Deseret News | Reader comments: 3-day Utah Pride Festival to celebrate progress

Reader comments
3-day Utah Pride Festival to celebrate progress

Keith | 7:08 a.m. June 6, 2008

If it's all about equal rights...gender, sexual, and otherwise, I guess we would also need pride parades for Heterosexuals and transsexuals, bisexuals, and what about those who choose to have sex with animals? shouldn't we have them represented? Shouldn't we include all the other 'orientations' that one chooses to express. When do we get to celebrate their lifestyles?? Aren't we discriminating against them with these 'in your face' parades?

Why should anyone care about how another person chooses to practice sex? Gays need to get a life...like I have. I choose to be gay. For me that is a private choice, and I have no desire to join the gay community and show my 'pride.' Why should I be proud of my homosexuality? Are Heteros proud of THEIR sexuality? Being proud of one's sexual orientation is just plain stupid!

Get a life! and quit acting like spoiled babies and thinking only of yourselves. Nobody cares about your 'gayness.' Why don't you go do something good this weekend instead..like helping your neighbor or visiting the sick, or volunteering somewhere. Being gay does not make you anyone special!

YBU | 8:19 a.m. June 6, 2008

It's a family reunion, Keith. Sorry you won't be there. I will miss you.

lost in DC | 8:20 a.m. June 6, 2008

another reason to avoid SLC

Comments continue below

Sunday parade discriminates! | 11:38 a.m. June 6, 2008

They say they're against discrimination, and yet they hold their parade on Sunday, knowing full well that Mormons don't attend parades on Sunday. How discriminatory!

I think I'll have my own Mormon-gay-pride parade on Saturday... Oh wait, that's the Jewish sabbath... Hmmm... How about Monday then?

(NOTE TO READER: this is is supposed to be sarcastic)

Bob | 12:23 p.m. June 6, 2008

"When I am sitting in the Legislature and I observe all the things in our state, and nationally, that so desperately need attention ... figuring out how to make lives miserable for gay people should not be a priority," [Rep. Christine Johnson] said.

Sorry Christine, figuring out how to give special treatment to homosexuals should not be a priority either.

Let me say it first | 1:49 p.m. June 6, 2008

If ANY of the groups mentioned by Keith, from the heteros to the animal lovers want a parade, then get off the couch and organize one! Talk about a bunch of babies! It amazes me how people complain when someone else does something that doesn't affect them. You don't want to go then don't! With an estimate of over 25,000 other people, you won't be missed. But get over the "WHAAAAAAAAA!! WE DON'T HAVE A PARADE!!!!!!!! WHAAAAA!!" You want one??organize it!
And if this event is special treatment, I say we get rid of the Days of 47 Parade too.

FYI: This is the second largest one day event in Utah. Right after the days of 47 Parade. Get used to it Utah, we aren't going anywhere.

@ Sunday | 1:51 p.m. June 6, 2008

Can't ahve it on Monday. Family Home Evening is that night. Go for Tuesday, nothing happens on that night.

We'll be there | 1:56 p.m. June 6, 2008

Our kids love the parade, it's colorful and has lots of music. And what a great opportunity to teach our children that different doesn't equal bad.

keith | 2:38 p.m. June 6, 2008

ya know, i'll probably go down and get a hamburger, have fun looking at all the 'strange' people, maybe grab me a beer or something.. Hey, i might even see someone I'm 'attracted' to who knows? but I won't be part of the "I'm obsessed with being gay" crowd like Mr. Let me say it first.

It's funny how they always revert back to numbers... omg, 25,000!!! wow, that is so impressive -and- the 2ND largest!! in UTAH!! Now, that is something you can hang your hat on!

Well, have fun on your 'openly queer' day! For me, I don't need a special day to enjoy or celebrate my sexuality..I have much more significant things in my life to celebrate. My sex will be celebrated in the privacy of my home and it will be wild and crazy for sure!

Re: We'll be there | 2:58 p.m. June 6, 2008

But they're not different. You clearly haven't totally bought into the rhetoric when you call them "different".

YBU | 3:55 p.m. June 6, 2008

We admit to being "different." Everyone is different in some way. That's what makes us all individuals.

This is just a day to be ourselves outside of our private lives. It doesn't happen often because of negative responses and trying to be considerate of others. The amount of people that this attracts allows us to relax and enjoy each other. I promise there are plenty of "different" people there, but most of us are just your average American.

@ Keith | 3:58 p.m. June 6, 2008

I wouldn't say I'm obsessed with being gay, and every day is a "openly queer day" for me as well. But why are you so against the whole concept of celebrating who you are?

And 25,000 in such a conservative environment IS impressive like it or not. You seem to me to be one of the bitter old Troll type of homosexual.

I feel sorry for you, I really do. I'm glad you have more significant things to celebrate in your life, but not everyone does, so why run them down?? Hopefully one day I can elevate myself to the same level as your sequined tower. Until then, I'll enjoy the day and you enjoy staying at home with your 15 cats waiting for the neighborhood kids' frizbees to land on your lawn so you can dash out and confiscate them.

To Keith: | 4:35 p.m. June 6, 2008

I want to invite you to come out of that closet you call a house and join us for the parade and festivities. You sound like you are a little repressed and Sunday would be a great day to let it all out. See you there!

Keith | 11:23 a.m. June 7, 2008

This is for Mr. '@keith' Think about it for a minute! you are all celebrating the common fact that you all enjoy sex with other men! I don't get it! sorry. Please explain to me why that should mean something?

And..to the guy that thinks i'm 'in the closet' Interesting concept! Just what exactly does that mean? The 'In the closet' phrase I've never quite understood. Why do you feel it imperatively important that you share with friends, family, and the world that you prefer sex with men? Why does it need to be shouted from the mountain tops? Why would anyone feel the need to share ones sexual preferences with others? This, I don't get as well, but I'm willing to come down from my 'sequined tower' and mingle with you all on Sunday. Maybe I'll learn something.

btw, i only have 2 cats and i'm an avid frizbee golf player so i would never confiscate one from the kids. It might surprise you to see that the 'bitter old troll type' is really an attractive,'to die for' young, adonis, sculptured body. Maybe we'll see each other! Have a fun day!

Sam | 1:47 p.m. June 7, 2008

the article says it's utah's second largest parade. i've been to provo's parade and 250,000 show up. next to the days of 47 parade which is the states largest-- if not one of the largest parades in the country, how can our pride parade be the second largest? did they mean salt lake county's second largest? just wondering....

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