…is why I stopped going to gay pride parades.
I ran across almost this exact scene one parade day during my time in San Francisco. While I know a lot of my readers may disagree, in my opinion this shit unequivocally crosses the line. I'm certainly no prude—or a stranger to public sex—but it's one thing to be getting your groove on with a handsome stranger deep in the bushes at Golden Gate Park or in a secluded hamlet on the beach, but it's quite something else to be doing it out on a public sidewalk on Market Street.
Of course that picture is staged. I have never seen public sex at a pride event. It may happen in San Francisco but not in Tucson.
I've lead a pretty vanilla life, but will cop to a time or two in an inappropriate place. Sometimes right and wrong go out the window, am I right? But it would be a mistake to think that only gay people do this kind of thing. Maybe alleged "straight" guys on the down-low have a higher incidence, but I've seen straight people goin' at it in New Orleans and Key West.
I agree with you on this one; PDA and PDD (Dirty doings) are uncouth.
Interesting that you as well as the previous commentors quantify that it is ok to have sex in public but only under certain circumstances. Therein lies the problem. Not everyone sets the same bar of acceptance for themselves or others. And for the record I'm not condoning the act but I wouldn't show so much disdain just because someone doesn't recognize the same level of respect I do.
I'm assumming your frustration is not so much the act but that it is in plain view, with a lack of privacy. That in turn, implies a lack of respect IMHO. While I'd probably be offended seeing a couple, gay or straight, having sex in public, it would depend on the scenario. If it were Folsom or Dore, I wouldn't bat an eye because it is a very sexually charged environment, not fit for children. Pride tends to be a more family oriented event and I can see the outrage there. If I were truly bothered, I'd ask them to stop or move somewhere more private.
I would not adapt a holier-than-thou attitude though, the whole glass houses metaphore and all.
Moby, I admit I am conflicted on this. As you pointed out, I wouldn't have thought twice about seeing this at Folsom or Dore, but for some reason it just pushed my buttons the wrong way on Pride Day.
Also in agreement about the glass houses thing. Lord knows I've done PLENTY in my life (in public or semi-public) that a lot of other people find completely unacceptable.
Making the beast with two back in a park with a reasonable expectation of privacy (off the beaten path- deep in the woods) is one thing. But next to a port-a-potty. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeew. I don't like it bars either – designated back rooms included. Cars are okay – a nice BJ while driving AT NIGHT is cool. But again – next to a port-a-potty? Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew.
Get a room!!!!
I definitely think there is a time and place for everything. And doing "adult" things in an environment that's not 100% adult is not one of the places to do it.
Straight people used to have sex all the time in my fitting rooms when I was a DM for Speedo stores. I've never seen public sex at any of the DC or NY prides, unlucky me. Now Folsum (sp) is different and I do agree that public sex, although titillating, is not acceptable. Bars included.