On the showing of the “pride flag, and appropriate activism.

[Zwing]

But, such was not the case in this situation, and if it were, I would think the display of both flags inappropriate at the Audubon Center.

 

[mikkel_the_dane]

Why did someone feel compelled to display that flag in so apparently inappropriate a venue?

Well, it is called the first amendment as relevant to your culture.

 

[PureX]

It bothers me not because of the meaning of the flag itself, ... if a person goes to the Audubon Society center, he goes to become informed upon the fauna and flora of his local environment, not to be “virtue messaged” about something absolutely unrelated to this.

It's not "absolutely unrelated". Many gay men are into bird-watching, and are therefor members of the Audubon Society. It's not "unrelated" that the Audubon Society would choose to show it's support for these members during Gay Pride month. They are simpy showing support for a group of people that supports them.

 

[YmirGF]

There's a history throughout American culture (though not just America, certainly) of discriminating against LGBTQ people. I'm sure that the Audubon Society wasn't immune.

IMO, homophobia is so prevalent in the US that any organization proclaiming themselves as gay-friendly is useful information.

... but displaying Pride flags isn't just about informing the public.

Hi again, Mr. Penguin. Personally, I take exception to what you are claiming here. As a gay man I cannot remember the last time I heard any kind of homophobic slur or was treated poorly because I was gay. In my experience, reality is quite the opposite and the so-called "gay community" is pretty much a highly protected class that no one (in their right mind) would consciously target. I do not see homophobia as being prevelant at all, let alone being "so prevalent in the US that any organization proclaiming themselves as gay-friendly is useful information". That is patently absurd.

In regards to so-called "Pride flags", I could care less about them. It would not occur to me to enter a shop BECAUSE they had a fricken Pride Flag up. The weird part is that this isn't really being pushed by the so-called "gay community" (which isn't really even a community) but is actively promoted by straight people in order to make themselves feel better about being such pricks for so long towards gay people. Why not call them Guilty Conscience Flags as that is all they are. Me? The whole thing is over-blown pandering to a group of people who no longer need protection.

I could be wrong, but ... I know, I am not.

 

[Audie]

It bothers me not because of the meaning of the flag itself, but only because of what I conceive of as the contextual inappropriateness of the display. I would be similarly bothered if I saw displayed at that location that funky black-white-and blue version of the American Flag which is used by people to show support for the police (I don’t even know what this is called…).

This is the flag of which I speak (and which I think should be illegal in the first place for bastardizing our American Flag):
View attachment 78937
Apparently, this is called the “thin blue line flag” (who knew?), and is used to express support for police officers. As I say, I oppose this flag in and of itself for representing a bastardization of the U.S. flag, but even if it were not so, I would disagree with it being displayed at the Audubon society center, since it is inappropriate to that venue.

The question in my mind in both cases would be “what the heck does this have to do with the mission of the Audubon Society, or with environmentalism in general?” It seems distractive…if a person goes to the Audubon Society center, he goes to become informed upon the fauna and flora of his local environment, not to be “virtue messaged” about something absolutely unrelated to this.

I'm what I think of as an "obligate"
lesbian.
As in fear/hatred for men, a result of.

People are as they are for whatever reason.
I'm hardly anti gay

I face a minimum of discrimination for that,
way less than for being a woman, let alone
over 30 unmarried.

I guess others are not so l,ucky

As for flags and parades.
We are so bombarded with advertising,
importunate messages on how to dress,
think, act, it's just too much.

I expect our flags everywhere people
won't want drone formations lit up with
Trump ads. I dont want to see it either

 

[Zwing]

There's a history throughout American culture (though not just America, certainly) of discriminating against LGBTQ people. I'm sure that the Audubon Society wasn't immune.

IMO, homophobia is so prevalent in the US that any organization proclaiming themselves as gay-friendly is useful information.

