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July 26, 2005
But wait, there's more
Don't worry, there's much more to my life than spreading the word about what's going on off the Fundamentalist radar, and therefore will be more to my blog in the future. (Like the herbal & essential oil formulas I'm working on, building my practice, finding a job, enriching my partnership, preparing for a visitor, and that's just the mornings and evenings...)
But right now, this is up for me, and there's more:
1. Serbia
Fundamentalists: You think you own whole countries. You don't. Don't tell me you're "persecuted" and "under attack" because they refuse to be owned by you.
Tell it to the four lesbians who were beaten to the ground, six police officers who suffered head injures, and who knows who else in Serbia last month as the people there shed your bonds.
They know what persecution and attack is. You, obviously, don't--unless you're on the hostile end of it, trying to oppose gay marriage or supporting you know who's nomination to the Supreme Court.
2. Latvia
At least the homophobes in the Latvian government got smacked down by their courts. Their first gay pride parade was allowed to go on.
Not that the courts could prevent the hysteria and violence that ensued. We're talking thousands of aggressive protestors, with walls of police necessary to keep them out of the street and from attacking the handful of queers that turned out to march. Meanwhile, Latvia is "stunned" and no one is sure where this is going to progress by next year.
And you call yourself a member of the European Union. Not quite ready to play with the adults I see.
3. Jerusalem
And what would Israel be without drama? Similar story, with the Jerusalem city officials trying to ban the parade. (On the grounds that it would offend people? Get over it.) The court not only told them how stupid they were, but also made them pay (both the city and the mayor personally) to help fund the parade.
Again, the court couldn't stop an Orthodox Jew from running out into the parade and stabbing three people.
4. Back to U.S.
Meanwhile, here in the ole' US of A, I know more gay people than straight who are against pride parades.
And that's just ridiculous.
The fact that other people don't get to (apparently Moscow, for example, has never allowed one), to me, is reason enough to go. Particularly for anyone who has ever said anything remotely jingoistic about "freedom".
In Latvia, many queers didn't come out to march because they were (rightly) afraid. Meanwhile, the best reason anyone here can come up with is just plain laziness, especially in SF where Pride is practically a public service we do more for the rest of the nation & world than ourselves.
This year, I went to pride to spend time with my partner and friends, and had fun. Next year, I will be there for the people who couldn't go this year, and the remaining people who probably won't be able to go next year.
No one should have to be afraid to go to a parade.
Pop quiz: WHO were the gays in Latvia afraid OF?
Posted by Josh A. at July 26, 2005 02:08 AM
Comments
Excellent post, and an excellent reason to go to pride parades. Thanks!
Posted by: Ari Moore at July 26, 2005 05:46 AM
Do you know what vox populis sais about people like you? "know-it-all-fucking-moron". hey! have you been in any of those countries, to be able to judge? have you ever heard of different perspectives and beliefs? Just because the US embraces some, and believes in them, it just doesn't mean it's a fuckin universal rule. and don't give me the bullshit about civilized world. it's imperialist thinking. fundamentalism emerges exactly from this attitude, smart ass: the civilized heavenly, pure and virgin US sais the rest of the world is crap. only because it's not like itself, aka a US dominion. if u got brains, use them. maybe u'll get a clue on what i'm saying.
Posted by: Droopy at July 30, 2005 05:48 AM
Droopy, I feely like you've misread my words in your rush to rant about "imperialist thinking". Because of your own agenda, you've completely missed my points.
I don't understand your comment at all, honestly. The US does NOT embrace as rational a response to homosexuality as some other countries... which is something I've been saying, if you've been paying attention... c.f. not only previous posts, but the part of the above post where I criticize the US as well.
Anyway, to address another part of your comment... I'm sorry, but you're not going to get away on my site with trying to use pluralism to justify violence and oppression. You will be called on it each and every time.
Really, this is not a debate. There's simply nothing to debate about.
Posted by: Josh A. at July 30, 2005 11:32 AM
I guess there are some people who *do* just hate!
Its always interesting to see how a personal belief of one persons blog, is judged, and condemned by another human being.
Name calling, foul language, and one sided statements can really tell what a great debater of issue's a person can be. That was sarcasm in case you missed the point.
Josh, keep up the great work. Everything thats in your post is the truth and sometimes truth hurts others when they are faced with the big picture.
Perhaps instead of insulting people, Droopy will in turn learn a bit more about himself as well as the people around him.
Posted by: Desmond at July 30, 2005 11:47 AM
I've returned to your blog willing to appologize. First, I was never invited to comment, nor to read your private stuff (even if you made it public). Second, expecially if under the shadow of anonimity, one should not embrace sarcasm and harsh language to make a point. But i'll keep it for now. I do agree with your comment on my comment. What I still don't agree with, though, reason for my previous intervention to your post, is the belief that we can change something by being reasonably dissatisfied by the world around us. I've personally been an activist for environmental, human, poverty and etnic issues in the past. I do know what you're fighting against. Correct me if I'm wrong please, when I say that I feel a rampant rage about things in your writing, which is nicely wrapped in soft language. That, my friend, is what I was combatting. I'll go on reading your blog, if you don't mind. I think it's a good experience and good beliefs I want to have access to.
Posted by: Droopy at July 31, 2005 02:39 AM