NYC Pride

[California Dolphin]

Originally Posted by shaulis

The Speedo swimwear haters don't have to say a word just show those two pictures and a majority of people will say if a male wears something like what's in the photo then they are gay. I'm sure those men know they hurt Speedo/brief swimwear acceptance because they make the situation worse each time they are outside.

I don't follow the reasoning that because gay men have a sexual fetish for a very common type of apparel (such as jeans, running shorts, or speedos), that somehow makes that type of apparel "Gay".

If that's the reasoning, then straight men should never ever wear jeans, T shirts, sneakers, white athletic socks, etc. To thoroughly "sterilize" their choice in clothing of any erotic connotation, they should only wear business style pants, shirts, and shoes.

[Byron]

The logic of your second paragraph does indeed apply but the key lies in your first paragraph where you include speedos as "a very common type of apparel"
- and those, of whatever persuasion, who enjoy wearing their speedos would certainly want to see this piece of clothing being quietly accepted as the norm without any fuss or derision.
At this point we have to go into the mindset of the homophobic "straight" however and it becomes a case of fear or guilt by association, ie this is a small piece of clothing enclosing the male genitalia and on public display. Might it therefore be a symbol of attraction to other males? Shock, horror ! - "I couldn't possibly let my peers think I had some affinity with those guys by wearing something like that and what I wear will therefore be to emphasise
the opposite, to disassociate me from any possible misconceptions of my own feelings towards these guys of the same gender".
It would be fascinating to have an honest survey of all non-gays to determine just how many in fact indulge themselves in the wearing of bikini underwear or jocks - but of course UNDER their trousers (pants) for none to see.

Those with the speedo prejudice might also consider that male fashion trends of the past 50+ years, now quite "normal" and indeed desirable in order to be seen as "trendy", have in many cases been initiated by gays with an innate sense of design. The line must be drawn for them however and speedos become that line which still needs a lot of fresh thought to break the taboo.

[PSDave]

face it guys. when pics like that of the Pride Parades go out what would you expect people to think Speedo = Gay. Fight with any convoluted logic you want, Gays have portrayed themselves in public in speedos et al for so long that the majority of the population think the speedo is the official uniform of the Gays.

[shaulis]

I used too many words to convey my thoughts. PSDave was to the point.

[SwimTeamSpeedo]

Forgive me but this is about more than speedos. I agree with Shaulis and PSDave. However, the antics of these pictures also provokes the thought of gays as sexual deviants with perverted views and desires. It is not pride at all. It is a gross portrayal of a tiny faction that screws the rest of us...no pun intended.

[California Dolphin]

On the subject of "Speedos = Gay" debate, has anyone ever given thought to the debate about "Women who wear bikinis are hookers".

After all, the ads for hookers all show women in skimpy swimsuits. Never the less, a lot of ordinary women still wear skimpy swimsuits (and short shorts) at the beach and the pools without being stigmatized.

So why are men so paranoid about being labeled as gay for wearing a speedo in public?

This is a classic case of the "Double Standard".

[Byron]

Bringing hookers into the debate is a diversion from the essential consideration which is the taboo of same sex affinity or association in intimate terms.
The clothing chosen and the actions demonstrated in public displays are therefore frightening symbols for those of the unfathomable macho culture.
The soldiery of ancient Greece had no such hangups (but no tacky Pride parades to observe either) so maybe it will be a few thousand years again before we see a change in social mores on our planet.

As an aside, on the matter of procreation of the species, an Italian research professor has indicated that gays contribute to and do not diminish it. It is all to do with inherited genes and the x and y chromosomes - he reckons he can show that
the female family relatives of homosexuals have naturally greater fecundity.

[PSDave]

Dallas is coming down on the Pride parade/celebration there and have promised to arrest anyone that does not fit into the descency laws. Basically they are saying it is a felony to walk around nude or display arousal in public. All the local gay organizations are up in arms about the disrimination. How is enforcing existing laws descrimination? And gays wonder why why str8s have trouble accepting them.

[Byron]

Yes, always the egotistical idiots to be found who spoil it for the rest in those events I'm afraid.
London annually hosts the biggest Afro-Caribbean street parade and music festival
in the world. The costumes made are ever more exotic and not a problem but thousands of extra police nevertheless have to be drafted in every year to maintain public order in the
ever-increasing numbers of spectators. Sad to say there are frequently multiple arrests on the drug dealers and running fights - and worse.

[area51tazz]

Originally Posted by PSDave

Dallas is coming down on the Pride parade/celebration there and have promised to arrest anyone that does not fit into the descency laws. Basically they are saying it is a felony to walk around nude or display arousal in public. All the local gay organizations are up in arms about the disrimination. How is enforcing existing laws descrimination? And gays wonder why why str8s have trouble accepting them.

that's why I stopped going to Dallas pride...the queens just use it as an opportunity to wear as little as possible in public...and the Gayborhood in Dallas is way to judgmental for me.