There are few things which tire me out as much as a full day of Pride: that is, marching the long two-hour stretch from Baker Street to Whitehall, followed by waiting around to perform on stage. Yet I do it year in year out, even if this year I found it so tiring that after dinner in Chinatown, this Pink Insider wanted nothing more than to conga-line his way through the throngs of Soho in order to get home. Note to self: do not wear flip flops as there is a distinct risk of being stabbed by broken glass from below and a spikey stilletto from above.
So, why do I keep doing it? Well this quote from a commentor (Joanne in Twickenham) in the Metro newspaper really struck a chord with me:
The reason Pride - which is a celebration of all human sexualities [...] - includes a march as well as the rally is because Pride began as a protest march against intolerance and injustice. Nobody marched for any special rights or privileges. The Gay Rights movement worked towards equality, to bring their rights and their place in society into line with the straight majority.
We're almost there and getting closer every day. The freedoms that I enjoy today were won through blood, legal oppression and police brutality. I honour that struggle every year at Pride, while acknowledging that every human is born able to grow into someone to be proud of.
Hooray to Pride, and to many more to come!
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