Our Time to Stand Up and Shout

“There comes a time when you have to stand up and shout:

This is me damn it! I look the way I look, think the way I think, feel the way I feel, love the way I love! 

I am a whole complex package. 

Take me... or leave me. Accept me - or walk away! 

Do not try to make me feel like less of a person, just because I don't fit your idea of who I should be 

and don't try to change me to fit your mold. 

If I need to change, I alone will make that decision." - Stacey Charter.

Pride. The event that describes itself and the mood of every attendee.

I love it! I don’t know how anyone can avoid feeling this way about pride – you know, anyone who isn’t a mentally-backwards, right-winged, conservative dick who doesn’t have enough brain cells to allow them to switch a light on without assistance; or (the simplified version) idiots.

Pride is an amazing event. It brings an eclectic group of people to one place and allows them to socialise and bond with each other. People of all ages, stages, shapes and sizes. It’s brilliant!

The entertainment at Aberdeen Pride was incredible  The musicians were AMAZING!!!!! 

The band Crooked Little Vein (on the left and right) were brilliant! And rather easy on the eyes, wink wink.

And the host (on the left) was in a gorgeous dress and rocking it!!!!!

I’ve been to one pride event before and it was good but this one was way better and I think that’s because I had a group of friends there: 

AND I was volunteering for Stonewall who (in my opinion) are some of the nicest people ever!!! New versions of old games were played, for example, when out and about my friends and I usually play “spot the gay” but at Pride we had the opportunity to play “spot the straight” and let’s not forget the classic game of “Present requests” which involved me pointing at every hot girl who was there and saying, “can I have her for Christmas, please?????” Yes, it sounds stupid but it was a right laugh!

We had 30 seconds silence in memory of everyone who has passed in the fight for LGBT rights, which was followed by 30 seconds of shouting, screaming and jumping up and down in memory of those same people.

I love LGBT Pride, not only because of the vast amount of rainbow flags etc., but also because of the general positive feelings and the fact that everyone is smiling. If there was any bitching then I didn’t see it (admittedly I did have a bit of a rant but I left Pride in order to do it).

Pride did remind me of a (rather disappointing) problem I have. I cannot talk to girls. Guys I have no problem with, I get into conversation with them, have a bit of banter and we’re sorted. Try getting me to talk to a girl and I (metaphorically) shit my self. I can’t even ask someone’s name for fuck sake! Something must be done about this!

I am very happy that I didn’t hear the question “why don’t we have straight pride?” though. I think every LGBT... person has heard that question and other similar ones. It is one of the most idiotic things I have ever been asked. You ask me why there isn’t a straight pride and I’ll ask you why you need a straight pride.

Are there straight people being disowned by their families because of their sexuality?
Are there straight kids being bullied in school because of their sexuality?

Are there straight kids committing suicide because of the harsh treatment they receive because of their sexuality?

Are the rights of straight people being restricted and/or removed because of their sexuality?

Are straight people being denied employment because of their sexuality?

Are their straight people being killed or imprisoned for daring to show affection for the person they love?

No? I didn’t think so. But when all these things are happening then, and only then, will we have a “straight pride”. Because let’s face it, everyday is straight pride.

The great thing about Aberdeen Pride was the amount of straight people who heard the music and came to have a look around. Parents out with their young children took them down to listen to the music and to see the “lady in the pretty dress” as I heard one child say. Others came and enjoyed it until they found out what was going on and they left. Either way, there was no sign of religious protesters, there was one woman handing out leaflets about a preacher but there were no people condemning the activity and shouting the overused threats of hell at us.

Overall it was a great day. Some personal down moments but they were totally completely outweighed by the joy, excitement and overall gayness of the event. Not to mention the immense pride being shown and celebrated by everyone there. It was a great day with great people.

Can’t wait for next year!