Dreaming of a Soft-Life Pride

This year I planned to celebrate Pride, but keep it lowkey.

As a lesbian, Pride is 365 days of the year. But in the spirit of community and camaraderie, I wanted to indulge in a few festivities.

What I didn’t want? The overconsumption of alcohol, the heat, the crowds, the impossible parking, none of that interested me. So I kept it light, and still attended the typical events I’d do during a month/week.

When I did decide to celebrate specifically, my friend joined me on a Lesbian Walk with LesbianLand. It was something new and different. We had to wake up at like 7a on a SATURDAY, but it was cool to be out early, doing something rooted in wellness. Afterwards, we went to a coffee shop and actually got to meet the women we walked with. It was lovely!

Later in the month, I went to a happy hour hosted by C. Baldwin hotel. It just so happened Beyonce was in town that weekend, so it was a treat to see the creative outfits from people staying at the hotel who were headed to the concert.

After the happy hour, I met up with a friend at a lesbian party. I hadn’t planned on going until she told me she had a ticket. That was enough incentive to go. When I arrived a saw a group of other friends there, which helped, but I was waaaay too sober for the heat and amount of people in a small space. I also did not want to run up an exorbitant bar tab trying to “catch up” with my friends. So I just suffered in introvert for a little while.

I still had plans to pop into one more bar to support a friend before heading home. My plan was to be back in the house by midnight, at the latest. BUT when you’re with the girls, that’s not what happens. You go with the flow and end up having new memories.

As an almost-forty-something, though, I paid the price. I spent the next two weeks recovering. And if you know me, you know I despise feeling tired. For me, it’s worse than a hangover.

So navigating a busy week following the shenanigans was challenging. BUT I made it through! And I think for next year, I am going to plan a soft-life Pride celebration for the elder/geriatric millennials. Look at that idea popping into my head outta nowhere!