Pride and Sobriety in Long Beach

Every year, Pride month is someone’s first- someone’s first chance to experience their truth, the first open invitation to dance without judgement, the first opportunity to have their own protest. And really, Pride is a protest. Years have passed, but it’s not hard to forget the struggles that have endured and the people that have marched to allow us to celebrate today. The Stonewall Riots were the induction of the necessity to have the LGBTQ+ community voices’ heard. And for many years after that, women and men and all humans have protested to give themselves and future generations visibility in the world. That’s what we do this for. For the visibility of future generations to live comfortably.

This is my fourth year attending the LGBTQ+ Pride weekend in Long Beach. The festival itself is held on the fairgrounds next to the Performing Arts center in Downtown Long Beach. There’s a beautiful view of the ocean, and rainbow flags flying through the air everywhere. There’s also something indescribable, a feeling that fills everyone’s lungs and hearts.

There is a lot of preparation for this massive weekend of open expression. The Festival starts Friday night with a launch party for the weekend celebrations. Saturday, the city is alive with tourists and guests from all over, celebrating in the summer sun. There’s music in the streets and performers at the festival are seen and heard all over.

The festival holds multiple stages for a variety of musical performers, many of whom are a part of the LGBTQ+ community. Huge spaces are cleared for dancing and rainbow banner waving. Giant speakers blast music onto the audience. There are vendors selling food lined up throughout the grounds. Organizations and non-profits, including The Center Long Beach and Aids Food Store offer free condoms to passersby for donations.

The parade starts on Sunday morning. It’s held on Ocean Blvd and begins with a commemoration ceremony attended by several city officials, wishing everyone a safe and celebratory Pride. After that, a whirlwind of motorcyclists start the celebration, a group known as the Dykes on Bikes. Everyone is clad in their best Pride outfits, very sparkly and bright. My best friend and I decided we were both going to wear t-shirts which express a part of our personal principles. It’s a weekend where everyone feels a little safer marching for the things that mean the most to them.

Throughout the parade are a sequence of floats, party buses and marching people. The sidewalks are crowded full of spectators dancing and celebrating the freedom. Many ethnic backgrounds are represented in the parade as well, including indigenous peoples of America, People of Color, proudly wearing outfits drawing inspiration from their respective cultures. It’s a beautiful time to celebrate the People of Color within the LGBTQ+ community who may not have a voice or space to have their intersectionality acknowledged in mainstream culture. It’s also a chance for someone who is not familiar to learn they have a community available to them, and to meet new people.

Walking the entire parade is a feat in itself, and some manage to do it in four to five inch heels. Many make it look effortless – especially the Drag Queens, engaging the spectators and pumping everyone up. Many community cheer squads will perform routines right in the middle of the road while marching, another feat of the human spirit. I have marched in the parade before, in tennis shoes and a tee shirt, and I was still exhausted afterward. It is truly inspiring to see how much everyone puts into this one day, and the spirit and energy they share.

When I came out in the LGBTQ+ community, it was important that I helped those who have helped me. One of the ways I do that is through my own visibility. Being out is not just about touting myself around getting attention, but rather, allowing those who may not have any examples of LGBTQ+ people within their lives to live more freely. There are so many more examples within our community today, many who spread messages of love and acceptance. But sometimes the louder voices get more attention. In learning about the history of the LGBTQ+ community, I have learned it’s more important than ever to be true to who I am and live in honor of those who risked their lives so that we can have a peaceful and beautiful Pride parade every year.

There are still so many people out there who don’t get to live in the divine spirit or in their own truth. Pride, above everything else, is a protest. It is saying, although I am different, I deserve to be myself. This is important to remember if you identify as an ally. We can support each other in so many different ways. Asking a friend what they choose to identify as and supporting artists, designers and companies which are inclusive are just a couple of examples of ways that you can contribute.

It is so important for me to live in a way that supports my health and well-being. In the past, I drank and used to numb the feeling of being different. Today, only because I have cleared myself of mind altering substances, I can celebrate the person I am, the person who I was always supposed to be. In my sobriety, I have found others who share my struggles. This fellowship has carried me through my own coming out, and we honor each other.

Because of sobriety, I’ve gotten to experience the last four years openly expressing my identity as a queer individual, creating memories full of fun and laughter. I’ve gotten through the struggle of coming out and now I get to show support for those still learning about their own truths. I have a great big chosen family of bright loving humans and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Happy Pride Month everyone!