Published on: July 3, 2020
2020 has witnessed a milestone for LGBTQ+ rights within the United Kingdom (UK). As of January 2020, same-sex marriage is legal across all parts of the UK, starting in March 2014 with England and Wales, followed by Scotland in December of the same year. Finalising in January 2020 in Northern Ireland, with the first same-sex marriage there taking place on the 11/02/2020.
1970 was a key moment in LGBTQ+ history, with activists from Black power, feminist and gay liberation movements coming together for a common cause, the fight for equality and against police brutality. The Stonewall uprising took place at the Stonewall inn in New York City, the Stonewall inn is still open to this day becoming a LGBTQ+ hotspot as well as a tourist destination. With many people visiting the Inn annually. The Stonewall riots started with a raid in the early hours of the morning, followed by three nights of tension between the police and themselves. Frustrated with police brutality they fought back, kick-starting the beginning of LGBTQ+ pride and freedom.
Lesbians, Gay men, Drag Queens and Trans people of colour were some of the key people involved in the resistance and actively fought back. Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera and Storme Delarverie to mention a few stood together in defiance of those who wished to divide them.
Marsha P. Johnson, a black transwomen is known for her courage in leading the defence of the Stonewall Inn against police brutality, triggering what would become the start of LGBTQ+ acceptance and equality and a key moment in its history.
2020 has been an uncertain year filled with cancellations and events being postponed worldwide. London pride was one of the many events to be affected by COVID19. Preventing thousands of people from attending the world renowned event.
The Pride Parade is followed by a celebration, with stages filled with music and dancing, boasting celebrities and stars flocking to preform.
In 2019 we saw stars such as the American Broadway performer Billy Porter who headlined the event that took place in Trafalgar Square. Porter was joined by over 100 other performers such as RuPual’s Drag Race legend Willam and Eurovision and X Factor star Saara Aalto. Pride is a place for people to come together and strengthen their voice and impact as well as a time to celebrate.
This Year we celebrated #PrideInside where people were sharing their own individual way of celebrating pride.
There is also a Black Pride, a place for Allies and BAME LGBTQ+ people. Celebrating queer people of Caribbean, middle eastern, African, Asian and Latin American descent. This event also starts with a march and boasts a series of amazing entertainers and DJs.
“According to research conducted by Stonewall, more than half of BAME LGBT people (51%) face discrimination within the LGBT community. Not only does the event amplify the voices and rich history of people of colour but gives people the chance to celebrate their culture and the challenges in a world of white privilege.
Although Pride is a place to celebrate, feel empowered and acceptance without exception, this is not always the case. When the event begins to end many people especially Queer young people begin to wipe off their rainbows and hide their pride flags in their bags out of fear of being attacked and/or targeted on their way home from the event. This is the sad reality many LGBTQ+ people experience on a daily basis alongside the fear of being “Outed” – (This is when someone deliberately or unintentionally discloses others sexual orientation/Identity without permission.)
Young people matter to us and we actively strive for change and encourage them to be their most authentic selves without judgement or questions.
We at Compass support, empower and champion our young people regardless of Sex, Gender, Creed, Race or sexual orientation.