First Time Pride Attendant...

[Vikkster230]

The local Pride weekend is about a week and a half away. I've never been and am a bit nervous about attending anything connected mainly because I'm not out. I know that nothing will change and I won't meet others if I don't make myself available to the opportunity to meet others. Can you share your first time in a similar circumstances to help me carry though, I'd really appreciate it...

[Cherokee_Mountaincat]

Just go and have fun, Hon. Walk around, mingle a little, smile and nod at people. If you're nervous because you're afraid you'll run into someone you know, dont be. If They are there, what does that say about them? That they may be there out of curiousity, or they may be there to show their pride too. :}
Have fun Darlin.
Cat

[Lenore]

I have been to several different pride events in my area over the years. In my opinion, don't be nervous. Just go and enjoy yourself. The great thing about Pride is that there are people from all walks of life who attend.

They worst part is the protesters, but if you just ignore them they can't ruin your fun!

I hope you decide to attend. I know I always enjoy myself.

Lenore.

[darkeyes]

I first went to a Pride with my sister in Brighton when I was 19 which just happened to be on while we visited old school (str8) chums who moved down there. It was a fun weekend which involved lots of laughs and copious amounts of drink. Sex on the beach.. not me.. me sister (with a guy)..cow.. Fran had the misfortune of not getting 'ersel laid that weekend by guy or girl.. but she did try.. but sadly fell flat on 'er face wiv both guy an girl..:(

..while chatting in the evening outside the Albion Hotel some little bastard of bout 13 or 14 ran by grabbed me in between me legs screaming "Dyke" an bolted.. so it wasnt all fun.. but that was the only bad bit.. 'part from not gettin laid of course..:tong:

Have been 2 pride in Brighton a couple of times since then, an its much bigger and better..an on those occasions I didn't fail in my objective...:bigrin:

[citystyleguy]

..like the others here, go and have a good time; we have events here in town, for no particular reason, and at each there is so much going on, you will quickly forgot all the bother of worrying! ...and if you do meet up with someone, so much the better, and if that someone is one those to whom you have not come out to, walk right up to them, take their hand, hold onto it, and give them a great big hug, all the while asking them "...what brings you to the event..? (be prepared for a wide variety of reactions, tho') :eek:

Go, and have a great time!

[just4mefc]

I have gone to pride here in LA (west hollywood) twice. The irony is this was when I was certain I was str8 :) Now that I am Bi I have not made it back in 10 years, wtf. Anyway back in the day the parade in west hollywood was both a parade and then a festival and many a str8 (non-phobic) person would go to support friends and family or just for the fun times. It was such a huge event and locals were never even asked or questioned as to whether they were gay or str8. Good music and fun and games. I saw plenty a fellow str8 friend there. I would guess NY would be very similar??? Have fun

[BiCycler]

You could always say you're there to celebrate diversirty, stand up for people's right to be who they are. To battle against discrimation. To demonstrate that you have a brain of your own and refuse to follow blindly, someone else's prejudices or fears. Or you could dress up in some frilly outrageous costume and let all your yaya's out. I went to my first Pride event a few years ago. I remember feeling an adreniline surge, excitement. wonder and an all over feeling of goodwill. Go, have fun, feel good about yourself.

[darkeyes]

Go, have fun, feel good about yourself.

And that is what Pride is all about...:)

[Vikkster230]

Thank you all for your input... I'll let you know how things turn out, lol pardon the pun. tee hee :tong:

[csreef]

The first time I went to a Pride parade was 4 years ago. I felt nervous( I must have looked nervous too), but after being there, people would come up to me & say "hi haven't seen you here before" & we'd talk & I got more relaxed.

There was no judgement , just openess and friendship

Now I know some people ,and with each Pride Parade that I go to, I feel more open :bipride:

[TulsaTriad1]

There was no judgement , just openess and friendship.:bipride:

I don't know how Pride works everywhere else, but I went to my first parade with my wife and three small kids, when I was living the str8 life. A few years later, our partner was the director of the sponsoring organization! Now they (str8 wife and bi partner) co-coordinate the annual art exhibit that kicks off Pride, and the event has grown from a one-day outing to a month-long celebration.

Here in Oklahoma, the community (the non-phobic minority, but all of those great folks) is very open and supportive. Also, very diverse -- nobody makes an assumption about you (except maybe if they're interested?) when they see you at pride.

And even if they do, as bisexuals, aren't we here to challenge those assumptions? Besides, you can always assume them right back.

I don't know that I would recommend going for hookup opportunities (but then again, I'm boringly domesticated), but it will very much be a life-changing and life-affirming event.

:male::male::female: