practicing pride in community: Baltic Pride 2026 recap

the spaces we co-created: events hosted

during the last Baltic Pride in Tallinn in 2023, i wasn’t even out as a trans woman yet. this year, with Baltic Pride 2026 back in town, i organized already four different events! as i said in my speech during the opening gala: “maybe you’re here but you’re not out or you’re at the beginning of your transition, it takes some time and changes might be slow but eventually you will get there. you’ll get to be more at home with yourself. and let’s remember that our power is in our bodies and in the collective body. thank you!”

this year’s Pride was the best, and also the busiest, of my life! here are some of the takeaways and feedback from participants about the events i organized.

queering kink with “Pride and Pain: Unmasked and Unashamed”

as i organized the first queer play party with Mistress Thalia Hel, the Pride play party was my first one to organize by myself. with some hiccups at the beginning, the rest of the party went quite smoothly and most people shared overwhelmingly positive feedback. personally, i am still finding the balance between being available for emotional support and aftercare, while still giving newcomers the chance to experience play with me.

i loved that most participants had committed to the masquerade ball theme and wore different masks. we had more regular Phantom of the Opera-style masks as well as lacy masks all the way to kinky puppy masks and even hand-made masks.

here is what people said about the play party:

i liked the facilitation of the opening and ending circles, the guided partnered play in the beginning, the food (very important), the space itself felt very cozy.

i wanted to thank you for the play party and the space. i know it takes a lot of work and time, but i was really pleasantly surprised. such great energy, the space, and everything else. it’s a huge and important skill to be able to hold a space like this. i’m so happy to see that something like this is being organized in Estonia. i hope i’ll be able to come to future events as well. i’m still feeling so filled after yesterday!

Joelle is competent as a facilitator and an event organizer. a master of creating a safe and inclusive space for others. i truly appreciate the way she sets and teaches to set boundaries, her nurturing energy and caring attitude. i also want to remark the attention to detail when it comes to snacks, the music choice & volume, and the event in general. she gave useful instructions before activities, and i really enjoyed our greeting circle and closing circle after the event. the event activities transitioned beautifully into another, which shows great planning. i enjoyed the company of other participants, which were carefully vetoed by Joelle, and had an exceptional experience at her play party. i will definitely be visiting Estonia just to attend another event by her.

as there were a lot of newbies, i don’t take lightly the trust you have for me. thank you for your courage in coming to such a space!

the next queer play party “Pride and Pain: Kinky Girl Summer” is already on July 11th!

psychosomatic workshop for embodying pride and softening shame

although the Rainbow Therapy Think Tank’s workshop “Pride and Shame,” co-facilitated with Laura Barbo was half-full compared to the usual attendance, it suited well for a more intimate and deeper exploration around such a heavy topic as shame. Laura shared psychological theory about shame and how to use different cognitive skills to reframe the stories of shame. i brought in its somatic impacts, the importance of witnessing another person in sharing their shame, and resilience practices to cultivate pride. we discussed what’s the opposites of shame and what it might be taking care of. one of my teacher’s Staci Haines says: “where there is shame, there is trauma or oppression,” which is why working with shame is such a slow and delicate process.

some participants shared how opening and insightful the workshop was for them, and how they might even know something in theory but it’s a completely different things to face into the emotions that come up. facilitating somatic workshops always make me feel deeply enlivened and in awe by our profound capacity to heal from trauma and oppression. thank you, everyone, who did the hard work of bringing their shame to the light instead of hiding.

edgy and honest conversation at the kink panel discussion

i was so excited for this panel, knowing there will be other incredible panelists and thought-provoking questions prepared for us. there was so much juicy and edgy wisdom that was shared that you had to be there to take it all in!

but to give you a few highlights: i shared about how somatics and BDSM both help us get in touch with ourselves, especially the “darker” parts that are often locked below shame. i touched on how safety is a somatically felt core need, how consent is an embodied skill that we’re not taught, and how embodying ourselves helps us access our pleasure and power.

i even shared more personally about my own kinks and, without shaming it, speculated on the dangers and reasons for fetishizing trans women. i came to the conclusion that instead of fetish, we should return to the other form of attention that pre-colonial trans and gender-expansive people received: worship.

as some participants shared their feedback at the end, one said that she takes away my suggestion for practicing consent. in short, i said that it’s good to notice the things that are a clear, 100% “yes” in your body (like puppies or ice cream) and 100% “no” in your body (like raisins or sea weed). once you are familiar with how those extremes feel inside your body, you can check in the next time someone makes a request. does your body feel like it does about the puppies, or the seaweed?

finishing Baltic Pride strong… or rather “soft” with the queer cuddle party

we gathered, once again, at Kultus Club to learn consent though platonic supportive touch, hugging, and cuddling. what an honor to hold this space of softening and queer physical intimacy in a world that’s often so harsh and where we have to armor ourselves to feel safe! here is what people said about it:

the cuddle party was super nice and the absolute only requested change is that it lasts longer. we really loved it. the vibe Joelle set down for everyone and the presence she uniquely can bring to a gathering like this… she is talented.

the space, music and overall mood were set up incredibly beautifully. the duration and the tempo of the intro, the party itself and the conclusion felt just right.

when other people started moving around and we rotated cuddle buddies, that added a lot to the experience. i can’t say that anyone was bad at cuddling, but it was surprising to learn that even with strangers the fit was so different with different people. having people move around and randomly join me in cuddles was a really good nice and I love them for it. i knew that it was most likely fine to merge with almost any group (we were all there for the same reason after all), but it still takes some learning to properly accept that. to have braver people around and show it off that it really is okay made things easier.

