Esa's Notebook

Now, during Pride Month, it is necessary to stop and think about the rights of sexual minorities, or rather how they are talked about.

In the Western cultures, it is now customary for feelings and ideas to be expressed openly. This is good, because just a few decades ago, non-normative sexuality began to be handled more openly. Society has become more tolerant in many ways. The visible, demonstrative, gay rights movement originated in the late 60’s in the United States as a response to the police’s harsh measures against gay bars. Pride events have become massive marches in several countries, where demonstrating for the rights and equality of sexual minorities is part of the event.

So, originally, the Pride movement was a reactive demonstration against discrimination. However, some people have regretted that Pride is now more of a scene of promiscuity and exhibitionism than an actual demonstrative event. Some people don’t feel pride seeing that.

I have thought about this issue a lot over the years. I’ve found myself asking the question: How does Pride manifest itself in half-naked leather men crawling down the street in muzzles and leashes.. you know what I mean. And let’s say it here: I am a supporter of the rights of sexual minorities and I have participated in the march at least eight times, in five cities and five countries.

I can well understand some people’s disapproval of these excesses. It doesn’t look like a very normal demonstration and doesn’t necessarily promote Pride, and I don’t even think it’s very proud. Or has anyone heard that these events have led to a shift in public opinion towards a more pro-gay? I have not.

Can you set a limit to something, in a way? What if there is sexual intercourse on the street (like in gay men’s street events in some cities)? What if a pallet of leather men seems to be having group sex rather than waving a plaque or rainbow flag? What if the event looks more like a promiscuity than a demonstration in the usual sense? When do we think about such a thing as sexual morality? How about when children are present. Where is the line?

One may ask, does there have to be a limit? In modern Western society, setting moral limits is considered old-fashioned and it is not customary to set such limits. Which, of course, begs the question: why not? We are pretty much prisoners of woke ideology in the sense that setting boundaries can be understood as discrimination against minorities and individualism.

Pride is historically a reaction against discrimination. It is useful for promoting equality in society. There is still room for improvement in that area because the world is not yet ready. However, carnivalization is not the right way to correct it, if it mainly makes you think that everything without regard for sexual morality is allowed. In public.