Gay Forums - All Things Gay - "For the first time in American history, a gay and lesbian band will be marching in a presidential inauguration."

"For the first time in American history, a gay and lesbian band will be marching in a presidential inauguration."

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Dec 15, 2008 12:05 AM GMT

"Barack Obama's Presidential Inaugural Committee has chosen the Lesbian and Gay Band Association, with members from across the country, to march in the inaugural parade in Washington on Jan. 20."

http://www.ktvu.com/news/18272695/detail.html

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Dec 15, 2008 12:15 AM GMT

That's happy news for a change!

I do hope it's more on the promise rather than simply a mollifier on the prop 8 debacle though. Ok I'm just being pessimistic. Ignore me. This really is good news and spells better times for the GLBT rights campaign.

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Dec 15, 2008 12:25 AM GMT

I think it is a way to send a signal about the attitude of this president....are ya listening Joint Chiefs of Staff???

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Dec 15, 2008 6:12 AM GMT

Wow. This is great news. Thanks for the heads up Caslon.

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Dec 15, 2008 6:20 AM GMT

Like no one "gay" in a marching band has ever been in an inaugural parade before???? Oh, that's right, we "gays" have to be labeled --- "The GAY & LESBIAN Marching Band". Is it just me or does this just seem silly? I don't see any groups called say "The Straight Baton Twirlers". Well, okay, admittedly, no one would ever believe that, but you get my point

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Dec 15, 2008 6:23 AM GMT

CuriousJockAZ saidLike no one "gay" in a marching band has ever been in an inaugural parade before???? Oh, that's right, we "gays" have to be labeled --- "The GAY & LESBIAN Marching Band". Is it just me or does this just seem silly? I don't see any groups called say "The Straight Baton Twirlers". Well, okay, admittedly, no one would ever believe that, but you get my point

Is it just me or does it seem silly for you to be on a site called "real jock: gay fitness health and life"? I mean you don't see any sites labeled "real jock: straight fitness health and life."

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Dec 15, 2008 6:26 AM GMT

CuriousJockAZ saidLike no one "gay" in a marching band has ever been in an inaugural parade before???? Oh, that's right, we "gays" have to be labeled --- "The GAY & LESBIAN Marching Band". Is it just me or does this just seem silly? I don't see any groups called say "The Straight Baton Twirlers". Well, okay, admittedly, no one would ever believe that, but you get my point

Yeah. It's so much better if no gay or lesbian individual or group is ever labeled as such. It's much better if we just stay quiet about it. Then maybe everyone won't hate us as much*

* Note to the reader: the above post, like all my others, is heavily ironic.

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Dec 15, 2008 6:35 AM GMT

thats really cool news to hear. lol i like the part about how the Redwood high school band had no real idea they were even in the running. "Hey, btw, the White House called....we gotta go to DC in January.."

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Dec 15, 2008 6:39 AM GMT

iguanaSF said
CuriousJockAZ saidLike no one "gay" in a marching band has ever been in an inaugural parade before???? Oh, that's right, we "gays" have to be labeled --- "The GAY & LESBIAN Marching Band". Is it just me or does this just seem silly? I don't see any groups called say "The Straight Baton Twirlers". Well, okay, admittedly, no one would ever believe that, but you get my point

Yeah. It's so much better if no gay or lesbian individual or group is ever labeled as such. It's much better if we just stay quiet about it. Then maybe everyone won't hate us as much*

* Note to the reader: the above post, like all my others, is heavily ironic.

Oh God, not another victim? Do you really feel like everybody hates you? Poor baby.

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Dec 15, 2008 6:46 AM GMT

How do we get noticed for being gay and no different unless we stand out first? Don't we need to show people who we are to get respect before we can just blend into the background like everyone else and be "normal"? So people see the only difference is that we fuck the same sex..

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Dec 15, 2008 6:53 AM GMT

CuriousJockAZ saidLike no one "gay" in a marching band has ever been in an inaugural parade before???? Oh, that's right, we "gays" have to be labeled --- "The GAY & LESBIAN Marching Band". Is it just me or does this just seem silly? I don't see any groups called say "The Straight Baton Twirlers". Well, okay, admittedly, no one would ever believe that, but you get my point

No, I don't get your point. Could it be that you're still the most self-loathing "gay" man on here? Straights don't have to label themselves because it is always assumed everyone is straight. That's why anything otherwise is such a shock---yet! I could see your point of eventually not having to need such labels, but until then, you're not helping by playing the "special" card. We're not there yet buddy. Let's have a first ever "gay and lesbian" marching band. Could I possibly ask another "gay" man to allow it and then we'll be done with the precident?

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Dec 15, 2008 6:55 AM GMT

Still waiting for you explanation for being on a gay fitness site, Curious.

You need to hide out here from the big, bad straight boys on the other sites? Another victim? Do you really feel everybody hates you? Poor little thing.

