Apple Unveils 2024 Pride Edition Braided Solo Loop Band and Watch Face

[RichTF]

"Gay joy" and "Pride" would not exist in a gay only State.

The idea of a ”gay only” state is wildly hypothetical, but still, I don’t think that would be true. The most gay-friendly cities (i.e.: the closest thing we have in the real world to a “gay only” state) are also those with the biggest Pride events.

And this makes rational sense. Pride is two things — a protest against the societal/legal barriers that the LGBTQ+ community faces around the world, and also a celebration of the progress that has been made so far. There’s naturally some tension between these two aspects, as the progress isn’t uniform or universal. The most gay-friendly places are where we can celebrate Pride the most, and with the most safety, so you could argue that the protest side of things is less necessary there. But the celebrations are also a signal to people living in those places where things are the most difficult. i.e.: “Don’t give up hope, you can reach this level of progress one day too!”

This touches on the Pride wristbands and other merch too. Yes, living in London in 2024, I feel pretty safe as a gay guy. Which is great. But it’s also great that people who live in less gay-friendly places can look and see that there are places out there where LGBTQ+ people can live visibly, proudly, and without fear. Sure, Apple doesn’t advertise its Pride merch in Saudi Arabia, but that doesn’t mean that people there are blind to what Apple does in the rest of the world. It all helps.

 

[avz]

The FBI issued both a domestic and foreign terrorist warning for Pride events in the USA. I would think those would not be needed in a "civilized" world, but here we are.

This is exactly what happens when you outsource your conceptual power to somebody who knows how to use objective situations to achieve subjective goals.

A "civilized" world has nothing to do with it as it can be civilized and extremely competitive at the same time.

 

[avz]

...and also a celebration of the progress that has been made so far.

Here is the thing. Not everybody is seeing it as a progress and not everybody is appreciating the fascist ultimatum to accept it as such. You are not wiser(highly likely the opposite) than the old traditions that worked for a thousand of years and actually made everything (including gay kids) possible. It is like saying that being free from the traffic lights and rules is "progress".

Another point I was trying to make is that "gay joy" people seem to hate the idea of living in a gay only State which proves that this is all just a status game for them. But who knows maybe USA can eventually become a gay only province of the world?

 

[Zest28]

Their rainbow stuff got ugly as **** as soon as they added brown.

I don't think they have a problem with brown. Don't make me explain myself.

 

[picpicmac]

Not everybody is seeing it as a progress

Of course.

And not everyone in the Confederacy though abolishing slavery was progress.

And not everyone thought ending a monarchy and establishing a republic was progress.

Whatever possessed you to think you were making a good argument?

 

[avz]

Of course.

And not everyone in the Confederacy though abolishing slavery was progress.

And not everyone thought ending a monarchy and establishing a republic was progress.

Whatever possessed you to think you were making a good argument?

Again using objective situations to achieve subjective goals. Civil War was not about slavery per se.

In a way "slavery" still exists and we are still unfortunately seeing application of the "the last of the mohicans" concept in action.

This is only re-enforces my point that "Pride" and "gay joy" is all about status game and political agenda. There are much bigger issues including lifting Africa out of poverty and paying decent money for its coffee beans and other raw materials.

 

[danny842003]

Can we have straight pride bands as well? I mean if you need a band to call out what you like, isn’t that unfairly excluding others? Just saying….

If you implicitly think that “brown” is “ugly” then you really need to stop and think about that some more…

Awful takes for totally different reasons.

 

[RichTF]

But who knows maybe USA can eventually become a gay only province of the world?
…
This is only re-enforces my point that "Pride" and "gay joy" is all about status game and political agenda. There are much bigger issues including lifting Africa out of poverty and paying decent money for its coffee beans and other raw materials.

You seem to think that Pride is about being anti-straight, or better-than-straight. It’s not, it’s about equality, saying that we’re not some dirty secret to be hidden away in shame (as was the case for much of our recent history).

Lifting people out of poverty is also about equality. It’s about saying that it’s unfair and irrational for a group of people to have drastically lower living standards, just because of where they happened to be born.

Granted, there are people who don’t care about equality, only about “their” particular group. But you seem to assume that all LGBTQ+ people are in that camp, and that Pride is just about making “our” group more powerful than “your” group. Maybe that’s where this fear come from, the fear of fascist states taking over the world via the route of gay rights. Whatever. All I can say is that there are plenty of us who believe in genuine equality, for all, and so there’s no need to choose between a better life for LGBTQ+ people and a better life for African people. The goal is for all disadvantaged groups to be lifted up, so we can all enjoy a better quality of life. There’s no contradiction here, despite your efforts to paint it as such.

