World Pride 2012 - London 7th July Options

[Nosferatu]

Anybody planning on going this year?

Just seen the lists of acts confirmed for Trafalgar Square and must say its piss poor even by recent Pride standards. Ok so Boy George is a recognised "star" but the rest of them just seem to be novelty acts and gay-themed artists from abroad. They haven't even bothered with the usually obligatory good-looking ex-"Talent" show contestant(s).

Someone seriously needs to sort out the funding to make this a proper worthwhile event otherwise its going to just become increasingly mediocre and pointless, especially seeing as the political side of it isn't even particularly relevant these days.

[Leon1979]

It seems to be significantly scaled back this year because of funding issues.

The parade will be replaced by a procession without any floats or vehicles, and will start at 11am rather than 1pm.

The event in Trafalgar Square is still going ahead, but the dance event in Golden Square is cancelled and there will be no road closures in Soho and licensing conditions for the bars will be as normal, so no street parties.

http://www.pridelondon.org/

[berenger79]

Sit this one out and go to Brighton Pride instead. London events are usually crap in comparison.

[1977™]

Ok so Boy George is a recognised "star" but the rest of them just seem to be novelty acts and gay-themed artists from abroad.

<snip> especially seeing as the political side of it isn't even particularly relevant these days.

This is World Pride not a normal London Pride, so I'm not surprised some of the acts were foreign.

As for you second point, discussing Prides in the UK in general sure, but this is a global variety so we should be looking beyond just our shores, the political aspect of it globally is still important.

Perhaps I should ask though why host a global Pride event in London of all places, looking at the list of global cities who have hosted in the past, why isn't this being arranged in countries who still have significant steps to make towards equality rather than the ones who are just tidying up the loose ends? So yes to give credence to your point, let's have the World Prides in countries where the politics are relevant.

[Nosferatu]

I may not have worded it that well but my point really was that an event like this in 21st Century London (regardless of whether it is a World Pride or standard Pride event) should be something that we should be proud of, something that people actually want to go out and see, something that we could show to the rest of the world "this is London and this is what "Pride" means to us", especially in a year where the world's attention is already on London for the summer, and to be fair this event has just descended into a farce that doesn't satisfy any of those criteria whether you look at it from the political or "party" perspective.

[Parsifal]

let's have the World Prides in countries where the politics are relevant.

Zimbabwe?

[1977™]

and to be fair this event has just descended into a farce that doesn't satisfy any of those criteria whether you look at it from the political or "party" perspective.

Agreed.

let's have the World Prides in countries where the politics are relevant.

Zimbabwe?

You mock but unless people stand up for what they believe they'll get walked all over, Zimbabwe being a case in point. That said I'm not sure Pride is the right thing for Zimbabwe, let's get political reform there before pushing a gay equality agenda. But Africa in a larger sense sure, why not, it's one of the worst offenders when it comes to gay rights and there are other countries on the continent where Pride could be held comparatively safely but still put a political message across to other Africans.

[Parsifal]

let's have the World Prides in countries where the politics are relevant.

Zimbabwe?

You mock but unless people stand up for what they believe they'll get walked all over, Zimbabwe being a case in point. That said I'm not sure Pride is the right thing for Zimbabwe, let's get political reform there before pushing a gay equality agenda. But Africa in a larger sense sure, why not, it's one of the worst offenders when it comes to gay rights and there are other countries on the continent where Pride could be held comparatively safely but still put a political message across to other Africans.

Fair enough, but in much of the world where the politics are relevant they are also deadly. Tread carefully and with caution. Progress made in the "West" is still not guaranteed. Even the US is still dangerous in some places.

On another note, New York's Pride was last Sunday. As usual a HUGE parade with floats and tens of thousands participating on the sidelines. I remember when the New York march was an act of civil disobedience. Today it is more or less a fun celebration with a commercial area with the likes of New York Life Insurance selling insurance to gays, Delta Airlines handing out the mini pretzel bags that they give out on their flights and everybody else who wants gays' business and money.

