Pre.S. I adapted this from a video I made over on our Facebook… I’ll embed that at the end of the article.
The weeks after Pride can feel like coming down from a high.
Whether you’re dealing with a wretched emotional hangover or just a subtle feeling that things aren’t quite as magical as they used to be, I’ve got a few suggestions on how you can get over the post-Pride blues and come out stronger by integrating Pride into your life.
If Pride was as a “first” for you
Whether or not this Pride was your first ever Pride, there might have been some sort of first for you at this Pride.
Maybe it was your first time publicly identifying as LGBTQ+, maybe it was your first time trying out a new name or pronouns, maybe it was your first time being surrounded by a sea of naked queer people.
If, after that amazing experience, you feel a little hemmed in, a little less liberated, that’s OK. That’s completely normal, in fact.
Your first step? Give yourself grace. You’re right exactly where you need to be, so don’t try to live someone else’s journey.
Then, try to make some new queer connections. Maybe there’s someone in your day-to-day life that you trust to come out to or to share about your Pride experience. If not (or if you just want some more LGBTQ+ lovin’), there’s all sorts of queer Christians online waiting for you! Connect with folks over on the Queer Theology Facebook, or find folks by scrolling the notes on our Tumblr posts (you can do this with our friends at Reconciling Ministries Network and Believe Out Loud too!). Find folks on the #QueerTheology and #FaithfullyLGBT hashtags on Twitter.
Incorporate one thing from Pride into your life
Did you walk away from Pride absolutely inspired by someone? Maybe it was a killer crop top that a cute boy rocked, a radiant hair cut, glitter, nail polish, heels… who knows! Find something from Pride that you can incorporate into your daily life. It could be as simple as a rainbow bracelet or even the way you walk (or the shit you refuse to take now). For me, a year or two ago I started painting my nails for the first time (and I also discovered body glitter for special events!).
“On earth as it is in heaven,” in the world as it is at Pride
LGBTQ+ people—and especially LGBTQ+ people of faith, are often told by the world that we’re outsiders, that every little thing the world does for us—from recognizing our relationships to using the right name for us—is a burden and we should be grateful for whatever scraps from the table we get.
Nonsense.
You, dearest queer person, are holy, sacred, and beautiful. And the world is better because of your brilliance.
As Christians, we learn in the Lord’s Prayer that we’re to work for “the kingdom of God, on earth as it is in heaven” and for LGBTQ+ Christians, we have a similar opportunity to work so that it’s “on earth as it is at Pride!”
We can take that magic of Pride, that feeling of community, that feeling of solidarity, that drive for justice… and we can let it spill out into the world.
LGBTQ Christians—you!—have something remarkable to share with the world and the Church. Find some ways that you can transform the world (and especially your church) with your queer brilliance.
Dive deeper into pride
Want to explore pride further? Here are some resources for you: