My Pride Experience

Although Pride in person can't go ahead this year due to lockdown and social distancing, I thought I would share my first time at pride and some information on why we have pride.

The first official UK Gay Pride Rally was July 1979, and my first Pride was in 2017 at Liverpool Pride. It is an annual event that creates a sense of community and belonging for people who may feel excluded, as the LGBTQ+ community are often rejected or attacked for expressing their true selves.

At pride I definitely felt accepted! Everyone was so friendly and chatty, making my friend and I feel welcome. They also encouraged us to take part in activities such as letter writing, dancing and soap modelling. Yes, soap modelling. There was a LUSH stand showing their support and allowing you to use bars of their soap to make models. 

Which brings me onto my next point. Pride parades usually happen in cities meaning that if you didn’t want to pay the extreme prices of the in event food vendors, you could go out to buy something.

Take a friend, not only to share the experience with but also for safety. Pride is very busy, filled with both attendees and passers by so it easy to become disorientated. Having a friend with you can provide reassurance as you will have someone to go there with and someone to make sure you get home. 

If you have a backpack with you it will get searched on entry and exit as well as when you are going towards the main stage. This is for everyone's safety but it can be time consuming and nerve racking. So if you can go without a backpack it will be easier.

It is just a really good experience! It reminds you that even though at times you may feel alone there are others who have had similar experiences so know what you are going through. This enables you to talk openly about your feelings, getting and providing support. This will hopefully result in lifelong friends or even just passing pals.

Remember, you are not alone.

Will Post Soon - Josh :)

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