What does Pride mean to you?

To mark Pride month, some of our Pride network members reflect on what Pride means to them.

"At its core, I think Pride is a rejection of the concept that anyone's identity is inherently shameful. Shame has long been used as a tactic to oppress marginalised communities. Pride as a movement is a direct response to this and it should be no surprise that many of the people instrumental in its origins were people belonging to multiple marginalised groups, such as trans women and people of colour. Pride for me is about honouring the spirit of those origins and not letting the efforts of our predecessors go to waste. It's about community and connection and celebrating our differences as much as our common ground. It's about being visible, because sometimes all people need is to know they're not alone. It's about joy. And it's about hope. And sometimes, it's about watching Xena: Warrior Princess and screaming "THEY LOVE EACH OTHER!" to a room full of cats." Fiona Mackellar

"For me, Pride is about acceptance: accepting yourself and others for who they really are and being proudly and unapologetically yourself regardless of what others may think. Pride is a sense of belonging and a celebration of being part of a vibrant and diverse community that favours love and respect over division and that celebrates difference and individuality. Pride is also about reflection: reflecting on the mistakes of the past; the progress that we've made; and remembering that things do get better. Pride is about remembering the past whilst vowing to do better in the future and committing to making a difference for those around us as we seek the equality that we all deserve." Jordon Reid, Pride network chair

"Pride is the opportunity to both celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and to reflect on life as a member of the community today. It is a chance to be proud of the progress that has been made. I am grateful for the society that I have grown up in which the community has fought for in the past. It is exciting to have grown up during a time when gay marriage was legalised and even I have noticed a greater feeling of acceptance. It's great that LGBTQ+ culture is coming into the mainstream. Pride is a reminder to be proud of who you are. It is also a chance to think about progress that is still needed. Discrimination exists and prejudices have not disappeared. Wider societal acceptance and understanding is not felt equally across the community. It is an important time to give voice to those in the community who are still unrepresented." Gregor Murphy

"For me, Pride means freedom - freedom of expression, freedom to be, freedom to love my wife openly and without apology. It means that the actions of those who fought and continue to fight for the rights of the community to exist openly have not been in vain. It's that lump in my throat when I really stop to reflect on my own journey and that even bigger lump in my throat when I think about the work that's still to be done to make the world a more equal one for everyone. Pride is knowing that you're not alone and that you have a place, no matter whether or where you fall on the rainbow." Kendra Richardson