“Why we need Pride”

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]f you didn’t already know, LGBTUA+ Pride is both a protest and a celebration. It is a movement against discrimination and violence towards members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*, Undefined, and Asexual queer community and promotes self-affirmation and equal rights of minority groups. It can take the form of many different inclusive events which aims to increase the visibility of the queer community at large and celebrates our diverse sexualities and gender identities that we are usually made to feel ashamed of. Warwick hosted its first “Gay Week” in 1983 which was later renamed “Awareness Week” up until 2009. As the co-ordinator of Pride Week this year, I have been asked why we need such a week, and here’s why.

Living in a cis heteronormative society, being LGBTUA+ (the other) can be an isolating and lonely existence. It is important that the community is visible to show others that they are not alone.

In mainstream media there is a major lack of LGBTUA+ representation, especially for queer people of colour. And when we are represented, we are most often portrayed negatively which propagates many stigmas people hold against us.

We grow up in a culture that tells us we are unnatural and even revolting, reaffirmed again and again in PE changing rooms and at the dinner table. For many of us, these negative feelings and insecurities are incredibly difficult to overcome. Even after I came out, I became anxious to defend and prove myself to my peers. Despite not being heterosexual, we are made to feel scared of appearing anything else, and dismiss those that are less conforming. Up until coming to Warwick, I did not have a group of non-straight friends. With little exposure to similar people, I decided to join Warwick Pride. Making a group of queer friends challenged many ignorant beliefs I held and made me feel more confident in expressing myself. I haven’t looked back since.

All spaces in our society are by default heterosexual, unless explicitly specified otherwise. Even the one local gay bar we have in Coventry is over-run with bigoted straight people. Pride week is a reclamation of the safe space we are repeatedly denied.

From verbal abuse to physical assault and murder in some instances, our struggle is far from over. LGBTUA+ individuals are much more likely to suffer from depression, substance abuse, and experience homelessness in their lifetime.

Pride is not just gathering; it is a protest against an oppressive heteronormative patriarchal society.

Until we achieve real equality and acceptance there will always be a need for Pride.
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Photo: Warwick Pride

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