Page 14 | Is Pride exempt from public indecency rules?

Libre2 · 2025-07-05T19:29:17+00:00

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?

LoveItaly · 05/07/2025 23:54

It’s like the fall of Rome, and we know how that ended.

TheCraftyPoet · 05/07/2025 23:56

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THIS.

Bluddyellfire · 05/07/2025 23:59

hihelenhi · 05/07/2025 23:30

I was going to Pride (in London and Brighton) from my teens back in the 80s (and as far back when it was an actual political march, not a big corporate kinkfest. Imagine that? And back in the 90s even they used to have the big march and then the localised events, like on Clapham Common, so it wasn't shops everywhere or anything.)

Yes, there were always blokes in leather chaps and a few bare arses, lots of drag queens, lots of campery and fun, plus there were a lot more lesbians. But fetish really wasn't most of it and it did used to be fairly family-friendly, at least during the day. Got a bit raunchier at night obvs.

But there certainly weren't the TQ+ furries and pups (which are obvious draws to naive kids), nappy fetishists or old blokes dressed as babies, cock images & dildos, everywhere, straight blokes claiming to be lesbians (back then "trans" was those Jan Morris middle aged military type transvestites having their conservative tea parties over at the Beaumont society in their pearls, which they clutched often at the thought of the disgusting gays and openly said they didn't want to be associated & didn't believe in gay rights).

And the police weren't leading pups around on leads and no, if you walked out of Piccadilly Circus tube with your kids, while in later years you'd see the crowds, plenty of gay men, a few drag queens and hear lots of whistles, sure, but you wouldn't be especially likely to see serious fetishists or kinksters, though sure, you might see like one bare arse if you were unlucky. It's really not "pearl clutching" or prudish to notice the difference and how it's changed over time.

Edited

I've got through a lot of popcorn reading this thread and yours is quite the most eloquent and sensible post I've read since @IButtleSir first started getting argued with. The telling thing for me with Pride where I am (northern city) is the lack of women attending. Every year there's fewer and fewer and every year more of the kink. If it was safe, if it FELT safe and not pretty flipping intimidating tbh, women would still attend in their droves for a good swally in the sunshine and some tunes if not to support the cause. As it is, none of my female friends gay or otherwise bother any more, don't think it's relevant to them and not really what they call fun. The wall to wall BDSM and probably 10:1 male: female ratio, the aggression, rivers of piss running down the street from men relieving themselves in every doorway and behind every bin, are not conducive to a fun afternoon/ night out. It's not what it was, that's for sure.

Anotherscrubber · 06/07/2025 00:00

Horseebooks · 05/07/2025 23:44

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

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Well I see it like this - when a retailer is displaying a Pride flag on it's social media, it riles me. In this country I absolutely expect, as a minimum, to be able to walk into their store and be treated equally and respectfully in the same way any person would. I don't see why they need to point out their values when in fact it's pretty basic shit. I genuinely think that so much noise is being made these days about so many issues that it's starting to get the backs up of people who would otherwise live and let live. In 47 years of being gay, I've never felt this uncomfortable.

TempestTost · 06/07/2025 00:03

SquishedMallow · 05/07/2025 23:39

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.

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Yeah, it's this.

My best friend is a gay man, he hates this stuff. He works with kids as part of his job, too, and he finds it really upsetting that people are pushing the idea that it is ok for children to be exposed to what is really adult content. And that he is implicated in this by people who say it is homophobic. In the last few years he's felt he needs to be more private in his work environment because of things like drag storytimes and such and what parents might think.

Similarly my elderly lesbian neighbours, who are country people, former teachers, dedicated churchgoers, find the whole thing really upsetting because it doesn't in any way reflect their values.

Bigfatsunandclouds · 06/07/2025 00:05

Bluddyellfire · 05/07/2025 23:59

I've got through a lot of popcorn reading this thread and yours is quite the most eloquent and sensible post I've read since @IButtleSir first started getting argued with. The telling thing for me with Pride where I am (northern city) is the lack of women attending. Every year there's fewer and fewer and every year more of the kink. If it was safe, if it FELT safe and not pretty flipping intimidating tbh, women would still attend in their droves for a good swally in the sunshine and some tunes if not to support the cause. As it is, none of my female friends gay or otherwise bother any more, don't think it's relevant to them and not really what they call fun. The wall to wall BDSM and probably 10:1 male: female ratio, the aggression, rivers of piss running down the street from men relieving themselves in every doorway and behind every bin, are not conducive to a fun afternoon/ night out. It's not what it was, that's for sure.

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The local pride event I went to recently was majority lesbians of all ages and families, obviously lots of gay men too. It was such a lovely day filled with love and joy - it's such a shame that the larger pride events have been coopted and no longer female friendly.

Horseebooks · 06/07/2025 00:07

Anotherscrubber · 06/07/2025 00:00

Well I see it like this - when a retailer is displaying a Pride flag on it's social media, it riles me. In this country I absolutely expect, as a minimum, to be able to walk into their store and be treated equally and respectfully in the same way any person would. I don't see why they need to point out their values when in fact it's pretty basic shit. I genuinely think that so much noise is being made these days about so many issues that it's starting to get the backs up of people who would otherwise live and let live. In 47 years of being gay, I've never felt this uncomfortable.

