Opinion Talk

By Realityshowaddict

July 7, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

BRING BACK THE FESTIVALS! RETUN SCREEN ON THE GREEN! PIEDMONT PARK AIN’T WHAT IT USED TO BE! UGGGGGHHHHH!

By josh

July 7, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

the gay pride parade shouldn’t even happen. why celebrate all that sin?? i don’t get why people choose to be gay…doesn’t make any sense.

By AH

July 7, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this

Amen,

Let’s get the festivals back to Piedmont park it just wasn’t the same this year.

By james

July 7, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this

bring back music midtown

By Twilla

July 7, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this

Move the Peachtree Road Race back to Piedmont Park and move the Gay Pride festival to San Fransisco.

By Copyleft

July 7, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this

You’re a funny guy, Josh. You’re like a blog Stephen Colbert: deadpan delivery of the most inane right-wing catchphrases, as if you actually meant them.

Funny stuff! Thanks for the chuckle.

By T

July 7, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this

Yes, bring it back to the park.

By bronco

July 7, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this

The only reason the gay pride festival is in Atlanta is simply the $$$$. Move it to SF where it belongs. I have stay in a room in Atlanta this week on a business trip and who knows what the heck went on with that bed a few hours before. Don’t just move the festival back to the park, move it the heck out of our town.

By CJ

July 7, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this

Yes!!! Without fail, it always rains during the Gay Pride parade! The big concern was not having water to replenish the turf at Piedmont Park… all they have to do is look to past years to know IT WILL RAIN (and it did!), so the grass would have been fine!

By zeke

July 7, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

Peachtree Road Race definitely needs to be back in the park! The finish and the utter lack of organization or space at the civic center sucked big time! As for the pride crap, send it to SF, South Beach or some other distant location! Pride for what? What immoral crap, and, this city is about irrelevant as nipples on a boar hog!

By CJ

July 7, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

Twilla & Bronco, you straights get to hold hands and exhibit as much or as little PDA as you want to 365 days a year in any public place that you want. We gays only get 2 1/2 days each year to do so without fear in public. Shame on you for being so selfish! Keep the double standards to yourself! We have to accommodate you all a lot more than you have to accommodate us!

By Twilla

July 7, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

CJ Just think, you can hold hands or hold anything else you want and not accommodate anyone 24/7/365 in SF. So what is the problem?

By deborah

July 7, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

There is no doubt that festivals will be back in Piedmont. Atlanta is losing money, and without a reversal the support for these festivals will be lost, too.

By hrc.org

July 7, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

Bring all the festivals back to Piedmont Park. With coordinated planning and management it will work. Note: gay-bashers, please either get a clue or move to your own custom-designed country where you can control everything (see: Taliban). We’re here, we’re queer, deal with it.

By Benevolus

July 7, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

I am a right wing Christian conservative and I have wondered if most of the gay people in Atlanta are as embarrassed about the ridiculous behavior during the Gay Pride festival as most Christians are about some of the goofy things some Christians say or do? I would think that events like Gay Pride do more harm than good for your cause.

By Eric

July 7, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this

Sorry, Benevolus, but you miss the point. I think Gay Pride a wonderful, festive “mardi gras” event as a counter-point to stuffy, sober religion. As in Ecclesiastes says, “There’s a time and place for every purpose under Heaven.” Both are needed, don’t you think?

By gttim

July 7, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

I am more embarrassed by the behavior of the so-called ‘Christians’ than I am with anything that goes on during th Pride Parade. The most hateful, prejudice, un-accepting and un-Jesus like behavior I see is by so-called ‘Christians.’ Maybe if they actually read the New Testament, they would understand Jesus’ message. But then again, I doubt they would.

By Thinking

July 7, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

Yes. Bring the festivals back…

By Straight Girl

July 7, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this

what ridiculous behavior during gay pride are you freaks talking about? i live on 10th and charles allen. there are no naked people, there’s no gun waiving, no loitering. i saw people holding hands, dancing, families, and some people hugging and kissing. what is so ridiculous about that behavior? there are always going to be people who take their behavior to an unwelcome extent. since i’ve lived on my neighborhood for many years now, the most unwelcome behavior i’ve seen are those so-called conservative christians that come in and protest on 10th and piedmont. how would they react if me and my friends protested their church?

By Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve

July 7, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

move the gay pride parade to california where it belongs…get this sin out of atlanta.

By Chris

July 7, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

Benevolus - As a gay man, I agree with you. The actions by some at “Gay Pride” are totally ridiculous and appalling. Those that flaunt around and make being gay all that they are, those are the ones that do more harm than good in the “gay rights movement”. I am ashamed by the actions of those at the “Gay Pride” event and do not associate myself with them. I think we self respecting gay folks ought to form an organization to fight that kind of disgraceful behavior.

As for the festivals in the park, I don’t care.

By SAR

July 7, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this

Bronoc, you’re too funny. There is no way in heck that you have a job requires you to travel and stay in a hotel so don’t worry about what goes in the bed you rent for a day. Your job travel time is 30 mins, that’s how long you have to deliver that pizza.

By Atlanta Is For Gays

July 7, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

For those of you who seem to think that San Francisco is the only suitable place for gays in the US, are you aware that Atlanta has one of the largest gay populations in the nation/world? Get your heads out of the sand, or more appropriately, your a$$. And just so you know, it isn’t YOUR city, it belongs to everyone. If it weren’t for Atlanta’s gay population, none of you would be venturing into Midtown and Piedmont Park. It took the gays to clean the place up and make it respectable and safe. If you ahve a problem with that why don’t you move to another cithy and leave Piedmont Park to people who are intelligent enough to accept diversity.

By Atlanta Is For Gays

July 7, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

For those of you who seem to think that San Francisco is the only suitable place for gays in the US, are you aware that Atlanta has one of the largest gay populations in the nation/world? Get your heads out of the sand, or more appropriately, your a$$. And just so you know, it isn’t YOUR city, it belongs to everyone. If it weren’t for Atlanta’s gay population, none of you would be venturing into Midtown and Piedmont Park. It took the gays to clean the place up and make it respectable and safe. If you have a problem with that why don’t you move to another city and leave Piedmont Park to people who are intelligent enough to accept diversity.

By Atlanta Is For Gays

July 7, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

For those of you who seem to think that San Francisco is the only suitable place for gays in the US, are you aware that Atlanta has one of the largest gay populations in the nation/world? Get your heads out of the sand, or more appropriately, your a$$. And just so you know, it isn’t YOUR city, it belongs to everyone. If it weren’t for Atlanta’s gay population, none of you would be venturing into Midtown and Piedmont Park. It took the gays to clean the place up and make it respectable and safe. If you have a problem with that why don’t you move to another city and leave Piedmont Park to people who are intelligent enough to accept diversity.

By Rainy Gays

July 7, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

God loves the gays. That’s why he chose to give all you ignorant troglodytes the rain you desperately need during the Gay Pride Parade. Otherwise, it seems that he’d been holding out on you. So, put down your Bible, and go out and hug a gay and thank them.

By disgusted

July 7, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this

Why does every blog on the AJC always turn into an opportunity to bash gays, or blacks, or anyone else that you igorant losers don’t like? Have any of you ever read the papers from other cities? This doesn’t happen there. You people should be ashamed of yourselves.

By Atlanta Is For Gays

July 7, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this

Sorry for the mulitiple posts.

By Twilla

July 7, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

Chris, thank you for your level headed answer. You are welcome to live in my neighborhood anytime.

Atlanta Is For Gays, do you mind if we take a vote on that to see if all of Atlantans want to be the largest gay population. You seem to think that only your opinion counts so lets take an Atlanta wide vote to see what kind of place Atlantans want. You do want it for “everyone” don’t you?

By the topic is

July 7, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

Is it me or did almost everyone posting today miss the topic of the blog??!!!

PEOPLE…the topic is “Should festivals return to Piedmont Park?” For once it would be nice to see people actually respond to the subject at hand. The Gay Pride Festival is only one of several festivals held in the park. Yet, it seems to be the one most talked about. Stop using blogs to voice your idiotic opinions (whether for or against) and answer the question being asked.

In response to the real reason for this blog…yes the festivals (i.e. Peachtree Road Race, Arts Festivals, Atlanta Pride Festival, Dogwood Festival, etc.) should all return to the park. Atlanta just isn’t the same with the festivals scattered all around the city or not happening at all.

By musicatl

July 7, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

Those people bashing are the Atlanta welcoming committees, they are everywhere. They don’t respect themselves nor the city. Why do you think the radio stations are awful, they have committees for that.

By ah

July 7, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

Disqusted, I agree. I don’t get the thrill in bashing gays - on a blog discussion about Piedmont Park festivals? But I have to include the Christian bashing that’s going on, too. Both sides should think about the pain of being judged by others and how catastrophic language only divides people more.

By deborah

July 7, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

Actually, only Atlanta voters count here.

