Celebrate Pride - Your Way

Celebrate Pride in Vancouver — Photo by Gage Walker on Unsplash

by Tricia McGarrah (she/her), RCC. Mountain View Counselling BC

Pride is many things: a celebration, a protest, a party, a memorial. It has evolved over time, and it is still evolving. Even today, there are some who want to gatekeep who is allowed to participate, but let me be clear: if you are queer or if you think you might be queer, then Pride is for you. If you are a bisexual person in a straight-passing relationship, Pride is for you. If you are trans, cis, or non-binary, Pride is for you. If you are questioning your gender but aren't sure what that means or could look like, Pride is for you. If you are monogamous or if you are polyamorous, Pride is for you. If you are into kink or if you are asexual, Pride is for you. If you are out or if you are in the closet, Pride is for you.

Pride is a celebration of self; a bold declaration that we are not only worthy of acceptance, but of celebration!

Often, Pride is presented as a riotous, colorful party, but for many in the queer community, that feels overwhelming or unattainable. Don't worry! There are so many ways to celebrate Pride.

Here are a few suggestions that might appeal:

Join a Local Celebration

If that riotous, colorful party I mentioned above sounded like the option for you, then look no further! If you live in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, check out these local celebrations in 2022:

Surrey - June 25
Victoria - June 23 - July 2
Fraser Valley - July 9 - 16
Burnaby - July 23
Vancouver - July 29 - 31
New Westminster - August 13
Chilliwack - August 21

Gather your Nearest, Dearest, and Queerest

If crowds aren't your scene, opt to celebrate with your closest friends and family instead. Deck the hallways in rainbow decorations, organize a potluck, and hang out with your safe people. Share stories of coming out, past Prides, and hopes for the future.

If you're looking for a movie to watch with your crew, check out these lists:

50 Essential LGBTQ Movies

The Best Queer Movies of 2020

Read an LGBTQ+ Book

If you prefer your own company, or the company of beloved fictional characters, there's no better way to celebrate Pride than by diving into a great LGBTQ+ book. Find one that looks right for you, and don't forget to rely on your local library for books and audiobooks that won't break the bank!

Roar Cat Reads LGBTQ+ Book Reviews

Reads Rainbow Recommendations

Write a Letter to your Past and Future Selves

One of the most powerful things you could do this Pride is to engage in some self-reflection. Wherever you are in your journey, it could be meaningful to take some time to think about who you have been and who you want to become. I find that taking the time to actually write out my thoughts helps me to focus and to access deeper thoughts and emotions.

Write to your past self:

What advice would you want your younger self to know?
What encouragement could you give your younger self?
What do you most admire about your younger self?
What do you realize about your younger self now that you couldn't see before?

Write to your future self:

What goals or ambitions do you hope your future self has accomplished?
What fears are you currently holding onto that you hope will be different in the future?
What values do you hold that you want to see your future self honoring?
What advice would you give to your future self? What advice would you ask for?

Learn Pride's History

Many of us celebrate Pride without knowing the whole story behind why it exists. Do a favor to yourself and to those who paved the way for us by taking some time to learn Pride's history. It will deepen your appreciation for the day and for the rights we enjoy, and it just might inspire you to engage in some political action!

Website: The Complete History of Pride
Books: 50 Must-Read Books about LGBTQ History for Pride Month
Podcasts: 12 Podcasts About LGBTQ+ History, Activism, and Culture
TV Series: 10 great LGBT history films to watch during Pride month

Support Others

If you find that you have the privilege of extra time or extra money, Pride is an excellent time to share what you have with community members.

You could sponsor an LGBTQ+ refugee with Rainbow Refugee, volunteer or donate to Friends for Life, become a Peer Navigator with AIDS Vancouver, or volunteer and start a peer support group with QMUNITY.

Celebrate Sober

For some members of the Alphabet Mafia, Pride can be a triggering experience as we watch people celebrate the day with alcohol. If you're concerned about how the day might influence you, talk to a close friend who can be your support. Maybe the right move for you is to focus on some of the small-group or solo recommendations listed here. Maybe you want to go out, but need the comfort of a friend who will stay sober with you and watch out for any warning signs. If you start to feel overwhelmed, plan your getaway ahead of time: What will you say to leave the party? How much do you want to share?

Additionally, some cities have Sober Pride events. If you're in Vancouver, check out the Clean Sober and Proud Facebook group!

Practice Gratitude

There is, undoubtedly, a lot to be scared of and angry about in today's world. In a world where social media and news cycles repeat the latest tragedies over and over again, it is essential that we take a step away and remember the things that we are grateful for. This practice can soothe our anxiety as well as restore the energy we need to fight for justice.

When you're creating a gratitude list, start small. Think through your typical day, and list everything that you appreciate, from a hot cup of coffee to the feel of sun on your skin or the sound of rain. Think about the people in your life, about a compliment you received, about the action you took that felt impossible.

This is a practice for Pride, but it doesn't have to stop here. Keep a Gratitude Journal, or just scrawl three things you're grateful for on a Post-It or in a Google Doc. See what happens if you make this a regular part of your day!

Bonus: include others. Maybe a gratitude list is just what your group chat or Twitter followers need right now.

Book A Therapy Session

Accepting and celebrating ourselves isn't always easy. For many in the queer community, we are still working through the negative messages we've received from society and from people in our lives.

I am a queer counsellor who offers online sessions to LGBTQIA2S+ adults (18+) who are working through life, faith, and identity transitions, as well as: