The Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras is more than just a parade and a party. This year it’s World Pride, so it’s weeks and weeks of parades and parties! But it’s also a celebration of diversity, inclusivity, and acceptance, and it has profound effects on our brains and well-being. So get out your glow sticks, put on some Kylie and let’s explore the neuroscience behind the Mardi Gras & World Pride, including social identity theory, emotion regulation, and stereotype threat.
Social Identity Theory
“You are not just a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.” – Rumi
Let’s kick this off with Social identity theory which tells us that we are not just individuals, but we are also shaped by the different groups we belong to. This explains why we feel a sense of belonging and connection to certain groups, and how our group membership affects our behaviour and attitudes. Our social identity includes aspects of our personality, beliefs, values, and behaviours that are influenced by our groups, and it’s a fundamental part of our self-concept. And, while you can’t polish self-concept, you can always roll it in glitter and make it fabulous!
But let’s be real, celebrating diversity and positive social identity is not always easy. We live in a world where people are quick to judge and criticize those who are different from them. It’s like trying to wear high heels on a cobblestone street – painful and unstable (just like my love life). But, just like how we learn to walk in heels, we can learn to embrace diversity and promote positive social identity. It takes effort and willingness to learn, but the results are worth it.
It’s important to recognize that promoting positive social identity does not mean ignoring or erasing differences between groups. It’s about celebrating and valuing those differences and recognizing that they contribute to the richness of society. It’s like going to a buffet – you want to try everything because each dish has its own unique flavour and texture. And just like how a buffet has options for everyone, promoting positive social identity means creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels like they have a seat at the table.
Here’s the interesting part. On a micro level, our brain processes information related to our social identity in a similar way to how we process information related to our own physical characteristics. This suggests that our social identity is closely linked to our perception of self, and it activates brain regions involved in self-referential processing like the medial prefrontal cortex. This means that our social identity is not just a concept, but a neurochemical reaction that affects our perception of ourselves. Celebrating social identity can have a positive impact on well-being and mental health by promoting a sense of community and reducing feelings of isolation. In essence, this was the very reason that the Sydney Mardi Gras first started.
On a macro level, celebrating diversity and promoting positive social identity can increase feelings of connection and belonging among members of different social groups, so (much like certain *ahem* “graphic pics” on Grindr) the benefits spread throughout society. It can help to reduce prejudice and discrimination and create a more inclusive and accepting society. By promoting positive social identity, we can create an environment where everyone feels valued and included. Personally, we always knew that hot pants were a superpower.
Lady Gaga said (we know Rumi said it first but, I mean… Gaga), “You are not just a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.” This quote perfectly illustrates the importance of social identity and the unique and powerful nature of each individual’s identity. Social identity theory is a fundamental concept in understanding our sense of self and how it is shaped by our group membership. Promoting positive social identity can help create a more inclusive and accepting society, where everyone feels valued and included.
Emotion Regulation
“If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?” – RuPaul
The rainbow flags are flying high, the drag queens are getting their wigs ready, and the till-dawn partygoers are dusting off their dancing shoes for the World Pride celebrations. But amidst all the glitter and confetti, let’s not forget the importance of emotion regulation. The famous words of drag queen RuPaul – hold a powerful message about the relationship between self-love and emotional regulation. The Mardi Gras & World Pride celebration can be a perfect opportunity to reflect on this connection, and to explore ways to improve our emotional well-being, for both the queer and non-queer community.
Emotions are a fundamental part of our daily experience, and the World Pride celebrations can elicit a range of emotional responses, including joy, excitement, and pride. However, the ability to regulate these emotions can be important for our well-being and mental health. On a micro level, the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and other brain regions are involved in emotion regulation. These brain regions play a crucial role in managing our emotional responses to different stimuli. It’s also the reason you might get a bit flustered when a good looking transperson, sexy twunk or daddy walks by…. the brain wants what it wants!
On a macro level, celebrating diversity and promoting positive social identity can improve emotional regulation by providing a sense of community and belonging. Feeling a sense of belonging to a community that shares your values and beliefs can have a positive impact on your emotional well-being. It can also help reduce feelings of isolation and promote a more inclusive and accepting society, which extends throughout the entire community.
And let’s not forget the importance of self-love. Yes, honey, you heard it right. Self-love is not just about treating yourself to a fancy dinner or buying a new outfit. It’s about accepting and loving yourself for who you are, flaws and all. The relationship between self-love and emotional regulation is an important aspect to consider. Positive self-talk and self-compassion can help regulate emotions by allowing individuals to recognize and accept their emotions. By accepting our emotions and not judging ourselves for feeling them, we can develop a healthier relationship with ourselves and with others. For World Pride, we recommend the mantra ‘I don’t have to stay out till 6am. My bed is enough.’ Because sometimes it’s good to just tell ourselves things, even if we don’t mean them…
World Pride celebrations can play a role in promoting emotional regulation by providing an opportunity for self-expression and celebration of identity. By allowing individuals to express themselves freely, the celebration can provide a space for individuals to explore their emotions and connect with others who share similar experiences. The sense of community and acceptance that is fostered during the celebration can also help regulate emotions and promote a positive emotional experience. The Mardi Gras celebration can provide an opportunity to explore and improve our emotional well-being by promoting self-expression, community, and acceptance which also helps to develop stronger relationships.
