As we look forward to our upcoming Closing Night Gala on Halloween weekend, we’d like to ensure that our event is both enjoyable and respectful to all participants. Halloween in the United States is a festive holiday characterized by costumes, trick-or-treating, and various scary-themed activities and decorations.
It is also a holiday that is inextricably queer. Halloween, much like LGBTQ Pride celebrations, is a time that champions self-expression, authenticity, and a break from societal norms. Both serve as platforms where individuals can embrace and showcase their unique identities.
Embracing the spirit of Halloween, we encourage all attendees to don their most creative costumes for the Gala. This includes dinner and drinks at The Center, as well as complimentary access to the largest LGBTQ+ Halloween Block Party, Nightmare on Normal Street!
At San Diego Pride, we value diversity, respect, integrity, and accountability. It is in that spirit that we kindly ask all attendees to consider their costume choices carefully. Costumes that appropriate or caricature another culture would be a direct violation of our values and we are committed to not accommodating such violation at the Gala to ensure an environment of compassion and celebration for all attendees.
Cultural appropriation and ableism can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and undermine the importance of authentic representation. These kinds of costumes can unintentionally disrespect or misrepresent someone’s culture, history, and lived experiences.
Here are some things to consider that can help evaluate if it might be culturally appropriative or ableist:
- Origin & Significance: Does the costume represent a culture that is not your own? Is the costume based on a tradition, practice, or symbol with deep significance or religious importance in that culture?
- Stereotyping: Does the costume perpetuate stereotypes or present an oversimplified or inaccurate portrayal of a culture?
- Commodification: Is the costume being used for entertainment or aesthetic value while stripping away its deeper cultural context? Are you using scars or visible/physical differences to invoke a horror aesthetic?
- Historical Context & Power Dynamics: Does the costume come from a culture that has been historically marginalized, oppressed, or colonized? By wearing this, could it appear as though you’re exercising privilege without facing the challenges or discrimination associated with being from that culture?
- Feedback & Reception: How might someone from the culture being represented feel about the costume? If there’s hesitation or uncertainty, have you sought feedback or perspectives from individuals of that culture?
We hope that this will help you make an informed choice that is respectful to all our attendees. Thank you for your understanding. We look forward to a fun and memorable evening with all of you!
For additional reading and resources: