Sunday, September 15, 2013
Dress Code for Dallas Pride Parade Meg Mickelsen
The Allan Ross Freedom Parade is now enforcing a dress code. Many believe that this is part of an effort to mainstream the Parade because it coincides with a new push for a family section of the audience. Despite these assumptions, the sponsors insist that they are merely complying with Dallas public dress code laws. This dress code requires full coverage of genitalia and breasts. Many are outraged at this change in policy. They feel that their freedom to express their sexuality is being compromised and that "mainstreaming" the parade destroys any true feelings of pride in being different. Heterosexuals and families now frequent the parade, and some feel that these new policies unfairly cater to this demographic. The article I read, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/11/dallas-pride-dress-code_n_3908864.html, focused on the negative views of this policy change. It featured the opinion of a critical blogger, but barely mentioned more positive views of this new change. I often march in or attend the Pride Parade with friends or family. I personally feel that the parade is a march for equality and expression of sexuality and I am still ambivalent about the dress code. Their was a marked change in the clothing people felt comfortable wearing and there were police men who checked everyone's clothing before they marched. I appreciate that the younger members of my family were able to watch the parade, but I also fear alienating anyone. Overall, I think mainstreaming the pride parade could actually show progress. I saw many companies and churches that were marching/advertising. If "normal" people are marching this year, that shows a wider range of acceptance and love for the LBGT community.
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Why are the heterosexuals or whomever else reffered to aas the "normal" people? Was this a direct quote because no one is normal since everyone has a difference between them and another down to the fingerprint. Those people should be accepting of others who feel they should dress a certain way that makes them feel proud. Also, the point is to show the pride, so let people show what they're proud of. The movement should be able to press on and be main stream with or without "normal" people as it is so offensively put.
ReplyDeleteByron Otis
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure the term "normal" to describe heterosexual people is very offensive. Normal means "adhering to the standard or common type" and I'm sure that most of us here could agree that heterosexuality is the common type within our species. I don't think that it should be found offensive, either, because, as you point out, it is currently in our culture desirable to be different, and being called abnormal, to many, would not be an insult, but a compliment. However, I believe that wearing clothes over one's genitals and breasts while on a public parade is generally something that I know I would desire to be enforced if I was to attend one. Meg's meaning in calling heterosexuals "normal" is clear, and it's obvious she's not doing it to degrade homosexuals, so I don't completely understand your spicy reaction
I think that, in reference to the bigger picture of more heterosexuals attending the parade and spreading acceptance, as long as the message is getting out there, dress code doesn't matter. Covering breasts and genitalia has not so much to do with squashing your rights as an American or human being, but public decency. I don't think using the word 'normal' to describe the heterosexuals showing their support at the parade is offensive, as it does correlate to societies adaption of what exactly is normal (being a heterosexual). The fact that we even need a gay pride parade shows that it hasn't become a norm.
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