‘Because people turned what those who fought for back in the day into nothing but a chance to walk around half naked and into a sideshow,’ says Steve Early. This was echoed by Perry Gentry: ‘Too much of a circus, too many tourists, too much drug use and drunkenness, and frankly I didn’t see what gyrating half-naked gym bodies on floats has to do with Pride for those of us who are average.’ ‘Most of those in attendance have no idea what previous generations went through!’ ‘It’s a circus and has no relevance to its original purpose,’ says Sez Robbins – a sentiment liked by many on Facebook. Or they think attendees party just a little too hard.
Lots of those who don’t like Pride have an issue with the way some participants dress. Drag queens at Birmingham Pride in England in 2017 (Photo: David Hudson) 1. Their reasons fell into a handful of related categories. We asked our followers on social media why they don’t attend Pride festivals. And it certainly doesn’t apply to everyone. However, although that may be true for some, it’s only part of the story. Hating such festivals is similar to denigrating those they perceive as too femme or letting the side down. The writer suggested the reasons gay men hated them were often rooted in internalized homophobia. However, not everyone is a fan of them.Ī recent column on Them explored the reasons why some gay men hate pride parades. Pride festivals are an opportunity for LGBTI people and allies to come together, celebrate or demonstrate.