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I get that. I find international women’s day-as-expressed-by-major-corporations absolutely rank and as is well documented on this site I have some significant disagreements with some arms of current feminism.

But that doesn’t mean I think feminism should just shut up entirely or that the job is done. It’s just a personal irritant to me and all I can do is do things my own way, and there’s plenty of people who feel like I do.. worlds a big place etc.

ChaToilLeam · 06/07/2025 00:07

Wish everyone would just put their arses away. EVERYONE.

SquishedMallow · 06/07/2025 00:15

Anotherscrubber · 06/07/2025 00:00

Well I see it like this - when a retailer is displaying a Pride flag on it's social media, it riles me. In this country I absolutely expect, as a minimum, to be able to walk into their store and be treated equally and respectfully in the same way any person would. I don't see why they need to point out their values when in fact it's pretty basic shit. I genuinely think that so much noise is being made these days about so many issues that it's starting to get the backs up of people who would otherwise live and let live. In 47 years of being gay, I've never felt this uncomfortable.

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What a fantastic post. Thanks for wording this so well (I think this is how most of us feel: gay and straight )

If you have to signal that you're inclusive of gay people , does that mean institutions NOT rainbow washing their logo are NOT accepting of gay people ? (We've been here before with history haven't we: signs that stated whether certain people were allowed on buses or in B&Bs?) Now we're inviting it back ?

Inclusion of ALL (particular in places like the NHS) should be a bare bones basic. And kind of was until about 5 yrs ago, when you had to sport a rainbow badge to say you're in the 'i accept gays ' club. Which naturally creates a 'i dont accept ' gays club (the ones by default not wearing the badge )

How on earth have we gone so backwards???

Anotherscrubber · 06/07/2025 00:16

Horseebooks · 06/07/2025 00:07

I get that. I find international women’s day-as-expressed-by-major-corporations absolutely rank and as is well documented on this site I have some significant disagreements with some arms of current feminism.

But that doesn’t mean I think feminism should just shut up entirely or that the job is done. It’s just a personal irritant to me and all I can do is do things my own way, and there’s plenty of people who feel like I do.. worlds a big place etc.

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The only way I can sum it up is that it feels to me like it's gone from trying to prove we (as groups of people historically through the generations that is) have gone on a journey for equality, to actively showing people how different we are are and how we want to be individual after all.

To the outside world, my partner and I mind our own business, have a close relationship of almost 30 years, same as everyone. But actually, and not withstanding this Saturday evening when I'm on the internet and my better half is in bed as a result of having to work tomorrow, we'd usually be out at, well, let's just call it a "private members club" doing goodness knows what with whoever is up for it. We've both of us had numerous partners (separately and together) over the years, and the only reason I am sharing this here is because it's pretty much anonymous. I would die 1000 deaths if anyone I worked with or lived by was to know what I do in private. It's the word "private" that seems to get overlooked these days.

UrsulasHerbBag · 06/07/2025 00:23

There is a conversation on the feminist board. If you are in doubt about how these men (not gay men), feel then go read it. Go read what this man thinks is ok to do to and around children. You might need to get some pearls to clutch whilst you are told you are a bigot. You aren’t a bigot by the way if you object to anybody dressing up as a gimp on a Saturday afternoon. Pride used to mean something. It meant inclusion and being seen as a homosexual person living as just well, just a person.

SquishedMallow · 06/07/2025 00:25

TempestTost · 06/07/2025 00:03

Yeah, it's this.

My best friend is a gay man, he hates this stuff. He works with kids as part of his job, too, and he finds it really upsetting that people are pushing the idea that it is ok for children to be exposed to what is really adult content. And that he is implicated in this by people who say it is homophobic. In the last few years he's felt he needs to be more private in his work environment because of things like drag storytimes and such and what parents might think.

Similarly my elderly lesbian neighbours, who are country people, former teachers, dedicated churchgoers, find the whole thing really upsetting because it doesn't in any way reflect their values.

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Funnily enough my son's teacher is gay. He managed to teach sex education and reproduction that occurs between males and females without once centring his sexuality and having to mention alternative sexualities. My son told me someone asked about gay people making babies and his response was "they can't " and said something along the lines of that they're other routes for gay relationships but that's something for our relationship/phse sessions. (We attended one of these sessions as an invite so parents could see content , so saw him in action for myself )

It's embarrassing how everyone assumes on gay people's behalves that they are obsessed with promoting their "gayness" and make it their entire existence. All thanks to the blue haired shouties and their gullible straight allies.

Vodkaandlemonade · 06/07/2025 00:29

Last weekend in a small town up north, we had a pride festival.
Mostly family attractions during the day until one of the stands
started to throw dildos into the crowd where young children were.
Don't know what happened after 7pm.

LancashireButterPie · 06/07/2025 00:31

TempestTost · 06/07/2025 00:03

Yeah, it's this.

