originally posted on 02-03-2015 8:55 PM

Are you going to Mardi Gras this year? If no – will you be doing something at home to celebrate your pride?

 

No, but I think it is very important to celebrate yourself and have some "go me" moments every now and again!

originally posted on 02-03-2015 8:54 PM

Hey @Josh95 do you think all religions should not be apart of Mardi Gras then? In terms of saying or representing they accept us, or do you think that is cherry picking?

originally posted on 02-03-2015 9:04 PM

I'm going to try to be as political here as I can, I really don't want to offend anyone.

 

@JB1611 I absolutely believe that religions such as the Westboro Baptist Church are a regressive and descriminatory organisation. But I also believe that everyone deserves to have their opinion heard, if someone's life aligns to a religion, that's their choice. I don't think that excluding an organisation or religion from an event such as Mardi Gras is a good idea as that is exactly what they have done to the LGBTIQ community.

 

2015 is the gateway to the future how people deal with prejudice will define the acceptance of all communities. 

 

I fully support Mardis Gras but sometimes I feel as though the true and deeper meaning can be somewhat forgotten behind the glitz and glam of it all.

 

originally posted on 02-03-2015 9:11 PM

Just a quick reminder about our community guidelines guys.

 

I know we all have really different views and no one ever means to step on anyones toes but sometimes we can start pointing the finger at particular people or religions or organisations or whatever!

 

I think everyone here is all for supporting LGTBQI and mardi gras and that's what it's all about tonight 🙂

originally posted on 02-03-2015 9:08 PM

@Josh95 I totally agree with you, as we might not like the Westboro Baptist Church, they don't represent us or our religion but of course Australia and America have freedom of speech, though the two shouldn't be mixed free speech and hate speech are two completely separate things. Hatred should no longer be accepted or tolerated in this century in this year it has no place in our world anymore. Simple as that.

originally posted on 02-03-2015 9:07 PM

@Josh95   Oh my goodness, I've seen those Westboro Baptist Church people before.  Horrible pieces of work!

I actually don't believe in freedom of speech to a degree - I think people who use the argument of 'free speech' to preach discrimination shouldn't be allowed to express their opinion

originally posted on 02-03-2015 9:10 PM

i kind of agree tsnyder - i think speech can be violent and speech that is a act of oppression should be controlled....

originally posted on 02-03-2015 8:57 PM

Welcome @JB1611 

 

I think religion should be apart of mardi gras. I think @Josh95 just meant that some people have to give up a lot in their culture to come out. It can be really difficult coming from a religious background where it is not accepted. It doesn't mean that religion doesn't belong at mardi gras.

 

I'm gay & christian! Both are a part of me and i personally have been supported in both these areas. Doesn't happen the same way for everyone though!

originally posted on 02-03-2015 9:01 PM

@lanejane  mixing mardi gras and religion, holy cow! Way to address the elephant in the room when it comes to legalizing gay marriage. 

That would be very influential and I would be all for it, but I can also imagine how divisive it might be amongst some communities

originally posted on 02-03-2015 9:01 PM

Hey @lanejane I agree with you, completely I'm a reform Protestant and a proud gay man, and the two defintiely play a role in my life. I was just interested to hear people's views. Good to see all religions represented 🙂

originally posted on 02-03-2015 8:53 PM

hey @Josh95 

 

Thanks for joining us!

 

"I'm still incredulous that people who refuse to denounce their chosen religion are still so heavily persecuted in countries such as Pakistan and Nigeria."

 

Completely agree. It is crazy. It makes me realise how lucky we are to have events such as mardi gras and to even be as accepted as we are in Australia.

originally posted on 02-03-2015 8:50 PM

What are you going to be up to @Jake_TYS @AmberJayne ??

originally posted on 02-03-2015 8:54 PM

I don't know what I identify as anymore so I might just watch it on TV. I love gay people and can't wait for gay marriage to be legalised!

originally posted on 02-03-2015 8:48 PM

Are you going to Mardi Gras this year? If no – will you be doing something at home to celebrate your pride?

 

I so wish I was going to Mardi Gras. Last year I was like "NEXT YEAR WILL BE MY YEAR" but... it isn't. I'm broke. Haha. So I won't be flying up there. BUT I have decided I will be posting about it on facebook as a way to flaunt my pride!

 

Maybe i'll circulate a lil pic like this:

 

 

or a photo of me and my partner at a marriage equality march... that pic up there isn't 100% inclusive! haha.

originally posted on 02-03-2015 8:59 PM

---

@lanejane wrote:

Are you going to Mardi Gras this year? If no – will you be doing something at home to celebrate your pride?

 

I so wish I was going to Mardi Gras. Last year I was like "NEXT YEAR WILL BE MY YEAR" but... it isn't. I'm broke. Haha. So I won't be flying up there.

---

Make a 1 year or 2 year plan to get up to Sydney!

originally posted on 02-03-2015 8:59 PM

I don't identify as LGBTQI and so I guess I've never considered going to Mardi Gras. I should add it to my bucket list and go and support all of my friends who are. 

 

I've thought about getting photographed as part of the In Bed Project. It's a petition against marriage inequality. Here's a snippet from the about section 

 

"In the context of the bed, I photograph singles, couples, families and all who support Marriage Equality. The photos are then posted to this blog to create one awesome photographic petition! Like any petition, the more signatures / portraits we have, the stronger our voice."

 

Pretty cool! 

 

http://inbedproject.com.au

originally posted on 02-03-2015 9:03 PM

that project sounds and looks amaze @sammysammy16 - i'e flung the link over to @Sophie-RO to make sure it meets the community guidelines. it seems all good! the photos are so cool.

 

but hey... maybe we should get onto our next question?

 

Celebrating pride can often feel like a hugeeee party! How can you take care of yourself and your friends during mardi gras and ensure to avoide “next day regrets” (eg: respecting yourself, partying safe, safe sex)

 

originally posted on 02-03-2015 9:13 PM

Celebrating pride can often feel like a hugeeee party! How can you take care of yourself and your friends during mardi gras and ensure to avoide “next day regrets” (eg: respecting yourself, partying safe, safe sex)

 

I think just remember what you are celebrating and why you are celebrating it - remember what you are representing, think about how you want it to be viewed and act accordingly.  Showing respect is the fastest way to get it reciprocated!

 

 

originally posted on 02-03-2015 9:07 PM

Make sure you know how to respect your own body before you could look after another, if you do plan to have some fun and have sex also always carry protection yourself, you don't know if the other person will have anything, and you really don't want to regret anything the next day you want to enjoy it
Always make sure you look after yourself but have a buddy system with friends and always look after one another
When drinking just be super careful also
But most of all have fun but be careful and try to look after others

originally posted on 02-03-2015 9:10 PM

@Dreamer95 Buddy systems are so important, not just for Mardi Gras but for everyday partying!

Look after each other 🙂

originally posted on 02-03-2015 9:02 PM

cool project sammy

originally posted on 02-03-2015 8:58 PM

Are you going to Mardi Gras this year? If no – will you be doing something at home to celebrate your pride?

 

Nope, not this year but maybe next year. It just depends if I can find someone to go with to stand on the sidelines with. Although it should be noted that Mardi Gras is more than just the parade this coming weekend. Not too sure what I will be doing but last year I made some rainbow cupcakes. 🙂