I don't see any inherent issue with fetishes, BDSM being included in pride discourse. Just like LGBT issues can be expressed in a non-over the top sexual stereotype, the same holds true for various fetishes, BDSM issues.
Activists for LGBT issues will (correctly) tell you that LGBT issues go beyond the sexual, that they also included the romantic. The same holds true for various fetishes, BDSM. You have people in these scenes who report having no sex drive and view these things personally as totally non-sexual. These over the top clownish images of fetishism, BDSM isn't a fair or honest reason to kick people who care about these issues out of the discourse.
I agree, displays of sexuality shouldn't be done in front of children. The fact that some people in the fetish, BDSM scene encourages such things should be called rightfully called out but it's not reason enough to ban discission of various fetishes, BDSM out of pride.
As someone who cares about these issues I don't like seeing people looking like clowns walking around in public with BDSM gear. Instead I envision fetish, BDSM at pride having a non-sexual tone. Educational booths, scientific conferences and other educational tools to explore and explain the various psychologies of fetishes, BDSM.
A place to provide education to vanilla parents about the psychology of various fetishes, BDSM. How to watch out for danger signs, and resources for knowledgeable therapists for tougher cases.
Like it or not, some people seem to be born with these desires and deserve some proper education with how to deal and process their emotions. BDSM related fantasies are found to be present in some capacity for most of humanity. I believe these things being at pride is a matter of public psychological health.
I wish I had some resources and a more knowledgeable society to help me process my own psychological issues growing up. Many other people in various fetishes, BDSM scene report the same. Many feeling like society let them down.
If companies don't want to support that, that's their right. But yeah .. I don't feel bad for LGBT people who whine about kink at pride. Not to mention a lot of them don't want kink at pride because they don't want to see white heterosexual being there other than as mere allies. Because to some of them they are so invested with the shallow idea that if you are a white straight man you cannot possibly have any issues of your own. It's really just petty hierarchal victimhood nonsense.