There can be no supposition of homophobia from an organization like the Audubon Society. If we are to suppose homophobia everywhere, why not make it mandatory for everybody to display this? Would you imply that the non-display of a pride flag suggests that the individual or organization in question is homophobic? That would be ludicrous, in my view. Why are we to suppose that any particular organization which has no apparent history of speaking out against homosexuality might be homophobic?

 

[Zwing]

Hi again, Mr. Penguin. Personally, I take exception to what you are claiming here. As a gay man I cannot remember the last time I heard any kind of homophobic slur or was treated poorly because I was gay.

I am not gay, but I agree. People expressing anti-gay rhetoric in public are usually given the “what’s wrong with you?” look, in my experience.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Hi again, Mr. Penguin. Personally, I take exception to what you are claiming here. As a gay man I cannot remember the last time I heard any kind of homophobic slur or was treated poorly because I was gay. In my experience, reality is quite the opposite and the so-called "gay community" is pretty much a highly protected class that no one (in their right mind) would consciously target. I do not see homophobia as being prevelant at all, let alone being "so prevalent in the US that any organization proclaiming themselves as gay-friendly is useful information". That is patently absurd.

I gather you haven't spent much time in the Bible Belt.

 

[Zwing]

It's Pride Month, so showing the pride flag should be appropriate anywhere.

Yeah, I didn’t know that. I wonder now if they are there for the month or if they are permanent. The woman that I spoke with mentioned nothing about June being pride month…

 

[Debater Slayer]

I gather you haven't spent much time in the Bible Belt.

I have LGBT friends from there who were kicked out or abused in other ways by family for coming out to them. From what they've told me and what I've read, I get the impression that there are vast cultural differences between certain states, to the point where they might as well be different countries in some specific ways.

 

[YmirGF]

I gather you haven't spent much time in the Bible Belt.

Yawn. Christians are great. What is the problem?

 

[Zwing]

Perhaps we need more flags on display, not less.

Or, perhaps we need less “special months” (there are only twelve of them), and more abiding opinions of inclusivity.

 

[YmirGF]

I have LGBT friends from there who were kicked out or abused in other ways by family for coming out to them. From what they've told me and what I've read, I get the impression that there are vast cultural differences between certain states, to the point where they might as well be different countries in some specific ways.

I see it more as over blown hyperventilating, myself. Would someone's family not be thrilled their kid is gay? Perhaps, but it's not like the whole community much cares these days. My own feeling is that we are hearing a narrative, a storyline, rather than a true reflection of reality. The storyline that the gay community is horribly oppressed is a definite narrative, but there is just very little REAL evidence to support the hysteria.

 

[Zwing]

Well, it is called the first amendment as relevant to your culture.

And, neo-nazis use the same rationale in defense of their right to hold their marches… That doesn’t speak to the idea of appropriateness.

 

[Debater Slayer]

I so it more are over blown hyperventilating, myself.

I'm talking about things that people I know have been through. Some of them still can't spend much time around their families to this day.

I'm absolutely not going to dismiss their experiences as "overblown hyperventilating" just because someone else may have had better experiences. Everyone's situation is different.

Would someone's family not be thrilled their kid is gay? Perhaps, but it's not like the whole community much cares these days.

I said nothing about a whole community.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Yawn. Christians are great. What is the problem?

Your dismissive and condescending response.

 

[Father Heathen]

Yawn. Christians are great. What is the problem?

Sure, let's pretend that bigotry (and thus hostile and discriminatory behavior) isn't common among Christian conservatives in the U.S. (especially the insular enclaves of rural backwaters), or that it isn't a problem.

 

[Zwing]

As for flags and parades.
We are so bombarded with advertising,
importunate messages on how to dress,
think, act, it's just too much.

Oh, agreed!

 

[mikkel_the_dane]

And, neo-nazis use the same rationale in defense of their right to hold their marches… That doesn’t speak to the idea of appropriateness.

No, but the problem of that is that, it can lead to something worse.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

"Fewer" not "less". "Less" is for things you cannot count.
Like air.

Clearly an insightful and relevant observation. My apologies ...