[berenger79]

let's have the World Prides in countries where the politics are relevant.

Zimbabwe?

You mock but unless people stand up for what they believe they'll get walked all over, Zimbabwe being a case in point. That said I'm not sure Pride is the right thing for Zimbabwe, let's get political reform there before pushing a gay equality agenda. But Africa in a larger sense sure, why not, it's one of the worst offenders when it comes to gay rights and there are other countries on the continent where Pride could be held comparatively safely but still put a political message across to other Africans.

Fair enough, but in much of the world where the politics are relevant they are also deadly. Tread carefully and with caution. Progress made in the "West" is still not guaranteed. Even the US is still dangerous in some places.

On another note, New York's Pride was last Sunday. As usual a HUGE parade with floats and tens of thousands participating on the sidelines. I remember when the New York march was an act of civil disobedience. Today it is more or less a fun celebration with a commercial area with the likes of New York Life Insurance selling insurance to gays, Delta Airlines handing out the mini pretzel bags that they give out on their flights and everybody else who wants gays' business and money.

Do they also hand out bagels accompanied by smutty Carry On style innuendo?

Re the discussion about hosting Pride in countries where homosexuality is politically more problematic, it's a charming idea in an ideal world, but I think it's generally unworkable. You could probably host it in an eastern European country where homophobia is rife (the EU would probably turn the screws if things got out of hand) but Africa (outside of Cape Town) would be likely to prove a security nightmare and end in tears. Too premature.

[Leon1979]

I was going to go and watch the parade on Saturday, but I don't think I will know.

I do fear it could get ugly in Soho. Old Compton Street and Soho Square was absolutely rammed last year. People spilling out on to the streets and no road closures could be a recipe for disaster.

[your_master]

'ive never seen the point in gay pride. its like being proud you have elbows. and what about straight pride?

[jdcyl]

'ive never seen the point in gay pride. its like being proud you have elbows. and what about straight pride?

This gets said every now and then. Are people so proud of having no perspective that they choose to broadcast that attitude?

It wasn't very long ago that it was the social norm to shame gay men and women, led by churches and their bigoted morality. Thus 'pride' to fight against the shaming.

Surely this can't be completely unknown even to the young members here. Right in this very thread it's discussed how the old bigotry is still viciously on in other parts of the world. Right in this forum there's a thread remembering Alan Turing who committed suicide because of how England persecuted him for being gay.

This post has been edited by jdcyl: Jul 2 2012, 01:44

[Kev]

'ive never seen the point in gay pride. its like being proud you have elbows. and what about straight pride?

Every day is straight pride day!

[nomadwa85]

It's just a name, people. You are taking it too seriously.

The World Series is another instance where "world" is used for an event hardly of a global nature.

[Nosferatu]

It's just a name, people. You are taking it too seriously.

The World Series is another instance where "world" is used for an event hardly of a global nature.

I'm not sure the "World" nature of this event is what people have a problem with/are criticising though.

[NiallAti]

avoid it like the plague. no doubt certain elements will end up like this recent example from nyc pride 2012. pride eh?

[Parsifal]

^^^
Looks more like an ethnic scuffle than anything that had to do with NYC Pride.
I didn't see anything that resembled that scene. Everybody seemed happy that day.

Nice tits though.

[Nosferatu]

avoid it like the plague. no doubt certain elements will end up like this recent example from nyc pride 2012. pride eh?

Actually I don't think London Pride has ever had a particularly bad reputation for things like that. The atmosphere has always struck me as quite friendly and "party"-like, although I guess the mood might change slightly in Soho in the evening when everyone's had too much to drink, lol. Can't imagine what its going to be like this year though, with the pisspoor organisation we've been lumbered with.

[Nosferatu]

So did anyone go in the end?

[Leon1979]

I didn't go but updates on Twitter etc. seemed to be pretty positive.

Let's hope for better organisation next year.