NationStates Jolt Archive

Abridged.

GRAND PLAINS, NE—A tight-knit rural Midwestern farming community commemorated the demonization of homosexuality Sunday with its annual Gay Shame Parade, a three-decade-old tradition that has become a cornerstone of the town's cultural identity.

...said Frank Mitchell, mayor of Grand Plains, NE and parade marshal. "This year was our biggest turnout yet.

Organized every year by the Grand Plains City Council and a coalition of area churches, the Gay Shame Parade has been an annual event here since 1977, the year that citizens first became aware of gay people's existence.

"To see a whole community rally together like this around a good cause—it's really an inspiration," said Ellen Lundblom, a mother of four enjoying the festivities with her youngest son, first-time reveler Timmy, 3.

"My favorite part was the balloons," Timmy Lundblom said. "They had all different colors of angry frowny-faces on them."

The event got off to a rousing start with the Grand Plains High School Cougars marching band playing such classics as "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "Onward, Christian Soldiers." The mood grew palpably more sober during the middle portion of the procession, as members of the Grand Plains Baptist Church marched with folded arms in stony, judgmental silence and stared at the spectators lining the streets as if to ask, "Are you gay?"

After the last bit of confetti fell, spectators praised the parade's highlights, including a float, presented by local Little League team the Tigers that depicts a mother, sitting alone with her head down on a kitchen table, crying. The first-place ribbon went to "Sodom and Gomorrah," a miniature version of the two Biblical cities engulfed in flames.

Despite the pageantry, parade organizers stressed that the event has a serious message.

"Everyone loves a parade," PTA chairwoman Agatha Buell said. "But it's about a lot more than the clowns, the decorations, and those Shriner fellows in their tiny cars. It's about making folks feel sickened by the deviant homosexual lifestyle, like God wants us to."

Link (http://www.theonion.com/content/news/small_town_holds_annual_gay_shame)

In all seriousness, how far should free speech go - for my part I believe diversity drives us forward.

Source ?
And to answer the poll: free speech is free speech. Government support however is wrong.

The sad thing is that I wasn't sure it was an Onion piece until the end.

The mood grew palpably more sober during the middle portion of the procession, as members of the Grand Plains Baptist Church marched with folded arms in stony, judgmental silence and stared at the spectators lining the streets as if to ask, "Are you gay?"

Lol, I can't help but think of Ted Haggard when I read this part.

The sad thing is that I wasn't sure it was an Onion piece until the end.

Added the link as it's integral to the post.

Although it does detract from the issue slightly, I sometimes think I'd rather it wasn't the Onion because these articles often feel like they should be true though the lesson is that they rarely are.

these articles often feel like they should be true though the lesson is that they rarely are.
Yet.

Added the link as it's integral to the post.

Although it does detract from the issue slightly, I sometimes think I'd rather it wasn't the Onion because these articles often feel like they should be true though the lesson is that they rarely are.

Why use the Onion when you can use real stories (http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=2567) that are just as funny? :p

Why use the Onion when you can use real stories (http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=2567) that are just as funny? :p

Those stories are so common I wonder if the Republicans in general are against homosexuality because they want to keep it all to themselves.

So many ironies in politics, such as the Democrats in elections, the party supposedly with a heart, always trying to appeal to the head, whereas Republicans just give it.

So many ironies in politics, such as the Democrats in elections, the party supposedly with a heart, always trying to appeal to the head, whereas Republicans just give it.

I'm afraid you'll need to support these allegations with pictorial evidence.
Why the hell is there no shifty eyes smiley?

I'm afraid you'll need to support these allegations with pictorial evidence.
Why the hell is there no shifty eyes smiley?

Np pictures, but follow the link for enlightenment. ;)

Np pictures, but follow the link for enlightenment. ;)

I think Lewis Black said it best when he said that the Democrats Blow, and the Republican Suck.

Or was it the other way around......

My mother showed me that article today and I was so angry, until I realized it was The Onion.

I think Lewis Black said it best when he said that the Democrats Blow, and the Republican Suck.

Or was it the other way around......

Yup, the Democrats, good intentions but they always do it wrong whereas the Republicans may just be using you for their own pleasure but at least they do it right.

Abridged.



Link (http://www.theonion.com/content/news/small_town_holds_annual_gay_shame)

In all seriousness, how far should free speech go - for my part I believe diversity drives us forward.

Why couldn't you have reported this a few weeks in advance of the actual parade? We'd have had time to organize some counter protests of this absolutely disgusting pile of hate.

And since free speech is free speech, they'd just have to deal with it! :D

EDITSU: Oh damn it. I just realized this was an article in the Onion. Now I feel stupid.

Abridged.



Link (http://www.theonion.com/content/news/small_town_holds_annual_gay_shame)

In all seriousness, how far should free speech go - for my part I believe diversity drives us forward.

