My Experience with Pride

Jul 19

Pride is a celebration. A month filled with parades, parties, and history lessons on what it means to be a part of the LGBT+ community. Every year, we honor those who came before us who fought against oppression, disease, and police violence.

As many of us may know, the first Pride was a protest. One Friday night in Greenwich Village 1969, police raided a gay club called the Stonewall Inn. Violence instigated by police turned into six-day riots and protests outside the bar and on neighboring streets. The Stonewall Riots is seen as the spark

Now, 52 years after the Stonewall Riots, LGBT+ rights and visibility are bigger and better than ever. This Pride Month, and every Pride month, the LGBT+ community is living their lives out loud and proud. To further celebrate Pride, I interviewed a member of the LGBT+ community about their experience with Pride and what it means to her.

Where did you go to pride for the first time?

Veja: Okay, some background, I did not come out till senior year of high school and I didn’t start to embrace it till I got to college. I was honestly so nervous to fully be myself and being bi I always feel like I’m not in the LGBT group. Even though there is a b in LGBT for some reason I never truly felt I was part of the group until I went to my first pride. Which was during my freshman year of college, it was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. I went to the pride festival in Philly which was taking place towards the seaport area. It was beautiful, there were concerts going on and beautiful people everywhere just being themselves. And of course a pride flag on every corner.

What did going to Pride feel like to you?

It honestly felt like I belonged, everyone was just their true selves and it was a beautiful thing to see. I went with some of my queer friends and allies. I remember going to bed after attending that pride and feeling free and I can start to fully embrace my true self.

Most impactful/memorable thing that happened that day?

I think the most impactful thing that happened that day is just being around like-minded people and seeing everyone just be their true selves. It was beautiful to see everyone just embrace themselves. I felt like I finally belonged. And I don’t have to be ashamed of it anymore. And I can be officially part of the group.

What does Pride mean to you now?

Pride means to me is just being your true self and not hiding it at all. I struggle with this constantly because I don’t want people to get the wrong idea of me. Or I don’t want to offend anyone. Especially with being bi and if I’m dating a boy it’s so hard because I don’t want people to think I’m not bi anymore just because I’m dating a guy. It’s such an uphill battle with being bi because I’m always going back and forth between talking to girls and guys and it gets very confusing but that’s the fun part of being bi you get to like everyone.

Written by Anaya Mitchell