The Pride Past the Party

Each June marks the start of Pride Month, a time to honor the LGBTQ+ community, celebrate the progress America has made, and remember activists like Martha P. Johnson, a trans woman known for instigating the 1969 Stonewall Riot. Despite the sort of revisionist history of progress for the LGBTQ+ community in the United States, such as the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015, queer and trans people still face discrimination and violence in our neighborhoods today. So, in an age where Pride celebrations have turned mainstream, depoliticized, and funded by corporations, Pride Month can appear to be “just a party.” In order to debunk the myth of Pride as entertainment, I asked 5 peers who identify within the LBTQ+ community to tell me, in their words, what Pride means to them.

Jordan, 19

“It was really amazing seeing so many people at pride expressing their gender and sexual identities freely and openly. The support and acceptance in the community was almost overwhelming. I identify as bisexual, which tends to be subject to erasure in the media and conversations about LGBTQ+ people, but being visibly surrounded by the community with bi pride flags everywhere made me feel so comfortable and proud of who I am.”

 

Emma, 19

“I identify as bi and ace. I don't like the restrictions that come with being bi, and I often feel like I identify more with pansexuality but being bi is a lot easier to identify with in a society that unfortunately doesn't see pansexuality as valid. More nuance in my sexuality comes with being on the ace spectrum; I've never had a problem identifying with my bisexuality but being on the ace spectrum is difficult as someone who is not sex-repulsed but more sex-unsure and having no idea where I lie. I especially find it hard to identify with it because ace people can be disinvited from many LGBTQ+ spaces when the conversation turns to sexuality, and with every safe space that turns toxic for ace people, I stray further from discovering who I am.

To me, I feel kind of weird about pride; it was introduced to me in a corporate setting, and I don't know if I like the direction that companies take Pride (as if identifying as not-straight is trendy and cool). I try and take Pride as a mindset, not an event.

Pride to me is falling in love with someone and not feeling ashamed about it. Pride is calling every person you meet by gender-neutral pronouns until you ask them how they identify. Pride is writing two songs for your album with different pronouns talking about love. Pride is supporting your siblings of color and recognizing the intersections of sexuality, race, class, and gender. Pride is understanding the privilege you have and the struggles you still have to face. Pride is seeing your sexuality as a part of yourself, no matter how public you are about it, and understanding your lens and place in the world. Pride is unequivocal support for everyone who has faced oppression and the active choice to make the world better.”

Celia, 18

“This past weekend, I was able to go to my first-ever Pride parade for LA’s celebration of Pride month! I wasn’t really sure what to expect except for the waving of several thousand rainbow flags and a whole lot of acceptance.

Last Sunday, my girlfriend and I parked in a West Hollywood neighborhood and walked over to the parade having not crossed Santa Monica Boulevard yet. Every step we took, though, you could start to see the colored balloons and t-shirts and flags and floats through the trees.

Overcome with happiness and, of course, pride, I leaned over, grabbed her hand, pecked her on the cheek, and we legitimately skipped across the street. As we walked through the crowds of hundreds of people, it became more apparent to me that it was more than just a place of love and acceptance, but a home.

No one took a second look to see if it was a girls’ hand intertwined with mine. No one asked if it was just a phase. No one stopped me to tell me that my dad has always dreamed to “see me walk down the aisle to a man.” No one told me that I had to choose a girl or guy in the end.

Everyone had a smile on his/her face. Everyone waved at each other. Everyone yelled words like, “YAS,” “work!” “happy pride,” and “stay fab!” Everyone was there to celebrate one thing: each other.

Pride was the first time that I wasn’t concerned about what other people were thinking about me, like, at all. I didn’t feel like I had something to hide, or to be ashamed of, or to worry about expressing. Pride was the first time I felt like I could live the life I so desperately have wanted to live. I actually believed myself when I realized that life is life and love is love, and who the f*ck cares what other people think.”

It may have just been a couple hours under the hot sun watching drag queens dance and mayors wave and celebrities march, but honestly, I felt like it was a huge hug and pat on the back from 150,000 individuals saying, “You are loved. You are strong. You are an inspiration to us all.”

Sophie, 22

“My name is Sophie, and I identify as queer! To me, Pride is a celebration of my identity, and owning that I am a part of the LGBTQA+ community. It is also about giving space to so many others, especially those who are unable to freely express their identity. Pride is a confident, joyful, and strong fight for underrepresented or oppressed voices to be heard. And all of this includes a lot of glitter and color!!”

 

 

Ellie, 18

“Four years ago, I had my first Pride experience in Providence, Rhode Island. I was young, closeted, and with a group where I only knew one other person. Even then, I felt one of the many things that I love about Pride: a space to just be. No questions asked. 

Throughout my process with coming to terms with my own queerness, I have learned that you never stop coming out. Admittedly, I'll sometimes grumble when I have to announce my bisexuality time and time again. However, pride gives me cause to pause and remember how grateful I am to be at a point in my journey where I feel safe and comfortable coming out in the new communities I find membership in. How beautiful it is to just be.”

By Lola Proctor

NYU Student, cool connoisseur and undercover revolutionary.

Graphic Design by Anna Diemel and Priyanka Purohit