For several years now, the subject of pride parades and proximity of kink around the physical event has garnered controversy, to put it diplomatically. People tend to lose their proverbial shit about the subject. Every summer, the same template is generally repeated: a photo shows a young child near members of the LGBT community in BDSM apparel. The ensuing debate takes on mainly two sides. One that is concerned with the purported hedonism of the rally and this group’s expressed need for — at the very least — taking the spectacle down a few decent notches and making the event a little family friendly.
My thought is that if children aren't welcome to Pride, then why have it in a public place? This is a thought I have only expressed when and where I know I will not have my head bitten off for it, however.
I think the counterargument to that would be something to the effect of how "other X-libertine events happen in public which are inappropriate for young ones, go chastise them." To which one could easily say, "Yes, those warrant moral revulsion, too. That's the point of my apprehension." Many people, specifically liberal types, seem to be repressing *all* moral trepidation in efforts to appear open-minded. Fairly odd.
Im late 😅 but I feel you so much here. There really is a particular narcissism that takes center stage when we question why public pride events can't be more family friendly. And I could be reaching, but I think some (maybe a lot?) of it has to do with this pervasive idea in self help that you aren't being genuine and your "authentic self" unless intimate and private parts of your identity are constantly obvious to people you don't even know...which is honestly highkey crazy because like you mentioned, it makes people unwilling to investigate and define what is morally acceptable in various spaces, especially public ones. Like, just for example, is it really being "fake" and inauthentic to reason that, oh, I shouldn't wear this outfit that I like to club hop in to the family function?
My thought is that if children aren't welcome to Pride, then why have it in a public place? This is a thought I have only expressed when and where I know I will not have my head bitten off for it, however.
I think the counterargument to that would be something to the effect of how "other X-libertine events happen in public which are inappropriate for young ones, go chastise them." To which one could easily say, "Yes, those warrant moral revulsion, too. That's the point of my apprehension." Many people, specifically liberal types, seem to be repressing *all* moral trepidation in efforts to appear open-minded. Fairly odd.
I think people struggle a lot with nuance. And that struggle (or, perhaps, the lack of it?) defines our cultural atmosphere more and more these days.
Nuance and moral revulsion, which is necessary for discerning social interactions.
It’s exciting to read such radically moderate thinking!
Haha thank you, John. (By histrionic types, I've been told that this position is "mildly fascist.")
Im late 😅 but I feel you so much here. There really is a particular narcissism that takes center stage when we question why public pride events can't be more family friendly. And I could be reaching, but I think some (maybe a lot?) of it has to do with this pervasive idea in self help that you aren't being genuine and your "authentic self" unless intimate and private parts of your identity are constantly obvious to people you don't even know...which is honestly highkey crazy because like you mentioned, it makes people unwilling to investigate and define what is morally acceptable in various spaces, especially public ones. Like, just for example, is it really being "fake" and inauthentic to reason that, oh, I shouldn't wear this outfit that I like to club hop in to the family function?