HELLO HOMO: Pride is a Protest! with Anastasia Krystals

Hello Homo,

I love Pride as much as the next glitter twink, but this year, it feels out of touch to strap on the rainbows and smiles and go out partying. The world is on fire with Trump’s deportation attacks, his attack on transgender folks, HIV research and prevention, not to mention the Palestinian genocide and all the corporate betrayals. To attend Pride like none of those social issues are happening feels irresponsible. So how the fuck should we maneuver Pride this year? 

-Jacob, Lincoln Heights (he/him/his)

(Glitter Twink)

Hello Jacob,

Your question really moved me, and I totally relate. This sentiment feels very relevant across queer communities right now. I also instantly knew who I wanted to bring in to tackle this topic. The same day you sent this question in, I was at drag brunch at Champagne Tiger hosted by Anastasia Krystals. Anastasia (all pronouns) is a powerhouse drag queen extraordinaire,  an incredible yoga instructor, and healer.

Anastasia held the crowd at Champagne Tiger captive with her inspiring and healing dialogue about the importance of Pride as a protest. She emphasized the healing aspects of queer people gathering together to embrace each other and share joy especially when shit gets hard, like right now. I’m so grateful Anastasia was willing to take a quick break from her packed Pride month schedule to answer your question. 

So Anastasia, what do you think? 

Anastasia Krystals:  Yeah, he’s not alone. I do appreciate the title Glitter Twink, because really, glitter is my answer.

Pride is a protest, through celebration.

Pride is a protest. We know this; we know this historically; we know this personally; we know this deeply, and yet when things are going well, pride is so fun, and it’s amazing. It’s a party that you’re speaking of, and it’s important to remember what pride is for—to protest and show up … even in the party.

Yes, the world’s on fire. Yes, all of our rights are being questioned. Yes, we’re feeling that we shouldn’t be celebrating. Well, pride isn’t just a party. Pride is joyous, and it is celebrating life. But we’re celebrating life because we have to. We have to show our pride because of erasure because of war against us and absolute terror being pushed upon us from the beginning of all of our generational journeys as LGBTQ+-identifying humans, the way that this started (which wasn’t that long ago) was that someone stood up and revolted and started this movement, and in its origin, it was to bring more awareness to those that we’re trying to be erased.

Use your privilege.

 So my immediate answer to the question is, slap some glitter on, and show that you are a safe space for those who are out there dealing with HIV and having their medicines taken away. Do it for your trans friends. Throw some glitter on, and show you are an ally to a trans person who’s terrified right now.

Show them you identify with your pride, and that you go to Pride and have fun to demonstrate that!  You still need to present for those who don’t have as many rights as you do. We need you to put glitter on because it shows the rest of the world that, “Hey! I am here! I’m a safe person! I am gay, and gay feels weird to celebrate, because, you know, all this stuff is happening. But here I am!”

Same, it feels out of touch to party since we have the most privilege amongst the greater LGBTQ+ identities. 

There are still plenty of people who are afraid to show their gayness in public. So, people like me, a very confident drag queen, and yoga teacher, who teaches acceptance and love and kindness, and beauty … fear isn’t my number-one emotion. I’m able to walk with quite a sense of pride regularly, and that’s a privilege. And so I use that privilege; I use that privilege by showing up in drag in spaces like the grocery store. I started doing this when drag was getting super politicized, especially in Texas around 2022. I forced myself to go into spaces in drag to show that not only do I exist, but if you have a problem with my queerness, my gayness, my dragness, my friends, my people, my community, then you’re going to have to go through me.

That was a way that you brought your glitter out into the world. 

Our presence at this Pride is important. Pride is a protest, and if you don’t show up right now because you’re afraid, it’s understandable. I encourage you to find your own way—a rainbow flag outside your house, wear a rainbow pin, or go to a smaller Pride event that feels approachable. If you’re having a hard time, sending messages to a large group of your friends saying, ‘Hey, I’m really feeling down this pride. I need a little glitter. I need a little love.”

Shifting how we see Pride.

Engage in wherever you are emotionally and socially; love it. 

