The subject of Pride — how it began and what it has blossomed into— has always been endlessly fascinating to me because I’ve always believed in the idea of fighting for the people that need the help the most. Unfortunately, due to this pandemic the LGBTQ+ community’s central unification symbol and its normal festivities can’t exist in the ways that we are familiar.
Pride Month, as we know it today, has been around officially since 1999. I was lucky enough to catch up with 3 incredibly creative womxn— Iben, Jaden and RCQ Ariel— to get their perspective on this vitally important conversation.
Pictured above: Iben
Photo provided by interviewee.
A (Anne): I know so many cities are canceling parades this year because of covid. How are you celebrating pride this year?
I (Iben): I’m celebrating with decorating my room with glitter, colors, and of course the rainbow flag :) and I’ll take a little walk to kind of march my own parade
A: That’s a really cool idea, What does pride mean to you individually?
I: pride to me is in the word already. It gives me so much pride to be a part of the lgbt group, to have so many beautiful people as my friends, and fight for those who aren’t able to walk in parades or celebrate themselves
A: that’s a beautiful way of wording it, do you think the level of visibility for the LGBT community has decreased because of covid?
I: Both yes and no. It sucks so much that we’re not able to do the parades, and a lot of people have looked forward to it, but at the same time we still have the strength as a community and we can’t be stopped. And we’ll just make next year’s parades even bigger to make up for this year being a bit amputated :)
A: do you have any advice for people who want to become LGBT+ allies but don’t know where to start?
I: Hmm… talk to friends/people you know who are a part of the community, or read about it. There’s also lots of good organizations/clubs around that can answer! Support is greatly appreciated and welcome, it makes the lgbt community stronger and happier :)
A: What is the biggest misconception about the LGBT+ community you’ve heard?
I: that being pan and bisexual is the same thing… that really made me mad… and that every gay guy have the same “gay” attitude… and that it’s a choice
A: And finally, do you think pride festivities will ever be at the level of enthusiasm they were pre-covid?
I: I don’t think it’ll be the same,no, but I think that we’ll keep celebration spirit alive and that next year is gonna be even bigger than usual!
Pictured above: RCQ Ariel
A (Anne): I know so many cities are canceling parades this year because of covid. How are you celebrating pride this year?
Ar (Ariel): I celebrate pride in my own way by just being visible on social media and in life. I celebrate pride every day, not just in june.
A: What does pride mean to you?
Ar: Pride means just living your truth in whatever way you want. Even if its just telling yourself your identity.
A: Do you think the level of visibility for the LGBT community has decreased because of covid?
Ar: No, I don't think that visibility has gone away I think it has shifted in different ways. For example it has manifested itself in tv shows like Avatar and songs like the new collaboration between Lady Gaga and Ariana grande. Visibility has a lot to do with queer people existing and being happy in whatever situation.
A: Do you have any advice for people who want to become LGBT+ allies but don’t know where to start?
Ar: Just listen to what people in the community have to say and maybe just realize your own privilege, maybe watch pose to get a better idea. Also educating yourself on the right terms to use.
A: What is the biggest misconception about the LGBT+ community you’ve heard?
Ar: That trans women and gay men are sex obsessed, which is completely untrue. Not everyone is sexual, there are people who are asexual which is fine. People don’t take asexual people seriously. People use asexuality as the “tumblr sexuality”
A: And finally, do you think pride festivities will ever be at the level of enthusiasm they were pre-covid?
Ar: I don’t think anything will be back to how it was. I do however think pride festivities will absolutely come back but not until we have a vaccine and the majority are vaccinated.
Pictured above: Jaden
Photo provided by interviewee.
A (Anne): How are you celebrating pride this year without parades?
J (Jaden): Okay so I’ve never really celebrated pride as weird as that is for an LGBTQ Person. A) There's never really one close to me, and when there was I was working and had my daughter and nobody to watch her since the parade area wasn’t near my apartment at the time. I “celebrate” by doing my usual thing I guess. I’ve never hidden who I was and probably never will, I’m not sure I know how to.
A: okay :) What does pride mean to you individually?
J: I’ve never needed to celebrate my sexuality so I really don’t know I guess. I guess I should explain that I grew up in a house where “coming out” didn’t exist. It was always clear that we brought home who we brought home and that was that as long as they treated us well. The concept of coming out is completely foreign and sad to me. I am bisexual and that’s just who I am. It's who I’ve always been and who I’ll always be. It's just a part of me as much as art or music. I’ll bring it up casually if I see someone I like, and if people don’t like that and walk away that's fine. I don’t need that negativity. I know it isn’t the same for everyone, far from it. Which is why pride is important. I love pride for everyone, it's amazing to celebrate and honor your sexuality. It just really isn’t my thing I guess. A: That makes total sense, do you think the level of visibility for the LGBTQ community has decreased because of covid? J: Honestly no. The LGBTQ community has always been strongest online. It’s the easiest and most efficient way to gather attention and the LGBTQ community is really good at that. Sometimes it's not the best visibility but its visibility nonetheless.
A: Okay, do you have any advice for people who want to become LGBT+ allies but don’t know where to start?
J: Just do it. There is no right way to start. Befriend a person of the LGBTQ community, stand up for them, make a post, anything really. You just gotta dive headfirst into this. There’s never gonna be anything to properly prepare a person for a civil revolution, thats an experience you create and learn from on your own. A: What is the biggest misconception about the LGBT community you’ve heard? J: That bisexuals aren’t accepted. I’ve seen a lot of within and outside of the community say bisexuals in hetero relationships aren’t valid and I think thats completely invalid and wrong for both sides to say.
A: Do you think pride festivities will ever be at the level of enthusiasm they were pre-covid?
J: Honestly they might be more. I think people will stick to a lot of covid habits throughout daily life but when festivals come along people will flock there.
RCQ Anne is a write and contriutor at reelcultured.com.
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