After the write off that was 2020, celebrating Pride this year feels particularly important. Not just important in fact, but VITAL. 

Now more than ever, the community needs you to be visible, loud, proud, united and, most importantly, SAFE. 

Over the past year we have seen horrific honour killings in Iran, the rounding up and torture of LGBTQ+ people in Chechnya, more violence than ever against trans people of colour and attempts to bar trans kids from playing teen sports in the US.

These are just a few of the hardships that make Pride all the more important. Discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community all over the world is rife and we will be taking a closer look throughout the month of June. 

All service industries are struggling since the COVID outbreak, none more so than the LGBTQ+ safe spaces and venues (your local gay bar, drag shows, indies etc). They all so desperately need you to put your money where it counts so we can preserve these vital spots where queer people can simply go and be themselves.

The impact lockdown placed on mental health within the community has been dramatic and allowed to deteriorate unchecked. The statistics are alarming so there has never been a more important time to BE a community – to listen and to reach out, to see and be seen.

There is so much to be celebrated (and we sure will) but let’s all remember that the rights and equalities we may have were hard earned and, in a lot of places the world over, any rights or equalities are a long way away. 

Let’s make 2021 the year we all tell the world that #LoveWins.

Love is why we celebrate.