Scout Pride Parade -to not allow ds to go

[BigWide]

My 10 year old boy scout has had a lot of pressure on him to join in a scout Pride Parade (ie a float in the main LBGQT+ Parade) and I've told him we are busy that weekend but he has had a lot of questions at scouts and I have just had an email asking why he isn't going.

AIBU to think this isn't a place for children, I've been to several Prides (and had a bloody good time) but all have been alcohol fuelled and adult orientated, I would have no problem if we were just watching as could get away if needed but by being in the parade and the field at the end they will. we unable to get away and there for four hours.
I completely support Pride and a person's right to love and be whoever they want, and they have been to my cousins gay wedding but I don't feel comfortable sending them to an adults carnival.

Don’t blame you, especially after what I’ve seen lately with grown men dressed as dogs hanging around with children.

Nobody has any right to pressurise you into sending your child to an event you don’t want them to attend.

I think it's perfectly possible to be completely tolerant, if not 100% supportive of LBGQT+ people, (I won't use the term 'community' and more than I call myself a 'member' of the hetero 'community')- without going all rarah at parades etc.

YANBU.

I've been to Pride parades 20 years ago but now it is a celebration of fetishes and kink and overt displays of sexuality. Fine if you're an adult and that's your bag but no way would I take a child. I wouldn't have a problem telling them why. Poor judgement on their part.

This thread about involving children in fetish play at Pride might be pertinent.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3619623-pup-play-fans-dance-for-children-at-pride

No one should be pressuring you to allow him to attend. From what I have seen and experienced in recent years, I certainly wouldn’t allow my DC to attend either. It’s perfectly possible to be tolerant and accepting of LBGQT+ people but not want to actively demonstrate your support at a parade

I totally support equal opportunities for all but wouldn't send my child to this float.There are many gay people who also don't attend these events and that's fine.

It depends on which one probably, here there's loads of families and young people, but less flamboyant I suppose

YANBU and how odd they are putting pressure on you.

I wouldn't blame you.

an email from whom?

it's an adult event AFAIC and it's very crowded. There's a million reasons not to go as an adult!

it is a celebration of fetishes and kink

YABU, Pride parades represent all aspects of the LGBT community and their supporters. there are floats with kids, family groups, older LGBT people, choirs, church grps which show how we gays are just like everyone else. The parade is public and as such still has to adhere to public decency rules. It’s not Unsuitable for kids. Brighton OPtide has thousands of families lining the route. You just sound small minded to me.

I have a 10 year old scout. His group is all about camping, treasure hunts, building dens in the wood and first aid.

Not LGBTQ, Pride and adult parades.

Totally inappropriate. And I bet Bear Grylls would agree with you. Tweet him and ask!

DMIL took ages 7 DS to the theatre several years ago, and got caught up in Pride.

DS 'Granny, why are all those mean won't trousers with the bottoms cut out?'
DMIL
DS 'Yes but why do they have to show their bottoms?'

On that basis YANBU

If he has told them that you already have plans that weekend (and with two ds who are just a little older, I know that can be a big if!) then I would be furious for them emailing you to ask why he is not going.

I would probably send a neutral reply along the lines of 'DS told me that he'd already told you that we have family plans that weekend so are unable to go. If you have a problem with that please let me know but I feel it is important that existing family commitments come first.'

and then see what they say - to gt something in writing from them.

Depending on what the response was and depending on whether or not ds was pressured again after you had replied, would influence my reply...

Pride isn't what it used to be, and the overtly sexualised part of it would put me off taking children or encouraging children to take part.

Part being the operative word, I'm aware not everyone engages in overtly sexualised behaviour at Pride, but some do and that's enough for me.

Irrespective of political correctness I do not choose to have my children around overtly sexualised behaviour.

I would reply that Pride seem not to be on board with safeguarding generally and Scouts should reconsider whether this is an appropriate event for pre-teens. Doesn't mean anyone is intolerant of others' relationships. See this thread
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3622348-NSPCC-at-Pride

Totally inappropriate. And I bet Bear Grylls would agree with you. Tweet him and ask!

Bear Grylls is very religious so his views on the subject might not be entirely objective.

isthatapugunicorn your post referring to scouts as 'gay' seems to using the term as an insult? Is that how you meant it to come across?

'Pride' is no longer proud.

It is just a parade for certain people to show off their fetishes in broad daylight.

It certainly should be over 18's ONLY and be contained, not forced upon the general public and rammed down their throats.

I got caught up in one such parade - scared the shit out of me. Stuff of nightmares :(

Your prior commitment should be reason enough - your views on taking children to this event shouldn't have to come into it.

I don't blame you OP. Pride has moved away from commemorating the Stonewall riots to being an exhibition about sex (and increasingly deviant sexual practices). We have a massive Pride event in our city - we have been pressured by work to attend. I don't go and no way will my children be going. You have to wonder what sort of (woke) people think this is suitable for kids.

Surely it is better to talk to kids about the meaning behind the pride movement rather than expose then to someone in a dog collar and gimp mask (in any other world you would have your kids (rightly) removed for that) but stich a rainbow flag out and its all in the name of fun.

I actually wonder who has hijacked these events for their own end

It doesn’t matter if it’s pride or the annual scout jamboree or whatever, you’ve told them you are busy and that should be that.

You certainly don’t owe anyone a bloody explanation.

FWIW I wouldn’t let me DC take part, I’d let them watch as a family and fully support the LGBT community but you’re correct that it’s an adult focused festival.

Yanbu at all.
I would be hovering between telling the emailer that I won't justify my decisions to them and letting rip about men acting like dogs, fetishes, misogyny, the "trans" lies, and Pride's recent shitty treatment of lesbians.

IMHO both responses are entirely reasonable. You are too.