What about straight pride? And other fun facts

The first "Pride Parade" was celebrating a police riot started by trans women of colour.  Stonewall was a riot against the police. This is part of why so many people are uncomfortable with police at Pride.  There's a long history and in most cities there still is a lot of police hostility and aggression toward queer people all of the rest of the year.

Pride is not for everyone! That's ok! The goal is not and never has been to be for everyone, or about "loving and accepting everyone!" It is a highly political celebration of defiance for continuing to exist even when people keep trying to murder you. Kind of like Hanukah.

It is for queer/rainbow/lgbt+/umbrella-term-of-your-choice people. This does not include cis het kinksters, allies, or people who just really like rainbows! This does include asexuals, aromantics, anyone who falls even partially under the trans umbrella, bisexuals, pansexuals, and anyone who considers themselves queer! Even if they're in what appears to be a "heterosexual relationship". The gender of their partner does not define their sexuality or gender.

"What, so you're saying because I'm cis and heterosexual that I can't/shouldn't go to pride?" No! Not at all! I'm saying that you need to understand that you are not the target demographic. You are not the person it is for. If you go just be mindful of that fact, and don't center it on you. Think of it like going to a friend's wedding of a different culture than your own. It isn't about you, you are there as a guest to participate and enjoy another culture's traditions, and you're going to defer to the members of that culture while there.

"What about Straight Pride?" No one has tried to kill heterosexuals for being heterosexuals. There have not been mass shootings or legislation against them existing, or getting married. People recognize their personhood! That's good! Also, Straight Pride is being organized by Nazis. I find a really helpful litmus test of "Is this something I want nothing to do with and should be actively against?" to be "Are nazis for it?"

"Ok so what does wearing glitter booty shorts and a feather boa on a float have to do with survival?" Pride is a celebration of life, and presence. Sometimes that involves nipples.

"So, what should I do to celebrate Pride?" FIGHT THE SYSTEM. No, really. Call your reps about systematic injustice. When people make shitty bigoted jokes, don't laugh along. Call it out, and if you can't do that, a flat cringe and "wow, so, anyways" can do wonders. Don't go to businesses that are bigoted. Support queer artists and creators. Buy their stuff, promote their stuff, not the corporations wearing rainbows. When queer people talk about their experiences, listen. Donate to queer organizations! Punch nazis! Brush up on bystander intervention so if you see someone getting harassed, you can use your privilege to help!

Have a happy (and political!) Pride!

(This is an edit of a Facebook post I wrote ages ago.)

Things to Keep In Mind Going Into Pride

Time for Another Educational Post for Pride! Here's some things to keep in mind going into Pride Month

Pride started with Stonewall, which was a riot against the police by poor trans WOC.
Because of this, Pride is inherently political.
This is also a big part of the reason people don't want police at Pride (it gets more complicated, but that's a post for another day).

"Why are people half naked at Pride? How is that political?" Pride is a lot of things to a lot of people. One of those is a celebration of resilience. People have and continue to try to kill us, and failed. We're still here. Sometimes celebrating life involves having a picnic with loved ones. Sometimes it involves standing on a float in a rainbow g-string throwing condoms and glitter out to a crowd.

People who are not cis gay/cis lesbians belong at Pride. Anyone under the queer umbrella belongs there. That includes aro/ace folks, that includes heterosexual trans folks, that includes bi/pan/any other sexuality and gender that is not hetero/cis.

If you are cis het and want to go to Pride, remember that it Isn't About You. That's a good thing! It means no one has been trying to murder or systematically deprive you for your sexuality or gender! Go, enjoy, support your queer friends! Resist the urge to center it on yourself.
If you are cis/het and go to Pride a good way to be supportive is putting yourself between bigots and the people they would harass. Look into by-standard intervention. Film cops that are giving people a hard time (DOUBLY SO IF THEY ARE A POC).

A lot of people set up shop at Pride events, try to support queer artists/shops with your money rather than hetero "allies" and corporations.

Remember to be safe, have fun, and punch nazis!