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AIBU to question this Weston-super-Mare pride campaign as Family Friendly or Fetish

100 replies

Kalalily · 04/06/2026 11:18

https://wsm-tc.gov.uk/beautifully-proud/

Promoted as family friendly in Weston-super-Mare. Beautifully Proud. A cartoon style picture with bondage gear, mastectomy scars, a character in a low cut dress with another character touching their breasts. This has gone too far now.

Beautifully Proud - Weston-super-Mare Town Council

What is Beautiful

https://wsm-tc.gov.uk/beautifully-proud

OP posts:
Jc2001 · 15/06/2026 12:07

Shedmistress · 04/06/2026 12:56

Do many people put their hands on your tit when they hug you from behind. And hugging from behind? Is that a thing?

Your partner has never given you a quick hug from behind? Do you normally refer to a man's chest as their tits?

You seem unnervingly desperate to find something wrong with that image.

Confuserr · 15/06/2026 12:10

trueredstart · 04/06/2026 12:24

That 'bondage gear' is clearly not being worn in any sexual context. It's just a leather accessory FFS. It's an aesthetic, that's all.
Would you say the same thing about the grown-ups in the same leather bondage gear who also wear rubber dog masks? And of course, they let children 'pet' them?

"There's nothing wrong with wearing a blue jumper"

"Would you say that if someone in the SAME blue jumper was carrying a FLAME THROWER and had a STRAP ON and was KICKING A DOG"?

BillieWiper · 15/06/2026 12:12

I see nothing much wrong with that pic and nobody is touching their breasts. If someone's in a low cut top so what?

The only thing that looks a bit off is the chap in the harness thing. But if people might wear that at Pride then why not show a cartoon of it.

If that's the worst thing that's happening regarding child safeguarding in the event then I don't think it's much of an issue.

CornishDaughteroftheDawn · 15/06/2026 12:42

BillieWiper · 15/06/2026 12:12

I see nothing much wrong with that pic and nobody is touching their breasts. If someone's in a low cut top so what?

The only thing that looks a bit off is the chap in the harness thing. But if people might wear that at Pride then why not show a cartoon of it.

If that's the worst thing that's happening regarding child safeguarding in the event then I don't think it's much of an issue.

The only thing that looks a bit off is the chap in the harness thing. But if people might wear that at Pride then why not show a cartoon of it.

Do you think it is appropriate to show and wear sexual fetish gear at an event where children will be present?

I think it would be so much better if the Pride marches would just come clean and say that as they have chosen to welcome the fetishists and the furries etc it’s not an event suitable for children.

BillieWiper · 15/06/2026 12:49

CornishDaughteroftheDawn · 15/06/2026 12:42

The only thing that looks a bit off is the chap in the harness thing. But if people might wear that at Pride then why not show a cartoon of it.

Do you think it is appropriate to show and wear sexual fetish gear at an event where children will be present?

I think it would be so much better if the Pride marches would just come clean and say that as they have chosen to welcome the fetishists and the furries etc it’s not an event suitable for children.

I don't really care either way. If you bring your kid to Pride you might see stuff like that. So you make your choice. As long as it's not exposed genitals or massive strap ons/dildos it is just clothing/costume.

You see Notting hill with women in microscopic outfits shaking their arses. What's the difference?

CornishDaughteroftheDawn · 15/06/2026 13:06

BillieWiper · 15/06/2026 12:49

I don't really care either way. If you bring your kid to Pride you might see stuff like that. So you make your choice. As long as it's not exposed genitals or massive strap ons/dildos it is just clothing/costume.

You see Notting hill with women in microscopic outfits shaking their arses. What's the difference?

You see Notting hill with women in microscopic outfits shaking their arses. What's the difference?

That’s not good either, or that style of dancing that looks like they are having sex.

I think this is an illustration of the problem, we worry that children are being sexualised too young and it affects their behaviour and there is an increase in peer sexual abuse by children but then lots of people can’t see the problem with exposing kids to sexualised behaviour.

