This June, as seems to happen every year, the perennially tumultuous forums of the internet have rekindled the age-old debate: should there be kink at Pride? That is to say, where should Pride organizers draw the line when it comes to publicly expressing one's sexuality? The question is of course a worthy one, but as expected the debate seems to bring out the worst in people and erases what Pride is supposed to be all about. Pride Parades began to celebrate the mantra of being here, queer, and unashamed of who we are and the things we like doing and wearing. "Kink" is a subjective term. One man's kink is another man's vanilla. A hundred years ago, showing your ankle to a man you weren't married to might have been considered deviant sexual behavior. What was once taboo is now mainstream television. Bigots and homophobes have longed used the argument that we must "protect innocent people from being corrupted by these blatant sexual displays." Of course, back then they were referring to something as simple as two men kissing or holding hands in public. Today, America is much more accepting of homosexuality than when pride parades began, and in some ways Pride events have become more parties than protests. And like any good gay party, there tends to be kinky, freaky niche-fetish communities out in spades flaunting their particular pleasures. Leather daddies, pup play--you name it. So where do we draw the line (if at all) of which kinks and fetishes are allowed to be represented at Pride? Well, it's a tough question. The whole purpose of the event is to be as welcoming and inclusive as possible, but obviously there have to be limits somewhere. We can't just have hundreds of people fucking in the streets of San Diego at 11 AM. Many places have laws against indecent exposure, which takes certain kinky uniforms off the table for some men. Plus, kids and families often show up to Pride events. Do we have duty to make Pride during the day a gay AF, but family friendly event, and keep the Prince Alberts for after sundown? These are decisions each local pride organization and gay community must make for themselves. Ultimately, pride is about tolerance, acceptance, and love. No kinkster should feel unwelcome at pride, even if they legally cannot be actively engaging in their kink during the march. Maybe just wear a brown handkerchief and we'll get the message! đź’–
June 11, 2021 — Andrew Christian
Tags: Gay Culture