My best friend is a gay man, he hates this stuff. He works with kids as part of his job, too, and he finds it really upsetting that people are pushing the idea that it is ok for children to be exposed to what is really adult content. And that he is implicated in this by people who say it is homophobic. In the last few years he's felt he needs to be more private in his work environment because of things like drag storytimes and such and what parents might think.

Similarly my elderly lesbian neighbours, who are country people, former teachers, dedicated churchgoers, find the whole thing really upsetting because it doesn't in any way reflect their values.

Show quote history

Yes one of my DC is gay and hates the lewd aspect of Pride. He says it doesn't speak for him or his boyfriend.

SquishedMallow · 06/07/2025 00:32

Vodkaandlemonade · 06/07/2025 00:29

Last weekend in a small town up north, we had a pride festival.
Mostly family attractions during the day until one of the stands
started to throw dildos into the crowd where young children were.
Don't know what happened after 7pm.

Give a group power. Practice subservience and watch the results.... And here we have it.

I just feel sorry for the gay people just trying to live, who will end up targets because of people dominating like this. And unfortunately they're the ones turning up to and dominating "pride".

Motomum23 · 06/07/2025 00:37

I agree totally - I accidently walked through my towns local pride event a few years ago with my little kids who wanted to know why I wouldn't let them have a cock shaped donut on a stick with white icing over it.... I mean seriously! By all means be proud of your sexual preference but we don't need it everything you find sexy out on display in the day time.

Anotherscrubber · 06/07/2025 00:38

Motomum23 · 06/07/2025 00:37

I agree totally - I accidently walked through my towns local pride event a few years ago with my little kids who wanted to know why I wouldn't let them have a cock shaped donut on a stick with white icing over it.... I mean seriously! By all means be proud of your sexual preference but we don't need it everything you find sexy out on display in the day time.

a cock shaped donut on a stick with white icing over it.... I mean seriously!

I hope to God that no one in the buying department at Greggs is reading this.😂

Richiewoo · 06/07/2025 00:39

I bet age watches love island. All the girls wear thongs. Pop star's dress sexy. She hasn't been exposed to anything she's nor seen before

UrsulasHerbBag · 06/07/2025 00:47

Richiewoo · 06/07/2025 00:39

I bet age watches love island. All the girls wear thongs. Pop star's dress sexy. She hasn't been exposed to anything she's nor seen before

And Watching love island and pop stars? God are you in your 60s? Troll better.

DiscoBob · 06/07/2025 00:48

I think it's well known that Pride, especially in Soho/Central London will have a lot of OTT costumes. That's what they are though, costumes. Not really illegal and not necessarily disturbing to mid-teens. It's a festival/celebration day.

Surely everyone in balaclavas at a protest march is potentially more damaging for a kid? But even that's for a reason also and part of London life.

If they went to NH Carnival they'd see plenty of female arses in thongs etc as part of costume, would that seem like it should be illegal?

FruityCider · 06/07/2025 00:50

Motomum23 · 06/07/2025 00:37

I agree totally - I accidently walked through my towns local pride event a few years ago with my little kids who wanted to know why I wouldn't let them have a cock shaped donut on a stick with white icing over it.... I mean seriously! By all means be proud of your sexual preference but we don't need it everything you find sexy out on display in the day time.

Can you tell me where you found these dick shaped doughnuts because that is hilarious and I need one.

FruityCider · 06/07/2025 01:54

Bigfatsunandclouds · 06/07/2025 00:05

The local pride event I went to recently was majority lesbians of all ages and families, obviously lots of gay men too. It was such a lovely day filled with love and joy - it's such a shame that the larger pride events have been coopted and no longer female friendly.

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I'm a female and the largest pride event in the country today, for hours and it was very friendly. It was great fun. Colourful, cheeky (but then it was in the middle of Soho), musical, vibrant. Not intimidating in any way whatsoever.

LBFseBrom · 06/07/2025 02:06

I saw some in central London on the BBC site and it looked like great fun.

Nataliaa · 06/07/2025 02:22

Ilikemymenlikeilikemycoffee · 05/07/2025 21:31

I’m sure I’ll be flamed but lots of it is about attention seeking IMO. I’ve never understood pride and hate all the drag queen stuff. I know some people do and everyone has a right to be who they want to be, it’s just not a bit of me!

Happy to read this comment and see i’m not alone in this! I also see it as attention seeking.

TheOriginalEmu · 06/07/2025 05:23

WingingItSince1973 · 05/07/2025 22:35

You absolutely know it’s not the same thing. People on beaches are either swimming, hence the clothing, or sunbathing. They aren’t there primarily to advertise their kinks and fetishes to all and sundry. Stop deluding yourself with the notion that these men are not abusing this day to parade their sexual fetishes to all these non consenting adults and children. Why should their pornographic lifestyle be shared among those that haven’t consented to see it? Just stop being silly

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It’s only not the same thing to you because you are used to seeing it on the beach. It’s more jarring on the street, but that is just a social norm thing. Objectively it’s exactly the same- you can see arse cheeks.