2005 Nashville The Park Pride on the Green Many say that gay pride festivals are an outdated concept. They say we've moved past the days when they really meant something. Sure, we've come a long way since Stonewall, but is there still an absolute equality? Invariably, the answer is no. Gay people do have it much easier today than those who fought so hard for us in the past. In fact, it may seem like a lot of us have forgotten these struggles and tend to take our few freedoms for granted. But isn't that what our forerunners wanted? For us not to have to struggle or be tied down in any way by our sexuality? I think it is. But getting together for an all-out weekend of pride and festivity is definitely a good way to pay tribute and remember all of those who fought for us thus far. For this reason alone, pride festivals remain a necessity.