Gay prides doesn`t lead towards more tolerant society

Question : Is marching through main streets of major cities while being offended from bystanders really boosting your self acceptance? I`m arguing not as an prejudiced heterosexual beer drinkin` and TV watchin` male (sadly, but many are just like that) but as a member of society as whole. Watching gay parades makes me ask some questions - who are they and why are they doing it? I accept my opponent`s argument that these manifestations are mainly for homosexuals themselves, but we can`t pretend that their actions doesn`t affect other people as well. I agree with my opponent that freedom of speech and freedom to express yourself (it includes sexual freedom) is one of core values in democracy. But there are a lot of people who perceive these parades as an attack. They feel their values and beliefs are under attack because even if they are not homophobics, they have these dual feelings inside: * Intelectually they understand that these are homosexuals and they have been around us for centuries. Now they have risen from `underground` and fighting for their rights to be accepted and no being discriminated. * But emotional side of these people are saying - `Their actions are so aggressive and extravert that it alomost seems they want everybody to become homosexual. Ok, I am exxagarating a litle bit, but I am telling you what are those feelings non-homosexual community feels (except the radical ones, of course). I must say that I consider myself as an open minded person and I feel very ashamed for protests that happened in my homecountry (see link in R1) and I think that it is not the way we should discuss diversity in democracy. But when I talk with other people I see that they perceive the parades this way - 'Oh, these homosexuals whant us to feel bad just because we don`t like them? Screw them! ' They feel that message from gay community is - Don`t say anything bad about us otherwise you will be called homophobic and narrow-minded person because being gay is so cool these days. And that attitude triggers defense mechanisms - total denial and hatred against dissimilar. I understand that many protesters (religious fanatics, skinheads, KKK, etc. ) will never change their mind no matter how logical arguments they will hear. But most of society doesn`t hate homosexuals - they just seem ofended when they hear about half naked gays and transsexuals marching through city streets. This attitude somehow makes homosexual community special, because homosexuallity is not as widely accepted as Independence day parades and being naked in front of many people are not considerd `normal` even in most tolerant societies. The proplem is that non-homosexuals are majority in our society and majority hates to accept view of minority. My opinion is that because majority of population doesn`t consider homosexuality as something great and valuable (even if they accept that these are normal everyday people who deserve same rights as everybody else), organizers should make their parades less vulgar (I`m not talking about all parades, but the most sexually visible ones, like Loveparade). I understand that this is very complicated question because nobody knows where lies the thin line between vulgarity and celebration, but my opinion is that society should be the one making judgment, not parade organizers. I can`t pretend to be representing every heterosexual, but I think that homosexuals should accept the view of majority - most people accept homosexuality and there is no need to organize parades like propaganda for sexual freedom. I would like to see mutual respect from both sides - homosexuals (no being so showy) and society (as being tolerant). I understand that there are countries were even the modest gay parade will cause mass disorders and I think that visiting some TV show and discussing these painful questions in front of mass audience will benefit more than being an object of hate for homo phobics on the street. Sorry for my confused argumentation, I wait to hear my opponent.