#rvapride

[normalcryptid]

I went to my first ever pride yesterday which was amazing! I bought this shirt and wore it to work and surprisingly recieved no questions or weird looks.

[epilepticdingo]

RVA Pride with Robin

[cipheramnesia]

Things I Learned, Plus My First Pride

I nipped out of the house early to try and find the right top at Target. No luck, but I ended up with a sparkly pink cami anyway. I ran a diagnostic on my improved social ability and decreased anxiety and found I had little difficulty in approaching the staff with my handful of tops to ask which one best matched my pink nail polish (same color as my stockings).

The first lesson should be obvious, but I learned to get there early, or be ready to make a 20-30 minute hike to the event. Or make the hike whether or not you're ready.

I also learned Richmond is a really badly designed city, and I should never ever drive to Richmond without cash and coins. If you don't like suface streets which channel you onto the highway without any warning, or without any way to backtrack, and also if you don't like entering highways which only notify you of being toll roads at exits, driving in Richmond is not for you, and by you I mean me. Also, tolls which are cash only exact change with unmanned tollboths without any advance warning. Great stuff.

Anyway, after we navigated into a parking garage, and stripped all our belongings of every scrap of spare change, we were off to take a walk under the blazing sun in humid 90 degree weather.

The next lesson is that any outdoor events on days where the temperatures are above 70F degrees are not for me.

The next lesson is that unless I'm going to an event which is specifically bands or shows that I like, I will find the music choices nauseatingly bad, particularly when it is so loud it's hard to talk to people hundreds of feet from the sound system.

I also learned to drill down to a more specific anxiety trigger. So while I'm a lot better, when there are crowds of people, and I am surrounded on all sides, with no open exit, I immediately begin to panic. Useful to know down the line.

So by this time Mrs A and myself were pretty wiped out and our friend messaged us to say she'd left early due to heat stroke and we bundled ourselves off back to her apartment (I managed to get lost bringing the car back around three blocks to pick up Mrs A, also, thanks Richmond).

After a successful decompressing in an airconditioned setting, we journeyed to Rest in Pieces ( www.restinpiecesrva.com ) and to be honest that was the highlight of the day because we got to be the whole queer-ace-bi-trans combo platter. And then my traitorous companions convinced me I had to spend too much money on an amazing butterfly wing necklace (Mrs A, "Think about the symbolism"; me, lip quivering, "That is a low blow"). I'm almost ashamed to admit that the necklace makes me fee so good and special and pretty that I don't regret it at all.

We concluded our day with another brief, post sundown spin through Pride, which was more successful, albeit brief, and made our way home where I talked a lot about the necklace - primarily telling Mrs A I had wanted her to talk me out of it, not into it, and generally blaming her for making me feel happy, which I do all the time.

[kylemepps]

The future is US! All of us coming together to support one another with love & appreciation of the best parts from our being. I am honored by every invitation I receive to be a part of my community. We share the same air, streets, land, government reps, ...we share so much by sharing spaces. Especially our homes. Richmond, VA is my home. We should all work to share our best with one another in every space. I love you and everyone else, too! Us for the win! Also, I'm really looking forward to seeing a bunch of happy people. That's my selfish reason. 🤷‍♂️ #rvapride #blacklove #wealllove #celebrate #kefa #kylemepps #liveart #rvavendor (at Greater Richmond Convention Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cfba2vOLF3f/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[podpodcvltcast]

Happy Pride, Richmond! Keep expanding your hearts and minds and supporting the LGBTQ Community! #rvapridefest #rvapride #pride #loveislove #acceptance #support https://www.instagram.com/p/B3A5FsGH_IE/?igshid=177ozktgfljgi

[salvationtattoogallery]

We are excited to participate in @luminaryhairco’s All In celebration, happening on Sunday, June 30, and benefiting @sidebysidevirginia. Lots to do and see—details below! ⬇️⬇️⬇️ #Repost @queen_naps with @get_repost ・・・ 🏳️‍🌈 Celebrate Pride and Inclusivity with us on the 30th 2-6pm at our first annual All In event at @luminaryhairco to benefit @sidebysidevirginia ♥️ All In will include a pop up market, HUGE raffle, gender affirming haircuts, pride centric nail art, gender celebratory portraits, tooth gems, tarot and sweet beats by @billycrystalfingers • we can’t wait to see you there!! #rvapride #pride🌈 #pridemonth (at Salvation Tattoo Gallery) https://www.instagram.com/p/By8MWaDFhaI/?igshid=8544dnisieuj

[devonsaurusrex]

For lovers @lunchorsupper