I would suggest that in the modern western world – pride doesn’t have to be demonstrative, it can also be a state of being, a type of thinking and an internalised model of self acceptance gifted by previous generations. I have never attended a pride either – I find the whole thing a little too commercialised for my liking. Like you I also don’t enjoy crowds, not for the same reason – I’ve just noticed that the greater the number of people in a space, the lower the collective IQ. I always endeavour to be where big groups of people aren’t. Great article!