What to expect the first time you go to Pride

20 June, 2008 - 12:51am — Splash

I think I saw a link about

I think I saw a link about this once... hang on I'll try to find it...
(Five minutes pass...)
Aha!
http://lesbianlife.about.com/od/lesbianactivism/a/FirstGayPride.htm

From personal experience, I can't help you... my city had pride last weekend and I couldn't go... cuz I'm not out to my family and couldn't think up a good excuse to be in the right place at the right time... :-(

But I sure hope you like it!!

~~~ the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses ~ e e cummings ~~~

20 June, 2008 - 1:36am — Kkid28

thanks!

thanks! that really helped!

20 June, 2008 - 2:31am — jeff

Hmm...

A lot of people get confused because they go to the pride parade and wonder what the fuss is all about. This is because the parade is typically BORING.

The gay community in its pledge for inclusivity above all else basically means if you and your mom register in advance, you'd likely be granted a spot in the parade. So, it's kind of just lame, IMHO. At any given point, the people on the sidewalk can go onto the street, and the people on the street could go on the sidewalk, and it wouldn't change much.

The festival at the end of the parade is where the fun is. Where you'll see more people walking around, where the bands play, the stands are, etc. (And where all the flirting, chatting, drinking, cruising and such happens)

Probably good to check out where the youth groups are having their booths in advance, because then you can talk to people who go to local things near you, and other younger people are more likely to hang out there volunteering and use it as a point of contact (since they probably marched together earlier).

A lot of people go into it expecting something grand, a call to action, something inspiring. They tend to leave disapointed.

It is just a moment to celebrate, to come together (ahem) and just sort of have fun. In SF, the boring political speeches all take place on Saturday when no one is there, and all the drag, bands, and such happen on Sunday.

If you're near San Fran, then forget the above, and the best part is Pink Saturday, the "unofficial" party that happens in the Castro the night before. is it technically the end of the exclusive (and I mean they exclude people) Dyke March, but it's really just a big street party. And, if it's warm that night, well... I've seen quite a lot happen in public on Pink Saturday.

It might burn out your retinas on your first year...

---

"Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment." - Rumi

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20 June, 2008 - 3:08am — dykehalo

My first year at pride i

My first year at pride i wasn't out. Didn't see the parade sat in my mother's work booth pretending to be straight. But I talked to a few people and when i got home i felt connected and happy.
~~~Fear is only a verb if you let it be.. don't you dare let go of my hand~~~

24 June, 2008 - 5:51pm — gaynow

I'd say go with a friend.

I'd say go with a friend. Cause Pride is fun and rainbow and awesome, but you need someone to scream with. Also, it's a little hard on the lesbians, being that there are a TON of half-naked dancing men (and sailors xD ) but little to no half-naked dancing women. And some of the women they do have are scary and nipple-taped... xP But yeah, go with a friend, and don't expect anything too profound... mostly, just scream and look at rainbows and hot people and have fun. (And bring water!!)

Megan: "Cheers are supposed to be simple, make people feel good."
Graham: "Cheers make girls do stupid cartwheels. Orgasms make people feel good."
-But I'm a Cheerleader

24 June, 2008 - 7:20pm — jeff