Comments on Advance Indiana™: Indiana Family Institute Upset IMPD Will Participate In Circle City Pride Parade

Me thinks Ryan doth protest too much.

2011-06-10T19:58:45.433-05:00

Me thinks Ryan doth protest too much.

I would assume AI has now see IFI director of oper...

2011-06-10T19:05:47.083-05:00

I would assume AI has now see IFI director of operations Ryan McCann's further homophobic rants about the whoole thing. (Don't know how to link in the comment but suspect AI does.) If not so really sad, it would make good comedy, especially about the police "recruting booth" at the event.

Really unfortunate concerning Mayor Ballard, who p...

2011-06-10T16:59:47.412-05:00

Really unfortunate concerning Mayor Ballard, who privately seems not to harbor a smidgen of bias against the LGBT community, and who at least questioned the need for the so-called "Marriage Protection Amendment"

But you're so, so very right, Gary. Whenever the "unholy trinity" of so-called "values" organizations snap their fingers, even more progressive members of the GOP don't want to be seen anywhere near a part of their constituency.

It's not only GOP folks who do that; there are many Democrats who become very nervous nellies about getting too close.

At least the younger generation is beginning to catch on.

So if that's the case, then making a decision ...

2011-06-10T14:25:29.777-05:00

So if that's the case, then making a decision on preferring one private group over another without a rational basis would seem questionable, if perhaps strictly speaking unlawful.

Of course the basic premise of the Indiana Family Institute and its companions is that people who are unrepentently gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender are inherently second-class cizens unworthy of being afforded any accomodation.

Who elected Micah, Eric, and Curt to be guardians of the public morality in the first place?

I've been a critic of Frank Straub, but this h...

2011-06-10T08:29:00.986-05:00

I've been a critic of Frank Straub, but this has nothing to do with Frank Straub. There are many gay and lesbian police officers that are a part of IMPD whether people want to accept that fact or not. IMPD plays an active part in many events held in this town annually. They are typically compensated for that work, often with overtime pay. From what I understand, the police presence for this event in the past has been provided by police officers who volunteered their time and services. That has not been the case for other special events.

This has to be more work by HERR DOK-TOR Straub, t...

2011-06-10T07:05:55.452-05:00

This has to be more work by HERR DOK-TOR Straub, the New York Liberal, who forces people to address him as DOCTOR because he has a PhD in liberalism.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB3dN0SI734&feature=related

Does anyone know if IPD officers have been part of...

2011-06-10T05:56:14.176-05:00

Does anyone know if IPD officers have been part of other parades, such as for St. Patrick's Day, and if so, what their pay status has been?

Can someone please give us (IMPD) a win-win situat...

2011-06-10T02:24:42.156-05:00

Can someone please give us (IMPD) a win-win situation...no matter what we do (participate or dont participate), we're always pissing people off...I'll say it once again, whoever coined "damned if you do, damned if you dont" was a cop!!!!

Septly, I don't think the majority of the peop...

2011-06-09T20:11:43.756-05:00

Septly, I don't think the majority of the people would mind if officers were voluntarily in a parade WHILE NOT ON DUTY, BEING PAID WITH TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
Does that mean that if an on-duty officer wants to go fishing to celebrate National Fishing Week, or go swimming to celebrate National Aquatics Day, while ON DUTY, it is OK with you?

Nicely said Septly!

2011-06-09T19:48:21.428-05:00

Nicely said Septly!

Micah Clark of the American Family Association als...

2011-06-09T17:45:19.381-05:00

Micah Clark of the American Family Association also issued a long letter decrying the event, including three pictures that he disingenously called "typical" of the floats. He followed up by saying:

"Many people caught up in homosexuality have never worn a leather dog collar or led someone around with a whip. They are not drag queens or exhibitionists. For this reason, they avoid Indy Pride and all of its over-the-top displays."

Anyone going downtown Saturday and sampling the "typical" attendee would see how far from reality Micah and the AFA's view is. What's really troublesome to him and his colleagues is the realization that every year the event is more and more mainstream.

Indy4u2c, I have been downtown during the Pride ev...

2011-06-09T15:58:14.870-05:00

Indy4u2c, I have been downtown during the Pride event, too, though not recently. However, I have never witnessed anything "inappropriate," or something family unfriendly. In fact, I have witnessed many individuals in attendance with their children, parents, grandparents, etc..

Now, perhaps, you would not personally choose to attend with your family, but that is your opinion, and not necessarily reflective of how the general community feels.

Also, to the extent IMPD officers wish to voluntarily participate in the parade, there is absolutely no issue. These are officers who serve are city proudly every day, and they have as much right to participate in a community event, as anyone else. So, long as the parade does not involve illegal activities or advocate for harm or discrimination against others, I see no problem with the IMPD or any other city department participating.

As for so-called "New York City liberalism," if by that you mean acceptance of people with different backgrounds and maintaining a general welcoming community, it goes under the name of "Hoosier Hospitality" in Indiana, and it most certainly is a traditional value of the state and the City of Indianapolis.

I have to agree with the Indiana Family Institute ...

2011-06-09T10:37:18.968-05:00

I have to agree with the Indiana Family Institute on this one. I've been downtown during previous "Pride Parades" and what I saw was not appropriate for the family! I would personally call this an "R" rated event.

Taxpayer dollars going to have our men and women in uniform through the police and fire department march in that kind of a parade is totally inappropriate. If they provide security, that is a different matter, but to march in it is wrong.

Thank you Frank Straub for imposing your New York Liberalism on our city!