Since this is my first pride parade, I didn't have any expectations. One of my friends who went to a couple pride parades said they were fun.
When I first walked in, I was shocked by how many people were there. It hit me that people of all ages and sexual orientations and even a couple allies were there to support.
In the back of my mind, I kept hoping my parents could be as accepting, but in reality, I know that won't happen anytime soon.
I was warmed by the fact there were a couple of mothers who had a sign saying, "Free Mom Hugs." Although I did not give them a hug, I wish I did because then it would have felt like I was giving my own mother a hug. It was nice to see the free hugs sign because it's spreading the love.
Besides my longing for acceptance, I have decided to love and accept myself in this humid weather. The weather was almost equivalent to Las Vegas. Since it was also sunny as well, I felt like I was sweating bullets.
In this festival, there were vendors selling many products. I bought vegan bar soap and hand cream. The smell was super sweet, plus the bar of soap has goat milk and honey as the ingredients.
Different flags were sold, such as the transgender flag, bisexual flag, and many more.
One of my friends had a transgender flag with her and I wanted to wave a flag to spread the love. Although I am bisexual, being in this environment made me feel the love because to me, a pride event is more than just spreading love and acceptance. It's people from different sexual orientations uniting as one, and it is like we are all getting to know each other.
There is no greater joy than socializing with people. Especially those who share similar struggles and can relate to each other.
There were many performers at Pride such as drag kings, drag queens and also Betty Who!
I have waited hours to see Betty Who perform! Most of her songs are upbeat and her voice is powerful. She had a black shirt with the word, “Equality," in rainbow colors and I could not stop looking at her hair. I am so jealous of how well she rocked the short hair.
It was my first time watching drag queens as well! Each drag queens' performance had such a, "Wow!" factor because their energy levels are not only insane but their outfits were spectacular as well! Some of them gave us a disco ball effect but that just made the performance even better!
In the beginning, I hung out with a couple of people I already knew, but just before Betty Who was about to perform, my friends left the event. I danced alone and everyone around me danced with at least one other person. I felt awkward because it seemed I was a loner, but I did not regret dancing alone.
Normally, I would not dream of going to festivals because since I have social anxiety, just the thought of socializing and trying to make small talk was frightening. Especially if I was alone. I told myself I would come out of my shell, or at least attempt to and I would like to go to more events.
I do not regret going to pride because it gave me a sense of love that I've always wanted to feel.
Whenever a pride event will take place, I will do my best to be there!
I will do everything I can in order for me to decrease my social anxiety and learn to be out and about with the world.
