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A myHIVteam Member asked a question 💭
Geneva, IL

With all The Nasty bills against LGBTQ people being drafted, are you willing to stand up and be present at your local Pride LGBTQ Parade this year?

June 5, 2023 (edited)
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Answer Summary

Members shared whether they plan to attend LGBTQ Pride celebrations this year, with many expressing determination to march and be visible... Read more

Members shared whether they plan to attend LGBTQ Pride celebrations this year, with many expressing determination to march and be visible despite safety concerns, believing that living authentically and showing up proudly is essential to not letting hate win. Several members described longstanding Pride traditions, from marching with professional groups to showcase everyday LGBTQ people, to concerns about drag representation and festival commercialization, while others noted accessibility challenges like extreme heat, crowds, and physical limitations from HIV and aging. A recurring theme was the deeper meaning of Pride as both a celebration of progress and a continued fight for visibility and acceptance, honoring those lost to AIDS and discrimination, supporting transgender community members facing new legislative attacks, and living openly every day as an act of resistance and solidarity.

A myHIVteam Member

No. I have not in many years. I live on the Westside of LA. West Hollywood, is the closest. Even without Pride, getting into WeHo, finding parking and getting out is a nightmare. With Pride it is 1,000 X worse. I find that WeHo pride has too many drag queen on almost every other float, or with every other group. I am not a fan of drag queens. WeHo is also very "Twinkie" & flamboyant. Neither has ever been my taste. When I was in my 20's I always liked older, "non-twink" guys.

When I lived in San Diego, I found their Pride much better. I marched with a professional group I belonged to. I'm a pilot, and we wore our uniforms, with shirts & ties. So did several other "Professional" groups, with doctors, lawyers, accountants, and other medical professionals. Most of us did this to help show "regular" gays do exist, in numbers, that the "public" usually never see, or think about.

As to drag queens, I feel that we "take over" public streets, and say "Here we are". I feel that "Straight" people get a misrepresentation of "Gays", when every other float, or contingent has drag queens. I don't feel they represent me, or most gays. I don't believe that half of gays are drag queens. So, what is someone who is uncomfortable with gay people to think, when they see us "representing" ourselves with a ton of drag queens?

I know many will disagree, this is my sentiment. I am entitled to my feelings about it, and so are others, without attacking each other for disagreeing.

June 5, 2023 (edited)
A myHIVteam Member

Yes and No ;-) I will be marching in the San Diego Pride parade in July as part of our long term survivors contingent. We always get lots of very positive response from the crowd (usually 150-200K along the route) so very visible. As for the festivals, probably not. Those seem to have morphed into rows of the same booths as we see at every art festival in town throughout the year. That's a mixed bag, I guess - we are no different than any other community fair which shows acceptance, but the excitement of "Coming out for pride" isn't what it used to be ;-) For those who are experiencing pride as something new - go and have a blast!

June 5, 2023
A myHIVteam Member

Hi yes... Stonewall Pride wilton manors ft Lauderdale...🤗🌈
it could be a danger yes.... but if we don't come out proud and brave we let the haters win... and life without personal freedom and being true to yourself is not a happy life

June 5, 2023 (edited)
A myHIVteam Member

@A myHIVteam Member.
Bingo! 🤠

July 4, 2023
A myHIVteam Member

Most definitely we are going to DC Pride this weekend not going to let anything stop me from doing what I want to do someone told me there may be violence you may get shot or something I'm not going to live my life in fear it's my time to go it's my time to go.

June 5, 2023 (edited)

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