Pride Doesn't Have to be Expensive!
17 Ways to Celebrate Pride for Free!
Y'all, I fucked up.
By not thinking about Pride in early March, with my credit card at the ready, I seem to have missed out on the opportunity to attend many of New York's biggest celebrations.
Now, if I were a diehard partygoer, I probably would be more upset about this than I am, but I still feel some lingering FOMO when someone asks me what my pride plans are, and I don't list any of the major things going on that weekend. But I know I'll be just fine, and what's more, my wallet will be even better.
Because these pride celebrations have gotten a bit out of hand. Some of the hottest tickets in town are well over $100 for a single event, and some even offer payment plans (and that's just for admission)! P.S. This is definitely a part of a larger discussion since the performers and DJs who populate these events should absolutely get paid what they're worth!
But, are we really existing in a time when your plans to celebrate who you are have to come with the heftiest of price tags? As we stare down the barrel of economic uncertainty anyway, now we're forced to choose between celebration and taking out a small loan for festivities.
But no longer!
If you, like me, are looking for ways to celebrate Pride that feel authentic and affordable, then I've got you. Please enjoy the following hacks for surviving Pride during a time of economic uncertainty.
And if you’re new here and looking for the easiest free thing to feel a bit more Queer, subscribe below!
Pride in the Park
One of my favorite things to do in summer is just go to the park with some friends, and doing that with Queer friends during Pride makes it that much more special.
Casey & I at our Pride Park Picnic - June 2022
Protest Your Way
Pride started as a protest, and it can continue that way. Protest can come in many forms; you can hold a sign at a local intersection, you can boycott, you can write, or you can share resources. There are so many ways that you can make a difference in a way that feels most accessible to you!
Read a Pride Book
If you're a literary type, curl up with a great Queer classic this pride weekend! Some of my recent faves are Giovanni's Room, Detransition Baby, The Heart's Invisible Furies, This is How You Lose The Time War, and In Memoriam.
Watch a Pride Movie or Show
If you're a more cinematic type, you can watch so many incredible Queer things nowadays. Treat yourself to some movie snacks and have your own little Queer marathon. Some suggestions for you: Veneno (HBO Max), Heartstopper (Netflix), Steven Universe (Disney+), Milk (Peacock), and Fire Island (with yours truly) (Hulu)!
Make brunch for your people.
There are few things more lovely than cooking a meal for people you love. And there are few things more Queer than brunch. So why not combine the two and make a Queer little brunch for your chosen family!
Make Your Own Pride Fashion or Clothing Swap
Sometimes, a little creativity is just what is needed in order to express your authentic self. Look for anything you might have lying around that you could repurpose into eleganza. See who can be most creative, find what makes you feel good, or even swap the clothes around!
Gay Game Night
Casey and I are huge board game gays and love nothing more than inviting some friends over for a bit of healthy competition. Some of our favorites include Lost Cities, Unstable Unicorns, Skull King, Sushi Go, and Love Letter!
Do Your Own Historic Walking Tour
I actually did this in June 2020, when I decided I wanted to walk the original Pride march route that goes north, not south, as it does today. It was such a special experience because even though I did it alone, I really felt connected to our Queer ancestors who have come before.
Sitting Outside Stonewall, June 2020 Have Your Own Silent Disco.
Head on down to a place where you feel connected to Queerness (for me, it was the Christopher Street Pier), put on some great tunes, and just have a little dance party all by yourself. I strongly recommend checking out The Pine Walk Collection on Mixcloud, a collection of incredible DJ Sets from Fire Island Pines & New York City (1979-1999).
Do a Pride Meditation
If you're into meditation, this can be a great way to connect to yourself and your Queerness. I did a birthday meditation a few years ago, and it guided me through receiving gifts from my ancestors. I ended up focusing on my Queer ancestors rather than literal ones, and it was a really beautiful experience.
Make Your Own Pride Flag
Pride flags can be a great source of self-expression. What combination of colors and patterns make you feel like you? You could do this with a whole group of folks and then share the results! Get crafty with glitter, markers, and tape; the sky's the limit!
Open Mic Night
Get some folks together and give everyone a chance to share some art in a less visual way. Maybe you have friends who write poetry, do spoken word, or write beautiful songs (like "Fall Down Seven" by my incredible friend Hana Sara)! Take this moment to share!
Knitting Circle
If you're looking for a bit of a slower pace, get some yarn and knitting needles and find a knitting circle! I don't knit myself, but I certainly did use to make finger leis when I was younger, and those are a great entry point (no needles required)!
Write About It
I couldn't not include the literary arts on this list. Writing about Pride can take so many shapes and styles. You can write poetry, you can write an essay, you can write a witty post, you can write fiction; there are so many options. Writing can be a beautiful way to sit with your thoughts and take the time to distill them into something that feels meaningful and true to you.
Test Your Drag Skills
While this one may require a bit of start-up costs to get the right makeup, it can be such a fun way to express yourself. Casey and I did this in 2020 with some friends, and while our drag was horrendous, it remains one of my favorite memories to date.
Give Back
Most people think that you need money to be able to give back, but your time and presence can be just as impactful (if not more so) as money. There are plenty of Queer organizations that can use help and help you feel like you're really making a difference this pride season. Gay 4 Good is a great place to start looking for events!
Do You
No matter what, Pride is personal and specific to you. There is no correct way to celebrate Pride, and many people (me included) are constantly figuring out their relationship to Pride, and it can change from year to year. So, try to tune out the noise and pressure of feeling like there are things you should do or ways you should celebrate, and just do whatever YOU want. You are a perfect Queer being, and the only way you need to celebrate Pride is to honor yourself.
Happy Pride!
I hope that you have a Pride weekend that feels good to you, whatever that may be. Know that I'll be thinking of all you incredible readers. And even though Pride will be over next week, Pride never truly ends, and especially this year, Queer visibility and joy are more important now than ever. Know that I will be here always and that I am sending you so much rainbow love.
This list is terrific! I am physically disabled and living in a new city but what I have seen here has given me hope! 🌈🌈🌈🌈
The last paragraph is absolutely the most important part of the piece. I have been saying since the start of June that pride is an everyday thing and I really believe that.
I purchased small pride related items, because I really had none. I also supported a couple queer owned businesses and provided help to friends in the community, both if which have me a tremendous sense of pride and celebration.
Every Saturday I wore a shirt that says, “I never came out of the closet. I was in the cupboard with the rest of the Pans.” This, other than a necklace and some bracelets, is my most treasured piece of clothing.