Reply #77: I know the bulk of this topic was about 10 days ago

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so I'm leaving the thread as is, but since it seems to be resurrecting itself, I would ask that personal attacks and casting aspersions be avoided.

I think the original question was a valid question, and the original answers were valid answers, but it seems to have deteriorated from there.

People in a parade are not necessarily representative of a population as a whole, particularly when it's "risky" (politically or personally) to participate. Whether gay pride, or anti-war demonstrations, every participant has their own reason for being there. Some are particularly overt in their beliefs.

Is it valid to ask if it hurts politically, particularly if looking for acceptance from the "mainstream"? Sure, it's valid to ask. But who's to say the "mainstream"s way is the only way?

At the same time, I concede that if the event is the primary public display for the cause, then the image given is the image delivered, but it's only the image of the participants and not the population as a whole.

So, please discuss, but hold off on casting aspersions as to intent. If you don't like a post, please alert on it.

GLBT runs the whole cross-section of society. The people on the floats are no more representative of the population as a whole than some men represent all males. They're just the most visible, that's all.