We hold "pride" to what we "are," but forget what pride is by definition. It's having satisfaction in what one trained for (not born as). Yet we've redefined it as "coming out" as either gay or trans. Maybe stating you're some gender that doesn't exist except on Star Trek.
A big part of "Pride Month" is now literally parading around with rainbows and, in some reported cases, strap-ons and dildos, getting in kids' faces (which was illegal).
As you can guess, I don't have much heart for Pride Month. But it's not just because of the extreme behavior(s) of the LGBT+ community, there's a serious monetary reason I can't stand it. For one single month, all major companies and franchises showing "support" for the community changes their logos to rainbow colors. Well, except the Middle Eastern branch of said companies, where it's literal life-and-death illegal to either be or show support for being gay.
I'm quite sure some of my gay friends and acquaintances don't appreciate the double standards of commercializing their lifestyle for a profit.
"We love and support you!" Just, you know, for this month.
My LGBT friends have told they may support the idea, but the parades and profiteering sickens them. Honestly, that reminds me of how I see Christmas anymore.
On other considerations, since '15, I've heard that some parts of the community doesn't view the ENTIRE community as legit. First report I heard dealt with a gay-exclusive trailer camping park that denied and trans men from camping.
Their reason? They saw trans men as women trying to be men. This kind of rejection was surprising, it was self-cannibalism of a group wanting to be taken seriously. But since then, there'd be an occasional news report of groups denying one part any access for biological reasons. That or individuals online stating their views. Recently came across a gay man who rejected loving any trans or straight allies. Why? "This is MY month to he proud, I don't want anyone but gays and lesbians celebrating it with me!"
Sounds just as cripplingly judgmental as some of the churches that judge them all.
Speaking of...
I've been frequently called (only by those who've never met me in real life, oddly enough) a bigot by either the LGBT community or their allies because I don't view myself as an ally. I don't support the gay rights movement, etc. Then again, some friends of mine (gay, trans, ally) have told me being an ally isn't required. I can call them friend and that's enough. I can cry out for justice when some are intentionally hurt/killed by anti-LGBT terrorists (which I do) and that's enough. But when strangers call me a bigot, I fond myself laughing for one reason. Though I come from a religious background (one that included shades of being anti-gay for the longest time), I'll never be in the same category as, say, "Reverend" Steven Anderson, who always uses homophobic epithets in sermon, has promised death threats to them in sermons, makes severe promises that none will ever enter "his church," as though the building will always be his.
Though my family is largely Christian, they do accept my LGBT friends, it doesn't mean we accept the lifestyle. Though my friends know about my faith, I don't expect them to accept my lifestyle. We do come to certain compromises to certain degrees out of respect for each other. I've been to the cinema with them and accepted (and given) rides from them. When I had to move places, one helped out and I paid for her vehicle's gas (long trek, round-trip).
So, who do I find to be the true bigots? I'd say watch some comedians you'll find the bigots hating on them, showing their hypocrisy. Both Dave Chapelle and Ricky Gervais exposed "identity politics" and its dangers. The moment they said "You better not hurt a gay person's feelings," the biggest names in the community sought to cancel them. G.L.A.A.D. called Gervais "transphobic" for a comedy sketch in his special, "Super Nature." Either they actually didn't make it past the first 3 minutes (where explains irony) or the irony of the joke ("What if SHE rapes, you bigot!") was lost on them and they have no humor.
So, yes, I've been told I don't have to see myself as an ally, but this view isn't held by all. If I were to believe the mainstream news, I either agree to a more rigorous "checklist" (than what's often joked as "checklist Christianity") of agreeing to things and accepting a truckload of symbols and gestures and phrases, or you're labeled a bigot and some Big Name sources look for a way to "cancel" you.
I'd say we live in very unstable times in a wasteland of unstable thoughts and lifestyles.
