My first one was in 2008, when I was a high school junior. On one hand it felt good to be there with the one friend I was out to, and I ended up feeling really close to him because he spent the day dealing with me and my big swell of emotions.

On the other hand, I felt kind of invisible still, and like I didn’t really fit into the wider queer community. There wasn’t a lot of bi presence, and there seemed to be a bit of an undercurrent of that being seen as “cheating.” Even if I don’t identify primarily as bi anymore, that still leaves a bad taste in my mouth all these years later.

And then some kids were canvassing for Obama support as well, and that made it feel a little weird. Not bad per se, just weird.

I always have such mixed feelings about pride.

On one hand, I love the idea of us being queer in public, and from a USA perspective, I feel like that aspect is especially important in the current political climate.

But on a more personal level…I’m not a white twink, I’m cis, and I’m not like…visibly queer so much? So I’ve felt a – possibly misjudged – sentiment that none of the groups at any Pride activities actually want me there, be they the party crowd, the activist crowd or the thirsty crowd.

So to finally answer the actual question, kinda nothing. I’m not engaging with rainbow capitalism (except I did buy Thirsty Sword Lesbians, so I am still down with supporting queer creators), I’m not doing any parades, etc.