Out at Glasgow Pride on Saturday, I was struck firstly by the high political presence, and secondly by the advertising.
From political party representatives, to the Coalition for Equal Marriage campaign, politics was out in force at the parade and the after-party. I saw men in tutus waving ‘Never Trust a Tory’ placards, as though their anti-Conservatism was a declaration of their pride. The confusion and overlap between self-expression, and political expression, was pronounced. Thankfully, the parade wasn’t high-jacked by these groups, but it was slightly disconcerting the ways in which some obviously sought to use Pride not as a way to celebrate being an individual and equal rights for all sexualities and genders, but as a party political showcase.
Pride parade filing down St Vincent Street, own photo.
AXM promo poster, courtesy of AXM Glasgow
Pride will always attract those with strong political feelings, and it will also attract a large amount of companies and advertisers seeking to jump on the bandwagon and get themselves out there with the help of a bejewelled 6 ft 5′ drag queen. However, it wasn’t the adverts for Smirnoff Ice that put my off: it was Glasgow Pride’s advertisements themselves. (A link to Pride Glasgow’s promo leaflet can be found here). All of the posters and promotional flyers were geared heavily towards gay men. Now, I am not saying that two men with no shirts getting a smooch on isn’t going to “sell” going to Pride for me (it totally is). But the lesbian population of Glasgow is strong, vocal, and highly visible. The only female representation was a glamour model in a silver bikini, pictured in a normative and hetero-centric pose with, oh yes, two MEN kissing above her head. If they weren’t going to cater to a female demographic that doesn’t really fall into the heterosexual male stereotype, then they could at least have rustled up a couple more glamour girls to kiss for the photo. Staring at this poster, I felt I was looking at something belonging in Nuts magazine, rather than Pride.
There is an association made between gay men and camp. Gay men are up for the party, dancing, glitter bombs, and acting lairy with the girls. Or so the story goes, anyway. Gay women, however, are commonly associated with bovver boots and a shaved head, or heterosexual porn. Glasgow Pride and its promotional staff need to get with the times: the largest group of people I saw on Saturday was lesbian women, all of whom were having a fabulous time. Enhance the experience, and make Pride truly for all genders and all sexualities. The movement needs to recapture not just the message of equality, but the spirit of the law as well.
AXM banners from George Square, courtesy of Pride Glasgow
kitchentablenewsroom
Does Pride really cater to gay people?
Out at Glasgow Pride on Saturday, I was struck firstly by the high political presence, and secondly by the advertising.
From political party representatives, to the Coalition for Equal Marriage campaign, politics was out in force at the parade and the after-party. I saw men in tutus waving ‘Never Trust a Tory’ placards, as though their anti-Conservatism was a declaration of their pride. The confusion and overlap between self-expression, and political expression, was pronounced. Thankfully, the parade wasn’t high-jacked by these groups, but it was slightly disconcerting the ways in which some obviously sought to use Pride not as a way to celebrate being an individual and equal rights for all sexualities and genders, but as a party political showcase.
Pride parade filing down St Vincent Street, own photo.
AXM promo poster, courtesy of AXM Glasgow
Pride will always attract those with strong political feelings, and it will also attract a large amount of companies and advertisers seeking to jump on the bandwagon and get themselves out there with the help of a bejewelled 6 ft 5′ drag queen. However, it wasn’t the adverts for Smirnoff Ice that put my off: it was Glasgow Pride’s advertisements themselves. (A link to Pride Glasgow’s promo leaflet can be found here). All of the posters and promotional flyers were geared heavily towards gay men. Now, I am not saying that two men with no shirts getting a smooch on isn’t going to “sell” going to Pride for me (it totally is). But the lesbian population of Glasgow is strong, vocal, and highly visible. The only female representation was a glamour model in a silver bikini, pictured in a normative and hetero-centric pose with, oh yes, two MEN kissing above her head. If they weren’t going to cater to a female demographic that doesn’t really fall into the heterosexual male stereotype, then they could at least have rustled up a couple more glamour girls to kiss for the photo. Staring at this poster, I felt I was looking at something belonging in Nuts magazine, rather than Pride.
There is an association made between gay men and camp. Gay men are up for the party, dancing, glitter bombs, and acting lairy with the girls. Or so the story goes, anyway. Gay women, however, are commonly associated with bovver boots and a shaved head, or heterosexual porn. Glasgow Pride and its promotional staff need to get with the times: the largest group of people I saw on Saturday was lesbian women, all of whom were having a fabulous time. Enhance the experience, and make Pride truly for all genders and all sexualities. The movement needs to recapture not just the message of equality, but the spirit of the law as well.
AXM banners from George Square, courtesy of Pride Glasgow
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