Surely this cause and effect is blindingly obvious and the correct response to ‘that event is not appropriate for children’ is not ‘well they do X at this other event for children’

BillieWiper · 15/06/2026 13:17

CornishDaughteroftheDawn · 15/06/2026 13:06

You see Notting hill with women in microscopic outfits shaking their arses. What's the difference?

That’s not good either, or that style of dancing that looks like they are having sex.

I think this is an illustration of the problem, we worry that children are being sexualised too young and it affects their behaviour and there is an increase in peer sexual abuse by children but then lots of people can’t see the problem with exposing kids to sexualised behaviour.

Surely this cause and effect is blindingly obvious and the correct response to ‘that event is not appropriate for children’ is not ‘well they do X at this other event for children’

Possibly, yes. But if it's during the day and outdoors they can't claim it's x rated and somehow bar under 18s from viewing it.

If parents want to take their kid to NHC or Pride then if they see those cartoons they'll at least know what to expect. Same as taking kids to Glastonbury or other festivals. Yes it's family friendly, but it's also for adults and you can't easily separate the two.

MyIcyHeart · 15/06/2026 14:11

AutumnDragon · 15/06/2026 11:01

@Kalalily If you live in Weston then I would recommend moving. The LGBTQ+ scene is extremely toxic there. I believe organising of Pride itself has now changed to another group of people but the bad actors will probably still have too much influence and will be hiding in the background. There is a small group of people that have way too much influence, if your child crosses them then their life, both within the scene and out of it, will be hell.

One character who was involved in organising Pride in Weston pre-2020 was a toxic figure in both the LGBTQ+ AND recovery scenes.
That level of poison filters down through the ranks, unfortunately.

CornishDaughteroftheDawn · 15/06/2026 14:32

BillieWiper · 15/06/2026 13:17

Possibly, yes. But if it's during the day and outdoors they can't claim it's x rated and somehow bar under 18s from viewing it.

If parents want to take their kid to NHC or Pride then if they see those cartoons they'll at least know what to expect. Same as taking kids to Glastonbury or other festivals. Yes it's family friendly, but it's also for adults and you can't easily separate the two.

We could just tell the adults NOT to get their fetish gear out in the public parade and save it for later in the evening when they go to a gay club?

Post decriminalisation of homosexuality, many gay men worked for years to combat the public view of the time that being gay was somehow made men more likely to be inappropriate around children. Now they accuse Pride marches of pulling it right back to that.

Why can’t we just expect adults to behave appropriately around children? How has society gone so badly wrong that people just shrug and dismiss it?

ComtesseDeSpair · 15/06/2026 14:41

CornishDaughteroftheDawn · 15/06/2026 14:32

We could just tell the adults NOT to get their fetish gear out in the public parade and save it for later in the evening when they go to a gay club?

Post decriminalisation of homosexuality, many gay men worked for years to combat the public view of the time that being gay was somehow made men more likely to be inappropriate around children. Now they accuse Pride marches of pulling it right back to that.

Why can’t we just expect adults to behave appropriately around children? How has society gone so badly wrong that people just shrug and dismiss it?

Plenty of gay men have been wearing leather, latex, skimpy hot pants, body harnesses, chains, and lots of visible skin to Pride for decades - they’re also most likely to be very much on your side of this, they don’t especially want to be partying alongside a load of children, either, and would prefer they weren’t there. Pride is predominately an adult event, which some parents have decided they want to bring children to; that doesn’t mean it’s the responsibility of the other adults attending to centre children and what’s suitable for them, because some parents can’t make good decisions.

For any parents thinking of attending, I think the cartoon picture is a pretty good representation of who is being encouraged to attend: adults, some of whom are likely to be partially clothed or in costume. There are no families or children in the cartoon, there’s nothing about the picture which says “this is an event for children.”

