Halloween is easily one of the most inclusive holidays of the year, so much so that several of my friends refer to it as “Gay Christmas.” Everyone gets the chance to be someone else, to live out their fantasies or to face their deepest fears.
Sometimes it’s all three at the same time, behavior that is not only accepted, it’s encouraged. Throughout our lives we have explored this celebration of free expression in many ways, from Trick-or-Treating to working far too many hours on a killer costume we’ll only wear once. It’s a part of American culture that nearly everyone celebrates in their own way. That’s particularly true of the LGBTQ community.
Now that 2020 has reared its ugly head and COVID-19 has changed all of the rules, how can we possibly celebrate everyone’s favorite “Come-As-You-Aren’t” party safely? Things looked pretty bleak for Halloween revelers earlier this year, with many haunted attractions and theme park festivities choosing not to open their doors this season, but there are still many ways for Halloween lovers of all ages to get our creep on, including kids.
When I was little, my favorite thing in the world was to dress up and run down my street begging for candy, which is what Trick-or-Treating really is. This concept has morphed over the years – into “Trunk-Or-Treating,” where families all gathered in a parking lot and passed out candy from the trunks of their cars and even into Trick-or-Treating in malls.
Gatherings like these aren’t 100% safe this particular Halloween, so Trick-or-Treating will evolve again. Several theme parks which closed their late night events have shifted their focus to physically distanced candy distribution. This could be an option for mask-wearing munchkins, or there’s even more physical distance in Trick-or-Treating online.
The Mars candy company has launched “Treat Town,” a virtual neighborhood where participants can buy candy vouchers to distribute to the children who knock on their virtual doors. Treat-Town.com has all the sweet details.
More mature Halloween celebrations usually involve gigantic costume parties, which I love. You can learn so much about people based on what costume they choose: be it a sexy postal worker, a shirtless zombie or just jeans and a T-shirt reading “This IS my costume.”
It was one Halloween in college when I, like so many others in our community, decided to experiment with drag for the first time, though my look was nowhere near glamorous. I went as a bag lady, filling my purse with dried leaves and passing them out to other party guests.
Since many in-person plans are just as withered this year, where can the bedecked and bejeweled go to celebrate? There are still some exclusive Halloween parties scheduled, with reduced capacities, which may sell out quickly. If you live in the appropriate climate, this might be the year to hold an outdoor “MASK-querade Party.”
I’d recommend the only requirement being that the appropriate personal protective equipment be incorporated into each costume. There are so many options: bank robbers can wear bandanas, belly dancers can wear veils over their masks and mummies can just keep their mouths and noses under wraps.
If you really want to stay safe, issue everyone a yard stick when they enter to ensure appropriate physical distancing. If you’re still not ready to abandon “safer at home,” why not try a Zoom costume party? You won’t even have to all be in the same city and you can change costumes throughout the night.
You can hold a costume contest by giving each party guest 30 seconds to show off their ensemble and then have everyone vote via a private chat message to the host. I realize it’s not the massive killer parties we are used to, but it’s still a party!
While many of the larger Halloween haunted attractions have chosen not to open this year, many smaller independent attractions have adapted to the changing restrictions. So if you’re looking to scream in terror, this means that you may need to make a timed reservation and wear a protective mask throughout your visit. Since capacity will be monitored very carefully, your evening might even feel more exclusive.
Another trend that is popping up around the country is attractions that you experience from the safety of your car, an idea that started in Japan and spread to the UK before appearing this year in the US. These events fall into two basic categories; those you drive into and park and those you drive through.
The “drive into” events range from basic drive-in horror movies to large theatrical productions. “Drive through” events seem to be more like old-school haunted houses with several scenes that work together to tell a linear story. Everyone is curious to see how these new attractions will work, myself included.
However you decide to celebrate Halloween, remember that it will feel different. The world has changed – and none of us know for how long. Don’t worry, you can still get treats, get dressed up or get scared. The basic freedom to fly our freak flags, even for just one night, hasn’t been taken from the LGBTQ community. We just have to be creative.
Scott Swenson owns Scott Swenson Creative Development LLC, which creates, writes and produces shows and events for entertainment and educational worldwide. He also hosts “A Scott in the Dark: Periodic Podcasts for Haunters.” For more information, visit ScottSwenson.com.
