NationStates Jolt Archive

It's an international event. One giant party in honour of faggotry and dykishness held in the heart of the Sydney gay community on Oxford street. Tonight we are expecting 300,000 party goers to kick off the festival in their gender-queer attire and role-shattering unions. Interestingly, or perhaps expectedly, the vast majority of the celebrators aren't even gay, but simply attend for what is basically Sydney's biggest party. Many closet homosexuals jump on a relevant float (according to their career, political party, religion, race, or general demographic) to let it fly in disguise, while others use the event as an excuse to burst right out of the said closet in short-shorts and a sailors cap.

Have many of you NSers heard of the Mardi Gras? Are any of you going? Have you been? Do you like it? Perhaps you abhor the celebration of such irreverent freedom of choice? Are you gay yourself? Take a moment to give your thoughts on the giant Gay Parade of Sydney.

Wasn't mardi gras like two weeks ago?

...and then you wonder why the Muslims hate you so.

Personally, I think it is a great event which not only brings lots of interesting people and attention from all over the world, but also brings their money too! Good for the economy, good for the gay community, good for Sydney, good for fun. All round good.

I am not gay myself, but (like many sydney-sider straight bois), am looking forward to hitting Oxford street queered up to the wazoo. I have my tight shirt, faggy hairdo, ear stud, and hipster pants all ready to go. Bring it on!

Wasn't mardi gras like two weeks ago?
No. It is tonight.

...and then you wonder why the Muslims hate you so.
I don't wonder. Nor do I wonder why the fundie christians have such a disdain for the event. Rather, I pity them for their narrow perspective, which (to their loss) limits their experience of this world.

No. It is tonight.

d00d, it's not even tuesday.

I don't wonder. Nor do I wonder why the fundie christians have such a disdain for the event. Rather, I pity them for their narrow perspective, which (to their loss) limits their experience of this world.

I think religious folks in general are disgusted by what they see as a lack of common decency in secularized societies that allow events such as this to occur unchecked.

The only difference is that Christians don't resort to terrorism, whereas fundamentalist Muslims do. Hence, they hate us for what we are (gay parades, same-sex marriage, abortion), than for what we do. Just some food for thought.

I think religious folks in general are disgusted by what they see as a lack of common decency in secularized societies that allow events such as this to occur unchecked.

The only difference is that Christians don't resort to terrorism, whereas fundamentalist Muslims do. Hence, they hate us for what we are (gay parades, same-sex marriage, abortion), than for what we do. Just some food for thought. Fundamentalist christians don't resort to terrorism? Perhaps not as much, but they do it. Remember, the only bar which seperates fundamentalist Christianity from the barbarism of fundamentalist Islam is a socio-economic one.

Fundamentalist christians don't resort to terrorism? Perhaps not as much, but they do it. Remember, the only bar which seperates fundamentalist Christianity from the barbarism of fundamentalist Islam is a socio-economic one.

Christian terrorism is a nuisance. You may get a wacko who blows up an abortion clinic every 5 years, but you can hardly compare that to the numerous yearly terrorist attacks perpetrated by some Muslims.

As for socio-economics, I find it telling that most Islamic terrorists come from middle to upper class families. Such as the London bombers in 2005. For all intents and purposes, they were solidly English middle class assimilated individuals. Until they blew up their fellow countrymen.

Social status has nothing to do with it. Religious status has everything to do with it.

I would go if I had some really fast flying machine to get to Australia but until that day comes I guess I will just be left envious *stares out window at poorly dressed heterosexual parade*

For the record I am not gay but I’d kill to be able to dress well

usual mix of hate and tripe

Islamic terrorists aren’t after are freedom to have gay parades nor are most western Muslims so please go make a thread about how all Muslims are evil somewhere else

Christian terrorism is a nuisance. You may get a wacko who blows up an abortion clinic every 5 years, but you can hardly compare that to the numerous yearly terrorist attacks perpetrated by some Muslims.

As for socio-economics, I find it telling that most Islamic terrorists come from middle to upper class families. Such as the London bombers in 2005. For all intents and purposes, they were solidly English middle class assimilated individuals. Until they blew up their fellow countrymen.

Social status has nothing to do with it. Religious status has everything to do with it. Let us acknowledge the london bombers as an anecdotal example, to begin with. Now tell me from which socio-economic bracket the young men who blow themselves up come from. Obviously you won't see Osama blowing himself up, he is simply an intelligent, oppurtunistic, western educated, ambitious, politician (essentially). However, where do men like him source their martyrs? From rich, educated, and otherwise happy suburbanites, or from disenfranchised, desperate, paupers with nothing to live for?

