I had the pleasure to attend Outloud Music Festival at WeHo Pride as a complimentary guest, and it was a beautiful weekend celebrating LGBTQ+ people and amplifying queer artists and allies.
Over the weekend, we witnessed performances by Lizzo, Remi Wolf, Kim Petras, Honey Dijon, Paris Hilton, and many other music artists and performers.
With everyone in great spirits, it was the perfect opportunity to ask the Ouloud Music Festival guests, “What Pride means to them?” and their responses were inspiring, heartfelt, and necessary. Here’s what people had to say:
1.
“Having the comfortability to be yourself. Unfortunately, a lot of families and people are not able to express themselves. It’s being able to express yourself, and hopefully build lifelong friendships and to break out the shell and stigmas that currently exist about the queer community.”
2.
“Pride is a protest. It means liberating our rights, and that includes trans rights. It means having as much sex as we can have, and liberating our rights preferably at the same time.”
—Anonymous
3.
“Pride means being whoever you need to be in this lifetime to make it, and I do feel like most people don’t do that. Be exactly who you are. Don’t fit into a mold. Find people who accept you for who you are.”
4.
“Pride is not only a celebration of love and joy and life, but also a promise we are making to the people that came before us. Queer people have always been here, but there are so many ugly parts of our past where queer identities were systematically erased. For example, the way that the AIDS crisis was handled in the ’80s. When I celebrate Pride, I am not only using it as a time to be out and open in my identity, but to honor those who weren’t able to do so in the past, and those who fought for our rights to exist and be visible in the world.”
—Lauren
5.
“A celebration of acceptance and just living your authentic life. There are lot of people who don’t live their authentic lives and we do.”
6.
“Pride is a remembrance of the Stonewall riots; it’s a celebration of our community where we can present a safe space and remind everyone they are loved and matter; it’s a message that the LGBTQ+ community has always been here and will always be here.”
—Brenda
7.
“Pride means to be fully free in whatever identity and orientation you are and to celebrate queer culture with the community and others.”
8.
“Pride means celebrating the anniversary of the strong and fearless pioneers in the community who stood up for what’s right in 1969, plus honoring the fight that has continued ever since.”
—Amanda
9.
“Pride means community, and it’s a reminder that no matter what the world throws at us, we are still here and will continue to be here no matter what.”
10.
Pride, to me, is a time when it’s good to reflect on those who came before [us] to give [us] the advantages and opportunities [we have today]. It’s also a time for me personally when I like to check in on my development and my journey as a gay person, who I have become, and whether I am proud of that person. As the years go on, the answer has become yes more and more.”
—Kole
12.
“Taking ownership of who I am without shame or guilt of the heteronormative!”
—Ash
13.
“To me Pride means allowing yourself to love and be loved no matter what. It’s not a season, it’s a feeling.”
14.
“Pride means never being ashamed of who you are and always being true to yourself (I guess, LOL)”
—Hunter
15.
“A celebration of how far we’ve come and how far we have to go.”
16.
“Pride is being able to feel enthusiastic and accepted all at the same time without having to worry if I fit in.”
—Claire
17.
“Being proud of who you are no matter what.”
18.
Lastly, “My existence is validated.”
—Gold
Now, it’s your turn. I want to hear from the BuzzFeed Community: “What Pride means to you?” Don’t be afraid to be honest, thoughtful, or just have fun. It’s your time to express yourself. If you need, use the anonymous form below.