Posted on by The Ace and Aro Advocacy Project

Pride 2019 Recap

TAAAP was thrilled to participate in a number of different pride events this June. Attending pride events and representing asexuality and aromanticism helps us to spread awareness of our identities and connect with the larger LGBTQ+ community.

Capital Pride Parade in Washington, D.C.

A group of 15 people pose with a variety of flags and signs behind a banner that has the TAAAP logo and the words
TAAAP’s contingent waiting to march at the Capital Pride Parade.

On Saturday, June 8th, we marched in the Capital Pride Parade for the second time. About 20 marchers joined us decked out in ace colors, aro colors, and more. Thanks to a generous donation from Asexuality Archive, we were able to fly full-size greyromantic, demiromantic, grey-asexual, and demisexual flags in addition to the aromantic and asexual flags. We passed out stickers that said “LGBTQIA: the A stands for Asexual, Aromantic, Agender,” and enjoyed meeting aces and aros on the sidelines.

A square image with a green, grey, and purple border and a white center. The text in the center says
The sticker TAAAP passed out at Capital Pride.

Baltimore Pride Parade

A black woman holds an ace flag in one hand and the TAAAP banner in the other hand. Behind her there are other marchers holding a variety of flags and signs.
TAAAP marching in the Baltimore Pride Parade.

On Saturday, June 15th, we marched in the Baltimore Pride Parade for the first time. We had about 10 marchers in our contingent wearing their most ace and aro attire. The Baltimore Pride Parade felt very community-driven, and we really enjoyed our time there.

Northern Maryland Pride

Four people pose outdoors in front of an ace flag. There is a leather flag in the background.
(From left to right) Skyler, Emily, Tori, and Isabel at the Frederick Pride Festival

Several of our members took a road trip up to northern Maryland on Saturday, June 22nd. The first stop was the Frederick Pride Festival. Next, we were pleased to be able to attend the first annual Upper Chesapeake Bay Pride Festival.

WorldPride in New York City

Five people standing in front of the conference schedule poster, holding the asexual, aromantic, and genderqueer flags.
(From left to right) Isabel, Laura, Alex, Axel, and Mykie at the Human Rights Conference

A few of our members attended events in New York City for WorldPride. At the Human Rights Conference on Tuesday, June 25th, we participated on a panel on Overlooked Identities in the Queer Community. Later that week, we were able to attend the premiere screening of the upcoming Asexuals documentary.

Four people pose in front of a building.
(From left to right) Laura, Emily, Steph, and Anzo outside the Grace Institute after the Ace & Aro Conference

On Saturday, June 29th, we attended the Ace & Aro Conference hosted by Aces NYC and AVEN. Asexuality conferences have been a part of WorldPride since it was hosted by London in 2012; however this was the first conference that was also dedicated to aromanticism. The Ace & Aro Conference featured a number of guest speakers as well as unconference-style sessions that allowed attendees to create sessions that best fit what they wanted to attend.

A person wearing a baseball hat and a green shirt with facepaint that says NYC over a rainbow in ace flag colors.
Emily at the NYC Pride March

Last but certainly not least, we attended the NYC Pride March on Sunday, June 30th as a part of the Aces NYC marching contingent. About 80 people marched, and we encountered many other aces and aros in the crowds.