Pride Parades
Today I’m wondering how many of our Femulate readers participate in LGBTQ+ pride events. Typically. June is Pride Month and there are pride parades in many communities. Oddly enough though, some southern states hold pride parades in October when it’s a bit cooler.
These pride parades (as I’ll refer to them hence forth while including the ancillary events as well) often get a lot of press attention. You can pretty much count on seeing a report about them in local newspapers and television news stations. The coverage isn’t always flattering, but I believe the trend is more towards acceptance than when these parades started in the early 70’s.
Origin of Pride Parades
So, how did pride parades start? A Google search about the origin of pride parades generally focuses on the one-year anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots. Those riots occurred in New York City on June 28, 1969, when police conducted one of their then routine raids on the Stonewall gay nightclub. But this time the patrons were fed up with what they saw as police harassment and resisted.
I’ve only recently become aware that some of the instigators of the rebellion were the drag queens in attendance. While I don’t consider myself a drag queen, as a CD, I do have something in common with them – the wearing women’s clothing and a desire for the freedom to do so. I’ll leave the reader to their own Google search about the details of the pride parade origins.
Should We Participate?
Huge question. One that I’m not sure I can adequately answer. Let me be upfront– I have not participated in a pride parade. But as I think about it, I think we owe it to the entire CD community to show ourselves. By showing ourselves to the public, we can help others escape from the closet. Yes, that is a scary proposition.
As I’ve noted, I haven’t marched myself, so I’m in no position to preach. But I hope bringing up this subject gives you, dear reader, cause to consider the situation when the next pride parade rolls around. I know I’ll be giving it serious consideration myself.
A few thoughts for those going to an event, be it as part of the march or as a supporting spectator. Wear sunscreen as you’ll likely be out in the sun for quite some time. Sensible shoes are important for these events. Even if you are just a spectator, you’ll be on your feet for quite a while. Four-inch heels are probably best left at home for this outing unless you are riding on a float. Hold your head high. It is a pride event so go out and be proud rather than hiding in the shadows.
While you are out, make new friends and expand your comfort zone. That tight group of friends is nice, but an even bigger group is better. Support the vendors you’ll find at these events. They are sticking their necks out, too. Above all, be you... unapologetically.
I’ll Be Back
In addition to pondering pride parade participation, I’ll be finding more Stuff to write about. I welcome comments and suggestions here on Stana’s page or by email at Jenn6nov at-sign gmail dot com.
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| Wearing Yumi Kim |
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| Bernardo Letro |
Great points you make - I am also not that active in public - but believe the more we are seen the more we will be believed
ReplyDeleteI disagree with your recommendations, based partly on your tepid knowledge of Pride and it's history; and your blatant "bandwagon jumping". Why? Hear me out. First, I lived in the "Pink Ghetto" of south St Louis city where the Pride Parade marched up Grand Avenue less than one half block from my house into Tower Grove Park. When the baby boomers controlled Pride, it was a coalition of LGB with a begrudging acknowledgement of T, and invisibility, for the most part, of the CD component.
ReplyDeleteBy the late aughts (2000-2010) the X-Gens were taking over and the coalition was showing stress cracks. My guess it was due to the politicalization of the entire movement. Radicalism was starting to pop up in the movement and created a generational disconnect. The disconnect was based on core value differences in approaches to achieving public acceptance.
My recommendation JJ is to forget the "freak show" of Pride and instead get dressed up, go out to a nice restaurant, mingle with the public, and always present as a well mannered lady that seeks to project only style and grace appropriate for the venue. Of course have fun. You will be a glorious spokeswoman for us CD'ers of all levels of public interaction.
Pride is a semi-closeted event while Life blows the doors off everything.
Angel
JJ here - Thank you so much for your point of view Angel. As I have said in the past I'm not an expert and am only providing my point of view when I post. You make interesting points and I hope the readers consider them all when making their decision.
DeleteJJ Here - thanks for the support Genevieve!
ReplyDeleteWell JJ, I participated in the local Transgender Day of Visibility last March and it was richly rewarding for me. It was the first time I was out and visible solo. I was somewhat apprehensive but did it anyway. But the sense of community made it worthwhile! Unfortunately, I did not make the local Pridefest Trans March here until September and I regret it! There's always next year. Maybe we can march together in Orlando! As always, I thoroughly enjoy your "Stuff" so keep it coming! See you soon! 🤗
ReplyDeleteNot all cross dressers are gay. I wear some articles of women clothing. Married straight.
