Not a photo post

[chickenfeet]

I have just returned from exploring the Pride festivities and have nary a photograph to share with you. It was really dull and there really wasn't anything worth getting a picture of. Pride has become as mainstream as the Santa Claus Parade. Church Street was lined with booths representing corporations, mostly deadly dull like banks, and various organ of the state interspersed with the occasional worthy but dull cause (eg cancer research). Four police forces had recruiting booths side by side. Even the Mounties had got their man. There was nothing remotely edgy or transgressive. It's really quite difficult to see what the point is anymore.

Comments

[melted-snowball.livejournal.com]

I'm not entirely sure. I think a lot of the point is for the kids. But then again, I was doing a high school visit a few weeks ago on "homophobia awareness day".

On the other hand, what's the point of Puerto Rican Day or any other such thing? We can just have a party...

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

There's a Puerto Rican day?

Seriously though, what's odd about Pride is the extent to which it's been co-opted by the Establishment. They might as well be celebrating WASP day.

[melted-snowball.livejournal.com]

Well, there is in NYC. I have to assume that Toronto is similar in having {Ukranian, Tibetan, Slovak, ...} Day.

But yeah, it's true. The last time I went to the parade ('05?) there were Conservative candidates marching. Oy.

[gillen.livejournal.com]

Assimilation is the cost of social acceptance.

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

True. Not sad at all. True.

[a-d-medievalist.livejournal.com]

so ... that's kind of a good thing, right? Except of course that homophobia is alive and well here.