Religion has surprisingly very little to do with it.

It's a faggy symbol of the moral decline of the nation. It's adam and eve, not adam and steve. All these deviants care about are penises. Their dreaded penis parade will bring a new dark age upon our nation. And don't get me started on those dykes. They also secretly care only about penis. They care about penis so much that they sometimes wear plastic ones in order to compensate. I was forced to watch a documentary of this action called "girls gone wild". It was sickening. These freaks are taking over all of us culture.

It's a faggy symbol of the moral decline of the nation. It's adam and eve, not adam and steve. All these deviants care about are penises. Their dreaded penis parade will bring a new dark age upon our nation. And don't get me started on those dykes. They also secretly care only about penis. They care about penis so much that they sometimes wear plastic ones in order to compensate. I was forced to watch a documentary of this action called "girls gone wild". It was sickening. These freaks are taking over all of us culture. Penis, penis, penis penis penis? Penis?!

It's a faggy symbol of the moral decline of the nation. It's adam and eve, not adam and steve. All these deviants care about are penises. Their dreaded penis parade will bring a new dark age upon our nation. And don't get me started on those dykes. They also secretly care only about penis. They care about penis so much that they sometimes wear plastic ones in order to compensate. I was forced to watch a documentary of this action called "girls gone wild". It was sickening. These freaks are taking over all of us culture.

Penis, penis, penis penis penis? Penis?!

Did someone say penis?

Well the religious fundamentalist right in Australia is a very very tiny minority, and the political situation is not at all like the US, their are no pro-life or anti-gay rallies and protests, or barely any. They have little real power, even the Liberal party which is seen in that like is in fact just an individualist liberal fiscal party, politics is strictly secular in Australian and I am glad it will stay like this. I mean just this week John Howard announced introduction of a bill into Parliament to give gay/lesbian couples social support and many other things that hetero couples already have.

Penis, penis, penis penis penis? Penis?!

Penis penis faggy penis fag fag. Cock.

I think religious folks in general are disgusted by what they see as a lack of common decency in secularized societies that allow events such as this to occur unchecked.

The only difference is that Christians don't resort to terrorism, whereas fundamentalist Muslims do. Hence, they hate us for what we are (gay parades, same-sex marriage, abortion), than for what we do. Just some food for thought.

A party goes against common decency? No, it goes against repressive puritanism. Sadly many religious folks mistake repressive puritanism for piety and faith, so religion becomes oppresive, ignorant, and detrimental to mankind.

BTW, get out of New Jersey. You're making our state look as bad as Alabama or Mississippi with your ignorant religious bigotry.

It's a good idea, and I'm annoyed at myself for having missed it when I was in Sydney in 2004.

But how can it be today when today is not Tuesday?

The only difference is that Christians don't resort to terrorism, whereas fundamentalist Muslims do.

You know, I fully agree with you - I guess those plucky Muslim fundies are just prepared to go that little bit further for their beliefs, bless 'em.

It's a good idea, and I'm annoyed at myself for having missed it when I was in Sydney in 2004.

But how can it be today when today is not Tuesday? Whats with this reccuring theme of 'tuesday'. Since when does the mardi gras have to be on Tues? Is tuesday the secret international gay-day? What am I missing here.

BTW Mardi Gras was last night, and it was fkn awesome.

A party goes against common decency? No, it goes against repressive puritanism.
Meh. Potayto Potahto.

Well the religious fundamentalist right in Australia is a very very tiny minority, and the political situation is not at all like the US, their are no pro-life or anti-gay rallies and protests, or barely any. They have little real power, even the Liberal party which is seen in that like is in fact just an individualist liberal fiscal party, politics is strictly secular in Australian and I am glad it will stay like this. I mean just this week John Howard announced introduction of a bill into Parliament to give gay/lesbian couples social support and many other things that hetero couples already have.
Errrrrr... what?

Whats with this reccuring theme of 'tuesday'. Since when does the mardi gras have to be on Tues? Is tuesday the secret international gay-day? What am I missing here.

BTW Mardi Gras was last night, and it was fkn awesome.

mardi = french for tuesday. but you could be on to something there with the international gay-day thing. all the gay club nights round here are on tuesdays. except in gay venues where every day is gay-day.

Yeah, good point Hamilay. Can I just point out that every single one of Johnnies frontbenchers are fundie chrsitians of various varieties. Lets not forget Abbot. Don't you remember the scandal when he was minister for health and he openly admitted he would reject the abortion pill because he wants some love from JC?

