On Queer Community-Building: Pride Picnic 2024

Pride Month is a party, a protest, an intergenerational conversation, a community invitation, a dance alone and with friends, a belly laugh, a politic, a practice in amplification and celebration, a moment for maximalism and a time for rest.

this year’s pride picnic IN PEASE PARK was no different.

It was an ecosystem of tie-dye, snow cones, plant swaps, and splash pads. A day of drag fairies, family time, makers’ markets, basketball courts and summer camp queerdom—all strung together by DIY friendship bracelets and shaded park benches.

Together, we welcomed 2,000+ visitors to Pease Park, all while highlighting more than 35 LGBTQ+ creatives in Austin’s community. As we reflect on the picnic, here are a few of the day’s highlights and takeaways. Scroll to keep reading.

THIS YEAR’S PRIDE PICNIC takeaways:

✰ 6 Practices to build queer community

  1. “If you’re good at something, give a little away for free.” — drag artist and curator Gothess Jasmine

  2. “Learn to create safety—and spaces of bravery—so you can show up.” — Pease Park COO Chuck Jones on building community when it’s hard to be visible in Texas

  3. “Burnout is real in community work. Be patient with yourself… and unanswered emails.” — The Little Gay Shop co-founder Justin Galicz

  4. “Make time for joy and hard conversations. Learn your capacity and build skills to do both.” — Tabitha Hamilton, co-founder of Black Trans Leadership Austin

  5. “Listen. Welcome feedback and embrace the trust that is built when people feel comfortable bringing feedback to you. Feedback can be a form of collaboration.” — Emmet Hunker, founder of Thee Gay Agenda

  6. “Cultures of consent—cultures of intersectionality—are vital to queer culture. If I like it, I love it. I make that known. But if I don’t feel represented, I make that clear, too. Setting boundaries within community work is a way to prevent harm and violence. It’s also a way to honor, respect and reflect the diverse LGBTQIA+ identities that make our communities beautiful.” — drag artist and curator Gothess Jasmine

HAPPY PRIDE. Learn more about every artist & creative involved IN PRIDE PICNIC 2024 here.

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