i loved the ice breaker circle and the intro exercises to get everyone on the same page and more comfortable within the space & with each other. i really appreciated the main space being clearly split into 2 - the cuddle side and the seating/snack side. it made stepping away from the cuddle pile a lot easier, knowing there was a dedicated spot to go to take a breath. i also liked how the host being very soft spoken and calm even when she needed to be assertive really set the tone and made the attendees soften their approach too.

the next cuddle party is on August 2nd, and to find out all the upcoming 2026 queer play and cuddle party dates, sign up to my newsletter!

the connections i made: events participated

the Baltic Pride week was the busiest one for me this year. in addition to organizing, i tried to participate in as many other wonderful events as possible. as my ADHD makes it hard to perceive time, i’m often late, so to avoid it, i had booked out my calendar for the whole week down to the smallest details. this included time needed for outfit changes and doing my makeup. here are some of the highlights of the week.

the double rainbow: being recognized for my work

as i really do my work because i love it, i was so surprised to receive not only one, but two Rainbow Hero awards! one was for the mental health work we do with the Rainbow Therapy Think Tank with Laura, the other one for sharing my transition journey so publicly on social media and media. thank you, everyone, who nominated me! one of my friends commented: it’s a double rainbow!

returning to the stage at the Queer Poetry Night

the organizer, Lee Jenner, asked me if i’d like to perform during the open mic portion of the show… as i long to return to my spoken word poetry, i said “yes” without hesitation. but as i found out about the event just 2 days before it happened and because the week was already completely packed, i didn’t have time to practice. and if you know me, i have high standards when it comes to my spoken word poetry. still, i decided to perform and not aim for perfection. as one of my dear friend says, “70% is good enough.”

i am so happy i did it. it was my first proper performance since my transition and coming out. i’ve been thinking a lot about who i will be as an artist now, as my previous stage-presence was more forceful and… forced. i even used to lower my voice to sound more masculine. my partner says that to this day, i still do it automatically, even though i’m consciously trying not to.

there couldn’t have been a safer space than a queer poetry night to take that risky step and explore publicly who i am now as an artist. and i’m so grateful for the warm reception! i’ve been really longing to return as an artist and it feels like a small but important step towards that.

the culminating celebration of the week

Friday was super full with a QSpace queer activists networking event, the LGBTQIA+ national action plan introduction by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, and a Variety Extravaganza. what an important and a fun day!

the main Baltic Pride parade through the old town of Tallinn where i got to see so many old and new friends! thanks for coming to say “hi”! after the rainy march, i went to the Latvian Ambassador’s garden party, which was an honor and a lovely opportunity to see all the other event-organizers in one room. the day, and the week ended with a BBQ at a friend’s backyard where i doubted whether or not to go to the Hungr party because i was so tired… but as it wasn’t too far, i decided to go, and i’m so happy that i did! it was my 1st time in that Hungr location and it was such a fun night with many dear friends. i really need to get out to parties (that aren’t organized by me) more often!

while i got back home around 4 in the morning and i slept in on Sunday, i was surprised that i woke up refreshed. as an introvert, i thought i’d be thoroughly exhausted by the week, but i wasn’t. not only that, i was deeply satisfied and even energized. while i love people, i tend to rest best when i’m by myself and get worn out by too much socializing. this time, it wasn’t the case. what magic when queer people get together and we can hold each other with care and pride!

the money we raised: donations made

this is the first year i launched our Pride Month donation fund for financially marginalized queer and trans people to receive free 1:1 sessions. read more about the politicized economic justice philosophy that grounds my work in this blog post.

our community came together to raise a total of 470 €. this money directly funds 6 free somatic coaching and bodywork sessions, as i match 75 € donations with 75 € of my labor to make up the full session price.

while Pride Month has come to a close, this donation fund stays open, so you can donate below at any time.

bank details

• beneficiary: Transformation Embodied OÜ
• account number: EE572200221087103958
• details: Pride Month donation

the steps you can take: practicing community and allyship

here are other things you can do to continue being in connection with and supporting the queer community.

to queer and trans people, please remember:

• you are loved and needed, and your unique self makes the world more colorful and beautiful. it has gotten and will get better. like ALOK often says: “stay here a little while longer.”
• we are stronger together, and we are in this together. find community, whether online or in person;
• asking for support is a sign of fierce and courageous vulnerability. you’re welcome to my or other events that support queer community and mental health. i am here for you. whether though a 1:1 session or the events i organize.

to our allies, with the rise of far-right movements and anti-trans policies worldwide, we need you more than ever:

• support queer-owned businesses and content creators financially;
• educate yourself and fellow cishet people (so that queer people wouldn’t have to do all that emotional labor);
• unravel these and other harmful norms: that gender and sex are binary, that heterosexual love is the default, that everyone is monogamous, or that romantic love is the highest form of love.
• please don’t parrot casually the unfounded conservative talking points like “but what about children transitioning and regretting it,” “but trans women can’t be in women’s sports,” or “the bathroom issue”…
• speak out when people are being homo- or transphobic;
• reach out to your queer friends to check on them.

while trying to put this week into words, i’m still searching for them. honestly, i’m a bit speechless. yet, immense gratitude, hope, and pride are clearest in my body.

so, thank you to the Baltic Pride team, the organizers, funders, participants, and you for still being here.

even in these dark times, we will keep shining. it’s in the rain that the rainbow appears.

we will be okay because we have each other.

ready to soften your shame and practice embodied pride?

book your first coaching or bodywork session today!