i don't go to pride. ever. it's a co-opted, corporatist, queer-washing waste of time.

first of all, i'd propose banning politicians. even the queer ones. sorry.

next up, i'd go after the sponsors. and, i still probably wouldn't want to go, even after that.

broadly speaking, i don't think that queer people need to compromise on their principles in order to feign inclusiveness towards groups that they know are hostile to them. when that happens, the idea loses itself. if pride is just an event where anybody that wants to be proud of something can show up, it loses it's meaning as a specifically queer event. that is called co-option.

when politicians and religious groups speak at pride, that is co-option.

the queer movement has every right to single out oppressive groups, like christians and muslims (and jews, too, although they're the lesser evil, by far), and confront them on co-opting something that is not meant for them.

unless they want me to show up at the mosque and start making out with multiple dudes up at the front, while buddy is going on about some easily debunked nonsense? i'd do it...