What Really is Queer Joy?
Truthfully though, what is queer joy? Is it resistance to change? Is it something else I am unaware of? The second I come here. I always question what queer joy looks like. Is it being your authentic self, or maybe something more? This is what a trip like this does for you! I love San Francisco, but this time around I realized there was so much more to this dynamic that I never brought into consideration before. I knew what queer joy looked like for other people, but I never realized what this could mean for me and my identity.
Being here and watching these movies really is something that changes you; queer film really is the centerstage of identity for the LGBTQIA+ crowd. Perhaps I am being very sorrowful doing this, thinking about my identity and writing what queer joy is. But really this is looking for a lot of differences with the recent political climate and even just relationships I encounter on a day-to-day basis. Like what do you mean the U.S. bombed Iran while we were here? More anti-trans legislation? It is honestly fascinating how we keep going in this kind of environment. But this is all sad, so let's talk about all the reminders of queer joy that I have seen here while being in San Francisco.
In San Francisco, it’s easy to completely change how you feel. Sad? Not anymore! Feeling like the planet is going to explode? It won’t now! There is so much you can get from this experience, but recently some queer joy that I experienced was going to Mother, one of the very few Lesbian bars in the Bay Area. I loved the vibe there and it really was a new kind of experience. It felt safe and like I was supposed to be there. Everyone there didn’t seem like they had a second thought about the worries once they came in; everyone was also very acquainted.
My second queer joy experience was the Castro Night Market. I believe this is new from last year and something I wasn’t expecting to be as fun as it was. It really was a way to spend money for me, but it actually was really fun! I do love how they incorporated a lot of the businesses that you will later see at Pride. It was like a mini-Pride compared to the massive one that is held in the heart of the city. All the merchants were lovely, and this experience even came with a drag show. Overall, it really was a great experience to celebrate Queer joy! My final moment of queer joy (of many I have had realistically) is working with this cohort! We have so many good members this year that are passionate about film and what we can bring back to show everyone! We enjoyed a lot of different activities, such as going to the balloon museum and experiencing a ball pit that was full of germs, but at the same time, I was having fun being a shark to the masses, so I don’t particularly mind it all that much.
Throughout the time here that we spend, it makes me want to stay longer. It’s sad that this city doesn’t have affordable living options! But overall, it’s hard to say goodbye to a place that is so much like home. But don’t worry about that because it is not the time yet. This trip to me just serves as a reminder about what Pride is really about and how it impacts our day-to-day life. I am happy and thankful that I can spend an experience like this in one of the biggest places ever for a queer community to thrive. I am happy to see myself and fellow cohort members living their lives to the fullest without any regrets! I am happy I, myself, can redefine what queer joy means to me.
