Why Pride Is More Than Just A Party

Pride season is nearly upon us and naturally this means that excitement is filling the air, rainbows are starting to appear everywhere and even the weather is perking up (here’s hoping I haven’t just jinxed that one).

As each year passes, Pride seems to become more and more widespread throughout the country, with more businesses and shops showing support by selling rainbow themed products and foods. This is made even better when proceeds from these sales are donated to LGBTQ+ based charities to really make a difference to those who need the help. It’s all good donning Pride flags, but if you’re a big business and want to show your support, then there’s plenty of LGBTQ+ related charities and organisations that could do with your help. Recently, Disney have released their own ‘Pride collection’ with a small donation from the sales going to a Diversity Role Models charity. It’s a small step but it’s still needed and appreciated.

This year’s London Pride will take place on the 6^th July where the march for equality happens throughout Central London as well as a vibrant and colourful day of music and events in the bustling Trafalgar Square.

With Pride’s ever-growing popularity and the emphasis on the importance of inclusion, more and more people are attending Pride celebrations across the country, which is obviously remarkable, because the more people standing together for equality, the better. However, it is also important to remember the real reasons Pride exists and why it isn’t just an excuse for people to gather in the sunshine and get drunk with their friends.

Despite living in 2019 and in an apparent “woke” world, it is so evident that Pride and the fight for equality is still needed. Unfortunately, homophobia and violence against LGBTQ+ people is still so real and just because it may not be happening under your eyes, it doesn’t mean it’s not real. From Brunei’s recent cruel and inhumane “gay death penalty” where LGBTQ+ people are living in fear of their lives to the plethora of countries still existing where being gay is seen as a crime and the law of equality does not extend to or include those in the LGBTQ+ community. Closer to home in the UK, we’re still finding ourselves facing homophobia through many forms. For example, we’re facing protests from some parents against their children’s schools teaching about LGBTQ+ equality. Let that sink in for a moment: people are opposing the idea of their children being taught about equality because they’re scared it’ll make their child gay. The suicide rates amongst those in the LGBTQ+ community are staggering as people feel oppressed, shunned or rejected from many different people in society: even within their own families.

To some people, Pride is just a fun summers day out in the city, where they can drink and check out some acts gracing the stage in Trafalgar Square and the truth is: this is only a small part of what Pride is about. Pride doesn’t just start and finish on that day or during summer. Pride and the fight for equality goes above and beyond one day. For many of us; we’re fighting every day. Marches, campaigning, spreading awareness and raising money, happen around the world as the fight against inequality continues.

So, if you’re not a part of the LGBTQ+ and want to come to Pride to support your LGBTQ+ friends or even to just show your support and have a good day then feel free. But don’t just stop your support there. In our fight for equal rights – we need our allies on our side, fighting with us. Please remember this when you’re at Pride this year. Please remember that we still have a long way to go in the fight against inequality but with the right help and education – we could be a step closer to feeling accepted and without living in fear.