 

[avz]

You seem to think that Pride is about being anti-straight, or better-than-straight. It’s not, it’s about equality, saying that we’re not some dirty secret to be hidden away in shame (as was the case for much of our recent history).

Lifting people out of poverty is also about equality. It’s about saying that it’s unfair and irrational for a group of people to have drastically lower living standards, just because of where they happened to be born.

Granted, there are people who don’t care about equality, only about “their” particular group. But you seem to assume that all LGBTQ+ people are in that camp, and that Pride is just about making “our” group more powerful than “your” group. Maybe that’s where this fear come from, the fear of fascist states taking over the world via the route of gay rights. Whatever. All I can say is that there are plenty of us who believe in genuine equality, for all, and so there’s no need to choose between a better life for LGBTQ+ people and a better life for African people. The goal is for all disadvantaged groups to be lifted up, so we can all enjoy a better quality of life. There’s no contradiction here, despite your efforts to paint it as such.

I think that you still "don't get it" how important the traditions are and why you can't just re-write them. In fact it is probably much more safer to remove the traffic lights and rules as they are in fact limiting our freedom.

 

[Razorpit]

There are tons of days of observances and celebrations. Do you think about all these too? Or is it just the LGBTQ ones you roll your eyes at? Are there any particular religious ones too that you roll your eyes at as well?

Holidays and Observances in the United States in 2024

Overview of holidays and many observances in the United States during the year 2024

www.timeanddate.com

Here's another.

You are being redirected...

And yet another.

Observances in International in 2025 | There is a Day for That!

Comprehensive list of Observances that are celebrated in International during 2025 with dates and information on the origin and meaning of the days.

www.thereisadayforthat.com

The FBI issued both a domestic and foreign terrorist warning for Pride events in the USA. I would think those would not be needed in a "civilized" world, but here we are.

Some deep questions there. 🙄

I don't think about them and yes I do think many of these made up days are stupid. There aren't a hundred and twenty plus derivatives of "pizza day" every year.

As far as religious holidays go, have at it. Those are people's traditions handed down over centuries. No one in the western world (excluding Minneapolis maybe) celebrating Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha is saying, "Hey look at me, I'm Islamic celebrate and agree with me or else you are Islamophobic."

 

[wonderings]

You seem to think that Pride is about being anti-straight, or better-than-straight. It’s not, it’s about equality, saying that we’re not some dirty secret to be hidden away in shame (as was the case for much of our recent history).

Lifting people out of poverty is also about equality. It’s about saying that it’s unfair and irrational for a group of people to have drastically lower living standards, just because of where they happened to be born.

Granted, there are people who don’t care about equality, only about “their” particular group. But you seem to assume that all LGBTQ+ people are in that camp, and that Pride is just about making “our” group more powerful than “your” group. Maybe that’s where this fear come from, the fear of fascist states taking over the world via the route of gay rights. Whatever. All I can say is that there are plenty of us who believe in genuine equality, for all, and so there’s no need to choose between a better life for LGBTQ+ people and a better life for African people. The goal is for all disadvantaged groups to be lifted up, so we can all enjoy a better quality of life. There’s no contradiction here, despite your efforts to paint it as such.

- Are you not now equal in the law, at least in the West?

Regarding people who don't care about equality only their specific agenda, I think this goes both ways on both sides.

LGBT people spew out hate for those who do not agree with them and even phrases in reply to someones view will be countered with "you are just an old straight white man" as if that is an acceptable reply to someones view. Turn that around on any group or ethnic group and it is a hate crime. This labeling of "straight white men" as if it is a bad thing is not an isolated or thing said only by the utmost extremists, it is said freely in the mainstream. It has come to a point where if you are white and straight then you are the evil of all evils, especially if you dare to disagree with trans ideology or not completely accept LGBT based on ones faith. And this further spreads the divide as you are now telling a large segment of the population that their voice is no longer valid, well that certainly makes the LGBT community angry, is it surprising that people are being radicalized as their backs are pushed up against a wall on the opposite side? I do not justify violence or spewing hate against any community, but I do believe in the right to respectfully disagree with views and ideologies that do not align to my own. I can get a long with people I disagree with, I can work with them no problem. The problem comes when one is forced to accept what one group thinks and if you don't you are deemed a nazi, a fascit, a biggot, a hate monger, etc. This is true intolerance, demanding one accepts your views and this happens regularly from all corners of political, religious and every other group out there.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

There aren't a hundred and twenty plus derivatives of "pizza day" every year.

