Solving Every Pride Discourse (2024)

On bisexual BFs, kink, and other Internet drama.

Every year, my community comes together in a proud tradition of fighting with one another on the Internet. In the interest of saving everyone some time, I thought I would settle these issues once and for all. You're welcome, gays! 🏳‍🌈

The absolutely horrid Xbox Pride flag composite, which I love dearly. (Dezeen)

Should the straight partners of bisexuals be allowed at Pride?

Yes; demonizing bisexuals is silly and needs to stop. In fact, I’m on record saying that the demonization of cishet men needs to stop!

Should cisgender/heterosexual allies be allowed at Pride?

Yes; allies can come so long as they don’t speak over us and operate with the understanding that the event isn’t “for” them. Pride is a good way for cishets to build relationships with the queer community and spend their straight dollars at queer businesses, which should happen more. Besides, “straight-looking” people might be bi, trans, ace, or questioning; don’t judge a book by its cover!

Should kink/fetish content be allowed at Pride?

Yes; many Prides have figured out how to either a) have an all-ages festival during the day followed by a 21+ pub crawl at night, or b) a sectioned-off 18+ area of Pride that kids aren’t allowed inside. To quote this very good Twitter thread, “Kink acceptance and kink imagery have always been part of queer movements, and we should honor and celebrate that. As with literally everything in a public event, organizers have responsibilities to attendees, but respectability politics bolster violence against queer people.” More events in general should be accommodating to families with kids, not just parades!

Should cops be allowed at Pride?

No; cops protect property, not people. Police have always been the enemy of queers, and no radical movement should allow cops to march. Ideally, queer people would form their own line of defense instead of relying on local police at their events.