Countering Stereotype Threat
“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry” Maya Angelou
Mardi Gras is such an exciting time of year, but for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, it can also be a time of anxiety and fear due to stereotype threat. Stereotype threat is the fear of confirming negative stereotypes about one’s social group, and it can have negative consequences for well-being and mental health. However, the good news is that Mardi Gras can provide a counter-stereotype experience that can help reduce stereotype threat and promote positive social identity. I mean, can anybody really be that upset by a bunch of sexy firefighters dancing to Kylie Minogue?
But let’s back up a bit. When you’re experiencing stereotype threat, your brain is like a deer in the headlights. It’s all hands on deck to manage the anxiety and worry related to the stereotype. This means fewer cognitive resources for other tasks. You’re basically running on empty, like a car running out of petrol on a deserted highway. Not a fun experience, right? Stereotype threat is associated with activation in the prefrontal cortex and other brain regions involved in cognitive control. When individuals are experiencing stereotype threat, their cognitive resources are consumed with managing the anxiety and worry related to the stereotype, leaving fewer resources for other tasks. This can lead to decreased performance and negative emotional responses. So, the anxiety and fear that come with stereotype threat can have a real impact on the brain and how we function. Now, imagine feeling like that every day of your life. Yikes. That’s why celebrating diversity is so important. When we see positive information about our social group, it can counteract the negative stereotypes and reduce anxiety. It’s like a superhero coming to save the day.
Mardi Gras is one of those superheroes. World Pride is one of those superheroes. It’s basically the queer Avengers. It’s a celebration of diversity and uniqueness, and it provides a space for individuals to express themselves in ways that may not be accepted or welcomed in other contexts. You want to wear a glittery cape and dance down the street to Cher? Go for it! No one is going to judge you here. In fact, they’ll probably judge you if you don’t.
Celebrating diversity can help reduce stereotype threat and promote positive social identity. When individuals are exposed to positive information about their social group, it can counteract the negative stereotypes and reduce the anxiety associated with confirming them. Highlighting the unique and positive aspects of different social groups can also promote a sense of belonging and connectedness. Mardi Gras is a celebration of diversity and uniqueness, and it provides a space for individuals to express themselves in ways that may not be accepted or welcomed in other contexts. By highlighting the unique and positive aspects of different social groups, Mardi Gras can promote a sense of pride and belonging, and reduce the anxiety associated with confirming negative stereotypes. Yes it’s true, what they say, it’s better the devil you know.
Counter-stereotyping can have a positive impact on individual well-being and mental health. When individuals are exposed to positive information about their social group, it can improve their self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and promote a sense of belonging. Additionally, counter-stereotyping can have a broader societal impact by reducing prejudice and discrimination.
Mardi Gras & World Pride is an important event for countering stereotype threat and promoting positive social identity. By celebrating diversity and uniqueness, Mardi Gras & World Pride can provide a counter-stereotype experience that can have positive impacts on individual and societal well-being and mental health. So, let’s keep celebrating our differences and uniqueness!
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity.” – Brene Brown
Now, you might have thought that Mardi Gras & World Pride is just a parade, but it’s so much more than that. It’s a celebration of diversity and inclusivity that does wonders for our brains and our well-being. I mean, science says so, and science doesn’t lie.
When we experience a counter-stereotype experience at World Pride celebrations like Mardi Gras, our brains light up like a disco ball. It’s like a party in our heads, and everyone’s invited. And the result? Positive social identity, improved self-esteem, and reduced anxiety. Can I get an amen up in here?
By celebrating diversity, we can embrace our vulnerability and tap into the joy and creativity that comes from belonging to a positive social group. Mardi Gras is like a giant family reunion, except instead of awkward conversations with your creepy uncle, you get to connect with people who share your fabulousness. It’s like coming home to a place where everyone loves and accepts you for who you are.
By promoting inclusivity, we can break down the barriers that separate us and create a more compassionate and accepting society. It’s time to ditch the hate and embrace the love! Let’s dance, let’s sing, and let’s spread love like it’s glitter. Because when we come together to celebrate our differences, we create a world that’s more vibrant, more beautiful, and more fabulous than we ever thought possible.
So grab your boas, your wigs, and your attitude, and show the world what you’re made of. Happy World Pride, darlings!