BillieWiper · 15/06/2026 15:01

CornishDaughteroftheDawn · 15/06/2026 14:32

We could just tell the adults NOT to get their fetish gear out in the public parade and save it for later in the evening when they go to a gay club?

Post decriminalisation of homosexuality, many gay men worked for years to combat the public view of the time that being gay was somehow made men more likely to be inappropriate around children. Now they accuse Pride marches of pulling it right back to that.

Why can’t we just expect adults to behave appropriately around children? How has society gone so badly wrong that people just shrug and dismiss it?

Some gay men think pride marches make men look like paedos? Well they should speak to eachother about that shouldn't they.

Nobody's 'shrugging their shoulders' about potential child abuse. But OP said the cartoon contained people touching their breasts (it didn't) and that someone was wearing a low cut top?! Which to me is hardly a pressing issue.

AutumnDragon · 15/06/2026 15:02

MyIcyHeart · 15/06/2026 14:11

One character who was involved in organising Pride in Weston pre-2020 was a toxic figure in both the LGBTQ+ AND recovery scenes.
That level of poison filters down through the ranks, unfortunately.

The main person I am thinking of was around for a few more years after 2020 but now the gay bar has closed I believe he may have become less influential. There was a woman as well who did a great deal of harm and as she may be reading, or may even be you, I can say no more.

CornishDaughteroftheDawn · 15/06/2026 15:16

ComtesseDeSpair · 15/06/2026 14:41

Plenty of gay men have been wearing leather, latex, skimpy hot pants, body harnesses, chains, and lots of visible skin to Pride for decades - they’re also most likely to be very much on your side of this, they don’t especially want to be partying alongside a load of children, either, and would prefer they weren’t there. Pride is predominately an adult event, which some parents have decided they want to bring children to; that doesn’t mean it’s the responsibility of the other adults attending to centre children and what’s suitable for them, because some parents can’t make good decisions.

For any parents thinking of attending, I think the cartoon picture is a pretty good representation of who is being encouraged to attend: adults, some of whom are likely to be partially clothed or in costume. There are no families or children in the cartoon, there’s nothing about the picture which says “this is an event for children.”

Edited

I’m not sure why this is so difficult.

This is the advertising for this Pride event:

Weston-super-Mare Pride 2026 is a free, family-friendly celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, bringing colour, music and community spirit back to the town.

Spot the key words.

Most Pride events advertise themselves as family friendly and include child related activities as part of it.

Most Pride events also welcome the furries and fetishists (some state it explicitly). You are very clear that they are an intrinsic part.

Those two things are not compatible if you have ANY regard for child safeguarding.

So either Pride stops pretending that it is family friendly and is upfront about it not being suitable for kids, or they tell the fetishists to put it away until later when the kids aren’t around.

Pride isn’t for the benefit of kids. It is a political march that sometimes turns violent when the crowds turn on ordinary gay men and lesbians who are proud of their sexuality.

I think we should bring back the concept of appropriate boundaries of adult behaviour around children because some people seem to have no clue what is appropriate.

CornishDaughteroftheDawn · 15/06/2026 15:27

BillieWiper · 15/06/2026 15:01

Some gay men think pride marches make men look like paedos? Well they should speak to eachother about that shouldn't they.

Nobody's 'shrugging their shoulders' about potential child abuse. But OP said the cartoon contained people touching their breasts (it didn't) and that someone was wearing a low cut top?! Which to me is hardly a pressing issue.

Some gay men think pride marches make men look like paedos?

I didn’t say that did I. That was a view of some of the political portents to legalisation of homosexuality and subsequently gay marriage. It helps if you know the history of what you’re talking about.

Nobody's 'shrugging their shoulders' about potential child abuse.

Theresa’s quite a lot of metaphorical shrugging, hand waving and denial in this thread. Did you miss those posts?

But OP said the cartoon contained people touching their breasts (it didn't) and that someone was wearing a low cut top?!

