June 1, 2023 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

What Happens When the Marches and Walkathons Are Over?

Everybody loves a parade. The queer community is no exception. Whether you live in a populated city, or if your town’s parade is more modest, it’s a very special occasion. For at least one day a year, you can be as fabulous and authentic as you want to be. And for some, it’s the only day a year they are able to be themselves. There is certainly nothing wrong with being spectacular, loud and proud, and letting yourself be heard. This can be said about any parade, it’s not exclusive to pride. But what happens when all the floats have been floated and the hands have been waived? What happens when everyone goes home, changes out of the outrageous costumes, removes the makeup, and returns to their normal lives?

What you may not see in the various community walkathons is that life can be uniquely difficult for the members of the LGBTQ+ community. We face stresses and pressures that go beyond the average 9 to 5. Not every person has a supportive community to help them cope with those challenges. For some, pride events are the only time someone can feel authentically themselves. Here is a peak into what happens after the parade is over, and what you can do about it:

Depression

There is always an emotional letdown after an emotional high. But for some, that low point was always there, the high covered it up for a few hours. After the balloons and party favors are cleared away, you are left with only you. And if you are suffering from depression, this can be a very lonely, scary thought.

What’s worse, many don’t know they are suffering from depression. Just as there are high-functioning alcoholics, there are also high-functioning depression sufferers. If you are having trouble making decisions, have feelings of hopelessness, and a low self-esteem, it might be time for you to take the high functioning depression test

Sometimes, your friends are the first to know. It is the same way with addiction. Seldom is the one suffering aware that anything is wrong, at least at first. It is the people in their community who start asking questions about how you feel, or if there is anything you want to talk about. When your friends are treating you as if something is wrong, the best thing you can do is listen and follow up with someone who can help.

Domestic Issues

Marriage equality means marriage problems equality. You may have heard from the professionals that statistically gay relationships can be more stable than straight ones. That does not mean they are without their stressors. Same-sex marriages have all the issues as any other marriage because the common factor is marriage. There can be additional strain on a same-sex relationship for a large number of reasons that are unique to queer couples. 

In certain parts of the US and around the world, it could be hard to find an extensive supporting community. It doesn’t help if close members of the family are against the relationship. Relatives might be acting in subtle and direct ways to break up the relationship. You don’t need a same-sex marriage to know what that is like. 

When the community that should be the most supportive of you happens to be the one that is actively trying to do the relationship harm, it is hard to keep it together without having serious issues. When the parades are over, those pride marchers have to go home and face those unique challenges to with their marriage. It might not be fair. But it is a frequent reality all the same.

Doer’s Dilemma 

After the celebration, the responsible parties face what I call the doer’s dilemma. Do they enjoy the fruits of their labor by taking a break from the work? If they do, they risk not having time to set up the next event. Or, do they turn right around and start work on the next event at the risk of getting burned out? These marches, walkathons, and parades require a lot of hard work from a lot of people year-round. If the doers don’t keep doing, the party doesn’t happen. Next time, don’t just celebrate the event. Celebrate the people that bring you the event.

When they get home, the people who drive this community forward face depression, domestic issues, and the doer’s dilemma on a massive scale. It really does take the support of a village to make it all work. 

in NEWS
Related Posts

LA Pride Announces Three Grand Marshals For The 2023 LA Pride Parade

May 25, 2023

May 25, 2023

Comedian Margaret Cho, Actor Leslie JordanThe ACLU Named As Grand Marshalls Christopher Street West Association (CSW), the esteemed 501(c)3 nonprofit...

The Dodgers Reinstate LGBTQ+ Group’s Invitation and Honor At Dodger Pride Night

May 25, 2023

May 25, 2023

The Sisters Of Perpetual Indulgence Accepted The Baseball Team’s Apology By Dolores Quintana This morning, The Los Angeles Dodgers issued...

Disneyland Welcomes Official ‘Pride Nite’

April 28, 2023

April 28, 2023

Part Of The Park’s Disneyland After Dark Series Of Events By Susan Payne Disneyland is holding its first official LGBTQ...

Latino Equality Alliances Awards $20,000 To College-Bound Students

April 28, 2023

April 28, 2023

Eight Scholarships Went To Low-Income LGBTQ+ Scholars By Susan Payne Throughout the nation, LGBTQ+ and trans rights are being challenged...

Drag March Rally in Weho Amasses Thousands

April 28, 2023

April 28, 2023

Inclusivity and Diversity Take Center Stage at Weho’s Drag March, Drawing Thousands to the Streets By Susan Payne Santa Monica...

Coalition of Faith Communities Stand Against Anti-Transgender Agenda

April 14, 2023

April 14, 2023

By Susan Payne At an All Saints Church in Pasadena lrecently, a coalition of faith communities discussed concerns about a...

Ricky Martin presents 2023 GLAAD Vanguard Award to Bad Bunny

April 14, 2023

April 14, 2023

By Susan Payne During the GLAAD Media Awards this spring, Bad Bunny was honored with the Vanguard Award presented by...

Timothy Dean Family Seeks Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Ed Buck

April 14, 2023

April 14, 2023

By Susan Payne Judgment before trail is at request of the three sisters of Timothy Dean, who died in the...

Food, Music, and Philanthropy: Taste of Home Festival Hits Los Angeles on April 29th

April 13, 2023

April 13, 2023

Food festival planned for April 29 in Hollywood The Taste of Home Festival offers a unique experience that goes beyond...

Los Angeles LGBT Center Hosts Drag March in Protest of Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation

April 6, 2023

April 6, 2023

Over 1,000 Angelenos to rally for rights on Easter Sunday Los Angeles, April 04 – The Los Angeles LGBT Center...

WeHo ‘Rainbow Mile’ Runners Amass 20K in Marathon

April 2, 2023

April 2, 2023

By Susan Payne Nearly 20,000 runners gathered in West Hollywood for the 28th Annual Los Angeles Marathon, referred to as...

Outed MMA Fighter Jeff Molina Comes out as Bisexual

April 2, 2023

April 2, 2023

By Susan Payne UFC bantamweight Jeff Molina, known as “El Jefe,” in the octagon, was outed on social media and...

House Digest Reports Best LGBTQ+ Friendly Cities in California

April 2, 2023

April 2, 2023

By Susan Payne California, with its exceptionally high LGBTQ+ populations and progressive economic, educational and social policies, was rated by...

High-Profile Prosecutor Jonathan Hatami Enters Race for Los Angeles District Attorney

March 31, 2023

March 31, 2023

Hatami, a prosecutor in the Complex Child Abuse Unit at the Hall of Justice in downtown LA, has been vocal...

Long Beach Businesses with LGBTQ Flags Vandalized

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

By Susan Payne Three businesses in Long Beach have reported windows smashed in with one common denominator: visible LGBTQ symbols. ...