My Experience At D.C. Capital Pride | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

My Experience At D.C. Capital Pride

Don't let Pride's negative reputation fool you. There was nothing but love.

15
My Experience At D.C. Capital Pride

Saturday, June 11th marked DC Capital Pride, complete with a sizable parade and concert throughout DC. While Pride is supposed to be about coming together and embracing love, Pride has gotten a bad rep in the past for being an exclusive and non-diverse festivity.

Often, critics say Pride has the stigma that it only recognizes the "L" and "G" in LGBTQIA, that meaning that it is particularly geared towards gay men and lesbian women. A new addition, but still important and a part of the community, many feel that "A", or asexual"people. are not welcomed because Pride tends to be notoriously sexualized.

As well, many criticize Pride as being not diverse in representing different cultures and ethnicities, as it typically is known to only cater to white people. This is seen as being highly detrimental for those who are often times more discriminated against for not only being gay, but also being non-white. The most notable are often black men and women who identify on the LGBTQIA spectrum.

I want to make it clear that I can and am only speaking from my experience at DC Pride. I am no way trying to advocate or make a blanket statement about who others may have experienced Pride.

This was my first Pride going to and I have recently come out as bisexual. Being bisexual, it often feels that I am not welcomed in the community because there are harsh stigmas surrounding bi men and women.

Bi men are wrongly seen as just beating around the bush until they come out as gay and bi women are often believed to just be straight girls being curious.

Being a bisexual woman, I want to make it clear that there is a difference between identify as bisexual or bi-curious; that is why the "Q" was added, for those who are questioning their sexuality.

I digress. In the past, I felt very excluded from the community because I am not lesbian. However, after going to Pride, I felt like I was with my people. I wore my bisexual pride button, and even was delighted to see that there was a bisexual float included in the parade.

As well, I felt that there were a wide variety of different ethnicities that were included and had their own floats. There was a Black Lives Matter Float, a United Kingdom float, a Swedish float and also a few floats from various Latin American countries.

I was a little worried about going to Pride based on the negative reputation it has for being exclusive and lacking in diversity. However, I found that none of the negative talk was true.

I was able to have an amazing first Pride experience alongside other GW students who all varied in ethnicities and sexualities. There was an unspoken bond and sense of love that I am confident that every person there felt.

We are fighting for love and equality. We cannot be dragged down by others who choose to live in the negativity. Whatever you identify as, you are welcome, you are loved, and you are enough.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
12 Things To Do On A Snow Day

Everyone loves a snow day! Whether you decide to call out sick from work or your classes get canceled, it is a great way to spend time with family and friends.

1. Build a snowman

People brave enough to face the weather can go outside to build an adorable man made of snow. Relive those childhood glory days, but remember to bundle up!

Keep Reading...Show less
April Ludgate
NBC Universal

Everyone who is in college right now, or has ever been, knows the struggle of pulling in the strings at the last second. It seems impossible, and you have to do a LOT of things in order to assure your future for the next semester.

April Ludgate, historically, is a very annoyed person, and she doesn't hide it. Of all the times that I binged and re-binged "Parks and Rec," her attitude relates more and more to me.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

To The Cheerful Person On Their Rainy Days, You Are Valid

The world is not always sunshine and rainbows, and you do not have to be, either.

513
pug covered with blanket on bedspread
Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash

Ask friends of mine to name a quality about me, and one a lot them will point out the fact that I am almost always smiling. I like to laugh and smile -- not to quote Buddy the Elf in April, but smiling is my favorite! It is probably my favorite go-to expression. However, what a lot of people do not see is that I have my down days. I have days when smiling and laughing is a real struggle, or when I have so much on my plate that going out of my way to behappy takes more effort than I have stored in me. Be it a symptom of college and growing up or a facet of life, I cannot always be content.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

11 Struggles of Packing for College

It would be so much easier to just pay someone to do it for you

530
a room with boxes and a window

1. Figuring out when to start

Timing is key, you don’t want to start too early or too late.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

15 Times 'Parks and Recreation' Has Summed Up Your Life

Relatable moments from one of the best shows I have ever watched.

370
parks and rec
Liz Keysmash

Amidst my hectic college career, I always find time for one thing, even on the busiest weeks: Parks and Recreation. This show has made me laugh and has made me cry, but most of all I have related to this show more than I would like to admit.

Here are some "Parks and Rec" moments that relate to life struggles that just about everyone faces.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments