does anyone else ever feel an anxiety and nervous compulsion about...

does anyone else ever feel an anxiety and nervous compulsion about going to big pride parties and gay events? there’s a part of me that feels like i’m missing out on the gay experience, on the prime of my life…if i’m not forcing myself out there. don’t get me wrong, the anticipation is great- having something to strive and look forward to can be pretty positive and constructive if you ask me, it’s like a holiday or a vacation in that sense. but it’s just so expensive, it can be really lonely and stressful sometimes too…especially if you find yourself doing stuff solo. (as i often do) there’s no guarantee of a positive outcome…and even though you’re supporting the community in visibility and fiscally, there’s an undeniable sacrifice there. i love being gay, i love supporting the community and seeing people expressing themselves…but god it can be exhausting sometimes. … … … anyways, currently debating manchester pride at the end of the month…just wondering if anyone else is in that headspace i guess. if you’re in the area..and you’re in a similar frame of mind, let me know…i’ll keep you company. (:

hidden

I often feel like I’m not ‘gay enough’ ‘pretty enough’ ‘cool’ enough to go to pride events and be part of the queer community. I figure it’s mostly a me problem though and that I haven’t found my tribe yet. Where are all the slightly smelly outdoor gays that live in vans / boats 🤷‍♀️

2 months

jcp

From my humble opinion there’s no such thing a the gay experience or the gay community. I find people think sexuality is a personality trait and I disagree on that. All I see in pride is a bunch of muscular men walking around with no shirt and sometimes in jock strap dancing to some electronic music. Sure, they are super hot and my horny ass might get fucked but those kind of parties aren’t my cup of tea

blu.tone

This is very very relatable

bonjounii

It’s a quite interesting conversation that is very relatable. It’s hard for anyone to go out solo in our community because we feel the judgement right away. It’s easier to be around the community with a friend or a group of friends that makes us feel at home; welcomed and not judged). I have missed many prides before because I was alone and wanted to avoid being lonely. One day it just hit me, I started slowly doing things alone including going to pride (not the clubbing part tho), and I pushed myself to challenge and face anxiety by making tiny conversations with others who I felt they might be welcoming. Turns out that not everyone in our community is judgemental, and that I and you are not alone. There are many of us out there that we just needed to connect .. I say yes to going to pride, to walking and showing the world why we are walking at the first place, and yes for challenging anxiety and making small conversations with people you feel they are receptive 😚

fridi105

Absolutely! I think for most people that’s completely normal as well. I think the majority of people have an aversion to large crowds without the insecurities.