Top Ten Ways For Non-Americans To Celebrate a Gay America Day

Welcome to July 4th, mates!  It’s American Independence Day!  A day so popular that not even Jeff Goldblum’s billowing chest hair could put a damper on that good old yankee spirit. As a proud Australian and for all of you non-Americans, I’ve put together a fairly accurate guide of what you need to do and what  to expect on the most patriotic day of the year.

(This post has been brought to you in part by this post.)


This seems like an impractical sandwich

This seems like an impractical way to arrange this sandwich

1. (Peanut) Butter Your Muffin

I’m not even sure what PB & J really means, but I’ve heard through the grapevine (I.e. various American television shows) that this is the ultimate American snack. Just as Australians flock to a grilled cheese and Vegemite sandwich: If you wave this around hard enough, you will soon have a room filled with patriotic Americans. One might even say my PB & J brings all the girls to the yard, even.

Or, for the ultimate flavour (ed. note: flavor) experience, skip the bread all together and take the spread straight from the jar. This also works with cookie butter. (What is cookie butter? Who’s to say for sure.)


A Canadian in a flawless and subtle American disguise

A Canadian in a flawless and subtle American disguise

2. American apparel but not like the morally questionable clothing company

The first time I went to Disneyland, I was so in awe of everything that I nearly cried from excitement; but the first time I visited Target was more wonderful than even the prospect of having a picture with a sweaty man in a mouse suit. There were bright lights! It smelled like a sterile hospital! There was alcohol!

But more exciting than anything else, was the amount of American labeled regalia on offer: t-shirts, tank tops, hats, socks, bathers, flags. That shit was everywhere! Dressing from head to toe in blue, red and white should be as easy as apple pie.


This could be you!

This could be you!

3. Get slapped by a paddle

I’ve heard everything is Beta in a frat. (ed note: wow) We don’t get the typical college experience at home; that is, we have a severe lack of fraternity parties, plastic red cups, beer pong or anything else that was included in the American Pie trilogy (which we all know is an authentic study on the pubescent teens of the United States of America).

My only natural conclusion from films like Pitch Perfect, Road Trip, Clueless and High School Musical is that the pinnacle of life is joining a fraternity. Who doesn’t want mysterious initiation rituals and outrageous parties?!


america

4. Light shit on fire (safely)

Johnny Cash wrote a song about his burning ring of fire (which I’m sure warranted medical attention, rather than anything else). The point is, America love their flames. And loud noises. If it goes BANG, then you’re onto a winner.

So invite all your queer friends and that girl you have a crush on over to your house and start collecting fireworks, firecrackers, sparklers and matches; empty out the washing machine and use the drum to make a bonfire so you can feel the burn baby burn. I bet you could even get that girl to cuddle with you.


suburbs-barbecue-57-swscan04879-copy

5. Throw a shrimp on the barbie

I was talking to a friend, when I mentioned I was a vegetarian. I’m being honest when I say that her first response was “Well, we even throw bell peppers on — so you’ll be okay!”

In addition to my chargrilled vegetables, there should be multitude of meat at your homo-patriotic celebration. Unless you’re a vegetarian, in which case you may want to practice saying, “I’ll be fine with my Tofurkey, thanks” aloud to yourself in the mirror for a while.


Look at these patriotic editors

Look at these #patriotic editors

6. Read Autostraddle posts about America

We write about America a lot because we’ve had a lot of American writers and contributors over the years, including the entire editorial team and also most of our writers. Go read these and feel the American rushing over you:


keg-stand

7. Do a keg stand with a hot girl

Keg stands. Merica is all about the keg stands, as I understand it. I don’t understand how they work in conjunction with gravity, but if Elphaba can defy it, then so can you, brave beer queers.

In addition to shoving one up Newton’s, you will need to consume copious amounts of alcohol before, during and after the actual standing of the keg. Preferably tequila. Or whiskey.


*insert sausage here*

*insert sausage here*

8. July 5th hangover brunch

Denny’s.


president-bey

9. Listen to some American music

You are so lucky that my pal Intern Grace (a real, live American!) and I have put together a fabulous playlist for you, chock-full of classic American feelings.

