PRIDE IS NEVER CANCELLED.
Pride is never cancelled.
So many events have had to be cancelled or postponed this year, including Seattle’s Pride Parade and Festival. With all of the losses we have suffered this year, from Coronavirus, police brutality, transphobia and racism, it wouldn’t feel right to celebrate like in years past. It feels more appropriate to take time to reflect on how far we have come and how far we have yet to go.
Whereas Pride has become a celebration, it is and has always been at its roots a protest. We celebrate our victories, we celebrate our survival, we celebrate our individual and shared identities. At the same time, we protest those who would seek to oppress, erase, or exterminate us, we protest for the rights and protections we still don’t have, we protest for the people we have lost, we protest so that we do not lose any more loved ones. By showing up en masse, we show that we exist, there are more of us than you think, and we are not afraid. Simply existing, especially out in the open, is a truly act of rebellion in many places in this country, and in the world.
A few of our Queer identifying instructors got together virtually to share what pride means to them, how they’ll be celebrating this year, and what they look forward to the next year:
“The year before last, I embraced a marathon approach to Pride and had the most fun I’ve ever had with my new girlfriend. Last year was more subdued, the focus on being
present and grateful to be alive together and carrying gratitude for small moments with me every day of the year.
It’s hard to lose public celebrations, parties, safe spaces to show public affection and let down our hair, but the advocacy and civil rights work for our Black, POC, and Trans Family that needs desperate attention is rightfully taking center stage this year. None of us are truly free or safe until ALL of us are.
Gorgeous dancers from one of our Holding Space: Queer Pole events
Previously, I’ve hosted a ‘Holding Space: Queer Pole’ event at the studio. The past turn-out and interest in the event brought me so much joy! I’m really looking forward to expanding that concept into an LGBTQ+ studio takeover next year, to include different offerings and reach a bigger audience. My hope is to better connect with and unite pole-curious Family in the region as well as other local Queer pole Fam and make it very clear that there is a place for every single letter of the acronym in our Ascendance community, and they will always have a front row seat in my classroom.
It pains me daily that it took me so long to come out. We all have different journeys to living our best authentic life. If you’re still in the closet and reading this, just remember that you will never be too late. When it’s harder to keep it in than let it out, that’s when you know. You don’t owe anyone an explanation as to “why” you are “this way.” You’re enough as you are, we were born this way.” -Ashlee
“I am excited about celebrating pride this year by showing more grace, love, and kindness and authenticity to myself and others in the community by unpacking more of my internalized racism, internalized transphobia, and internalized misogyny. I also plan on quietly celebrating the things that make me feel connected to my community and self.” -Sugar Boom
2019’s Drag Brunch for Pride
“Last year’s Pride has a lot of memories I will cherish. With the help of Orlando and Gene from Red House, we organized Renton’s first ever Drag Brunch for Pride kick-off. It was very nerve wracking putting together an event like that in a city that had never had one, during a year when so many Drag events were being protested. I had a lot of concerns. Would we get protested? Would people try to shut us down? Would anyone even come? What if no one does Cher? I am happy to say that we filled every seat and everything went perfectly. Although no one did Cher. The whole day felt like a microcosm of the Pride experience: a celebration with old and new friends, a chance to create a space for our community to get together and enjoy one another. I am hopeful that after this year of protest and growth, we will have a bigger, more inclusive and diverse community to celebrate with next year.
It's hard to say what I'm looking forward to for next year after so many things we were looking forward to this year have been cancelled. We have a lot of work to do in our community, and a duty to help heal and protect each other. There are a lot of things I'd like to do next year- another drag brunch, a queer pole takeover- but what I really want right now is to be where I was last pride Sunday, sitting on a blanket in the grass with my friends at Seattle Center, enjoying some quality gay entertainment, laughing, and celebrating each other. I'm holding onto the memories of last year and hoping for more of them next year.” -Maggie
