Why do gay people need a parade?

I think it's a lot like the civil rights movement. Where blacks had to parade down the streets with signs just so they could get media coverage and have their issues heard. Gays still have a lot of issues in society that need to be resolved, and let's face it, it's much easier to get issues resolved if you get attention.

It is like , when you see a man of 7 feet , you are surprised because of his height which you dont have.When a gay is seen by anyone they are jelous that he is very adjustible, and where as the people around him are not. Dont think too much about gays, the world is full of different species and should co-exist.

In general,people seem to fear what they do not know or understand.Realizing this,then education would be a powerful tool to eradicate the problem. Saying that,it does make sense for thses parades etc. to get the message out that there is nothing abnormal about two people wanting to be life partners. As society as a whole gets use to couples of all races or genders being allowed to openly express themselves,this will introduce and educate those who still prejudge people based on things other than the personality. I hope someday the NEED for Gay Parades will no longer exist.

Pride parades are important. The educate people. And lots of straight allies come to parades, too. No one ever says Puerto Ricans or Black people shouldn't have their own parades. I think they give people the courage to come out of the closet.

Gay pride/parades, the whole thing, leaves me cold. Yes, I happen to be gay but I do not feel that it should define me to such an extent that every other part of my personality etc. should be secondary. Think about it, straight people are not introduced as "Hi, this is Tim, his straight!". Why should my sexuality be pointed out and be my primary tag in life?