- #WHEN WAS THE FIRST GAY PRIDE PARADE IN NYC HOW TO#
- #WHEN WAS THE FIRST GAY PRIDE PARADE IN NYC FULL#
Pride is a time to celebrate who you are, especially if you identify as LGBTQ+. “ I would say wear whatever makes you feel like you. You can march without a sign, but it’s a great way to stand out from the crowd and show your support even further. In NYC, the official theme for 2021 is “The Fight Continues” so any message of justice and equality on your sign is appropriate. “As a fem-presenting gay couple ourselves, we would probably write something like: ‘We’re a couple, not just friends’ - since everyone thinks we’re just friends all the time,” adds DeNicola. But we are people who deserve to be treated as equals,” says Dunne. At the bottom, it read: ‘a person.’ It was really powerful because, at the end of the day, we are just people who, unfortunately, society has deemed as different. “We saw a sign once that said, ‘I am…’ then it followed with the words ‘gay,’ ‘straight,’ and ‘bisexual’ crossed out. What’s an appropriate thing to draw/write on a sign if you want to bring one? On that note: The pros advise to definitely bring some extra water bottles to stay hydrated, particularly during the Pride March - whether you plan on drinking or not. For example, New York City has the Gay & Sober Circle Line Cruise that’s meant for all people to celebrate and dance while sober. There are specifically sober Pride events as well.
“There are also events like picnics, art festivals, and charity fundraisers that aren’t centered around alcohol,” says DeNicola. But keep in mind that while there might be social pressure to drink, you absolutely do not need to consume alcohol.
“A lot of Pride events do involve drinking,” says DeNicola. With the pandemic, many Pride events have turned into digital events to offer more flexibility. Many events do take place in person, but there are plenty of virtual events that you could find online,” says DeNicola. “ The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association is a great resource to find the nearest event to you regardless of where you live in the world. How do I find my nearest event? Are there ways to celebrate virtually if you’re uncomfortable with crowds? So, sometimes the whole street just turns into a big party afterward, too,” says DeNicola. In some cities, after the parade is over, a lot of venues will host after-party events that you can attend.
#WHEN WAS THE FIRST GAY PRIDE PARADE IN NYC FULL#
“ Usually a Pride parade is full of dancing, cheering, and, of course, the actual parade itself. What can you expect to happen at a Pride parade? It’s really a time of coming together and a time of positivity,” whether you show up solo or in a group, adds DeNicola. There are people from all walks of life that show their support - from couples to friends and younger generations to older generations. “The Pride parade is also very family-friendly and a lot of LGBTQ+ couples bring their children. “It can feel less overwhelming if you go with people you feel comfortable with,” says Dunne. You could come and go as you please so you can attend a part of it on your own and a part of it with friends. “ I think attending Pride alone is a great way to make new friends and many people in the LGBTQ+ community are very accepting ,” says Dunne. Just like any other parade, you can attend a Pride event alone. You do not need to be “out” or disclose your gender identity to celebrate Pride. It’s so important to recognize that at the end of the day, Pride is about equality and for the LGBTQ+ experience to be normalized,” says DeNicola. All that’s asked by the LGBTQ+ community is that if you are not a part of the community, please be respectful of it - it’s a great opportunity to show your allyship. “ Anyone of any identity can attend a Pride event. next month, check out their new Pride Month podcast episodes on LGBTQ+ representation in media as well as one discussing how “there’s no one way to look gay.”) Read on below: Do I have to identify as LGBTQ+to attend?
#WHEN WAS THE FIRST GAY PRIDE PARADE IN NYC HOW TO#
For advice on how to prepare, we enlisted the help of Tiana DeNicola and Sophie Dunne, co-founders of Shifting Her Experience, a digital platform and podcast that explores LGBTQ+ issues and topics like gender stereotypes, feminism, and sexuality. If you’ve never been to a Pride march, you might be wondering what to expect. Courtesy Kelly MiyarĪfter converting into mainly virtual programs in 2020, excitement is buzzing for pride parades to return to in-person this year.