Why Pride?
It’s a question I get asked from time to time – “why do you need to have Gay Prides….why can’t we have a Straight Pride?”. A flippant reply to the second part would be that every day is a celebration of straight life; a more considered response to the first requires us to look at the history for LGB&T people.
When I hit my formative teenage years male homosexuality was illegal in theUK, only decriminalised inEnglandandWalesin 1967 a decade after the Wolfenden Report recommended the change. Setting then an age of consent at 21 (for consenting males in private) it was not until 2001 that parity was achieved at 16, via 18 in 1994. (There was no age of consent for gay women until 2001.) Gay men and women and those struggling with gender identity issues were regularly the subject of ridicule in the media and on the streets. Small wonder then that many felt the need to hide their true nature from the world and even from themselves.
The Pride events of the 1970s, 80s and 90s were demonstrations of unity and the demand for equal rights – and bit by bit legislation has been introduced to achieve that legal status. Society’s attitudes here have changed beyond all recognition, although there remain some bastions of dissent to acceptance of diversity & equality for all. But whilst a lot has been achieved we still have a way to go in achieving a truly accepting and safe society for LGB&T people throughout society.
‘Gay’ remains the most common term of abuse amongst school children at both primary and secondary level. Young people are bullied and made to feel small; the term ‘gay’ used against them, irrespective of their sexual orientation. And sadly some young people take their own lives in the face of such bullying – gay or perceived to be gay, it makes no difference to the bullies. Is it any wonder then that it is still very hard for the majority of young LGBorT people to be open about who they are? – and this at the very time in their progression from child to adult when young people should be growing in confidence and self esteem; and developing a true sense of self.
Which is why public visibility is so vital and Pride is an opportunity for that – not just in the large metropolitan areas ofLondon,BirminghamandManchesterbut throughout theUK, including here in Gloucestershire. Prides today are a ‘celebration’ of who we are, of what has been achieved and to remember that there are parts of the world that do not share our freedoms. They are important and they are needed – because ‘WE can’.
After attending their first ever Pride, in Gloucesterlast year, a young person of my acquaintance posted on Facebook that evening “…it was lush”. This year’s Gloucestershire Pride promises to be bigger, better, and even more ‘lush’. So whether you are gay, bi or straight, trans, male or female, whatever your age or ethnic background, enjoy the ‘celebration’ with us.
Robin Agascar MBE
GAY-GLOS