Family first?

The Nationals as a whole?

Perhaps they aren't as fervent about it here (mainly because the majority of the AUS population aren't fundies), however make no mistake, they are in charge, and they are legislating their morality down your throat every waking second you spend in this country.

mardi = french for tuesday
Ahhhh. French or portuguese? I thought it came from Brasil. Right, makes sense though. 'Martedi' in Italian.

Wait wasn't Mars the god of war, though? Shouldn't they have picked Venus (Venerdi- Friday). Better day for it too.

Don't forget that whenever anything like the lifting of the ban on stem cell research (IIRC) Howard mutters and complains about how it goes against his moral views. Even Rudd who most people here at least seem to see as a decent politician is talking about bringing moderate religion into politics, isn't he?

mardi = french for tuesday. but you could be on to something there with the international gay-day thing. all the gay club nights round here are on tuesdays. except in gay venues where every day is gay-day.
Perhaps there is a recessive gene which reacts to the *circadian* rhythms of individuals possessing a double reccessive trait of this gene. Effectively, from bedtime wednesday to bedtime tuesday it renders the said individual a flaming homosexual.

I am sorry but I have to disagree, the political atmosphere of Australia is not the US, maybe the Coalition has a few fundies, but for the most part their tiny minorities that are ranting and hammering away on issues that the community does not care about, or has already made up their minds on. The Health Minister was forced to give up his veto on the abortion pill, and now it's on the aus market. Howard maybe conservative, but whenever someone controversial like that comes up he makes it a conscience vote, in which case like half the Coalition votes against him, and he gives it up.

I agree, I dislike Howard and will be voting for Labor this year, but so much for his moral views, mainly his fiscal policy and the like. Any attempt to compare Australia to the US in terms of fundies is false I think.

Don't forget that whenever anything like the lifting of the ban on stem cell research (IIRC) Howard mutters and complains about how it goes against his moral views. Even Rudd who most people here at least seem to see as a decent politician is talking about bringing moderate religion into politics, isn't he?
It only hurts my brain muscle when I pay attention to this shit. These overgrown little boys with their communal fairytale are in charge of this show.

Perhaps there is a recessive gene which reacts to the surchaddian rhythms of individuals possessing a double reccessive trait of this gene. Effectively, from bedtime wednesday to bedtime tuesday it renders the said individual a flaming homosexual.
Fass? :p

Fass? :p

Check his post history. Maybe our Fass is as straight as poker face Wednesday-Monday...

I am sorry but I have to disagree, the political atmosphere of Australia is not the US, maybe the Coalition has a few fundies, but for the most part their tiny minorities that are ranting and hammering away on issues that the community does not care about, or has already made up their minds on. The Health Minister was forced to give up his veto on the abortion pill, and now it's on the aus market. Howard maybe conservative, but whenever someone controversial like that comes up he makes it a conscience vote, in which case like half the Coalition votes against him, and he gives it up.

I agree, I dislike Howard and will be voting for Labor this year, but so much for his moral views, mainly his fiscal policy and the like. Any attempt to compare Australia to the US in terms of fundies is false I think. but the fact is that the was an attempted veto on the abortion pill. There is a popular conservaitive christian party. All of the front benchers are fundies. These are facts about the government.

Socially, I agree, there is nowhere near the level of ferventness in christianity in Australia as there is in USA. We don't get that "Emperor has no clothes" Syndrome as soon as a polititian says he loves Jesus, but that is only because Australian christians aren't as loud or zealous. Do not underestimate them, though. It is astounding how many 'covert' christian voters there are in Australian society. Even the seemingly irreverent will become 'values' voters at the booth. To underestimate them is to let them rule from the shadows.

The fact of the matter is that, just as much as in USA, there is a very powerful and dark shadow of christianity cast over our government. it seeps into every nook of our system, and permiates it's influence all through our society *ever* so subtly. One of those things you only notice if you are trying to.

Penis penis faggy penis fag fag. Cock.
Stag boner penis rectum. ANUS! Anus scrotum bag. Lick.

Well whatever little influence the Christian right has in Australia maybe taken by Rudd in this years election, Howard has never been open or publicly stated he's a Christian conservative for year that mainstream secular Australia will just abandon him. And Kevin Rudd as a 'Christian Socialist' will take the Christian vote on an ethical social justice Christianity ticket. I am an atheist but I like the idea of the 'social gospel' in politics, in particular a welfare agenda.

