It's Pride month and for many LGBTQ+ people and their allies, that means one thing: A great big Pride parade. While there are plenty of queer events throughout the whole month (and plenty to celebrate about the LGBTQ+ community all year 'round), it's the parade that gets the most play. And why not? Pride parades are loud, sparkly, and lots of fun as long as you do them right.
Still, it is possible to do a Pride parade wrong. You can stand in the wrong spot, get there at the wrong time, end up hanging out with the wrong people, or feel totally drained from dehydration. Pride is supposed to be this amazing event, but instead it can turn into a long, hot, and crowded nightmare. So we talked with James Fallarino, media director of NYC Pride, for his tips and trick to making a Pride parade everything you want it to be. Read on for his advice.
Make a plan.
In most major cities, Pride parades are huge, all-day events and there are several other events (parties, fundraisers, movie nights, and more) that surround the parade. So, Fallarino's number one tip is to go into the day with a solid plan. "You could be overwhelmed by the variety of options, so it's good to do your research and plan in advance," he says. You'll have to figure out where you're going to stand, who you're going with, what time you're getting there, how long you're going to stay, and which parties you're going to go to beforehand and afterward. So don't leave any of it to the last minute.
illustrated by Paola Delucca.
Consider less "exciting" locations.
When it comes to where you're going to stand, it can be tempting to head straight for the most popular (read: queerest) parts of your city. In New York, that's the Stonewall Inn (aka, the bar where Pride began). But as cool as it is to stand outside that bar as the parade marches down the street, Fallarino suggests picking a less crowded space. "You can usually find a lot better viewing and a more comfortable location in the other parts of the entire march route," he says. In New York, he recommends standing on Fifth Avenue where the sidewalks are wide and there's a lot of room to spread out.
But no matter where you choose to stand, you'll have to be prepared to stand your ground. "You're going to be there for a while, depending on the city (last year, New York's parade lasted nine and a half hours)," he says. So get there early and be prepared to stick it out, because as soon as you move you're going to lose your spot.
illustrated by Paola Delucca.
Pack the essentials.
Nine and a half hours is a long time to stand anywhere, but even if your parade is shorter or you don't plan to stay the entire time, chances are good that you'll need a few things in order to catch a decent chunk of the parade: Important things like water, food, and sunblock. When Fallarino and a friend went to a Pride parade last weekend, they brought along a bunch of protein bars. "My friend works for a nutrition company and he got a donation from Kind bars," Fallarino says. Even though they might not seem like much, those bars made the experience much better.
So, consider making a list of the things you'll need to stay satiated, hydrated, and make sure you're not going to look like a lobster the next day.
illustrated by Paola Delucca.
Express yourself.
If you've ever seen a Pride parade, you know that it's generally pretty colourful. People deck themselves out in rainbows, glitter, and anything else that helps them celebrate LGBTQ+ love. Of course, you don't have to go all out with your Pride outfit or makeup if that's not the kind of person you are. But if you're remotely interested in dressing up, then Fallarino says to go for it. "One of the great things about pride is that it's an opportunity for us to express ourselves in a way that we may not be able to express ourselves the rest of the year," he says. So cover your whole body in rainbow glitter if you want to.
illustrated by Paola Delucca.
Choose your crowd carefully.
Your friends are great and all, but if you're not on the same Pride party page as them then maybe they're not the best people to hang out with during the parade, Fallarino says. "Having a good crowd of people who are at the same speed as you and have similar interests to you is important," he says. "If you hang out with a bunch of party people, and you just want to watch the parade and maybe just walk around the neighbourhood for a bit you know, you won't be on the same speed."
So, in your planning process, figure out what your friends want out of their Pride experience and what you want. Then divide and conquer based on who wants a chill time and who's looking to day drink and hit up every Pride party.
illustrated by Paola Delucca.
Try to go to events that give back.
When you're choosing which Pride events to go to before and after the parade, Fallarino recommends events that support local LGBTQ+ organisations. "Every bar and nightclub is going to be having a Pride day or Pride night party," he says. "So look out for those that are actually supporting the community so that your dollars are either helping to pull off massive events like Pride or to provide critical services for LGBTQA+ folks."
illustrated by Paola Delucca.
Consider watching the parade on TV.
If you're the type of person who gets anxious in big crowds, Pride parades might make you uncomfortable, because even the less popular spots are still going to be crowded. Luckily, many cities air the parade on TV, Fallarino says. (In NY, it's live streamed on ABC7). Instead of going to the parade, you can plan to watch it with a few friends from the comfort of your home. If you plan ahead, you won't even have to miss out on the costumes, rainbows, and glitter. Plus, there's the added benefit not having to fight 200 people for a bathroom.
illustrated by Paola Delucca.
Don't fall prey to peer pressure.
In all the hubbub of Pride, it can be easy to get swept up into the idea that you have to drink to have a good time. "It's a very celebratory event and there's lots of bars and nightclubs," Fallarino says. "And for some people the sort of event where there's going to be alcohol around may not be for them." But just about every major city has sober events, he says, or family-friendly events and therefore won't have alcohol. "So don't feel like you have to attend events that are out of your comfort zone," Fallarino says.
illustrated by Paola Delucca.
Get ready to see things you've never seen before.
Pride parades bring people from all over the LGBTQ+ community (including lots of straight people). And as much as we like to think of LGBTQ+ people as a cohesive whole, not everyone shares the same viewpoints. So Fallarino says it's important to know that you'll likely see people expressing themselves through costume or through protest signs that you might not agree with but that you'll have to respect. "Understand that that's what makes up the beautiful diversity of our community," he says. "There's a wide range of experiences and opinions and expressions. And we want to celebrate that, even if it's not something that you feel comfortable with yourself."
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