ReplyDeleteJJ here - you are absolutely correct that not all crossdressers are gay. I see research that claims the majority of crossdressers are in fact not gay. It just seems to me that we do fit under the whole LGBTQ+ umbrella.
DeleteHi JJ! Very interesting topic, but like you, I have never attended a march. I sort of have mixed feelings about them to be right honest. I think visibility is a good thing, and I value those who go, and make a good effort to represent themselves, and their beliefs in a respectful manner. These events get a fair amount of publicity at times, so the potential to reach a wide audience always exists.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I would just urge people to know what they are supporting, and know what type of event it is, as they can vary. Many marches are done well, and serve a great purpose, and I would happily go and cheer people on. Some get highly political though, and sometimes digress into one upmanship in antics over last year’s event, or one in another city. I’m always mindful that all attention is not always good attention. I completely support an individual’s right to express themselves, but I think at times people forget that they are representing all of us in such a large public display, and there exists the opportunity to harm acceptance just as easily as it is to gain acceptance.
My personal feeling is that if pushing widespread acceptance is the goal, things like outreach discussions, and just being visible as a good and ordinary citizen moves the needle so much further.
Norah
I do the "Transgender Day of Visibility" march and I am on board of the second largest LGBT organization in Palm Beach County. No, I do not march / attend the pride day march. It is not a positive representation of the "T" community and in my opinion does more harm than good. We get grouped with the drag queens. And, what get shown on the 6' o'clock news; the most outrageous drag queens there.
ReplyDeleteBeing out is important so that civilians see up in a positive light. On wear-a-dress day, I wear a dress for my doctor's visit. I car shop as my real self. I work in retail. I attend political fundraisers, concerts and women's meetup groups. There are so many ways to be proud.
You nailed it Rhonda. You and Stana are positive examples to the public, and positive role models for the rest of us.
DeleteAngel Amore
I'm straight, married, and I like dressing up as a girl, but I do not wish to make a spectacle out of myself. Nor do I want my crossdressing to impose itself in anyway on others. And especially not on a child. Therefore, while I have, not too often, gone to crossdressing events, I will not put myself out in the public in any venue such as a Pride Parade.
ReplyDeleteI live in a large city and years ago while I drove my young son and nephew to something at their school, we passed a crossdressed male who walked down the street. The boys giggled and made fun of him.
I wasn't for one second going to tell them that I crossdressed too. However, I admonished them and said that while we don't typically see men in women's things that fellow was simply walking down the street and that he wasn't doing anything wrong, and that, most of all, they should be respectful.
I have gone to pride marchs to spectate and march. The when I marched the parade was great fun. I dressed down, no heels but a nice skirt and walking shoes. The whole weekend was great fun. The pride fair followed on Balboa park and Sallee spent the day. I would certainly do it again. Even just spectating as my alter ego was fun, everyone is there to have a good time. Even your boyself will enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteSallee
Quite honestly, calling yourself a crossdresser is the kiss of death to most people. To the general public, you are much better off finding another term you like such as transgender or gender fluid. My friends know of my dual existence but the more closed minded majority still have negative connotations of crossdressers.
ReplyDeleteI go out every week and have done for ten years; I don’t divulge my “label” but I’m generally regarded as full time and I learned the hard way not to correct anyone. My past experiences with other dressers have always been uncomfortably tinged with strong sexual overtones so I avoid them except for my one CD friend who I have known for almost my entire time of going out.
Pride parades have drag queens and they have full timers, if you want more acceptance just go out to wherever you want to go while dressed. I’ve been to both the fun and the mundane. You’ll either be ignored or get smiles and compliments (assuming you did a decent job) and you’ll be seen as just someone quietly minding their own business. Above all, don’t wait to do this if you have been wanting to and are able to — it truly is far easier than you fear!
I present as a woman with dresses and makeup the vast majority of the time, and I have never been harrased in any way. I have a bust due to estrogen and I have hair beyond shoulder length.However, I retain my name of John and I like to be referred to using masculine pronouns. I regard myself as a freestyler who presents outside the narrow confines of men's dressing and grooming conventions. I do not regard myself as a crossdresser as I do not use a feminine name and would prefer people not referring to me using feminine pronouns. However if someone genders me as a woman it's no big deal.
DeleteJohn
Last TDOV, I started wearing either trans flag earrings or a pin or both. Many people (mostly women) have complimented my earrings. I think some like the jewelry, others are just acknowledging the meaning. Either way, I return an enthusiastic "Thank you!" but I'd love to know which it is,
ReplyDelete