9 Tips for Attending Your First Pride
Gay pride celebrations happen worldwide and year-round, featuring parades, parties, political gatherings, community rallies and memorials for those who have made sacrifices for the gay rights movement. No two pride celebrations are the same, but all make a great excuse to travel. With Gay Pride season in full swing, TPG Contributor Nicholas du Pont shares some of his thoughts on what to consider ahead of time and what to expect when attending your first Pride. (Photos by the author, unless otherwise specified.)
Writer's note: I'd be remiss if I allowed this piece to go to press without mentioning the attack on the Pride parade in Jerusalem yesterday — so please see the bottom of this post for my thoughts on the incident, and my words of encouragement for you to go ahead and attend a Pride festival of your own choosing, with your head held high.
The spirit and energy that Pride brings to any city is unlike anything else. Entire streets — neighborhoods even — adorned with rainbow flags, people young and old, of all backgrounds and sexual preferences, celebrating diversity. In recent years, municipalities such as New York, Tel Aviv and Madrid have begun to spend more and more on these annual celebrations — and they're not to be missed! Before you go, however, here are a few things to consider:
1. Pick the Right Pride for You — “You’ve seen one, you’ve seen ‘em all” applies to a lot of things in life, but definitely not Gay Pride celebrations — so make sure you pick the right one for you so that you'll have the best experience. For example, San Francisco Pride is great for IT folks, techies and those who like to network; Apple, Google and pretty much every other IT company you can think of will be out in full force there with their CEOs marching alongside.
New York has hundreds of interest groups marching and can be either solidly issue-based or more like a big circuit party, depending on the angle from which you choose to hit it. Sydney Pride, better known as Mardi Gras, is a two-week long event best suited to those who have enough stamina to survive the ordeal. Tel Aviv's events are largely centered around Hilton Beach (set beside the Category 8 Hilton Tel Aviv), and in Copenhagen, it’s an all-inclusive experience where pretty much anyone can find and join a parade float that represents them. Start with a city you'd like to visit, then research the vibe and events of its Pride.
2. Pack Accordingly – Remember that Pride, regardless of where you go, is a celebration of who people truly are, not who society wants them to be or who others expect them to be. So toss any notions of what you think is expected of you out the door when you pack. Whatever you love to wear is what you should pack. Period.
3. Detox Before you Retox - Pride is a marathon, not a sprint. The one thing they all have in common is endless parties and frivolity. In addition to the clothes you love, pack a spare liver. Make sure you pack vitamins and ibuprofen or your headache-chaser of choice. Also, take it easy the week before and hydrate well.
4. Location, Location, Location! – Use that stash of points to redeem for a centrally located hotel. When it comes to huge Pride celebrations, like those in Madrid, New York and Sydney, being in the wrong area of town can have a huge impact on your experience. Parades, street parties and other events often result in street closures and public transportation deviations, so even just getting around your own area of town can be tough. Being far from the center of things will do you no favors. It's worth every penny to be in the heart of it all and not have to worry about missing out because you’re spending too much time underground on the subway.
5. Book Ahead of Time – Make your Pride plans well in advance. Earmark where you want to go and keep your eyes out for good deals. There are no blackout dates around Prides, but mileage seat availability will go pretty quickly during these times — as will rooms in the most ideal properties. Booking flights and hotels early will help you avoid stress later on.
6. Go with Friends – No matter where you go for Pride, you’ll have more fun if you don’t go alone. The atmosphere at any Pride is jovial and you’re bound to meet new people, but going with a friend never hurts. In fact, it makes the experience better because you have someone to share it with and you won’t feel quite as lonely as you pass couples embracing in the streets.
7. Do Your Homework – Spend some time researching the Pride you plan to attend and its associated events. In many cities, you can buy passes that will not only get you into multiple events but also offer admission at a steep discount compared with door prices. The parties you're most looking forward to may sell out, so be sure to create a game plan/schedule for yourself and make any possible pass/ticket purchases ahead of time.
8. Tailor Your Expectations – Pride is about leaving all your prejudices and preconceived notions at the door, so do just that. As different as every city’s Pride is bound to be, they all celebrate diversity. So in that spirit, allow yourself to be pleasantly surprised by whatever it is that you’ve jumped into.
9. Hold Your Head High — Although yesterday's attack at Jerusalem Pride was carried out by an individual who was acting of his own accord, he's not alone in harboring such vitriolic feelings towards the LGBT community. Personally, I think this only highlights the importance of Pride celebrations, however, since they promote peace, understanding and inclusion. My heart goes out to the victims and their families, and I applaud the thousands of people who kept marching even after the attack. They wouldn't allow anything to (literally) rain on their parade. And that's what Pride is all about: the inspiration to keep on marching in the face of adversity, with your head held high, in the hope that maybe one day that adversity will vanish and give way to understanding and equality for all.
Please have yourself a safe and happy Pride!
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.