Part of
the definition of pride is "satisfaction derived from one's own qualities".
The definition of prideful is "having or displaying feelings of scorn for what is regarded as beneath oneself" People often confuse having pride with being prideful. The Gay pride movement is about unity, self acceptance, education & strength.
I've spent the last 21 years of my life raising my straight son as a single father that's both "openly" Gay, and an "openly" Gay pornographer. By openly Gay I mean that nobody knows I'm Gay unless they ask a question, or we're in a circumstance, that specifically requires I tell them if it would mean I'd have to lie or be subversive not to tell them. I just say "I'm not straight".
98% of the people I've met in my life do not know my sexuality, but had the circumstance come up, I would have openly told them.
Oh and the CEO of Apple is Gay, any surprise? For many yes! Stereotypes say he'd be to scatter brained, obsessed with unsafe sex, shopping, gossip, or interior design, to focuss on a successful carreer. That's not who we are. They are stereotypes.
I've been to a Gay bar 3 times in my life, and one Gay pride event. I'm socially liberal & fiscally conservative. I've paid my dues for being Gay, and for being a pornographer.
I'm happy that I've invested 21 years of my life raising one well adjusted straight man that knows what being Gay is really about, and he's in school working on his teaching degree while working at a local kids organization for the last 2 years... worth the sacrifice. I'm so proud of him..