Are you and your partner eager to attend your first Pride together? Regardless of whether you consider yourself gay, lesbian, trans, queer, or something else under the LGBTQ banner, Pride is a great chance to be among people who know what you’re going through and accept you for who you are. But it can also be hectic especially if it is your first experience. Below are some suggestions to guide you and your partner to enjoy the very first Pride together.
Planning Ahead for Pride
Planning ahead makes all the difference when it comes to enjoying the Pride event. Here are some things to consider ahead of the big event:
Research the Event Schedule
Pride festivals are a series of events held over a number of days and can include anything from parades to festivals and parties to workshops. For a full schedule, visit the official event website or its social media pages. Plan a general outline of your trip and see what you both like. It is beneficial to have a general strategy that will keep you organized.
Agree on Your Must-Dos
For instance, a particular individual may be interested in attending the parade while his or her spouse may be interested in seeing a certain performer at the festival. Meet with each other to discuss the events you really want to attend. Identify where you fit in and where you may need to branch off and do your own thing for a while. Compromise is key!
Coordinate Logistics
If you’re planning to attend a big-city Pride, consider traffic and lodging months ahead of time. Rooms near Pride events may become limited or expensive. It might be better to stay on the outskirts and travel by public transport. If you are driving, it’s a good idea to find out ahead of time where you are going to park as lots fill up quickly. A little advance planning will reduce the stress on the day of.
Prep Your Pride Outfits
Some people who are in the LGBTQ community enjoy doing a fun colorful over-the-look Pride look! If you and your partner decide to coordinate for a couple’s Pride, begin planning early. Consider the weather conditions and be comfortable – you will be spending most of your time either walking or standing in the sun. Also keep in mind that you can easily alternate styles between day and evening occasions.
Enjoying Pride Safely
Once Pride weekend arrives, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind to ensure you and your partner have a safe and positive experience:
Prioritize Consent
Sometimes pride may also mean that there is an extra flirty environment. Your partner may be jealous or suspicious by nature but here your first time in such an environment may make him or her insecure. Communication ahead of time is very helpful on the issue of flirting and touching and so on, and the importance of the fact that they are a team and that they need to respect each other and their body.
Stay Hydrated
Another thing that can happen is dehydration as people are dancing in the sun all day long. Drinking water throughout the day and carrying a refillable water bottle helps. When consuming alcohol, try to drink water in-between alcoholic beverages. Closely related to sunburn, dehydration can creep up on you and prevent you from having a good time.
Protect Yourself from the Sun
Slather on the sunscreen, wear hats and sunglasses, and stay under the shade. Tanning on Pride weekend can also spoil your party. If you do get burnt then apply aloe and moisturizers. It may be reasonable to pause activities inside as much as possible when the sun is at its hottest.
Stick Together
Large crowds can be overwhelming; therefore, you should make arrangements on what to do if you and your partner get separated. Choose a rendezvous point ahead of time, such as a distinctive sign or a first-aid station. It would be helpful to charge your phones in case you need to communicate. Apps such as Find My Friends could be useful so you can track each other down. And remember – Be mindful of your own safety and the safety of those around you. If you notice that someone looks lost, sick, or in danger, look for an event staffer to help.
Making Pride Meaningful for Your Relationship
Pride is a celebration but it is also a time for learning about LGBTQ history and connecting with the community, and for being thankful for how far we have come. Here are some ideas for making your first Pride together a truly meaningful experience:
Learn the History
There is a history behind pride and some time should be taken to read about the Stonewall Riots and the early activists. Remember to take pride in the fact that you can celebrate your love and be open about your sexuality when so many before you could not. Together, tell your partner what Pride means to you and what it means to them. It will make the celebration even more meaningful for having this context.
Give Back
Consider helping your local LGBTQ community during this Pride period. Numerous company events may involve fundraisers, supply drives, or volunteering during the Pride weekend. Look for LGBTQ non-profit organizations, medical clinics, youth-focused organizations, senior services, and other organizations located in your area and determine how you can volunteer or donate. Doing service together can be a way to recognize and celebrate Pride.
Connect with Others
Don’t be shy – Pride is all about forging connections! Strike up conversations with the people around you in line or at events. Compliment a stranger’s fabulous outfit. If you spot another queer couple, say hello and see if they want to hang out. Some of the best friendships are forged during Pride. And you never know, you may even meet some older LGBTQ folks with amazing stories and perspectives to share.
Disconnect to Connect
Yes, you’ll want to take a million pictures of your first Pride together. And you may just want to update your social media accounts about it. It’s also important, though, to be mindful and not fall into the trap of mindfully using your phones. Look into your partner’s eyes, remain focused, and share the feeling as one. Keep it in mind: Pride is about loving your partner, not about taking the best photo as a couple.
Extending the Pride Spirit
The magic of Pride doesn’t have to end when the last glittery float passes by and the festival stages power down. Here are some ways you and your partner can extend all those positive Pride vibes:
- Keep Celebrating Your Love
Pride is another way of reminding us that we are not sorry to be ourselves and for loving whom we love. In order to maintain the positive energy that you two have created, it is important to continue to celebrate your relationship. Setting aside a particular day for a formal date, leaving cute notes around the house, or sharing good things about your partner with friends are all sweet things to do. It is important to continue to have that sense of joy, pride and gratitude that they experienced during the festival.
- Stay Connected to Community
If Pride was your first major exposure to the rainbow community, make sure you continue to seek out your tribe for the rest of the year too. The other way is to join the local queer recreational sports leagues, political advocacy groups, book clubs, hobby groups, and other community organizations in which you might be interested. Make friends with other members from the Pride community and take them out for coffee. I think that it is really important to have strong support.
- Become Year-Round Allies
Pride may be done for the year but the work to support and protect the LGBTQ community is still far from over. Keep abreast of the problems facing the LGBTQ community, especially those who identify with multiple minority groups. Support queer and LGBTQIA+ friends and families. If someone acts with homophobia, biphobia, or transphobia, challenge them. And try to make our streets and the environment around us safer and more inclusive every day.
