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Original poster

Pride events

80 replies

Sparklybutold · 19/01/2025 23:34

Posting for traffic - those who have attended one, what's been your experience? Can they ever be family friendly?

OP posts:
Stephanator · 20/01/2025 09:24

Depends where. I brought my daughter to Dublin pride (13 at the time, 14 now) and it was fine

user2848502016 · 20/01/2025 09:23

Yes I went to Lancaster pride and it was family friendly, lots of children there. Really nice atmosphere.

Serencwtch · 20/01/2025 09:10

Sparklybutold · 20/01/2025 00:26

So what type of things happen at family friendly events (my views are not fuelled by propaganda but my experiences of attending several night events across the uk, which are very sexualised. I just can't see how a pride event can be family friendly?

Show quote history

We went to one over the summer. It was music, food stalls, face painting, candy floss stall, fair ground type stalls eg win giant cuddly animal.

A couple of fair ground rides - helter skelter thingy, bungee trampoline etc

Just normal village fete/fair type things but lots of people wearing rainbows etc

I didn't see anything non-family friendly.

It probably goes downhill (like any other events) as people drink into the evening.

Irvinesv · 20/01/2025 09:02

Daytime yes and leave early evening would be my view having been to a few.

Labradoodle4000 · 20/01/2025 09:00

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NoMoreOfThis · 20/01/2025 08:55

Way too sexual form the last few I've seen, especially London. Men on all fours licking each other dressed as dogs for "pup play"

Lots of sexually explicit drag.

What on earth makes you think Pride is for children?

SmugglersHaunt · 20/01/2025 08:45

Years ago I went to a Pride event in Finsbury Park. I remember a lot of the acts were pop groups like Steps etc etc. Lots of families had brought their kids and were watching, while a few feet away a group of men were wanking each other off. I’m gay and I would steer clear with kids. It’s way too sexual

Iamthewintersale · 20/01/2025 08:40

I have never been to a Pride that wasn’t family friendly and multigenerational.
Evenings can get rowdier - but children are long gone by then and I would m t be taking my kid into a massive dance tent as it would be too loud and busy, but other than that.

Original poster
Sparklybutold · 20/01/2025 08:37

I find it interesting that there are broadly two camps - those that are giving inside information of what the day events can be like (similar to what the evening events can be like it seems) and others who don't even acknowledge it, instead getting annoyed that I've asked the question about whether day events are family friendly as this one I've been invited too states it is.

OP posts:
Diomi · 20/01/2025 06:05

It doesn’t sound like your kind of thing so don’t go.

MissTrip82 · 20/01/2025 05:44

I don’t really understand why you’re asking? You’ve been to multiple events and did not consider them family friendly. What else is there to do other than politely decline the tickets? It’s clearly not your family’s cup of tea.

superclouds · 20/01/2025 05:41

Yes I've been to one, with my sister (she's gay). No, I didn't find it very family friendly.

It was full of men parading their fetishes with hardly any clothes on. Gimp masks, dressed up as dogs, being pulled around on chains, that sort of thing.

QuizzlyBears · 20/01/2025 05:28

Ah yes, because predatory men only come out during Pride month.

RocketNan · 20/01/2025 01:41

We’ve taken the kids to a family Pride event. It was wonderful. Lots of fun, colourful, interesting people. There is a Pride event that happens locally that is over 18s only, so perhaps some research. Have a look at photos from previous years. That will give you a good idea what to expect.

Stressedoutmum6274 · 20/01/2025 01:33

araiwa · 20/01/2025 01:13

Why do you think the events have so much security!

To stop the events being attacked by bigots?

Crowd control, (at least 8-10k people show up), health and safety.
there are alot of anti LGBTQ folk that try to gain entry, sometimes protesters show up. It is a little concerning that the event does attract some unsavoury people, naturally.

Also the OP is just asking if the event is child friendly, i dont think they are bitching or being a bigot.

:)

araiwa · 20/01/2025 01:13

Why do you think the events have so much security!

To stop the events being attacked by bigots?

JudgeBread · 20/01/2025 01:11

Why would you even consider taking your kids to a pride event when you're so obviously anti all things gay and trans and pride?

Take them to Chatsworth house and be done with it, it's very obvious Pride isn't your scene and you're just trying to stir shit and bitch about drag queens rather than asking a genuine question here.

Original poster
Sparklybutold · 20/01/2025 01:06

@Stressedoutmum6274 Thankyou for sharing

OP posts:
Stressedoutmum6274 · 20/01/2025 01:04

Sparklybutold · 20/01/2025 00:53

This is exactly where my thoughts are going. I have seen a shift in energy in festivals/events, even drag shows.

Show quote history

Work in private security, pride being one of the biggest events every year.
we have removed drugs, escorted ALOT of drunks and predatory men off site, (men usually, not many females seem or act this way inclined)
there are lone single men lingering which I am always wary of around young children/girls especially.

...easy for kids to get lost from their parents,
kids sneaking alcohol in even though we would search everyone (basic bag searches only)

its so unpredictable and you may see some things that are definately not child friendly.

drugs and alcohol would be a big concern especially at the bigger events.

ComtesseDeSpair · 20/01/2025 01:01

Ultimately it’s up to individual parents what they feel comfortable with their children seeing. The same applies to things like PG and PG-12 movies, pop concerts where artists appeal to both older teens and tweens and song lyrics not always aimed at the latter, or big festival events of any kind where the crossover between family friendly aspects and adult party aspects requires careful management. It doesn’t sound as though you particularly want to go to Pride or take your children there, so just decline the tickets. If you and your partner are gay or bisexual, there are plenty of other ways you can engage with them about sexuality and love.

TooBigForMyBoots · 20/01/2025 00:59

You can check out the programme when it's released but given your very strong views on Drag, I don't think you'll enjoy any of it @Sparklybutold.

Original poster
Sparklybutold · 20/01/2025 00:53

Stressedoutmum6274 · 20/01/2025 00:52

Iv worked for a pride event and have to say I dont think children under 18 should be allowed.
Alcohol for starters, but the main concern i spotted was the amount of predatory males. Id never allow my kids to go. Why do you think the events have so much security!

This is exactly where my thoughts are going. I have seen a shift in energy in festivals/events, even drag shows.

OP posts:
Stressedoutmum6274 · 20/01/2025 00:52

Iv worked for a pride event and have to say I dont think children under 18 should be allowed.
Alcohol for starters, but the main concern i spotted was the amount of predatory males. Id never allow my kids to go. Why do you think the events have so much security!

Original poster
Sparklybutold · 20/01/2025 00:51

Thankyou to those who have offered insight. To those who have made assumptions about me - ime events like these have become more politicised and have become a place for mostly men to come out displaying there fetish for the world to see. There is a change, it's not just about celebrating love anymore but an encroachment on boundaries and safeguarding. As a parent I want to think very carefully about what exactly these day shows will include, in this or another post I saw, one woman spoke about overhearing a conversation about rimming. With the furries, masks, bondage gear etc - is it really ok to take kids to these shows? Sexual abuse can be defined as exposing a child to sexualised content, some of the things I've seen and heard, are totally inappropriate for kids. So this isn't about whether I'm queer, straight, a lesbian, etc... it's about examining what are we actually showing our kids?

OP posts:
Original poster
Sparklybutold · 20/01/2025 00:43

@ComtesseDeSpair I went to the Notting Hill festival in the early 2000s, and then again last year. It was a completely different vibe.

OP posts: