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.)
"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.)
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