Preparing for Your First Pride Parade: A Guide for Young Bisexual Individuals

It's August, and the temperature will be scorching. If you're heading to a local pride parade as a 13-year-old bisexual and will be going with your bisexual friend, here’s what you can expect. Pronto!

What to Wear and Bring

First things first, wear light clothing, plenty of sunscreen, and a broad-brimmed hat. It's going to be intensely hot, so stay hydrated and carry plenty of water and light, salty snacks. Avoid sweets, as you're going to need that extra sodium to combat the heat. While vendors might offer refreshments, prepare for the prices to be on the higher side. Consider bringing a small battery-powered misting fan to keep yourself cool. It can be a real lifesaver!

What You'll See

Imagine floats and marching units, more rainbows than you can imagine, and more dogs than you've ever seen in one place. There will likely be people whose behavior and beliefs may question everything you thought you knew about yourself. This is all part of the experience. Pride parades are about celebrating diversity and inclusion, so embrace it!

Wave and Cheer

Most pride parades start with a loud cheer from the Dykes on Bikes followed by a color guard and a large pride flag. Then, various community groups make their appearances: churches, service organizations, social groups, and employers. Don't hesitate to wave and cheer, as doing so will earn you applause and smiles. It's all about celebrating the diversity of the community.

Meeting New People

Attending a pride parade can be a great opportunity to meet new people. You might even make new friends. Conversely, you might reacquaint yourself with your identity. Regardless of what happens, it's important to enjoy the experience. If you're looking for someone to talk to, don't forget to send a birthday card to your great aunt and express your appreciation for her support throughout the year.

Fun and Activities

In addition to the parade, there will likely be funfair food trucks with slush machines, live music, and plenty of free stuff and events. There will be smaller stalls with fun things to do. It's a wonderful mix of celebration and community involvement. There's a chance you might even make some new friends. Take it all in!

Generalizing Your Experience

Everyone's experience is unique, so it's impossible to generalize. What I hope is that you have a fantastic time, feel welcomed and accepted, and make new friends. The parade and the surrounding events can be overwhelming, but mingling and mixing with others can create a great sense of community. It's all about positivity and inclusiveness.

Tolerance and Inclusion

The pride parade is a celebration of diversity, not judgment. Remember, it's all about tolerance and inclusion. The energy and spirit of the event can be incredibly powerful. As someone who has had my own unique experiences with coming out and being a part of the pride community, I can assure you that this will be one of the greatest experiences of your life, right up there with your kids' milestones and your own coming-out journey.

Final Thoughts

Enjoy it. I don't want to spoil the moment, but I can confirm that it was one of the most transformative experiences of my life and made me want to embrace my true self even more. It's an event that can change your perspective and help you celebrate the aspects of yourself that you might not have fully embraced before. So go to the parade with an open mind, a cool fan, and a big smile. Here’s to a day filled with laughter, love, and empowerment!