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Dec 15, 2008 7:06 AM GMT

CuriousJockAZ saidLike no one "gay" in a marching band has ever been in an inaugural parade before???? Oh, that's right, we "gays" have to be labeled --- "The GAY & LESBIAN Marching Band". Is it just me or does this just seem silly? I don't see any groups called say "The Straight Baton Twirlers". Well, okay, admittedly, no one would ever believe that, but you get my point

LMAO I agree. Labels... I started a thread about that a week or so ago. Really just to be in the parade is an honor. How does identifying your group as gays and lesbians makes you any more special... You're still human after all. I hope some dumb ass doesn't use this as an opportunity to make a personal statement.

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Dec 15, 2008 7:30 AM GMT

slapaho18 said
CuriousJockAZ saidLike no one "gay" in a marching band has ever been in an inaugural parade before???? Oh, that's right, we "gays" have to be labeled --- "The GAY & LESBIAN Marching Band". Is it just me or does this just seem silly? I don't see any groups called say "The Straight Baton Twirlers". Well, okay, admittedly, no one would ever believe that, but you get my point

LMAO I agree. Labels... I started a thread about that a week or so ago. Really just to be in the parade is an honor. How does identifying your group as gays and lesbians makes you any more special... You're still human after all. I hope some dumb ass doesn't use this as an opportunity to make a personal statement.

But we're not at the point yet where being gay doesn't make any difference. I wish we were. But until then, how does finally being included as who you are mean "special"? We're still human after all? Not to enough people yet, I'm afraid. You guys talk like complete indifference is here. It's not. I believe they're still voting inequality into the law lately. I can see Curious in AZ is all shook up about it and I'm sure he did his best to help in Arizona.

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Dec 15, 2008 9:27 AM GMT

CuriousJockAZ saidOh God, not another victim? Do you really feel like everybody hates you? Poor baby.

Yes, you've pegged me perfectly. It's amazing how well you characterize people. Why, just today I was walking down the sidewalk here and these scary straight boys LOOKED at me. I saw them whispering to each other. I KNEW it was about me. And just because I walk with a little swish in my hips. I was really afraid they were going to do something VIOLENT! I had my hand on my pink whistle, just in case. I was praying to Madonna (you know which one) that some big strong man would rescue me. Luckily nothing happened but it was SO CLOSE I ALMOST FAINTED!

I often spend my days in fear of straight people. I log in here for comfort. I wish I had a big strong man like you to protect me! Someone who doesn't need to label himself gay. Someone who rejects labels! Oh, I'm so weak!*

* Note to the reader: This post, like all my others, is heavily ironic. However, for those readers who confidently and repeatedly predicted a McCain victory, in the face of a tidal wave of opposing facts, please read the post any way you'd like, as it doesn't really matter what I say.

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Dec 15, 2008 2:54 PM GMT

Reasons for having a gay & lesbian band (or a chorus, of which I'm a member):

1. Because you get to be out. Some straight bands & vocal groups won't accept a gay member, or they harass them, especially in high schools. A few of our own choral members were refused membership for being gay when they wanted to sing in church-affiliated choirs here, so they joined us instead, where they know their orientation is welcome.

2. It gives us continued visibility, at this time of gay rights struggle. And to be granted this Inaugural honor makes us appear "legitimate" and more mainstream in society, rather than marginal. Good PR is better than hiding silently in the shadows, out of sight-out of mind, if we want civil rights gains.

3. A marching band is a better public image, than a pride parade float carrying barely-clad club bois in glitter paint. And the one in question here is excellent.

4. The very fact that there is a separate gay band, rather than gay musicians integrated into other bands, might remind the public why we find this necessary, because of discrimination & hatred against us.

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Dec 15, 2008 3:30 PM GMT

You tell'em RED!

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Dec 15, 2008 3:56 PM GMT

ObsceneWish saidStill waiting for you explanation for being on a gay fitness site, Curious.

You need to hide out here from the big, bad straight boys on the other sites? Another victim? Do you really feel everybody hates you? Poor little thing.

Not even remotely self-loathing, very comfortable in my own skin, and I don't walk around thinking the whole world hates me cuz I am gay thank you very much. I'm here on RealJock cuz I like it...ya gotta problem with that?

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Dec 15, 2008 4:05 PM GMT

gymguy2k saidI believe they're still voting inequality into the law lately. I can see Curious in AZ is all shook up about it and I'm sure he did his best to help in Arizona.

To be honest, I wasn't really affected one way or the other by it personally. Sure, I was disappointed that the vote went the way it did mostly for those who it is important to. Whether or not I can marry another man could not be of less importance in my life personally. Hey, I get it, it means a great deal to many of you -- go knock yourselves out. When the people vote, things don't always go the way you want it on any variety of issues. However, we live in a democracy, that's just the way it goes, that is, until it comes up for vote the next time around. Then, perhaps it will go differently, and I hope it does. I'm not going to apologize because the issue of "gay marriage" is not something that I am passionate about one way or the other.

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Dec 15, 2008 4:07 PM GMT

iguanaSF said
CuriousJockAZ saidOh God, not another victim? Do you really feel like everybody hates you? Poor baby.

Yes, you've pegged me perfectly. It's amazing how well you characterize people. Why, just today I was walking down the sidewalk here and these scary straight boys LOOKED at me. I saw them whispering to each other. I KNEW it was about me. And just because I walk with a little swish in my hips. I was really afraid they were going to do something VIOLENT! I had my hand on my pink whistle, just in case. I was praying to Madonna (you know which one) that some big strong man would rescue me. Luckily nothing happened but it was SO CLOSE I ALMOST FAINTED!

I often spend my days in fear of straight people. I log in here for comfort. I wish I had a big strong man like you to protect me! Someone who doesn't need to label himself gay. Someone who rejects labels! Oh, I'm so weak!*

* Note to the reader: This post, like all my others, is heavily ironic. However, for those readers who confidently and repeatedly predicted a McCain victory, in the face of a tidal wave of opposing facts, please read the post any way you'd like, as it doesn't really matter what I say.

Well, I didn't say you were weak...but you might want to ditch the pink whistle

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Dec 15, 2008 4:08 PM GMT

CuriousJockAZ saidNot even remotely self-loathing, very comfortable in my own skin, and I don't walk around thinking the whole world hates me cuz I am gay thank you very much. I'm here on RealJock cuz I like it...ya gotta problem with that?

Nope, Mr. Eyeroll. Couldn't care less about your participation in a very gay, very public health and fitness site. Nor could I care less about a band whose members are all gay.

But I'm not sure how you can decide the band members are "silly" while your own participation in a gay organization exempts you from the same characterization.

But you're not required to extend to others the same generosity with which you treat yourself.

Cue icon:

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Dec 15, 2008 4:15 PM GMT

ObsceneWish said
CuriousJockAZ saidNot even remotely self-loathing, very comfortable in my own skin, and I don't walk around thinking the whole world hates me cuz I am gay thank you very much. I'm here on RealJock cuz I like it...ya gotta problem with that?

Nope, Mr. Eyeroll. Couldn't care less about your participation in a very gay, very public health and fitness site. Nor could I care less about a band whose members are all gay.

But I'm not sure how you can decide the band members are "silly" while your own participation in a gay organization exempts you from the same characterization.

But you're not required to extend to others the same generosity with which you treat yourself.

Cue icon:

I didn't say they were "silly" for being in the band, I said I thought it was silly to have to label it "The Gay & Lesbian Marching Band" for the same reason it would be silly to label another band "The Straight Men & Women Marching Band". When I'm at a parade watching the marching bands, personally, I don't give a fuck if the marching band members are straight, gay, or whatever. Why it has to be announced by ANY group is what I find silly. Just march for god's sake, I don't need to know who you prefer having sex with.

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Dec 15, 2008 4:46 PM GMT

CuriousJockAZ said

I didn't say they were "silly" for being in the band, I said I thought it was silly to have to label it "The Gay & Lesbian Marching Band" for the same reason it would be silly to label another band "The Straight Men & Women Marching Band". When I'm at a parade watching the marching bands, personally, I don't give a fuck if the marching band members are straight, gay, or whatever. Why it has to be announced by ANY group is what I find silly. Just march for god's sake, I don't need to know who you prefer having sex with.

Well since you don't understand why it's necessary, let's have an explanation:

Visibility (labels) leads to recognition and awareness. Awareness goes one of two ways, opposition or support, history reveals that support is usually the winner when it comes to civil rights and liberties. Never in history has any group received rights or privileges that didn't fight for them; becoming clearly visible and even quite garish in the public eye.

You seem to believe that we can quietly become equals in the eyes of the law but what you don't realize is that society is a completely different animal from the individuals you interact with on a daily basis. Gays and Lesbians cannot blend in yet. You might not like it or agree with it but for the time being it is unavoidable.

To achieve equality we must show ourselves off as productive members of society. A marching band is a great way to do that, it is much more wholesome and American than a gay pride parade ( I myself can't wait for them to evolve into a more mature and respectable event).

You want us to blend in and not have to label ourselves as anything? Then you need to help us fight to get to that point because we aren't there yet.

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Dec 15, 2008 5:04 PM GMT

Caslon8000 said"Barack Obama's Presidential Inaugural Committee has chosen the Lesbian and Gay Band Association, with members from across the country, to march in the inaugural parade in Washington on Jan. 20."

http://www.ktvu.com/news/18272695/detail.html

My friend's doing the choreographing/planning for that group

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Dec 15, 2008 8:11 PM GMT

CuriousI didn't say they were "silly" for being in the band, I said I thought it was silly to have to label it "The Gay & Lesbian Marching Band" for the same reason it would be silly to label another band "The Straight Men & Women Marching Band". When I'm at a parade watching the marching bands, personally, I don't give a fuck if the marching band members are straight, gay, or whatever. Why it has to be announced by ANY group is what I find silly. Just march for god's sake, I don't need to know who you prefer having sex wit

Oh, that explains it. It's silly for them to choose the label. They're not silly. It's silly that they're choosing to announce it. But they're not silly. What ever.

You're not silly for belonging to a gay fitness site. It's silly for the site to label itself this way. Have I got it now?

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"For the first time in American history, a gay and lesbian band will be marching in a presidential inauguration."