First word, first step, first day at school, first kiss — there’s really only one natural life progression to hit next — first Pride!
Do you remember your first Pride? No? Then you probably did something right.
But it’s not always rainbow glitter and unicorn smiles. Pride can be overwhelming, messy and eye-opening.
Below, guys Whisper their first Pride experiences — all the glory and the defeat.
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Terry Purdue
I’ve been to PRIDE every year since 2011 and it’s a great time. I usually end up kicking around (passing out literature & raising awareness) for organizations and meeting people from Canada and other parts of Western new York, even other states
I’ve never hooked up at PRIDE or anything more colorful like that. I also live in a city thats more or less a small town
Glücklich
I’ve never been *to* the parade.
I surfaced from Montgomery Station during the parade in SF once but was on my way into the office.
Bromancer7
Went to a lot of pride parades when I was younger, not so much anymore. Always enjoyed being in the parade, not so much on the sidelines watching it.
lauraspencer
The title is a bit off on this story.
Reading the comments the majority talk about going to pride for the first time. It says nothing about the age of the people going to pride. The title says “Young Gays Reflect….” but all of these could be from people regardless of their ages who went to pride for the 1st time.
I have friends in their 30s and 40s who have never been to pride. These could have easily been posted by them if they went.
@Bromancer….I agree with you. The most fun I had was walking in the parade in 2005. Watching on the sidelines isn’t as fun.
martinbakman
I remember my only NYC Pride. I was a young and dumb kid from the Midwest. I remember seeing these two really cute guys wearing fairy wings and sprinkled with glitter. They were like sweet angels I thought. There were so many men of all ethnicities. I’ll never forget this young black guy. He was the hottest most studly hunk. On one hand he had what seemed to be his boyfriend and on the other his girlfriend. I was too young to know what to make of it other than WOW!
Stache99
I can’t remember. I was too fucked up at the time.
AtticusBennett
my first pride was life-changing. running around the village with my first boyfriend, kissing in the streets, feeling free like i never had before.
but the best thing has been marching for the last 15 years. i march with PFLAG, and the amazing thing is seeing the response from the people lining the parade route. so many tears. people see families with signs held high “I love my gay son” “I love my transgender daughter” – and it’s overwhelming for so many people for whom that kind of love and support from family may seem like a far-off dream.
we see them on the sidelines – this year alone there were so many moments where i, and others, would stop marching to hug someone who was overwhelmed with tears. let them know it’ll all be ok, they’re not alone.
it’s a transformative experience.
Wilberforce
At my first Pride it was not called Pride. It was The Parade, and the last time they had it on Polk before moving to Market. I was 16, and we went is a friend’s limo, and we got out right on Polk and caused something of a stir. Since then, I go every few years. Mainstream gay culture is a bit shallow and bigoted for my taste.
Finrod
I went to my first Pride event in 1975, only back then it was a march, not a parade.
dannydan
Went to my first pride parade this year.
I couldnt breath from all smoke from cigarets and weed that was in the air.
I also felt uncomfortable with everyone being so promiscuous (i didnt expect it to be that out of hand).
I wanted to get out ASAP.
Also, i was also kind of pissed that despite that everyone that’s met me calls me attractive and “too hot to pass out on” (just quoting a friend) I still didn’t get hit on. Hell, no one ever even gave me a passing glance.
Cormi
I went to my first pride two months ago, and it was amazing. I felt able to be myself, and just..free! Glitter, rainbows, and every form of -sexual flapping around like a bunch of seagulls looking for a clownfish. It was amazing! AND I met my current boyfriend there! <3
onthemark
It’s nice to see one of these Whisper round-ups that’s not ALL depressing!
AtticusBennett
@dannydan: nobody hit on you because you were clearly uncomfortable as hell with all the “promiscuity” you claim to have been witnessing.
helpful hint: uncomfortable people aren’t fun to hit on because they’re uncomfortable.
Doughosier
I remember being that excited the first time I went in a gay bar. Good times.