Book Signing at New York City’s PrideFest
June 30th, 2024
For the third stop along my Sugarbaby Book Tour, I drove out to the Big Apple just after my book signing in Annapolis.
I’d like to start by giving a huge thanks to the amazing Heritage of Pride non-profit that organizes New York City's LGBTQIA+ Pride events! Thank you not only for the amazing opportunity to sell and showcase my bestselling book The Diary of a Sugarbaby but also for constantly bringing queer folks together and spreading love, support, culture, and community!
I’d also like to thank Chaz, Zoe, and Jess for bringing me in on this project and acquiring the permit to sell our books at PrideFest. Thank you, Strand Book Store, for allowing us to perch outside your trailblazer of a store. Thank you, Edward Miskie, for being the best table mate ever! We went through the experience together, the ups and the downs, and I appreciate that we looked out for each other through the wind, rain, and shine! And most of all, I’d like to thank the volunteers at PrideFest who made sure everyone was hydrated, handing out free waters, and had a tent, table, and chairs. You were all so thoughtful and generous. Your kindness is not lost on me. I am so happy and proud to call this my community! 🌈✨😄
Every person I spoke to at Pride was an absolute sweetheart! 🥹💞 Grace, Greg, Beth, Amanda, Brian, Miles, Julius, Jordan, Andrew, and the many other people whose names may escape me but their spirit and kindness do not. The queer community is truly a magical thing! The love was atmospheric! 🖤🏳️⚧️ Thank you to my friends and loved ones—Evan, Brandon, Minh-Huy, Jean, Wilson, and Chaz—for pulling up and showing their support.
In high school when I lived in Connecticut, I used to take Metro-North to Manhattan once or twice a month on the weekends without my parents’ permission to go to free museums or simply idle around the city. In my twenties, one of my sugardaddies had a place near Gramercy Park. When I lived with him, I used to explore Greenwich Village and nearby neighborhoods all the time. I have fond memories. My first pride parade was in NYC (2015?). While I had experienced threats and hate after using a women’s bathroom in Grand Central, the parade itself was nothing but love. I’m happy and lucky to have a place in this world where I feel safe and supported by people who get it.
Thank you again, Heritage of Pride. Please donate to Heritage of Pride today!
The wind was not an ally 😅