I saw a post going around that was like “Pride is NOT about having a big fun party. It commemorates a RIOT and it is SERIOUS,” and the particulars re: pride aren’t in my lane but, you know “a long time ago people we view ourselves in continuity with got involved in some kind of violent confrontation and while I’m hazy on the details they were probably justified, anyway let’s get wasted” is pretty standard holiday fare
I like this point. But also, I don’t think the tumblr children really realize that for queer people, being openly joyous about who we are IS an act of defiance. Getting decked out in your rainbow paraphernalia and having a big PARTY to celebrate the ways that we are different from cis straight people IS a fucking riot. Like, has Pride become corporatized and etc? Yes, but that’s a very long other post. The point is: people still hate us and want us dead. Being who we are and refusing to hide or cower or apologize for it is still an act of rebellion, whether it takes the form of a violent confrontation or a big gay party.
We’re here, we’re queer, and we’re having a fucking party, die mad about it.