Pride Events-what are they like?

[Kyguy2022]

I'm thinking of asking a friend to go with me and I see a really nice event coming up this weekend that I sadly cannot attend, but it sounds so positive and is an event that celebrates pride. I want to be involved in something like this and see what it's like. Can anyone tell me what Pride events are often like, or if there are events outside of just the month of June, where people get together? Thanks

[jjourneyman]

I'm thinking of asking a friend to go with me and I see a really nice event coming up this weekend that I sadly cannot attend, but it sounds so positive and is an event that celebrates pride. I want to be involved in something like this and see what it's like. Can anyone tell me what Pride events are often like, or if there are events outside of just the month of June, where people get together? Thanks

Hi Kyguy2022,

I attended my first and only Pride Event 5 years ago in Palm Springs, CA. I was there to present some construction bids to the city. Trying to make it to City Hall that day was kind of hard because they had the area blocked off for the parade.

After I did my presentation, I walked out and just kind of got swept up in the whole pageantry. I met and had lunch/dinner with two gay male couples and a lesbian couple that afternoon. They were total strangers at the time, but we're all still friends and stay in touch.

There weren't any PDAs that I saw except for some kissing and hugging. Of course, they had police escorts for their parade, too, so it was not likely that people would be giving head in the streets that day... plus it was like 120 degrees outside.

[Long Duck Dong]

I have been to a few of them over the years, in new zealand......

Bear in mind that while its pride, the reason for being there differs from person to person and you need to be mindful of that, because it can flavor your experience.......being close to * protestors * can mar the experience of pride, while being with people just having a great time and enjoying pride, can enhance the experience.......

When you have great people in pride marches, its amazing and a good chance to make friends, meet new people and have the time of your life....and I did meet some americans who go to pride in the US in june then come to NZ for pride month because we have it in february ( our summer ) then go to parts of australia where they have pride month in march, and they said that the atmosphere in pride is so different in each country......

We have more than one pride march in feb, as we have black pride, gay pride, rainbow pride and pride ( pride march near ended in 2019 when they voted to ban cops in uniform, and we have LGBT+ cops and the worlds first trans cop, most of the LGBT+ community and the wider community refused to support that decision and walked away from pride ) .....rainbow pride was immediately started up and welcomes the cops in uniform

We also have rules about simulated sex acts ( banned ) PDA ( allowed within reason, IE kissing ) protesting ( within reason ) offensive behavior ( you can get removed from pride marches by security ) etc... and the reason generally is, over the years, they have resulted in no permits issued for pride marches in previous years, at one stage we had no pride march for 10 years........and while people said it was homophobic bigots denying the permits ( partly true ) it was the LGBT+ community that gave them good reason to deny the permit.....
BUT the rules are generally the same type of rules that any march has to follow........

so yeah pride can be an experience to remember for a lifetime if you go with the right people and meet the right people.......or not, if you end up dealing with opinionated protestors and trouble makers......

[Footstep40]

They’re fun as can be!! I’m wearing orange uggs an gold panties. I’m planning on having a blast and pot hazed drunken 3 some. 2 bears and me. Can’t wait!!!!!!

[Neonaught]

The few I have been too were 0% boths trying to sell you a cell phone or something. Other than gay eye candy on display they weren't worth the time spent.

[papasmurph]

I enjoy going and look forward to the weekend events coming up in Syracuse. The pandemic has put a damper on things, so this year's festival ought to be great.

Last Friday I drove up north to Watertown for their kickoff - it was great fun going back to my hometown.

I hope you decide to go and enjoy yourself. Be proud of the B in LGBTQ!

[csreef]

Two years ago, BC, Before Covid, I went to the Pride Parade in Poughkeepsie NY. which is 25 mile north of me. A man standing next to me when the parade passed by, was amazed that the local churches were in support of the marchers, giving them bottles of water, and offering words of encouragement, waving Pride Flags etc.

He said he was from Tennessee, and that the local churches would protest the marchers, calling them pejorative names, etc. He was amazed at the difference in tolerance that changed with geography.

[Kyguy2022]

Well I attended today in Nashville, to just get my toes wet and see what it was like and I was totally at ease. It was a great atmosphere and I kinda wanted to buy a flag or get some stickers (I did get one given to my by Journeys) and while I wasn't going in expecting a life altering experience, I do want to go back.

I'm a shy person by nature, that's what lead to my very limited experience with women, and while I didn't chat up any guys, I am going to continue to explore and see what other resources are out there-thanks to everyone that has supported me here!