Whats with this reccuring theme of 'tuesday'. Since when does the mardi gras have to be on Tues? Is tuesday the secret international gay-day? What am I missing here.

BTW Mardi Gras was last night, and it was fkn awesome.

Mardi Gras literally means "fat Tuesday." It is a Catholic celebration that takes place just before Ash Wednesday (which is the first day of Lent). On fat Tuesday you eat, drink, and make merry before all of the self denials you must endure during the 40+ days of Lent. The celebration is also called Carnival in Brazil and Venice, Italy. Mardi Gras is also known as Shrove Tuesday and Pancake Day.


From: http://www.nola.com/mardigras/about/index.ssf?/mardigras/about/content/history.html

Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is the final day of Carnival, which begins on the Feast of the Epiphany, Jan. 6.

Also known as Kings' Day or Twelfth Night, Jan. 6 celebrates the arrival of the three kings at Jesus' birthplace, thus ending the Christmas season. And in New Orleans, simultaneously starting Carnival. This festival of fun finds its roots in various pagan celebrations of spring, dating back 5,000 years.

Pope makes it official

But it was Pope Gregory XIII who made it a Christian holiday when, in 1582, he put it on his Gregorian calendar (the 12-month one we still use today).

He placed Mardi Gras on the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. That way, all the debauchery would be finished when it came time to fast and pray.

.

Ahhhh. French or portuguese? I thought it came from Brasil. Right, makes sense though. 'Martedi' in Italian.

Wait wasn't Mars the god of war, though? Shouldn't they have picked Venus (Venerdi- Friday). Better day for it too.

Its French for Fat Tuesday. It comes right before Ash Wednesday. It comes from Christianity so if the Christians are upset its because of a party that they themselves invented.

Let the Mardi Gras be. Sure it's crude and dirty to some people out there but the fact it exists proves most of Australia is not obsessed by the conservative mindset of a few. And I don't they can drop it now as it makes a lot of money for Sydney.

Let us acknowledge the london bombers as an anecdotal example, to begin with. Now tell me from which socio-economic bracket the young men who blow themselves up come from. Obviously you won't see Osama blowing himself up, he is simply an intelligent, oppurtunistic, western educated, ambitious, politician (essentially). However, where do men like him source their martyrs? From rich, educated, and otherwise happy suburbanites, or from disenfranchised, desperate, paupers with nothing to live for?

Religion has surprisingly very little to do with it.

As a matter of fact, you will find that many suicide bombers come from middle class families. They are driven not by money, but by zealotry, hate, and yes, religion.

This is also true for many leading terrorists. Osama is from a very wealthy Saudi family. I think if they say that they do what they do in the name of their religion, then their religion has at least something to do with it, no?

A party goes against common decency? No, it goes against repressive puritanism. Sadly many religious folks mistake repressive puritanism for piety and faith, so religion becomes oppresive, ignorant, and detrimental to mankind.

BTW, get out of New Jersey. You're making our state look as bad as Alabama or Mississippi with your ignorant religious bigotry.

I was speaking of what religious people think. I didn't say I think it.

You would do well to actually read what other people say before resorting to insults.

Perhaps there is a recessive gene which reacts to the surchaddian rhythms of individuals possessing a double reccessive trait of this gene. Effectively, from bedtime wednesday to bedtime tuesday it renders the said individual a flaming homosexual.

It's spelt "circadian".

It's an international event. One giant party in honour of faggotry and dykishness held in the heart of the Sydney gay community on Oxford street. Tonight we are expecting 300,000 party goers to kick off the festival in their gender-queer attire and role-shattering unions. Interestingly, or perhaps expectedly, the vast majority of the celebrators aren't even gay, but simply attend for what is basically Sydney's biggest party. Many closet homosexuals jump on a relevant float (according to their career, political party, religion, race, or general demographic) to let it fly in disguise, while others use the event as an excuse to burst right out of the said closet in short-shorts and a sailors cap.

Have many of you NSers heard of the Mardi Gras? Are any of you going? Have you been? Do you like it? Perhaps you abhor the celebration of such irreverent freedom of choice? Are you gay yourself? Take a moment to give your thoughts on the giant Gay Parade of Sydney.

I got a present. It's tolerance.

I was speaking of what religious people think. I didn't say I think it.

You would do well to actually read what other people say before resorting to insults.

So, what do you think?

Should gays and lesbians stop having a rocking good time so that the rest of us don't get bombed by the fundamentalists?

It's spelt "circadian".
noted.

It's not really my thing, but I'm not going to get my knickers in a twist about it either.