First Time at Gay Pride!!

So, title is self-explanatory. It's going to be my first time going to the parade!! (!):eusa_danc(!) I'm really excited, but kind of nervous. I'm suppose to be meeting with a couple friends tomorrow, and then there'll be a group of us just enjoying our time. But, what can I expect other than the awesomeness of it all?

Was anyone else a bit nervous to go their first time?

Also, how um "easy" for lack of a better term, is it to make some LGBTQ friends at one of these events. In an effort to get myself out there more, I'm looking to make LGBTQ friends other than online. Because, I don't do the bar/club scene often (ever), but I heard that's not really a place to make friends or meet your partner anyways for that matter. But, I don't care if I don't meet anybody, I'm not going there for that. But, everyone is pretty friendly, no?

 

This year will be my first time at pride, too, and yeah, I'm a little nervous. Part of it for me is the only person I have to go with is my mom, though apparently we'll be meeting with a gay coworker of hers who wants me to help film him arguing with the anti-gay protesters...

I think some LGBTQ groups use the festival as an excuse to have a meetup for their members, but the only one I know of is for lesbians/other queer women.

 

Well, as SimplyJay said the nervousness went away quickly once I was there. Unfortunately, we were half an hour late, which was enough to miss the entire parade portion of it. But, of course we stayed for the party

Overall it was really great. It was just a big group of open-minded, free individuals having a good time. We had drag queens, furries, goths, bears, straights, gays, lesbians, transgendered, queer, genderqueer, asexuals, hippies, people from the occupy protests, half naked guys and gals running around in their underwear and decked out in body paint and glitter, children, families, Oi, (Am I missing anyone? :icon_bigg) Everyone coming together to have a really good time. It felt pretty much the same as any Canadian party I've gone too, but more "fabulous", people were having fun, dancing, really friendly, although that might've been the alcohol. Haha. Although too much excess, because my friend and I went to the mall to use the bathroom (people were having sex in the port-o-potties) and when we got back there were 5 ambulances. :0 Yup, though. There was concert performances, and all that. No protestors, but I don't really think we ever have any where I live. I guess from what I've heard from other people and their pride festivals, I imagined more. A couple friends who were there for the actual parade took photos. The parade didn't seem all that great compared to friends I have from other places in the world who have photos and videos of their parade. It was still nice though, lots of people.

They had a few places to buy things, bought a flag (lost it on the bus ride home:drya wrist band, hat, and green shades. But, this was just the party/parade part I guess, all until 17th they have stuff going on. Of course more parties though.

I guess it's just the Canadian party style I've grown accustomed to. Still an awesome time. Actually I was talking to a couple people from Scotland, and some people from Australia! ^_^ They came all the way here for the gay pride festivities, they apparently love how Canadians party. LOL!

I would go again, maybe. It was just way too crowded (which is good, nice to see all the supporters) but I don't like crowds that much. And long lineups for everything. Fun times though.

And, Tetraquark. I know this is your first time too, and I really hope you enjoy yourself. ^_^ Here, they love when Moms and Dads come out to enjoy the parade and party with their kids. I don't know it might be awkward because of the flamboyant-ness of it all. I think it'll be fun though. Hope it will be. Although I agree with Deaf Not Blind, you might want to do your own thing and having fun instead of arguing with protestors. Seeing as how it is your first time, you don't want that to be your first experience, or if you do? I do hope you have fun though!! Same to you Deaf Not Blind! (*hug*)

Happy Pride Eh!

 

Eh! Haha!! Ya gotta have the "Eh's", Eh!? ^_^

I totally think you should go! At least once, I've been out for approximately 3 years, and this was my first time at Pride. It's fun. And even though there were a lot of people from every walk of life. There were still just regular people there, just enjoying the festivities.

I don't drink often, or use drugs either, but we didn't start drinking until later in the day. (Some people started at like 1:00 pm...Canadian thing I think.) But, I was still having such a great time without the booze. I mean I really don't know how people are where you live. But, everyone was so friendly and talkative while waiting in the lines, and just chilling in the courtyard watching performances. It was so nice. You don't need to have the alcohol or anything to have fun. ^_^ Everyone was smiling, greeting each other "Happy Pride, Wooo!!!" Complimenting outfits and hats and everything, taking pictures with random people, giving each other hugs. Never got hugs from so many people in my life! Best atmosphere ever.

And hey, I'd go with you, although I don't know you personally. But, we'd have a blast! ^_^ Haha!

thecat06: YAY!! I hope you have an awesome time!!! ^_^ Is it your first?

 

Thanks frozenandbroken and Deaf Not Blind. I should be able to get out of it without too much fuss.

I don't remember hearing about my city's being particularly crazy; then again, I wasn't paying that much attention to it before. Regardless, I'm pretty excited to go.

 

Hope you have a great time!

---------- Post added 12th Jun 2012 at 07:10 PM ----------

I couldn't imagine anything worse than being compared to a Canadian. ;P

---------- Post added 12th Jun 2012 at 07:13 PM ----------

Oh yay!! I hope you have fun at your first Pride as well! You'll get to meet lots of amazing people. It's so diverse and fun there.

---------- Post added 12th Jun 2012 at 07:17 PM ----------

Oh wow! That's awesome! I thought mine felt really big. I'm guessing a couple thousand people at mine. Probably more. But, it was crowded! Maybe it's just because they held it in such a tight little spot. I feel like NY would be the largest. Anyways, have fun!! take lots of pictures!

---------- Post added 12th Jun 2012 at 07:21 PM ----------

At least you'll have some friends going with you that are LGBT, and having ally friends. I'm sure it makes it a bit more fun. LOL xD They're not scary, I swear!! Actually tbh, there wasn't a lot of drag queens at my event, I took a picture with Cher, and Dolly Parton, and then they just had drag queen performances. But, I only spotted a couple others. There was actually more furries than drag queens there. ^_^

I hope you have an awesome time though and make some new friends!! It's so much fun! <3