Happy Pride! As we make our way through June, many of us can (and will!) get excited about celebrating who we are and what we believe in, with our communities and others worldwide. June is a month filled with so much history and bad-assery revolving around the LGBTQIA+ community, and taking the opportunity to learn about the community’s narratives and accomplishments can be both a pride-filled and honor-filled experience.

On the topic of being full of pride, the ever-so-famous Pride Parade is coming up for many participating cities and locations! Some participating places featuring large parades include:

Providence, RI
New York City, NY
Provincetown, MA
Boston, MA
Washington, DC
Chicago, IL

The Pride Parade, in many ways, is precisely like what it sounds like: a parade! The event is a community gathering where allies and individuals of the LGBTQIA+ community can rejoice and celebrate the community itself and all that it has accomplished. It’s a day filled with singing, dancing, performances, music, and more. Many organizations and educational groups even set up booths at Pride, handing out goody bags filled with LGBTQIA+ resources, condoms, and other swag and merch. The parades are not only a great way to celebrate who you are, but also to learn about who you are: events with huge turnouts open up the chance for community education and the mass spreading of educational information.

While June is the month for celebrating the gays and the queers, it is also the month that marks the beginning of summer. Temperatures in certain areas can reach as high as 100 degrees, making outdoor events something you’d want to prepare for. Most Pride Parades take place outside, causing many attendees to prepare a few days in advance. Taking a few days to prepare yourself for going to your local Pride Parade is wise for your safety and can even help you have a better time. Maybe you’re scared or anxious since it’s your first time going, or maybe it’s been a while since you last went. Don’t worry: the Sexual Health Alliance is here to provide you with some tips and tricks to make Pride 2023 one for the books!

Some Helpful Tips

CHUG CHUG CHUG… — Water is essential in the summer (and for other times of the year too, but especially summer). Heat exhaustion and dehydration are sneaky, dangerous conditions. You’re going to be walking around, slaying, dancing, flaunting, and sweating for a few hours, which means you’re losing water and electrolytes. Hydrating before, during, and after is a great way to avoid any illnesses caused by heat or dehydration. Don’t believe me? John Hopkins Medicine provides some educational intel on the effects of dehydration and heat exhaustion and yikes… not a good time. Drop it like it’s hot, don’t drop because it is hot!
Fashionistas Dress for the Weather, Too — Stylish-yet-functional is the name of the game when it comes to choosing outfits for Pride. As much as you’re going to want to look chic and amazing, you’ll regret it when the chaffing and blisters roll in. Sporting comfortable footwear and clothing items that you know are versatile and functional will improve your experience immensely. Like I said in Tip #1, you’re going to be walking around and doing all sorts of movements. Your clothes should be able to move with you, not against you. So, when picking out your outfit for the day, make some conscious choices that you know will work for you!
Just Like The Dinosaurs in Jurassic Park: Travel In Herds — Buddy systems work great everywhere you go: the bathroom, large outdoor places, etc. Pride is going to be full of people, especially ones you’ve never met before. While this is an opportunity to make new friends, not everyone you meet may be friendly. Preparing a buddy system will allow you to never get lost in a crowd or a place you’re unsure how to navigate. It also prevents you from being swept away by people who might not have your best interest in mind. Creating a pre-determined meet-up location in case you and your pals get separated or an emergency happens is also a great way to be proactive.
Be Wary of Who You Get Your Spirits and Magic Plants From: If you’re 21+, it is legal in most areas to smoke marijuana recreationally (and of course to drink/purchase alcohol). In the case that you choose to drink and smoke at this event, please do it responsibly: know your limits and make sure a designated-driver is with you at all times. Do not accept drugs or unsealed drinks from people you do not know! Unsealed or unknown substances possibly have been laced, tampered with, or contain roofie drugs. If you choose to partake, BYOS: Bring Your Own Substances!
Pack a Bag with Essentials: Be the parent of the group! For your safety and that of others, it is wise to back a bag with all of your essentials. Water bottles, keys, sunscreen, any medications needed, chapstick, etc., should go into your bag. Many people will have those basic essentials on them, but everyone is different, so plan according to your needs. Having a way to be identified is also super-wise, just in case something happens and you need to show who you are.

The Pride Parade is an amazing experience for persons of all walks of life, especially the LGBTQIA+ community. Community celebration and education is what brings us together and makes us stronger and more unified. If you’re nervous about Pride this year, that’s okay and totally valid. Overall, the event is filled with so much love and acceptance, so you’ll likely be just fine—and if anything happens, you’ll be prepared.

As always: stay safe, educate yourself, and happy Pride!

Written by Ali Rei.