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Hello all! This week I want to discuss Aspec people and going to Pride. As it is Pride Month, many aspecs will consider going to Pride events. I haven’t been to a Pride event, however I hope that will change! This post will include safety tips, what to expect, and other things you should know going into Pride events. As always, if there’s anything you would like me to add, please feel free to reach out to me!
Pride month is here and with Pride month comes the fun Pride parades and parties, and large scale events. I haven’t personally been to a Pride event, but there are a few interesting things I have heard about Pride events that I wanted to share here for those who are also considering going this year. An important thing to note is that although all are welcome to Pride events, the experience is going to be different for you depending on your identity. Depending on your identity, the experience might be more pleasant for some and not so much for others.
I’m not going to go in depth about every sexuality and what their experiences will be like because I want to focus on the aspec experience and Pride. What I will say is that, unfortunately, other sexualities that aren’t aspec are often more welcomed and celebrated. A reason for this is, from what I’ve heard, is that at Pride events, people are often being very sexual or romantic publicly. Aside from aspec erasure, people will still feel a variety of not-welcoming thoughts about aspec people because the majority of them don’t want to see this or don’t want to participate. The thing about that is, people can think what they want and if they have a problem with it, then they do and they shouldn’t be excluded on those grounds. Not all Pride’s are like this, and some are more about celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community and less about PDA. But as an aspec person wanting to go to Pride, be prepared for these kinds of thoughts floating around. Not because I want you to have a negative experience, but because I want you to stay safe. Stay close to those you come with, and if you go alone stay in areas where staff will be close by so they can keep an eye on you.
Those warnings aside, there has been an influx in aspec recognition this year. Asexual activist Yasmin Benoit has been named NYC’s Grand Marshall for their Pride celebration. This is one of the biggest things to happen for asexuals. The representation at Pride will push for those who are still aphobic to become more accepting of asexuality. I cannot express how excited and happy I was to see that news, because we will finally be seen right at the front of one of the largest Pride celebrations in the US. Yasmin Benoit has been a voice for the asexual community, and will pave the way for asexuals to be added to the inclusion of asexuals, and other aspec identities, at Pride events. Because of this, I believe that this year will be a monumental for aspec representation.
Check out this link about Pride: Pride Month 101
A point that I want to make, that I wish I didn’t have to, is that anyone going to Pride this year needs to be careful. Right now, there are many threats on the LGBTQIA+ community being made, especially for Pride Month. At the time I’m writing this, some information about the proud boys (I didn’t capitalize because they don’t deserve it) and how they will be targeting Pride events. As if the anti-trans legislation that has been passed throughout the US wasn’t enough, now hate groups are targeting our only safe spaces where we can express ourselves. Unfortunately, we cannot stop them if they try to, but we can prepare and try to be safe. I will attach some resources below to supply some skills and tips to prepare for things that could happen at these events. I don’t want to scare anyone, and I’m sorry if this is triggering. I think it is important to share resources so you can ensure that you are prepared for anything.
Safety Resources:
If you have any thoughts to add, agree or disagree, or have any questions to ask, please reach out to me through social media or email.
Thank you for reading and stay true to yourself!