Is Pride exempt from public indecency rules?

[Libre2]

DD (aged 14) went into London today with a friend she is staying with. I can only assume friend’s parents didn’t realise it was pride weekend and we don’t live anywhere near London so had no idea.

Aside from the fact that it was a complete ballache getting back out because tube stations were closed, DD said she was shocked at some of the things she saw in terms of arses on display with men just wearing “thongs”.

How is it OK to have such sexualised stuff going on in view of young kids?

Respectfully are you aware that fashions and tastes change over time. People were not all down with the leathers and bears in the 80s. It’s the same now

No. If you read the whole thread you would know that I am referring to actual sexual fetish.
Interesting that you hear sexual fetish and think ‘lesbians’ though…

Respectfully, yes I am. Oh, and there is no need to be so frigging patronising.

Also, "respectfully", you are aware extra kink, not getting what "family friendly" means and dodgyness re safeguarding isn't just about "fashion changing", yes?

I've seen teenage girls and women wearing very very little just walking down the streets. At festivals even less.

Honestly, I'm gender critical and the amount of homophobia on this thread as well as in general society, it absolutely solidifies the need for pride events. Do I agree with furries and BDSM at pride events? Absolutely not, its not about the LGBT in many cases just an excuse to show off their sexual fetishes. Do I care about flamboyant gay men in a thong or tight shorts? No. Just like I don't judge girls and women on their outfits either.

Most local pride events don't have obscene behaviour or cock's out - they are family friendly events to show acceptance and love. I'm sure some of the larger prides do have the odd wrong in there, just like other festivals do - like Notting Hill carnival - generally a lovely day but then some idiots ruin it.

Well I am gay, openly but not overtly, and I cringe so much these days with all the public references to sexuality. It honestly feels like the point at which everything was aimed at has long been reached and I don't know what the focus is any more.

Nope! I’d say that’s your opinions, which are of course another type of fashion

To be honest I don’t really get the outrage. Loads of women wear tiny outfits when going out. London carnival for example

Ok. So. My best friend Is a lesbian. I've avoided saying it until now as I'll get all the predictable responses : "you can still be homophobic and have gay friends" blah blah blah.

Let me tell you, I'm really not. My best mate has taught me so much. She's in a way, why I fight against this stuff. Her and her large group of friends, which encompasses a lot of gay men and women , all are sick to the back teeth of blue haired shouties, spicy straights, kinky male lesbians and fetishist males shouting in their name whilst wielding a rainbow flag.

Thank god they're all gender critical. I made the fatal mistake (she's butch/masc) of asking her when this gender shit first started , timidly, whether she still goes by "she" . Her answer was "I'm a fucking lezza not a bloke . FFS mate." (her words not mine ) Soon put me right ! She said this gender stuff is causing lesbian erasure.

But apart from that , her sexuality isn't ever mentioned or thought of. I've known her since high school when she had long hair and a boyfriend! So she's no 'cool token '. I can tell you so many things about her : talented musician, travelled half the globe, unpaid comedian ! Likes a puff of the old magic pipe , downs a pint in 3 seconds and has saved my sorry arse from the brink of some very dark times more than once. She actually won't get married to her long term partner as she said she doesn't want all the LGBTQ "fuss" made over it. I know lesbians aren't a hive mind , but her views (such a relief to call a butch woman 'her' and not do the 'they/them' pantomime) do seem to reflect the majority of gay people I know on a personal level. And I'd conclude that the pride kink thing = "not in my name".

It's just the straight women with their shouty placards are not sticking up for gay people (particularly gay women ) they're sticking up for the loud screechy misfits that are clinging on to a movement that they're not actually a part of. Gay doesn't = blue haired angry spicy straight women with mental health problems or fetishist's.

What an utterly ridiculous post. I have many friends who are lesbian and gay and they still enjoy pride.

👏👌👋

Well take it from one gay person, me, I wouldn't be seen dead at a pride event any more. I don't understand any of it.

