As someone who stayed inside the closet for most of her life, I know first-hand that Pride Month can be a source of comfort, safety, and escape for many members of the LGBTQ+ community. Before I was ready to tell my loved ones, I found solace with the members of the LGBTQ+ community who welcomed me with open arms. It was with their words of encouragement and unconditional support that I found the courage to come out loud and proud. No matter how far along LGBTQ+ individuals are in their journey, Pride Month provides them a safe haven to be themselves in a likeminded community. Thanks to the miraculous efforts of the LGBTQ+ community in the last few decades, today’s members of the LGBTQ+ community are able to openly be themselves. Every June, Pride parades are held around the world to celebrate the individuality of the people in the LGBTQ+ community and give them a place to express their sexuality with #Pride.
Looking for a #Pride event near you? Be sure to look for Pride events in your area by searching the web – and if you can’t find an in-person celebration, there are many virtual events that you can attend from all around the world!
This is not a comprehensive list, but here are afew of the most-attended Pride events in the U.S.
New York PrideFest
New York is re-introducing a safer, COVID-free PrideFest by implementing protocols and restrictions. It will be held on June 27 from 11 am to 6 pm. Registration information is available on the NYC PrideFest website
Instead of the typical march that takes place every year, this PrideFest will incorporate a pop-up style appearance. The outdoor seating will be utilized for small businesses, and pop-up exhibitions will be arranged to entertain the guests. Such forms of pop-ups will help recognize small businesses and artists who have been seriously affected by the pandemic.
Oklahoma City Pride
This pride festival will last for three days and consists of countless festivities to keep all attendees entertained. The parade will start at 5 pm on Friday, June 25, 10 am on Saturday, and 11 am on Sunday near the Jones Assembly to start the march. The march will move towards Scissortail Park.
All three days will include several drag shows, musical performances, open mic for poetry, delicious food, art, and dance parties. Another Pride Parade will also happen in Oklahoma at the end of September too. More information on these later events will be disclosed on the Oklahoma City Price website.
Santa Monica (SaMo) Trans Pride
This pride event is specifically held for trans people, but all LGBTQ+ members are welcome. It is a place where one can enjoy different fun activities, such as wearing a binder or having a complimentary haircut.
This festival uses local resources to provide trans people with a safe space to express themselves and feel comfortable. They provide free bras, underwear, boxers, etc to offer for anyone in need of extra resources. There is also a complimentary self-defense kit supplied to anyone who wants it. Trans Pride will take place on June 26 at Santa Monica Place. It will be on the 2nd floor at Neyborly, next to the GNC.
Hawaii Pride Drive-Thru
Hawaiian hosts found a brilliant way to keep pride month COVID-19 free by organizing a drive-through park event. It will take place on Saturday, June 26, 11 am to 3 pm. All the entertainment, food, performances, and music will be from the comfort of your car. Decorating your vehicles according to your pride spirit will help you win prizes. For further information on the location, visitHawaii pride's website.
Heading to an in-person Pride parade? That’s awesome. Here a few tips to make sure you’re ready for the event!
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COVID essentials
and precautions
Wear a mask if you’re not vaccinated & carry hand sanitizer with you. Although vaccinations have started becoming accessible, it’s always best to be safe!
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Know the path of
the parade
Be sure to scout out the whole route of the parade and, if possible, go visit the site once beforehand. This will help to prevent you getting lost or overwhelmed in the crowd, particularly if you’re attending alone or in a small group
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Wear the right footwear! It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone reading this article that we are the number one leader in foot wellness, making the world’s most comfortable, accessible, and affordable
insoles &sandals. We believe that overall health starts with taking care of your feet. You know, the things that support you all day long? You probably haven’t given much thought totaking care of your feet before, so we’ll tell you right now – you need to starttoday.
As fabulous as those high heels might look on your Instagram feed, we do not recommend walking around the Pride parade in them. If you know that you’ll be wearing uncomfortable shoes, we highly recommend you try either our Comfort (semi-custom) orComfort Plus (custom) insoles. When we spend time on our feet, we put stress on our joints from the ankles up. If that stress isn’t properly absorbed, it may cause all sorts of problems ranging from knee pain to plantar fasciitis. For more information on the benefits of orthotics, check out this article that outlines the many reasons why you should incorporate insoles into your everyday life:The Ultimate Insole Buying Guide.
In case you like discounts, our Pride insoles are on sale until June 30th 2021 at 11:59pm with the discount code PRIDE20.
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Check the weather conditions
Check the weather prior to the event so you dress and prepare accordingly. If it is hot and humid, opt for lighter fabrics that will keep you cool. If the sun is beaming, ensure you have lathered up the sunscreen to prevent getting burnt. June is mid-summer, so be prepared for some hot weather and stock up on SPF!
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Get there early
Don’t miss out on the fun! Pride events can fill up quickly, so keep traffic and rush hour under consideration and aim to reach the area at least one hour before time. This will allow you to avoid the anxiety of finding a good spot or being left out (and trust us, you don’t want to miss it!)
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Pack the necessities
Have a bag ready with all the essentials you might need in the few hours you are there. This includes an emergency kit, aspirin, makeup, deodorant, protein bars, and some comfortable sandals for when you want to take off your dancing shoes to start the march!
We can’t wait to see your pictures from the Pride parades! Be sure to #GetSocial and tag us for a chance to be featured on the official FitMyFoot social media accounts!
