Had a slight urge during Pride weekend

[otterbearcat]

As I turned the corner, I wondered why are all these dykes out?

Then I remembered The Dyke Parade!

I thought to myself,

I could just have a drink

I could just drink half a drink

45 minutes pass

I could have a NA beer

I could have a soda


I decide not to go to bar.

That really hasnt happened to me before.

Glad I talked myself out of it.

Anyone else have urges during pride?

[freya]

Originally Posted by otterbearcat

Glad I talked myself out of it.

Me, too! Congratulations!

My youngest son -- who is gay, who lives in NYC and who usually does not drink - called last weekend and said: "Mom, I think maybe I got drunk at pride yesterday: I feel sick!"

Of course, in true drama queen fashion, he thought he was going to die...or at the very least become an alcoholic. But, yeah, we've had several opportunities to discuss the high incidence of drug/alcohol abuse in the GLBT community. It's sad and scary....my partner (who has been in recovery for 25 years) has seen lots of people relapse at pride events -- so apparently, you are not at all alone in your urge.

But having been able to resist it is surely a blessing -- good for you!

freya

[sct]

I kind of- avoid pride events. Not out of a lack of pride, but because it's way too many people for me, all crowded in one place and all yelling. Bad juju.

[Cleansing]

Didn't know it was pride week, maybe because i'm in the closet.

But yeah, that atmosphere would have had me thinking about a drink. maybe some crack too.

[CatEyez28]

I could have gone but i chgd my mind at the last minute, been to so many just figured why put myself through that. I know ill run into old party buddies and want to go out and join them, not my thing anymore. cant do that to myself. hang in there!! xoxo

[bjork]

Last year during PRIDE I was sober. I had to stay away from the parade in order to maintain my sobriety. I felt I was missing out because there were so many lesbians "out and about" LOL

That was Chicago. God I miss the community there!

I am now in Italy and there's definitely not a thriving lesbian community here.

No alcohol=24 days
No cigs=7 days

[freya]

Originally Posted by bjork

No alcohol=24 days
No cigs=7 days

Now that's something to be PROUD about, wherever you are!



freya

[Darrin11]

Originally Posted by sct

I kind of- avoid pride events. Not out of a lack of pride, but because it's way too many people for me, all crowded in one place and all yelling. Bad juju.

I avoid these events too! I went to one and was mortified! I had absolutely nothing in common with the people there except of course, I'm gay. I'm not the flamboyant type that craves attention. 99.99 percent of my friends are straight. They've been better friends than my former gay friends ever hoped to be.

Also, being around this crowd is what got me mixed up BAD with drugs! Nearly every guy guy I came in contact with was on some type of drug. I even started a blog about it. (in my contact info if interested

[lionheart]

This is kinda what I started my Aussies and Mardi Gra post about....

Its remembering that these events can be triggers....

Im glad I didnt go...and glad I am sober today!

[Toronto68]

Darrin - and everybody, I don't know if I will end up going this year. I have only been to 2 Gay Prides a few years ago, both in Toronto. I liked it in general, but to me it was just more of the same outdoor partying I had been around, only it's in closed-off streets. Reminded me of what they used to call tea dances (no idea if they still do, I don't get out that much, ha ha) - and tea dances were just booze-o-dromes in the open air. When it comes to the parade, I think I like the Dykes on Bikes part the most. It just gives me a "good for them" feeling when they roar by.

I haven't had the greatest luck when it comes to maintaining ties with gay people either. Rightly or wrongly, and I don't exclude myself as part of the problem. I agree with a sort of dismal opinion, but I think a lot of gay people must be upset over things that create more disharmony than harmony. My perspective of gay men is that there is a lot of looking down on others and their true feelings are not always there - perfect breeding ground for drug issues and further dislocation from the good people, wherever they are. Obviously that isn't 100% the case. I don't avoid gay people like the plague, but I am just selective with them just as I would be with anyone. (They could be thinking the very same thing about me, ha ha.)

[Kimmers927]

I went to Pride last year with a woman I was dating who doesn't drink. I stayed away from all the street parties and evening celebrations.
This year I am single. I know it will be tough but Pride is not worth sacrificing my sobriety.
I too think that staying connected to the gay community sometimes sucks in sobriety. But I don't miss the bar scene.
I'm glad you talked yourself out of it. Think through the drink - corny saying but it works.

[Toronto68]

I guess I would not be completely averse to parts of it, minus the drinking. I have only been to 2. It's still early on for me (5 months around the corner). I guess it depends on what else is going on and how adjusted I feel. It's not ordinarily something that I MUST DO, so if I think I have to choose leave it, out of take it or leave it, then so be it I suppose the topic will come up here again, but if not, then whoever is going, I hope you have a good time and stay strong and all that good stuff.