Piedmont is a regional park that Atlantans pay for, however much private donors suppport it. The city councilors responsible for this (Norwood is running for Mayor) ought to respect the historical use of the park. It isn’t like they haven’t taxed us enough for it.

By GaynATL

July 7, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

Yes, bring ALL the festivals back to the parks. Parks are meant to be used, not to be driven by and looked at.

By Atlanta is for Gays

July 7, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this

Twilla, I don’t have a problem with all sorts of people living in Atlanta. You’re the one who seems to want to limit the residency requirements with your call for a vote on who is allowed. But let me be more specific: Atlanta is for Gays, and Straights, and Whites, and Blacks, and Latinos, and Asians, and Rich, and Poor, and Educated, and Uneducated. Do you understand now?

And to the actual topic at hand, of course the park should be opend up to festivals. The whole purpose of a park is to allow city residents a place to enjoy the outdoors.

By Stayhome

July 7, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

Heck No, I love no festival policy it keeps all you OTP SUV driving, McMansion loving idiots from clogging up the roads in midtown where I live. Please stay home with your obnoxious kids, rude driving and generally intolerant and offensive behavior. God doesn’t live in town, all those churches you see are for black people and their God. Remember if you come to town your kids will turn gay, you’ll be robbed or killed and if you ever find a place to park your car will get vandalized, the bums will follow you everywhere asking for money and if you ride MARTA some of those people will be on the train with you. It’s not that we don’t like you it just that we like you better at a distance of 15 to 20 miles.

By Mary Jane D'Uby

July 7, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

The festivals should never have been moved from Piedmont Park - it was a bone-headed idea. The amount of water in Lake Lanier has nothing to do with the health of the grass in the park - the water that falls on the grass from the rain is what keeps it healthy and we have been having sufficient amounts of rainfall lately. Grass roots are only a few inches deep - grass will go through cycles of looking healthy and turning brownish almost every year, whether we are in a drought or not.

By Benevolus

July 7, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

Straight Girl, you answered your own question and restated my point in your comment. You asked “what ridiculous behavior” - my answer in your words -“there are always going to be people who take their behavior to an unwelcome extent.” As far as the protesting “so called conservative Christians,” I agree, their behavior is unwelcome.

As far as letting the festivals back, I am all for it.

By onlycritter

July 7, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

Bring back the festivals! The “leadership” at City Hall caved to neighborhood pressure (as they tend to do). Look people who live around Piedmont Park - it is NOT YOUR PARK! It is our park. And just because I do not live near it does not mean I do not pay for it when I buy food/clothes in the City.

And to the hate-speech going on with this blog - what a shame. I would just assume live near a gay person becuase they are likely to not judge me regardless of my sexuality. I am a Christian AND accepting of gay people. Yes, you can be both. Unfortunately, this backward state hasn’t realized it yet.

By theburningbed

July 7, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this

Sodom and Gomorra use to hold their parades downtown too..

By Park Neighbor

July 7, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this

(Oh good grief. Those insecure Christians just can’t resist a blog to blabber, can they? Whew…I got that out of my system. Thanks for our indulgence.)

Festivals in the park? Of course, return them. This was just a political ploy or test by Atlanta City Council to (a) see how it goes, (b) see what they can weed out, (c) see how people react and how much money is lost/not lost, and (d) see what they can further take away from the city’s taxpayers while raising taxes, increasing rates, and providing fewer services along the way. And all due to the Council and mayor’s staff ineptitude. OK, so perhaps I’m prejuidiced. I’m gay (ooops), single (ooops), have no children (ooops), am a COA taxpayer (yeah!) etc. — so using the park and enjoying the festivals are few of the real perks I get from living here. (Don’t get me started on the potholes and the continuously turn-up streets around here.)

It’s okay to have events in Centinnel Park but not Piedmont Park? Come on people. Get with the program. Do you think the citizens and taxpayers who live INSIDE the City limits are that gullible? But then of course, perhaps the opinion of people who live OUTSIDE the city limits is more important. Ummmmm. Topic for another blog eh? Perhaps the Christians have an opinion about THAT!

By 2xist

July 7, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

It is a well documented fact in the study of Sociology that the people who are the most vehement in their hatred of gays are actually gay themselves but refuse to admit it. The louder you scream and yell about it, the gayer you are.

By Copyleft

July 7, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

You know, Jesus preached love… why are his followers so full of hate?

