We answer your burning heterosexual questions with our guide to your first Pride event.
You may have loads of questions about Pride. Why does it exist? Why do we still need it? And what do you wear to Pride if you're straight? The last one is easy, whatever you want to wear that doesn't have anything heinous on it. The others are a bit more complicated.
What even is Pride month, anyway?
- June 28th, 1969 - The police raided a New York City bar called the Stonewall Inn. At this time, homosexuality was illegal, but the bar’s patrons resisted the police and rioted over the next few nights. These demonstrations brought global attention to the plight of the LGBT community. Pretty cool start.
- 1970 - The phrase ‘gay pride’ was coined by L. Craig Schoonmaker. A Commemorative march was organised with a march to Central Park - effectively creating the first Pride event.
- 1972 - Parades spread around the globe, with events being held in Brighton, Boston, Paris, London, Stockholm and more.
- 1980s and 1990s - Pride events became more celebratory, with phrases such as ‘liberation’ and ‘freedom’ being dropped from event names.
- 2017 - London’s biggest ever pride, with over 26,000 people marching and 1 million people rocking up for the party. Maybe 2018 will be even bigger? Let’s hope so!
Can I go to Pride if I don’t identify as LGBTQIA+?
This isn’t your space.
- Sure, this sounds harsh, but Pride events are safe spaces for LGBTQ people because the world has been (and often still is) a hostile place. And because basically every other space that’s ever existed has been designed for, and occupied by, straight people. Be respectful of the people who Pride is actually for, take a backseat and enjoy the atmosphere.
Be a good ally.
- It’s unlikely that anyone will cause trouble at a Pride event, but if you see anyone being abusive towards participants, it’s your chance to step in (provided, of course, that you feel safe). Taking on the burden of emotional labour for your queer pals so that they can enjoy their day is a great way to acknowledge your straight privilege.
Take the spirit of Pride with you.
- So, you’ve had a great day, a drag queen dropped a pot of glitter on your head and you drank enough cans of G&T to sedate a small grizzly bear - but what next? Make it your aim to challenge transphobia, homophobia and general discrimination wherever you see it in your day-to-day life.
What do I do if someone hits on me at Pride?
Unsurprisingly, queer people feel pretty comfortable hitting on people that catch their eye at Pride, because there’s simply more of a chance you'll meet someone who’s of the same sexual orientation as you. An apologetic “Sorry, I’m straight” is the only answer you need to give, because it’s true! Take the compliment gracefully, hot stuff.
Are there any things I definitely shouldn’t do?
- Don’t use homophobic language. Yes, that means you can’t yell “don’t be such a f*g” at your mate, or call anyone a “tr*nny”.
- Don’t try and guess people’s gender. Transgender and non-binary people are not there for your entertainment, and it’s none of your beeswax what gender (or birth-assigned gender) people are.
- Don’t take photos of strangers without asking for permission. It’s invasive, impolite and may cause repercussions in the subject’s personal or professional life if said photo started doing the rounds on social media.
- Don’t be creepy. Don’t ask lesbians if they want a threesome with you (a question which should be punishable by being forced to eat nothing but Skittles for three weeks). Don’t stare intently at the crotches of men in fluorescent g-strings. Just try and be a normal human being.
- Don’t bring up the concept of ‘straight pride’. Nobody cares.
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