So. The Comtesse, who is rather pro the fetishists, is quite clear that the image OP is concerned with shows that it is an adult event. The event itself has advertised that it’s family friendly. There is clearly a conflicting message here.

The mixed messages will end with children being exposed to adult sexual fetish gear or behaviour. Can we agree that that is not ok?

I am just suggesting that Pride events make their choice. They either welcome the furries and fetishists, or are family friendly. They can’t do both. OPs concerns are very well demonstrated with the level of denial and gaslighting on this thread.

From the Comtesses post:
For any parents thinking of attending, I think the cartoon picture is a pretty good representation of who is being encouraged to attend: adults, some of whom are likely to be partially clothed or in costume. There are no families or children in the cartoon, there’s nothing about the picture which says “this is an event for children.”

Hoppinggreen · 15/06/2026 15:32

Pride isn't generally family friendly, no matter how hard some people tie themselves in knots to claim it is
I have no issue with pride at all apart from the way some companies use it to make money BUT in no way is it family friendly.

BillieWiper · 15/06/2026 15:34

CornishDaughteroftheDawn · 15/06/2026 15:27

Some gay men think pride marches make men look like paedos?

I didn’t say that did I. That was a view of some of the political portents to legalisation of homosexuality and subsequently gay marriage. It helps if you know the history of what you’re talking about.

Nobody's 'shrugging their shoulders' about potential child abuse.

Theresa’s quite a lot of metaphorical shrugging, hand waving and denial in this thread. Did you miss those posts?

But OP said the cartoon contained people touching their breasts (it didn't) and that someone was wearing a low cut top?!

So. The Comtesse, who is rather pro the fetishists, is quite clear that the image OP is concerned with shows that it is an adult event. The event itself has advertised that it’s family friendly. There is clearly a conflicting message here.

The mixed messages will end with children being exposed to adult sexual fetish gear or behaviour. Can we agree that that is not ok?

I am just suggesting that Pride events make their choice. They either welcome the furries and fetishists, or are family friendly. They can’t do both. OPs concerns are very well demonstrated with the level of denial and gaslighting on this thread.

From the Comtesses post:
For any parents thinking of attending, I think the cartoon picture is a pretty good representation of who is being encouraged to attend: adults, some of whom are likely to be partially clothed or in costume. There are no families or children in the cartoon, there’s nothing about the picture which says “this is an event for children.”

Yeah I agree the picture doesn't make it look aimed at children. I think they could have a children's friendly/family section of Pride. And yeah I agree kids of course shouldn't have to look at anything pervy or explicit.
But there are LGBTQ parents/allies who might want to bring their kids to a celebration of that so that ideally should be accommodated.

Kalalily · 15/06/2026 16:51

This is the image I failed at attach earlier

Sensitive content
AIBU to question this Weston-super-Mare pride campaign as Family Friendly or Fetish
OP posts:
CornishDaughteroftheDawn · 15/06/2026 16:59

Hoppinggreen · 15/06/2026 15:32

Pride isn't generally family friendly, no matter how hard some people tie themselves in knots to claim it is
I have no issue with pride at all apart from the way some companies use it to make money BUT in no way is it family friendly.

Weston-super-Mare Pride 2026 is a free, family-friendly celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, bringing colour, music and community spirit back to the town.

From the Weston super Mare Pride website. Helps if you establish some facts before you accuse others of tying themselves in knots.

Shedmistress · 15/06/2026 17:02

CornishDaughteroftheDawn · 15/06/2026 16:59

Weston-super-Mare Pride 2026 is a free, family-friendly celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, bringing colour, music and community spirit back to the town.

From the Weston super Mare Pride website. Helps if you establish some facts before you accuse others of tying themselves in knots.

I think the point being made is that grown men wanking each other off in the streets is NOT Family Friendly no matter how much you BOLD the words 'Family Friendly'.

If it is in your family, I think you might need some sort of intervention.