By what a mess

July 7, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

Let’s get something clear, a true Christian should understand that all fall short of the glory of God. A true Christian should strive to love everyone unconditionally just as God loves us. There are plenty of people who call themselves “Christians” but their actions and words contradict that. Before you throw stones at someone because they are gay, black, white, fat, small, rich, poor, etc., check yourself. Are you so free from sin that you can throw those stones? If you are then you are perfect and as far as I know there is no perfect person on this earth.

Seems to me that some need to go back and read James 2, which reminds us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Where you agree with someones sexual preference or not, they are still your neighbor and you are not above sin yourself. Go back and read Romans3:23 again and you will be reminded that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. Not some, not a few, but all.

By Equality

July 7, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

Self righteous people have always been limited by their own simple mindedness. What they fail to comprehend is that gay pride has always been here in Atlanta, it will always remain and it will only get bigger and better each year. So find something else to hate.

By Benevolus

July 7, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

Copyleft, surely you’re not so naive as to believe that the vitriolic comments are really Christians as opposed to posers with a deceptive purpose.

By Chris

July 7, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this

Festivals in Piedmont Park, ok fine, whatever.

Gay Pride, no! I am a gay man and have been in a committed relationship for over 11 years. The “Gay Pride” event is anything but. There is no pride there. That event brings shame on the gay community. People view the images in the paper, men in headdresses, drag queens, lesbians with no tops on, men simulating sex on floats, people screaming for tolerance while denouncing everyone who disagrees with them. There is no pride in these actions. Where are the average gay men and women who work hard everyday, living in every community here in this great state and nation? Where are the proud service men and women who defend our country and who happen to be gay? Where are they? They are at home distancing themselves from this spectacle known as gay pride.

If we want the world to take us seriously, we have to stop this event and now! No wonder people are repulsed when these actions are plastered on the news.

By gttim

July 7, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

You know, I read the SFGate daily, and their comments sections get the same hate as the AJC. It seems bigots, morons and conservative Christians post on both coasts!

By Sarah

July 7, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

I never bought into the idea of why the events in the park were stopped in the first place. Bring back the park events to where they belong, in the city ! We pay the prices per square foot for our homes intown because we want to do things intown. Who in their right mind would want to venture out into the burbs and deal with all the boneheads the suburbs attract with their kids and all that go along with overbreeding. I am a straight woman but give me gay neighbors over some of you idiots posting any day of the week. Face it, gay men earn more money, they go to the gym and take care of themselves whereas a lot of straight men think a hairy back and a gut are sexy. I suppose that’s why they (traight men) go for months without sex with their wives. She needs months of preperation to be able to stomach all that mess bouncing up and down on her….ewwwww.

By thefishermen

July 7, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

Yes, Jesus did preach love, along side self-responsibility. Why do we seem to always want to read John 3:16 and stop?

John 3: 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

By rightytighty

July 7, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

Did gttim just put the AJC into the same category as the SFGate!!??

Nope…., no liberal biased here on the AJC! NOT!!

By Josh M

July 7, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

I am a staunch conservative - and I am ashamed to read the hateful, moronic anti-gay comments on here. Why do you care what other people do with their own lives? If you believe the Bible, you know God gave us free will - so use yours as you see fit, and allow others to use theirs. And please don’t attack the Gay Pride Festival as if you’ve ever been there or have any idea of what actually goes on.

Of course, the most vitriolic of you are probably closet-cases anyway.

By UGhhhh

July 7, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

Jesus was probably a nice guy but his followers are pain in the a$$.

Dear God please protect me from your followers Amen.

By Equality

July 7, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

Sarah, oh my goodness you made my day with your comment. Yes indeed! If there is any group that needs God’s love and blessings, it is the straight women. You ladies have to put up with some awful things.

By Lily Toad

July 7, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

I went to the early gay pride marches when they were political in nature. Now Gay Pride is super-commercial. I drove some friends and dropped one off so she could march in the parade and another at the civic center, but I really had no interest in staying. I have enjoyed walking down Peachtree with hundreds of other gays and lesbians but once I got to Piedmont Park I got bored with corporations trying to cater to gay people. Unlike an earlier poster I have no gripe with how people want to display themselves. Log Cabin Republicans and the most flashy cross-dressers make up the diversity of our community.

All that being said, I mostly regret the Dogwood Festival being held in Lenox Square parking lot. Now, that’s absurd!

By Matt

July 7, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this

Why am I not surprised that a simple question has been turned into an attack on gay people. No matter the topic/question, you can always count on the nut-jobs to crawl out of the woodwork and turn these blogs into a hate filled insult battle divided by racial or sexual preference lines. It’s 2008 people; no wonder this country is in such a mess.