No but there are waffle days, taco Tuesday, national donut day is next Friday, the list goes on. But I think these food holidays are a 'Murica thing.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

I think that you still "don't get it" how important the traditions are and why you can't just re-write them. In fact it is probably much more safer to remove the traffic lights and rules as they are in fact limiting our freedom.

Traffic lights and rules are pretty new, most towns didn't have them till the 1930s. We lasted what, at least 1900 years without the need for them? I think we should get rid of them. They're not "deeply rooted in tradition," which as you say is monumentally important.

Reject motor vehicles, return to horseback. What a literally backwards philosophy you have.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Again using objective situations to achieve subjective goals. Civil War was not about slavery per se.

What was the civil war about, then?

 

[Razorpit]

No but there are waffle days, taco Tuesday, national donut day is next Friday, the list goes on. But I think these food holidays are a 'Murica thing.

Taco Tuesday is 14.3% of the year. Maybe that's the one exception to all of this. 😉

 

[avz]

What was the civil war about, then?

Power.

It is safe to say that your "Pride" thing is also a reflection of a certain power dynamics that would be dropped as soon as it is no longer necessary.

 

[wonderings]

Power.

It is safe to say that your "Pride" thing is also a reflection of a certain power dynamics that would be dropped as soon as it is no longer necessary.

It was about power, but a big part of it was the power to continue on with slavery as that was a large part of their economic system there. You really can't remove slavery from being a major reason for the civil war.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Power.

What a nothing answer. Let me know when you're willing to accept that times and society changes, including 'tradition'

It is safe to say that your "Pride" thing is also a reflection of a certain power dynamics that would be dropped as soon as it is no longer necessary.

"Power dynamics"? What part of "no you cannot silence my desire to love my fellow man" has to do with power dynamics?

 

[The1Biz]

I think that you still "don't get it" how important the traditions are and why you can't just re-write them. In fact it is probably much more safer to remove the traffic lights and rules as they are in fact limiting our freedom.

Traditions can be changed.

LGBTQ+ people, black people, disabled people, and women have always existed and were tired of being in the shadows and marginalized. So they stood up, and fought for rights and equality. The old traditions sucked so they changed it, as well as laws, too. That's how democracy works, comrade.

 

[The1Biz]

Taco Tuesday is 14.3% of the year. Maybe that's the one exception to all of this. 😉

I feel like I could use more Taco Tuesday in my life, like 50%.

I fully support Talk Like a Pirate day, too.

 

[mikelets456]

I never understood why we embrace being different then get upset when we don't embrace being different.

 

[avz]

Let me know when you're willing to accept that times and society changes, including 'tradition'

Good luck with the changes. I will continue to follow tradition.

Traditions can be changed.

LGBTQ+ people, black people, disabled people, and women have always existed and were tired of being in the shadows and marginalized. So they stood up, and fought for rights and equality. The old traditions sucked so they changed it, as well as laws, too. That's how democracy works, comrade.

Enjoy the democracy.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Good luck with the changes. I will continue to follow tradition.

Enjoy your tradition, just don't go flaunting and pushing it on others.

 

[RichTF]

Yeah, to continue living in a tolerant society, it’s necessary to be intolerant of intolerance. This apparent “paradox” is not a recent revelation, and is in fact totally rational.

And yes, if your life experience has been one where “your” group has been dominant and privileged, and society shifts towards equality, it’s going to feel like your group is under attack. It’s painful to let go of privilege, but it’s necessary to build a society of genuine equality.

 

[mikelets456]

Enjoy your tradition, just don't go flaunting and pushing it on others.

LOL!!! Seriously? This has to be sarcasm I hope. You mean like using tax payer dollars to push it in schools? Pushing "pride" through government programs? Pushing it in the work place like DEI? Firing those in the workplace that have different opinions? I used to support the gay community but it has been pushed WAY too far to the point of "sit down and shut up". You have poked the bear too many times---

Talk about "flaunting it"---what a joke---remember this?

“We’ll Convert Your Children” – A Message from the San Francisco Gay Men’s Choir​