You're Never Alone At Pride

It can be really hard to feel alone in a big crowd.

From June through the end of August, communities all around the world will be celebrating LGBTQ Pride. Some events can be huge, with hundreds of thousands of queer folks having a great time and remembering the struggle that has elevated them in society. Other, smaller communities will have events that reflect their size. Small parties and parades. Fairs and fun.

And just like everywhere we go, there will be coupled people there, holding hands, laughing, participating in a little bit too much PDA. And then there are people who aren’t couple, well, at least they aren’t beyond the next couple of hours. Pride is a celebration of the queer community and that definitely includes queer sex. For some, Pride is the ultimate hook-up destination.

The idea of couple can take many forms at Pride. You have the basic: two people who are in love, who fuck or do both. That number can also easily swell to three people or four or more. Then you have Master/slave or Dominant/submissive relationships—guess which one is tied on a leash! Of course, you have the proud queer parents pushing strollers or chasing toddlers. They look a little haggard and are due for some fun. There are countless configurations taking up all kinds of space.

So, there you are, the only single queer person at Pride. What are you to do?

Lean On Friends

Okay, first know that you aren’t the only single person at Pride. Regardless how big or how small, there are definitely lots of other single folks celebrating. And they might be just as self-conscious as you at the moment. But nobody has anything to fear. You’re going to have fun, you’re going to be political and maybe, just maybe, you won’t be single the whole time or when Pride ends.

The first and best way to avoid feelings of singledom loneliness at Pride is to go with friends. Maybe these are friends with partners, maybe they are single too. But having people to go with definitely makes it easier to navigate the crowds of tongue-locked queers sweaty from sun and oozing sex. Hope you and some friends might find some entertainment together or maybe march in a parade together. There is a lot to enjoy in celebrating your awesome sexuality, even if you’re not necessarily partaking in the sex part at that moment. You can also join together in a time-honour Pride tradition: sitting back and looking at all of the hotties. Ain’t nothing wrong with wishing!

Find Community

Now, maybe you’re new in town or just visiting. Maybe you don’t have friends to fall back on where you are. This is a pretty vulnerable position to be in and understandably challenging. Some people don’t even like to go out to a restaurant on their own, nevermind a big celebration of queer sex!

But there is a great way to help alleviate this potential discomfort. Many Pride organizations are made up for folks from the many different queer communities that fall under the LGBTQQIAAACPPF2 pantheon of identities. To ensure that everyone has a place of comfort and belonging in Pride celebrations, many of these groups often have events or meetups or munches or information tables or parties. However you identify, if you look for people with whom you share the common bond of sexuality, you will have a chance to meet some new people, make some new friends and, possibly, explore possibilities with new lovers.

March Together

Of course, there is one more great way to meet new folks and have fun at Pride—join the parade! Most Pride events around the world culminate in a parade through that community. In some places, like Sydney, Toronto, New York and San Fransisco, the Pride parade is a major event of the year. Not just for the queer community, but for everyone in that city. In smaller communities, particularly where queerness is still oppressed, the Pride parade is a significant symbol of the continuing fight for equality.

Because of all this, the Pride parade can be both full of fun and full of feelings. Marching with your fellow LGBT folk can be both transformative and also a great way to connect. With senses heightened and hearts on high, those marching together can form a strong bond—one that can lead to great friendships or possibly even more.

Whether you’re on your own or with a big group, the meaning of Pride is that you are never alone.