot of you bash people who share positive stories about events related to the LGBT community. You should be ashamed of yourselves for that. If anything, you guys should be accepting and be happy about it. How many people have wonderful stories like this to tell?

This is a lovely article, Michael. I'm glad you and Randy had a good experience.

[Daniel]

A lot of the comments have been downright negative, even after a specific request for positive comments. Well, we do have freedom of speech so alls well. We can't control what people will say. Just remember that posts on here are by a very narrow group of people. I really get shocked when folks say that comments have made them shame to be gay or that now they see why people dislike gays. Don't let the comments of ten twenty or so people paint your image of a much larger community.

[don]

you know i am so sad right now ... i have been out for about 25 yrs now and my partner and i have neither been to a pride event . i cant wait for upcoming pride event here in augusta georgia in 2010 of which we are on the committee for , but i have never have needed a pride event to be proud of myself.
granted i have the support of a loving partner and a great family that loves us both equally , and friends that accept us for who we are not what we do in our home.
if pride to you is parting like a rock star or running around drunk and having anonymous sex with hot men, then so be it . but i ask you to look deep inside yourself and find what makes you proud.
i kiss my partner every morning leaving for work and hold his hand when we are in the car or by the pool or where ever i want , doesn't make me anymore proud , just lets him know i do really love him.
pda is not our cause nor is taking over any part of the world like a theme park. our cause is very personal to each one of us and i pray tonight , tomorrow or someday soon you find what your cause is and we all learn to join together to make all those causes come to be.
so to all who show there pride by wearing a headdress worthy of a show girl , i'm proud of you , for those that want to have good old fashion anonymous man sex , i'm proud for you too , just remember to wrap it up . for those that want to sit back and bitch and moan , we need your help too and i am proud of you too.
like the song says "we are family " and like your family some we want to be associated with and some we don't , but none the less we love them because they are family.
so just remember be proud of yourself, and it makes it so much easier for you to be proud of everyone else.

[Dan in Florida]

I go to Gay Days Disney every year - stay at the host hotel and wear a red shirt. I love being a part of that atmosphere. I thought everyone got along very well this year and didn't see anything inside the park that was "in your face" or overtly offensive. I was quite impressed with how well we were accepted and treated, and how well we behaved as a group. I can't wait until next year! Meanwhile, Don't forget that our own St. Pete Pride is coming up on the 27th (the biggest pride celebration in Florida!) and October boasts the 6th largest Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in the world right here in Tampa Bay! I love being gay in Florida!!

[OiramFL561]

I live in the small town of Lake Worth, FL ... nestled between the Huge Metropolis which are Miami and Fort Lauderdale, right on the coast. During this past PrideFest had a special friend visiting from the Panhadle. I asked him if he had ever been to a PrideFest before. He said yes: a couple of times in NOLA. Bust! I thought to myself. To my amazement he felt very welcomed and very comfortable. How quaint, I thought to myself. A town where family values are held very high we didn't do bad. The downtown area cordoned off as a central gathering point was an island of sanity in the midst of our daily otherwise, horrific lifestyle we lead. Just wished our GLBTT community center, also downtown, would have been open on that day! Incredible, but I have never been in such accepting community as Lake Worth.