You can also try to watch the parade from a building along the route. You won’t be as close, but you’ll have a better view and less crowded atmosphere.
If you’d rather head to Pride on your own, it’s a great chance make friends in the crowd or meet people in the community outside of your friend group. Remember to stay safe and use common sense when talking with strangers. [5] X Research source
A water bottle Snacks (e. g. fruit or granola bars) Cash Headphones or earplugs if you have sensory issues
This is especially important if you’re wearing an outfit or costume that shows more skin than usual! To make your sun protection part of your outfit, you can even decorate your hat or sunglasses to match.
You can also expect to see some contingents that march in nearly every LGBT Pride parade, such as Parents, Friends, and Families of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) and People with AIDS.
Try to head for events that give back to the LGBT community. Their advertisements should say something like, “Proceeds go to…”, followed by a non-profit LGBT group.
Look online for the widest range of rainbow clothing choices. Don’t forget to bring along a rainbow flag to wave! Buy one online well in advance of the parade to ensure that they don’t sell out. Remember to check the weather before choosing your outfit. Many Pride parades are held in warm weather, so go with lightweight fabrics to keep you comfortable.
The transgender flag, which has pastel blue, light pink, and white stripes. The pansexual pride flag, which is 3 stripes of hot pink, bright yellow, and blue. The bisexual flag, which uses dark pink and royal blue along with purple. The intersex pride flag, which has a yellow background and a purple “O” shape in the middle.
Wilder accessories like feather boas and tutus are also perfect for Pride. Make your outfit as crazy or relaxed as you want—it’s all about expressing yourself.
You could try non-permanent hair dye or add hair accessories like extensions, feathers, or headbands to make your hairstyle pop.
You could dress like a movie character, a fairytale creature like a mermaid or unicorn, or anything else that’s fun and eye-catching. Use your outfit as a way to express yourself, not offend or make fun of others. Pride is all about loving people for who they are.
If a protester comes up to you, for example, you could say something like, “I don’t agree with you, but I’m not interested in talking about it right now. ”
Challenge yourself to accept everyone as they are today—including yourself! It’s OK to disagree with someone and talk about your different perspectives, but never make anyone ashamed of who they are or what they believe.
You could say something like, “Just curious, are you interested in guys? I think you’re really cute. ” Remember that they might not feel comfortable sharing, and that’s OK too. Be confident; Pride events are a great chance to go outside your comfort zone and be more open than you usually would.
You could say that you’re there supporting an LGBT friend, that you’re writing a paper on the LGBT community, or even that you were just curious. People of all sexual orientations attend Pride parades; just being there doesn’t mean that people will assume you’re LGBT.
Take the time to remember the hardships that the LGBT community has gone through and appreciate the strides its made, while recognizing that there is a lot more to be done.
You can also reach out to your local LGBT center to ask about local Pride events, or even see if you can plan your own. Going to a Pride parade in your town or city is a great way to celebrate with your local LGBT community.
Look up Pride traditions in other cities to decide where you want to go. Smaller areas will have shorter, more intimate celebrations, while bigger cities tend to go all-out—New York City’s parade can last for up to 9 hours! You can check out an online Gay Pride calendar to find Pride events near and far.
New York City, which held the first ever LGBT Pride event in 1970, one year after the Stonewall Riot. In addition to the parade, which welcomes over 40,000 marchers, the NYC celebration also features dance parties and a big street festival. Amsterdam, where the Pride celebration lasts for a week and ends with a colorful boat parade down the city’s canals. Sydney, Australia, where Pride celebrations last for multiple weeks in February and March, featuring a fair, comedy festival, pool party, and several art shows. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, which is known its welcoming atmosphere during its Pride events in May. The parade ends with a block party, and the celebrations also include a combination drag pageant and obstacle course race.
