The invasion of safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people by those who would do them harm is nothing new to the LGBTQ+ community. Every Pride season we must balance the joy of celebrating the beautiful diversity the LGBTQ+ community brings to the world with the reality of providing safety and security for those who participate in Pride celebrations.
With the increased vitriol being leveled at LGBTQ+ by politicians, organizations, and activists this year, it is even more important to prioritize making Pride celebrations as safe as they can possibly be for all.
LOOK OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER
Pride is about community. Look out for each other and report any suspicious persons or activity to event staff or a police officer. A good adage is, “If you see something, say something.” In an emergency, call 9-1-1.
STAY HYDRATED
The single-most common calls for medical assistance each year at Pride are people who are experiencing dehydration or heat exhaustion. When you go to Pride be sure to stay hydrated. Drink lots of water, wear sunscreen, and take breaks in the shade.
AVOID DOING INTERVIEWS WITH INDIVIDUALS YOU DON’T KNOW WHO CLAIM TO BE MEDIA OR PRESS
It is not uncommon for opposition activists to pretend that they are journalists who will ask to get you on video answering questions. They then edit that video or play it out context as a means to amplify their anti-LGBTQ+ positions. Always be weary when someone asks to shoot a video of you.
DO NOT ENGAGE WITH PROTESTERS
It is important to not engage with opposition protesters whenever possible. Often they will attend Pride events hoping to have encounters with attendees and then record those encounters. The best practice is to keep your distance and not engage with them.
BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS
As with any large-scale event, be aware of your surroundings. Keep track of your friends and family. Identify exit areas. Be mindful.
REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY
Report any suspicious persons or activity to event staff or a police officer. A good adage is, “If you see something, say something.” In an emergency, call 9-1-1.
USE THE BUDDY SYSTEM
There is safety in numbers. It’s best to attend Pride with a friend or group of friends.
IF YOU FEEL THREATENED IMMEDIATELY REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THE SITUATION
Always trust your instincts. If you feel threatened or unsafe, remove yourself from the situation as quickly as possible. If you don’t feel you can safely remove yourself use words to alert bystanders that you feel threatened and then get away.
APPROACH LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH CAUTION
Ideally, you will be able to contact law enforcement and receive protection and assistance if there is trouble. Unfortunately, in many parts of America, this isn’t always the case. Recent history has shown that police will often ignore the violent and illegal behavior of certain groups while using oppressive tactics against marginalized communities.
HAVE A PLAN IN CASE THERE IS TROUBLE
Sadly there could be trouble at Pride events. Something could lead to you and your friends getting separated, or there could be a threatening situation. While we hope that none of these things happen while you are at Pride, it’s important to have a plan in place just in case. Talk to your friends and family about what you all should do if something happens. Who should be called first? Where will you go? How will you hide? How will you fight back?
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In addition to the above safety tips the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection has published a document regarding “Protecting Pride Events from Armed Extremist Activity” that is worth reading over. You can find the document here.
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Real Mama Bears LLC supports, educates and empowers families with LGBTQ+ members and the LGBTQ+ community. The organization provides private groups including the largest private Facebook group for moms of LGBTQ+ kids, has more than 60 chapters, manages 8 programs that serve the LGBTQ+ community including the largest Giving Circle for the LGBTQ+ community in the world and offers a comprehensive collection of resources. For more info about Real Mama Bears please visit our website realmamabears.org