Is the gay pride parade really a representation of gay pride? Or has it drifted away towards a much broader spectrum encompassing sexual freedom in general? And if so, what are the inherent consequences of that? These are the questions I was left to ponder after attending the gay pride event in Cologne two weekends ago.

I am very fortunate to have a fair few gay friends in my circle whom I can look towards with great respect and admiration for how they live their lives. They each have their quirks and individual traits. Though there may have been some attempt to hide their sexuality in decades past, no such concealment is made by any of them nowadays. Public displays of affection seem to be generally unpreferable for them, but no attempt to mask their natural way of being is contrived, and should anyone ask about or infer their sexual orientation, they are very proud to declare that aspect of who they are.

This type of company makes me very proud to be a gay man. When I look around, I see good people just living their lives, maintaining good/decent jobs and relationships, conducting themselves duly in society, all of which is already a type of pride statement in and of itself.

In contrast to this, at pride marches, I see all types of things that make me want to cower into the shadows in shame. People wearing the leather dog masks is one example. The people going by in bare-minimum clothing has less of an effect on me, but nevertheless serves as an example also. One might argue that these displays of fetishes and/or nearly naked bodies are an important representation of sexual freedom. That would be fine if the event were a ‘sexual freedom parade’, but none of these things are exclusively linked to the LGBT community. There is nothing that prohibits a straight person from putting on a leather dog mask, or any other type of leather for that matter. And the prevalence of skimpy clothing among straight people can be seen practically everywhere all over the place by anyone who isn’t vision-impaired, and it has been that way for a long time. So why include these things in the gay pride parade, if they have no exclusive link to the LGBT community, exist at odds with notions of real gay pride that I (and many others I have talked to) share, and thus present a much less positive image than otherwise could be presented, as it is done in normal life?

All of the above is based on things I have myself witnessed. What I have not witnessed, but have seen on the internet, are photographs of oral sex being performed at American pride marches, outdoors on sidewalks/streets where pride decorations can be seen. Whatever the context of such acts may be, this also seems like something to be wary of. Some things are just better done indoors – not due to shame, but out of discretion. If you want to practice oral sex, or act upon your fetishes – fine! Go for your life! But understand that not everyone wants (or ought) to see it.

These are just my thoughts (and those of people I know). But what are your thoughts? You can write (anonymously or not) them in the comments section below. Finally, to digress back to the everyday representation of gay people in life, you can find a little skit I wish to leave you with by clicking HERE.

All the best to you.