Hotel California – The Eagles
We Didn’t Start The Fire – Billy Joel
The Way You Make Me Feel – Michael Jackson
Closer To Fine – Indigo Girls
America – Simon and Garfunkel
I Want It That Way – Backstreet Boys
Scream & Shout – Will.I.Am and Britney Spears
Not Ready To Make Nice – Dixie Chicks
Little Red Corvette – Prince
Heartless – Kanye
Run the World (Girls) – Beyonce
American Girl – Bonnie McKee
TKO – Le Tigre
Respect – Aretha Franklin
Are You That Somebody – Aaliyah
Party In The U.S.A. – Miley Cyrus
I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Whitney Houston
9 to 5 – Dolly Parton
Tightrope (Feat. Big Boi) – Janelle Monae
Double Dutch Bus – Raven
Boyfriend – Ashlee Simpson
Surfin’ U.S.A. – The Beach Boys
Born In The U.S.A. – Bruce Springsteen
Oklahoma – Gordon MacRae & Ensemble
Over It – Anneliese van der Pol
La La Land – Demi Lovato


10. Lick an American’s face

face-licker

As if you need an excuse.


My first time was more documented than the signing of the Bill of Rights

My first time was more documented than the signing of the Bill of Rights

BONUS 11. Have s’more

I’ve had s’mores exactly twice in my life, but I dream about those days on an almost weekly basis. Growing up, the ultimate American accomplishment was to taste a s’more; needless to say, it was difficult when you didn’t really know what a graham cracker was. Now that the myth of the cracker has lifted, I can safely say that I’m well and truly a half toasted yank. This is likely the most important item on this list.


All right, patriotic queerdos, let’s talk it out! What else should us non-Americans be doing to celebrate Independence Day? I hope it involves pretending I can only legally get married in 40% of my country!

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Trouble

Cassie "Aussiestraddle" Sercia lives in Melbourne, Australia, but is currently experiencing all that North America has to offer. She is still trying to figure out the eternal mystery that is life but enjoys making films and music. Also, she has seen the entire IMDb Top 250 film list and still pretends to have a life.

Trouble has written 1 article for us.

26 Comments

  1. #crying

    god bless the united states of america. And god bless those non-americans(poor souls)who understand how to turn up like it’s 1776.

    *insert eagle .gif here*

  2. You’re legitimately one of the funniest humans I know and I was tearing up for most of this article. The editor’s notes were also golden.

    but why the fuck do you need the drum of a washing machine to start a bonfire?! I am actually baffled by this idea.

  3. this is the best kind of trouble and hilarious

    also in the last picture i think rebecca is trying to get something out of your hair, i hope that went okay

  4. NO JAMES TAYLOR ON AN AMERICA PLAYLIST??? SACRILEGE. He even has a song called On The 4th of July, which is probably one of my favorite songs ever. o_o

  5. So I’m like super not patriotic and also terrified of fireworks, so 4th of July is like my least favorite holiday BUUUUUT this article just made me unreasonably excited about it.

  6. I was reading this article all confused like. What is a keg stand? Why the upside down writing? Aren’t barbeques an Australian thing? Cookie butter?

    And then I realised that today is basically USA’s version of bonfire night. My favourite time of year, where we celebrate the burning at the stake of a catholic who tried to blow up parliament using the cover name of John Johnson. In commemoration we eat toffee apples and set off fireworks and set light to scarecrows.

    Basically all countries need to have a night that makes no sense whatsoever just to baffle foreigners.

  7. Does your Jeff Goldblum reference mean you’re watching one of the greatest movies ever for July 4th, Jurassic Park?? Because you should be! Happy Merica Day!

  8. This was the first thing I clicked on when I woke up this morning, and I just about died at the “Canadian in a flawless and subtle American disguise”. Thank you, Cassie and Meredith, for the best possible start to my ‘merica day.

  9. I know it’s a Canadian song, but no American Woman by the Guess Who(well you could do the Lenny version, but then it’s a Canadian written song sung by an American)?

    Also no CCR – Born on the Bayou? Really?

  10. CASSIE TROUBLE your name is Cassie trouble this feels very important to me. I love this I love you. Also thank you for bringing this photo of Mer to my attention I didn’t know I needed it until this moment.

  11. Usually this holiday passes on like any other day, but god dang it…I feel the ‘Merican spirit now.

  12. This is making me miss my dear dear dear American friend so much I might need to get on a flight to Texas right now.

Comments are closed.