07/02/2022
ICONIC TIPS : How to Safely Participate in Pride This Year.
Key Takeaways
- Even though many Pride events are back in person, q***r people need to consider risks to physical and mental health before heading out to celebrate or protest.
- Encountering counter protesters, aggressive police officers, and other agitators or even the threat of such encounters can be a burden q***r people and their mental health. Navigating decisions about COVID-19 could be an additional stressor.
- Both online participation in Pride and seeking personal affirmations in private are valid ways to celebrate authenticity and will be the right option for those who need to be more discreet or want to be especially cautious.
For decades, q***r people have been gathering to participate in parades, protests, and other events that celebrate q***r culture and experiences. Many of the community's favorite events were canceled last summer during the height of the pandemic, but some organizations and community groups found creative ways to spread messages about seeking justice and affirmation by going virtual.
This year, with a rise in vaccine rates and much of the world reopening, some events will be back in person—but there are still a variety of risks to consider before participating.
Navigating Mental Health Impacts
Jeffrey Cohen, PsyD, leads a virtual therapy group through Columbia University Medical Center for LGBTQ+ young adults. He explains that the group recently discussed how Pride brings up both positive and negative emotions for q***r people, noting that the complicated feelings around Pride underline that there is no right or wrong way to participate in the movement.
He says that q***r people might feel a sense of grief as they reflect on the injustices the community has historically endured and continue to experience or mourn the loss of loved ones. This includes violence inflicted upon transgender people, most especially the continued targeting of Black, trans women.
Dr. Cohen says that some q***r people—especially those who feel disconnected from their family of origin or lack a community to celebrate with—are lonely and isolated during Pride month.
He explains that this is especially challenging for those who have additional experiences of marginalization within and beyond the q***r community—including those who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color, and those who are transgender. It also includes people who are bis*xual, who experience erasure both within the community and in society at large.
During other times, q***r people might be more excited or euphoric about the progress they see in their own journeys to live authentically or in the community's ability to be more visible in the world.
Dr. Cohen says, "Pride can be a time for us q***r people to be seen and see our lives reflected and celebrated," which boosts mental health and strengthens the community. He highlights that after over a year of isolation, Pride events offer an opportunity to reconnect with each other.
He underlines that Pride can be emotionally and physically exhausting, so it's important for q***r people replenish themselves by taking the time to engage with the activities that feel personally meaningful or joyful.
Weighing Physical Safety and Health Risks
Saje Liese, one of two head marshals with the Reclaim Pride Coalition's Q***r Liberation March in New York City, says that police tend to pose the biggest physical safety risk to q***r people at Pride protests, rallies, and parades. She explains that q***r people marching with the coalition at last year's Pride event were kettled into a small area and attacked by police.
Marshals, allies, and those with more privilege in the community created a human wall to try to separate more marginalized members who sought safety in Washington Square Park from the scuffle. The possibilities of these kinds of violent encounters and the threat of other agitators can trigger mental health concerns as q***r people worry about their physical safety before and during events.
Additionally, there is a strong need for spaces that respect and affirm sobriety and a need for increased accessibility for disabled people at events. Barriers to participation might make those who are additionally marginalized feel as though they don't have the community they need for support, celebration, and advocacy.
Saje says that protest and parade leaders must create a buffer between participants and aggressors. This includes ensuring that trained police liaisons are present at events and that other trained de-escalators are ready to intervene if counter protestors cause trouble.
She says that very few people will enact physical violence on q***r people at public events but that many will still antagonize, chant and make hateful comments, or threaten community members by following the crowd.
"This is why I've talked to transphobes—sometimes for 45 minutes—because if I'm talking to them, they're not bothering someone else," she says, underlining that it's the responsibility of event coordinators and marshals to deploy the tactics they've learned for de-escalation. She urges average attendees who have not been trained in these tactics to ignore or avoid aggressors whenever possible and to flag down event organizers, medics, and marshals if support is needed.
She underlines the importance of paying attention to who else from the community is nearby and to plan for the day as you would for any summertime outing. She says, "It's important to keep track of each other and even to offer each other food, water, sunscreen, and other care items on hot days." She recommends checking flyers, one-sheeters, and information provided by event organizers to know what to bring for weather and safety concerns.
Attendees should also remember to pack medical devices or coping strategies—including those that promote mental health—before you go. Events often run longer than expected, and participants could be stranded due to a lack of transportation or taken into custody by police. It's crucial to carry anything that might be needed just in case. Participants should consider tools that help keep them calm, centered, and mentally strong in addition to more conventional medical devices or medications.
Covid-related concerns are an additional aspect of planning this year, and Dr. Cohen reminds that some are increased risk for exposure if they live in regions with lower vaccination rates. Saje says that some events will aim to protect the most marginalized people among the group—continuing to promote masks, social distancing, and other pandemic precautions.
Considering the threat of this virus can cause stress for those who are newly exploring the world for the first time in a year. This too can bring about mixed feelings—as people seek community for the first time but worry about venturing out into public spaces. Q***r people should offer themselves and community members compassion as they navigate these personal decisions.
Dr. Cohen underlines that exploring Pride with the community isn't the only way to celebrate authenticity. He explains that he makes a Pride playlist and reading list every year which centers on q***r artists and themes and supports q***r-owned brands. He adds that increased visibility in television and other media means that watching shows—including one of his recent favorites, “Pose”—or creating a personal film festival with q***r-centric movies are possible options during down time.
It's also not the only way to practice resistance. He says that q***r people and allies can write a letter to incarcerated q***r and trans people to support them during Pride and after, learn about the leaders who paved the way for the progress q***r people have enjoyed, visit historical sites to honor q***r history, and consider donating to q***r-run nonprofits.
Saje adds that funding mutual aid groups will allow q***r community members to give directly to locals who are most marginalized, often for bail, food, housing, and other necessities.
Q***r people—including those who are especially marginalized—can and should be leading organizations in the changes that need to occur to affirm and support their needs. Saje notes that they are the only ones who can tell those with power what changes need to be made and are the best people to most effectively pursue that change.