I love my brothers and sisters, and everyone in our rainbow umbrella. And, participation in Pride gets a little lost in translation. This isn’t a party … We are fighting for our lives at all times when it comes to legislation, when it comes to our trans siblings, especially queer people of color that are constantly targeted. We do this for them. We don’t do this just so that we can have a good time at Pride.

That’s the shift that we need to have in this conversation. That I, too, need to acknowledge that I feel fatigued trying to access Pride this year with the political hellscape we are in. What is coming up for me in response to your words is the awareness in how that fatigue reflects my own privilege as a cisgender, white queer guy. This motivates me to push through the fatigue to go out a be present in the community. 

That’s what made me think of you for this question, like how last week, I was so energized and inspired when I got to see you at Champagne Tiger. You had the entire room engaged in a sing-along to “Pink Pony Club.” In that moment, we were connected with each other. The crowd was a wide range of ages and gender expressions, sharing in joy. How do you think others can be like you, facilitating that joy out in our communities?

Pride is an opportunity to use your power.

Yeah, facilitation is a great word because it speaks to being aware of our opportunity to use the power that we have to demonstrate that we will never be erased. It’s just the way that it is in our history. There is political propaganda trying to erase us, but we will never go away. They’re fatiguing us, for sure, but they can’t get rid of us.  And so all we have to remember is that those who have come before us have made a very strong historical stance that we’re not going anywhere.

You know, I am a drag queen with a microphone. Similarly to my job as a yoga teacher, I entice people. In yoga, I like to drop a bliss bomb like some dharma, some really deep rhetoric.

And it’s the same thing in drag. We are singing “Pink Pony Club” and “Defying Gravity.” Then I will talk about what those things actually can mean to the crowds, ike how “Pink Pony Club” is reminding us of the L in LGBTQ+ and the sapphic community. And you know, “Defying Gravity” resonates with so many people right now.

You had my whole table crying during “Defying Gravity.” You were dropping a love bomb at that moment.  You had us captivated and brought us into an emotional space that we all fucking need right now. I feel like that’s what Jacob needs, what so many people need to feel, that connection to heal the isolation we all feel. Thank you for being that community facilitator.

Of course. Yeah, it’s my purpose on the planet. I feel I’ve felt that from a very young age that I just had this difference of delivery.

Do you have any other thoughts for Jacob here or other OFM readers? 

Glitter on, sparkly humans.

You know, I would say, if you are worried or afraid of going to the largeness of the main pride event, find ways to just celebrate Pride in your own way, because it doesn’t have to be the big event. It really doesn’t. It doesn’t have to be going to drag shows. It doesn’t have to be going to the parties. It just has to be whatever works for you. With everything that is going on politically, it is hard to celebrate. But that’s not why we celebrate. We don’t celebrate because things are good. That’s just one part of it. That’s the easy part. The hard part is still holding yourself strong and tall, and not giving up on your inner joy, your glitter. I believe in you, glitter twink. You’re defining yourself as a sparkly human, so don’t let anything dim it, and fight hard to put on more glitter.

If Glitter Twink or the OFM readers are vibing with your message, where can they find more of you? 

Instagram is great! That is where I post all of my events and happenings! I will be at everything all Pride month.

I am doing a really fun event called Daybreaker. It’s a dance yoga party happening in 23 cities across the world. I’ve worked with them for almost 10 years, and this year, specifically, I’ll be in drag on the Saturday of Pride. More details on the location and stuff are on their website.

It sounds like your two worlds merge for that, drag and yoga. Sounds fun! 

I will also be attending the Pasta & Piano Night on Wednesday, June 25, where you will be signing along with a pianist at Champagne Tiger. So, if Glitter Twink or other OFM readers would like to join Anastasia and me at that event, please come! It could be a more approachable way to engage in Pride. 

 Reservations can be made here!

Come join us! It will be fun!

Follow me on Instagram @holistic.homosexual for updates on my column, and stay tuned for the next HELLO HOMO! See you next week!

Have a question you would like answered? Submit your questions directly to me at hellohomo@ofm.media

Disclaimer: Hello Homo is for informational and educational purposes and is not a substitute for mental health treatment. Hello, Homo (Jesse Proia) is not providing mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment to readers. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency, please contact 911, 988 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Images/photos courtesy of Instagram and Jesse Proia.