Melbourne

I’m generally opened minded and progressive, I also work with someone who is in a same sex marriage closely.

I don’t mind it. My exposure of it generally comes from sporting events where many other topics are celebrated and I think it’s needed to highlight the importance of people being recognised out there and also the problems that still exist within society.

It was only a couple of months ago that The Trumpets of Patriots were running a hate campaign and it was utterly disgusting and tried to mirror Trump’s 2 gender campaign.

Until these things stop and discrimination totally stops it’s still needed for education and tolerance.

That’s just my take on things.

I answered this in the other place already, so I won't repeat myself

How have the answers thoughtfully provided to you so far influenced your opinion?

Interesting. I think LowExperience has made a couple of very good points here. There's still more to do, and while there is, then having a dedicated time period to highlight the issue has some value. I find rainbow washing or black washing or green washing etc. fairly disgusting, mostly because of the exploitation factor. But then, the advertising industry and generally commerce is built around finding a demographic and targeting it. You can't blame pond scum for being green and slimy, its just how it is, and if it wasn't like that it wouldn't be pond scum.

Okay so for context on my opinion I'll state I am bisexual and non-binary.

I don't participate in pride month, but I also don't theoretically mind if game Devs/corps make it a big thing either. My sexuality has been erased or sexualised, bi ladies are "sluts and cheaters", bi men are "closet gays and cheaters" as an example of the rhetoric that is common. There are lesbians and gays who just think we haven't "decided", which is wild, wild stuff. Then considering how much abuse the community suffered/suffers because of powerful bigoted dickheads or just the government's of the past (and in some countries it's current governments), I like that the entire LGBTQ+ spectrum is kept in people's minds, that we can't assume we know a person's character because of who they love or how they see themselves. We're free (at least in Aus) to love who we love and be who we are and that should be celebrated. I've been personally told that I'm not actually bi because I'm with a man (I'm AFAB), but I don't think it's necessary to tell them my partner's self-ID just to clear that up or prove that I'm "worthy" of the queer alphabet soup.

On the other hand, capitalism. Companies make more money the broader their audience is, so being openly pro-LGBTQ+ and having rainbow merch or game skins means they increase their sales and profit. Then you have people who make it their whole damn identity without, like, developing their character or experiences.

I appreciate the added visibility, I dislike that it's capitalist companies doing it for profit or clout.

Welcome back to this fun little corner of the internet!

I personally see pride as a celebration of one's sexuality / gender identity, particularly in a society where heteronormativity is prominent, and we still have people who won't accept others due to them being LGBTQIA+. I like how it empowers people to celebrate an important aspect of their identity. I don't like how companies participate in rainbow washing.

As with other events that are around advocacy, like NAIDOC Week, I do think we've got to do more than just have a week or a month for these sorts of things. But I'm glad pride exists. In some countries, it's frowned upon or even illegal to be queer.