CornishDaughteroftheDawn · 15/06/2026 17:07

Kalalily · 15/06/2026 16:51

This is the image I failed at attach earlier

That is awful. I heard that some commentators on Facebook have accused the cancer survivor who complained about this image and it’s promotion of elective double mastectomy of being a malignant narcissist.

Some of these activists are utterly disgusting people. Meanwhile, young girls who had these surgeries before their brains had fully matured are now regretting them.

Words cannot express how much disgust I feel for anyone even remotely supporting this. There is something badly wrong with that company - they were previously helping girls damage their breasts without their parents knowing by giving out free binders.

CornishDaughteroftheDawn · 15/06/2026 17:11

Shedmistress · 15/06/2026 17:02

I think the point being made is that grown men wanking each other off in the streets is NOT Family Friendly no matter how much you BOLD the words 'Family Friendly'.

If it is in your family, I think you might need some sort of intervention.

I think you have misunderstood. PPs are no longer unable to deny the existence of men doing whatever to each other in the streets, so have now resorted to claiming that Pride is not family friendly and everyone should know that, so if parents choose to take their children to watch said men, that’s on them.

I was pointing out that the actual Pride website is very much claiming to be family friendly. And fetishist friendly. And that these two things are not compatible.

Hoppinggreen · 16/06/2026 10:32

CornishDaughteroftheDawn · 15/06/2026 16:59

Weston-super-Mare Pride 2026 is a free, family-friendly celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, bringing colour, music and community spirit back to the town.

From the Weston super Mare Pride website. Helps if you establish some facts before you accuse others of tying themselves in knots.

I said generally and I still assert that while certain people claim Pride is family friendly SOME of it clearly isn't
When I have seen Pride events locally and in The Media I have seen a LOT of things I would not want anyone under 16 seeing
Pride events for children can be very helpful and affirming for young LGB people and/or young people who have family members who are in that community

They can also be heavily attended by people who should keep their fetishes behind closed doors and/or people with an unhealthy interest in children. .

BillieWiper · 16/06/2026 10:52

Kalalily · 15/06/2026 16:51

This is the image I failed at attach earlier

Thank you. I just saw this. I thought the tiger one was of a furry..then when it said 'stripes' I saw the chest scars. But that led me to seeing the other 'scars' all the way up their arm. Which instantly made me think of SH. So I hope that's not meant to be aimed at children!

ApplebyArrows · 16/06/2026 11:21

I think I must have missed the trend of people walking around topless with studded leather belts strapped around their torso as a purely non-sexual fashion thing. I see people dressing in all sorts of ways but this one doesn't seem to have caught on here yet; is it just a West Country thing or something?

CornishDaughteroftheDawn · 16/06/2026 13:34

Hoppinggreen · 16/06/2026 10:32

I said generally and I still assert that while certain people claim Pride is family friendly SOME of it clearly isn't
When I have seen Pride events locally and in The Media I have seen a LOT of things I would not want anyone under 16 seeing
Pride events for children can be very helpful and affirming for young LGB people and/or young people who have family members who are in that community

They can also be heavily attended by people who should keep their fetishes behind closed doors and/or people with an unhealthy interest in children. .

Ok, I can agree with that. I think this blurring of the lines between adult behaviour and children at Pride is one of the major issues and sadly, wholly intentional by some (see list of 8 Pride officers/organisers who have been caught so far). Given the reluctance of police and councils to acknowledge warnings about Stephen Ireland for a such a long time and the difficulties of disclosure and prosecution I’m sure there are many more in the pipeline.

Pride currently advertises itself as family friendly, provides ostensibly family friendly activities to encourage children, then also welcomes the furries and fetishists. The supporters point to the family friendly aspect and pretend the furries and fetishists ding exist and the concerned adults point the opposite way.

Meanwhile, children are being exposed to the fetishists either by parents too stupid to understand appropriate boundaries, or parents that are ill informed about the issues. That must stop.

Pride either has to ban fetish/kink/whatever or if they admit that Pride is now all about enabling public sexual displays, they must ban children.

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