By: It’s that time of year, fellow queerdos! It’s LGBTQ Pride Month — can’t you feel the swirl of glitter, sweat, and desperation in the air?
Well, take a whiff and don your gay (or bi … or ace … or trans … your call!) apparel because we are the reason for this season! This year, however, we want to do things a little differently.
In the year 2022 of our lord Lady Gaga, why not think outside the rainbow this year and dive into new ways to feel proud of our community and who we are? Sexual + Being wants to help you do just that. Here’s our list of new ways to get your Pride on.
Educate yourself
Not to get all Paris is Burning-by-way-of-RuPaul in here, but reading really is fundamental. As will be watching, listening, consuming, and sitting with all the LGBTQ content your heart can take.
Our community is rich and diverse in its history. Now is the time to learn it or refresh yourself on our movement and where we come from. Why not pick up that queer history book that’s been sitting on your shelf and get to reading? If reading isn’t your thing, download that podcast (give Nancy a listen!) or queer documentary (put Disclosure high on your list!) and buckle yourself in for some good ole noggin-growing.
Just remember: Pride 2022 is as much about turning looks as it is turning pages and soaking up all the queer information we can get our manicured hands on.
Channel pride into protest
Speaking of our movement and where we came from, we must never forget our roots as a community. And those roots are planted squarely in the garden of protest.
From the Stonewall Inn and Cooper Do-nuts to Compton’s Cafeteria and our very own National Mall, LGBTQ folks have long been fighting for their rights, their dignity, and their worth in this country. And it hasn’t been patiently and quietly. Without the hard work of the legendary activists who came before us, we’d have even less than we do now. It’s our turn.
Lucky for us, we live in the epicenter of a lot of political goings-on. There will likely be several incredible DC activations from local activists on harmful LGBTQ legislation, access to health and reproductive care, homelessness, racial justice, and more. There are also bigger demonstrations from national organizations like March For Our Lives, which will host a rally to stop gun violence on DC’s pride weekend, and activities from others involved in Capital Pride.
There are countless options. It’s just on you to find one you care about and get to it.
Have some great sex
That’s it. That’s the Tweet, loves. Go porking a-plenty, if you want to. What better time to shoot your shot than in a crowded city packed to the brim with queer cuties, right? Right!
Explore your identity (and its history)
Sometimes it’s worth it to go even deeper and focus on your identity. Have you ever had the chance to investigate where your community comes from? Maybe even check in with yourself on your own? Now’s as good a time as ever!
Here’s a little Pride challenge for you: Study up on your identity or community’s history, then take to social media to share three things you learned by tagging DC Beings (@dcbeings) on both Twitter and Instagram. We want to see what you learned. You might even teach us something!
Once you’ve done your research, look into Pride events specifically for your identity and connect with others who share part of your lived experience. Oh, and remember, never assume how someone identifies or their gender identity.
Support your local queer-owned businesses
In DC, we call one of the US’s gayest cities home. And around this time of year, it’s hard to miss it with the endless rainbow streamers, balloon arches, and signs of support.
We also get to reap the incredible benefits of a number of queer-owned and operated businesses that can cover just about anything you’d need: booze, bars, coffee shops, other restaurants, antiques, hair salons, and so much more! Here’s a handy list to help guide you.
There you have it, folx! Now get your proud self out there and make a difference. 🌈
Ryan Carey-Mahoney
Ryan Carey-Mahoney is a writer and LGBTQ advocate based in Washington, D.C. A journalist at heart, he's worked in digital strategy for over five years and has yet to turn down an opportunity to proofread. Talk to him on social media (@thegoodcarmah) about bi+ visibility, politics, and Beyoncé.
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