Pride in Bristol!
'Pride is the way I love myself, and my friends, and embrace queerness in my day-to-day life.'
Bristol Pride is happening this weekend! It's a unique and important event celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and is a great chance to connect people from the city and beyond. Join over 40,000 other people tomorrow, 13 July.
You might be wondering what Pride is, or what you can expect if you plan to go this weekend. So, we got in touch with the Trans Students' Network to find out more. Thank you to Kane Quail for providing the following information and quotes!
What is Pride?
Pride is a protest and a statement from queer people to those who do not respect their rights to exist and live happily. When there are pride marches, it is not only a way to establish a sense of community and companionship, but also a show that queer people exist and will continue to exist even when marginalised.
"As a trans man, Pride is vitally important to let me (and others) know we are not alone, and that trans people, as well as all queer people, exist and have a huge presence in this country. Growing up I did not see that representation in my childhood, or early teenagehood, and so felt incredibly isolated from the rest of the world. Pride establishes dignity, self-respect and comfort for many isolated LGBTQ+ people who may not be able to attend one themselves, as well as those who can. With non-peer-reviewed literature such as the CASS report leading our government to support anti-trans rhetoric and severely limit trans children's ability to flourish and be happy, the visibility and resilience of the queer community are still crucial."
How can I celebrate Pride?
Pride can be celebrated on a small or large scale. Badges signifying your pronouns (even if you are cis), the flag that represents your sexuality or even just the fact of being an LGBTQ+ person are all small but powerful ways to celebrate pride. As much as the Parade is brilliant and fantastic to join, it can be difficult for disabled queer people to participate in, and so pride can be shown from the sidelines if the parade is inaccessable, such as the act of hanging up or holding pride flag. Supporting LGBTQ+ artists and events is a great way to boost their profile and celebrate pride in June months.
How can I find the right Pride event for me?
Usually, large cities or towns near your location will have pride parades in June/July. Some of them may be more accessible than others due to factors like cobbled streets vs tarmac, or even just more consideration for social disabilities like autism.
"As an autistic person myself, coping with parades can be made easier with noise-cancelling headphones, or by ducking out of crowded parts to then rejoin in the parts of the parade that are more sparsely populated. Doing your research is very important before going to Pride, especially if you will be travelling far."
What are some tips to consider when going to a Pride march or other large-scale Pride event?
Bring water, as it is hot! You may also want to bring snacks or food, suncream, all usual things during summer outings. Make sure someone knows where you are and when you're coming home, bring a phone and a portable charger. Bringing friends is always a good idea when going to any large social gathering, especially if you have additional needs.
"I wish I'd known to bring more suncream! It was a very hot day. I'd already known there would be counter-protestors who would hand out homophobic propaganda, but I got a free pen from them and I'm still gay, so I don't think that it worked very well. I wish I'd known how long the day would be and just how many people would be in the parade! Every time we thought we were near the end, there were even more people! It was important to take rests and take advantage of every bench that was free as there is a lot of standing around and walking."
Who can you celebrate Pride with?
Anyone! Straight friends, gay friends, supportive family - if there is space for you to celebrate pride, you should do it. Of course, celebrations are more common amongst groups of queer people, but it is important to acknowledge that just because you may be straight or cis does not mean you cannot support gay rights.
"So far I have only been to one pride in Bristol but it was good. I went with my friends and stuck by them the whole day, and we all ensured that we got home safely. That being said I didn't feel particularly unsafe in Bristol, especially in the centre, and had a great time."
Can I go to Pride alone?
You can, but as with many large-scale group events/parades, we would advise bringing along someone else. Pride can be daunting on your own, and, it is good to have someone else with you for safety.
"I would advise you take someone with you, like a friend or a family member, and remember that you can leave the parade any time you want. If you are overwhelmed or anxious about the crowds, you can take a breather on the sides and rejoin later, or just leave. You are not lesser for feeling anxiety about going to Pride events, and you are just as worthy of celebration - it's just that some of us like to celebrate more quietly, and that is absolutely fine."
Can I celebrate Pride even if I am not ‘out’?
Absolutely. Nobody should be forced to come out just to have pride in themselves, especially if they aren't ready or it threatens their safety.