🙄

It's an opinion shared by many. Including many gay men and lesbians. You know. Actual grown ups.

And if you're not aware that public kink can be a safeguarding rather than just a "fashion" issue , especially when you're advertising family friendliness, you're kind of missing the whole fucking point, aren't you? Why do you think people on a parenting website might give a shit about a previously family friendly event for gay acceptance which has devolved into a public display of fetish and kink for bunches of straight people. Is your mind so open your brain has fallen out?

Frankly, it sounds like it. Grow up.

😂

I mean yeah - that’s totally fine. Everyone has their own feelings about Pride. But surely it just exists and it’s not like anyone has to take part if it’s not for you? Gayness isn’t a religion

id say im not sure all the aims have been reached judging from this thread but thats me

Most of them are, actually, it's meant to be a sexualised look.

But in terms of this question, let me put it to you another way:

Why are these men wearing thongs, on their own, at Pride? As opposed to any other time they walk down Oxford street or go out on the town in the evening?

Or maybe this is clearer- there were two parades close together in the city near me. One was the national holiday - no thongs, nudity, or assless chaps in view.

The Pride parade has all of these things.

Why are those things at the Pride parade and not the national holiday parade?

Well done for putting your head above the parapet to say so.

It must be awful if you're gay and an introvert. Everyone assuming you being gay automatically equals shouty loud rainbow wielder getting naked in public.

I hate how everyone assumes everyone who is gay is part of that movement. I actually think many gay people will start avoiding communicating their sexuality for fear of being lumped into that group.

Gosh you are so mad at me! I’m sorry! Enjoy your Saturday night xx

I went to a local pride event recently and there were many gay and lesbians there of all ages. It was an lovely day, not a furry or fetish in sight, it was lots of people having a great time with food, wine, music and games. There were speeches about love and acceptance and the history of pride.

My dc have been going to Pride with friends since they were 12, yes there’s outfits that are borderline but they don’t cross the line, you see bum cheeks on beaches and at my local pool (women’s but still a thong). They are grown now and still go as many of their friends are gay, and 2 are trans

I was at Pride today. It was full of joy, colour, music, and community. Yes, there were a few bum cheeks on display and the odd swear word here and there — but it was hardly the scandal some people make it out to be, and most of it sails right over kids’ heads. Honestly, if a bum is your tipping point for outrage, have you been outside lately? There are bums on TV ads, bums on posters at the bus stop, bums at the beach, bums at carnival, bums in cartoons — there are bums everywhere. Everyone has a bum. Kids don’t see bums and think about sex or inappropriate things; they think farts and find it funny. They laugh and move on.

And for every skimpy outfit at Pride, there are a hundred more people in jeans and T-shirts, draped in rainbow flags, holding hands with loved ones, carrying messages of love, solidarity, and hope. That’s the point of Pride. It’s not about shock — it’s about showing up as yourself in a world that still often tries to shame or erase you.

FWIW I also didn't see any BDSM outfits or extreme dos. It'd be a few out of hundreds of thousands and if someone is committing a crime by doing sexual acts in public, or acting in a harassing manner, you're well within your rights to get the many police/steward people who help keep the events safe. They'll deal with it swiftly.

A few cheeky outfits don’t make Pride inappropriate for kids — bigotry does.

No, I'm really not. Think you're reading a bit too much into things and making assumptions. Ageist or something? Anyway, enjoy yours too, I guess.

Just accept the feedback graciously. Pride is always this time of year and I agree you should have checked events going on before they went into London. Protests, sport events etc are key to know about.

And also, if it was the same man in a thong on Oxford St that I saw, and I think he was there all day, he wasn't some horrible pervert, he was having a boogie and strutting his stuff, looking fit and fabulous, and wearing lovely glittery heels and a cowboy hat. There's was nothing but pure camp and theatre and nothing lechy about it.

Glad to hear it. Sounds more like the old, fun Pride.

And if that was a dead-cert at all of them, I'd still go.