Yes! It's the Onion!

EDITSU: Oh damn it. I just realized this was an article in the Onion. Now I feel stupid.

You weren't tipped off by the "since 1977, when the town learned of homosexuality's existence"? :D

You weren't tipped off by the "since 1977, when the town learned of homosexuality's existence"? :D

Would that really be so difficult to believe? ;)

Would that really be so difficult to believe? ;)

If they know how much God detests it, surely they would have noticed that verse in Leviticus. . .

the Gay Shame Parade has been an annual event here since 1977, the year that citizens first became aware of gay people's existence.

There's something intrinsically comic about this statement.

If they know how much God detests it, surely they would have noticed that verse in Leviticus. . .

Then why didn't the sky did not darken and there were no strategically aimed thunderbolts from above showing displeasure at such an affront to His command when Ontario Deputy Premier, Smitherman (http://www.thestar.com/News/Ontario/article/243551), wedded his gay partner? ;)

Obviously God can't detest it too much; either that or he ignores Canada...

If they know how much God detests it, surely they would have noticed that verse in Leviticus. . .

What, you expect people like that to have actually read the Bible?

If you'd said it happened in Oklahoma, I'd have believed it no problem. My Alma Mater, the University of Central Oklahoma, hold a straight pride parade.

And I am a great believer in free speech. I believe when they say stupid crap like that I should immediately exercise my free speech by telling them they're assholes.

What, you expect people like that to have actually read the Bible?

Sadly that is a very valid point.

What, you expect people like that to have actually read the Bible?

Why do you think those people are called 'flocks'? They are very good at going "baaaaaa!"

Abridged.



Link (http://www.theonion.com/content/news/small_town_holds_annual_gay_shame)

In all seriousness, how far should free speech go - for my part I believe diversity drives us forward.

Freedom of speech protects all speech that is not a clear and present danger to others -- even if we think that speech offensive, vile, idiotic and worthy of Neanderthals. Who's to say what we feel is right and just some other group isn't going to think is an offense to decency?

Lol, I can't help but think of Ted Haggard when I read this part.

Only because if it was Freddy, he and his gang of idiots would be screaming that everyone was going to burn in hell for being -- um, not one of his flock. Oh, and fag-enablers.

I think I'd like to sign up for that. How can I start up an organization to enable fags? I mean, should we just encourage people to go about their business, or is it like a car -- you have to take them into the dealership and flip a switch and voíla! orientation change! Should I do this on my own or should we create a not-for-profit for enabling fags?If you don't understand that this is irony, you need a humor implant, pronto.

Why do you think those people are called 'flocks'? They are very good at going "baaaaaa!"

Like the atheists who start their bleating about the stupidity of religion whether or not anyone else has raised religion on other threads?

Baaaa indeed. ;)

There's no such place as "Grand Plains, NE"

Like the atheists who start their bleating about the stupidity of religion whether or not anyone else has raised religion on other threads?
I don't bleet, I kind of just hit you over the head with a rock while screaming like a chimp. :p

There's no such place as "Grand Plains, NE"

There is in The Onion.
NE where? ;)

What, you expect people like that to have actually read the Bible?

I expect you to have noticed that this was from The Onion... :rolleyes:

I don't bleet, I kind of just hit you over the head with a rock while screaming like a chimp. :p

Ah, so we're inoffensive sheep while you lot are the poo-flingers? Makes sense. :D

Ah, so we're inoffensive sheep while you lot are the poo-flingers? Makes sense. :D

Only when we have fodder and sheep are quite tasty. Put a little marinade on them... mmmm! :)

I expect you to have noticed that this was from The Onion... :rolleyes:

I did. If you bothered to follow the conversation, we were talking about hypotheticals.

Like the atheists who start their bleating about the stupidity of religion whether or not anyone else has raised religion on other threads?

Baaaa indeed. ;)

I'm an atheist and I have no gripe with religious people, so I gotta agree (I find myself often attacked by such people) One guy named Lacadaemon, or, if you prefer, Mr. Lack-A-Day Man, comes to mind.

Only when we have fodder and sheep are quite tasty. Put a little marinade on them... mmmm! :)

Lambs are tastier. ;)


*goes off to start new farm: Lambs of God*

I'm an atheist and I have no gripe with religious people, so I gotta agree (I find myself often attacked by such people) One guy named Lacadaemon, or, if you prefer, Mr. Lack-A-Day Man, comes to mind.

And there are equally annoying people who MUST hammer one over the head with religion even when it's not relevant to the conversation, in fairness.

And there are equally annoying people who MUST hammer one over the head with religion even when it's not relevant to the conversation, in fairness.

I feel like I'm the middle ground in between a pair of Bushevik-style statements.

