Why Pride is still needed:
Why Pride is still needed:
LGBTQ+ people can still experience bullying, harassment, discrimination, rejection from family, hate crime and hostility simply for being who they are. Trans people in particular are currently at the centre of intense public and political debate, and young LGBTQ+ people can grow up hearing that their identity is something shameful, controversial or unacceptable.
Pride is therefore about more than celebration. It is about visibility, community, remembrance and the freedom to exist without fear. It remembers people who fought for rights that many now take for granted, honours those who suffered or died because of prejudice, and gives isolated people a chance to see that they are not alone.
Supporting Pride also doesn't require everyone to have identical beliefs about every issue involving sex, gender, sexuality or policy. People can disagree respectfully on difficult questions while still agreeing that nobody should be bullied, threatened, abused or dehumanised.
Ultimately, Pride will remain relevant for as long as people are made to feel unsafe, ashamed or lesser because of who they are or who they love. The goal isn't special treatment — it's being able to live an ordinary life with the same dignity, safety and respect as everyone else.
Sarah Wingfield ❤️
