The spatial politics of gay pride parades and festivals: emotional activism

The chapter is structured by three questions. The first is: How and in what ways do gay pride festivals and parades challenge taken-for-granted understandings of sexuality that are integral part of daily relations that sustain streets and cities? Here we draw on research conducted on the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, as well as the Aotearoa New Zealand Auckland HERO parades. Second, we ask: what does it feel like to be part of a festival and parade? In responding to this question we draw on research-and participation in-Pride Scotland. And, the third question: Do gay pride festivals create geographies of belonging?-is addressed by research conducted at Hamilton Pride Festivals in Aotearoa New Zealand