Pfft, Stockholm did this years ago. Stockholm Shame (http://www.shame.nu/2002/index.php) was an alternative to Stockholm Pride and it was "a celebration of queer diversity throughout different areas of society. It [delivered] a unique critique to the various norms and hierarchies that enslave queer people of all genders and sexualities."

I was quite interesting, actually, as it was quite more radical than Pride and dealt with some very tough issues. Also, it was a protest to the commercialisation of Pride in that all the activities were free.

Pfft, Stockholm did this years ago. Stockholm Shame (http://www.shame.nu/2002/index.php) was an alternative to Stockholm Pride and it was "a celebration of queer diversity throughout different areas of society. It [delivered] a unique critique to the various norms and hierarchies that enslave queer people of all genders and sexualities."

I was quite interesting, actually, as it was quite more radical than Pride and dealt with some very tough issues. Also, it was a protest to the commercialisation of Pride in that all the activities were free.Fass. Honey. Did you bother to read anyone else's posts? I love you dearly, so I wouldn't want you to look...well...dumb.

Pfft, Stockholm did this years ago. Stockholm Shame (http://www.shame.nu/2002/index.php) was an alternative to Stockholm Pride and it was "a celebration of queer diversity throughout different areas of society. It [delivered] a unique critique to the various norms and hierarchies that enslave queer people of all genders and sexualities."

I was quite interesting, actually, as it was quite more radical than Pride and dealt with some very tough issues. Also, it was a protest to the commercialisation of Pride in that all the activities were free.

Fass, this story is made up, and is from The Onion.

Fass. Honey. Did you bother to read anyone else's posts? I love dearly, so I wouldn't want you to look...well...dumb.

I trust Fass enough to know he HAS read the original post and the link -- he's pointing out that the Stockholm Shame parade, really, was a positive event if one thought critically about what was presented.

Ah, so we're inoffensive sheep while you lot are the poo-flingers? Makes sense. :D

Who said anything about inoffensive?

I trust Fass enough to know he HAS read the original post and the link -- he's pointing out that the Stockholm Shame parade, really, was a positive event if one thought critically about what was presented.
One never knows with Fass. He can be very clever, but sometimes I think he posts from the hip.

One never knows with Fass. He can be very clever, but sometimes I think he posts from the hip.

Hip? I thought it looked like it dropped out of the ass personally. ;)

Who said anything about inoffensive?

Sheep can be vicious buggers if you get between them and food.

Fass. Honey. Did you bother to read anyone else's posts? I love you dearly, so I wouldn't want you to look...well...dumb.

Bitchkitten, honey. Did you bother to read my post? I despise you on the same level as I do most people, so I wouldn't care if you looked dumb.

Fass, this story is made up, and is from The Onion.

Me has reads OP. English not so hard, more limp.

I trust Fass enough to know he HAS read the original post and the link -- he's pointing out that the Stockholm Shame parade, really, was a positive event if one thought critically about what was presented.

Yup. I was just pointing out that the fags did "Shame" before the Onion oh, so unoriginally imagined that the Christians would do it, but we did it for different reasons - mainly to highlight a perceived internalised homophobia present in certain aspects of the Pride concept (which ironically at times can be very normative in which aspect of gay culture is to be presented to breeders so as not to "offend" them, and thus can act as just another tool of oppression of minorities within the minority - like strata of who is a "better" fag/dyke than the other) and urge contemplation around corporatism that was vying for the "pink krona". Thus we did it better...

... by the by, IMO Christians don't need a "Shame festival" for us, since that is what they have churches for 24/7/365.

The sad thing is that I wasn't sure it was an Onion piece until the end.

I had my suspicions immediately...but it wasn't out of the realm of possibility, is the problem.

Bitchkitten, honey. Did you bother to read my post? I despise you on the same level as I do most people, so I wouldn't care if you looked dumb.





and there was me thinking indifference was the strongest emotion you ever felt regarding the opinions of other posters.

... by the by, IMO Christians don't need a "Shame festival" for us, since that is what they have churches for 24/7/365.

Now you're getting tiresomely egotistical. I assure you that the topic of homosexuality comes up far less often than you appear to think it does -- I can't remember any sermons in which it came up at all, actually.

But if it makes you feel better to think that all we ever talk about, think about, and act on is the best way to harass and eradicate gays, you go right on ahead.

Now you're getting tiresomely egotistical. I assure you that the topic of homosexuality comes up far less often than you appear to think it does -- I can't remember any sermons in which it came up at all, actually.

Well, sure, you have to fit in how yours is the only true deity and you have to shame each other over your filthy, filthy bodies and "sins" at times, as well.

But if it makes you feel better to think that all we ever talk about, think about, and act on is the best way to harass and eradicate gays, you go right on ahead.

Oh, it doesn't make me feel better at all, but the truth is seldom a pick-me-up.