Maybe too, from my perspective, I live Pride every day of my life – I live the rainbow. As an “out” transgender woman I feel Pride Month is a multi-coloured beacon that beams brightest in June every year, shining on everyone, ensuring in this month that the message of simple acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community is clearly illuminated to all.
For me though, the rainbow-coloured light should never go out.
The celebration of Pride Month every year gives a vital high profile and visual and audible recognition of the struggles of those before us. Not least the Stonewall riots in 1969 in Greenwich Village New York, and of those around the world still fighting against the odds, and often against their own governments, to gain their rights as LBGTQ+ humans.
Pride Month is a chance for anyone and everyone to recognise the importance to the soul, the spirit, and our mental health of self-affirmation, the dignity in being oneself and the equality so hard fought for.
The whole month is festooned with the rainbow flag and hashtag #pride or #lgtbq on virtually every social channel and website – even on gov.uk. Of course, in non-pandemic times Pride Month is marked by events and parades - a chance to celebrate Pride with those in the community and with allies who wish the community nothing but love and acceptance.
Like so many things however, Pride events have become another casualty of the current situation; let us hope the parades in the height of summer can still go ahead.
The fact remains that in some countries, being gay, lesbian, transgender or anywhere on our rainbow spectrum is illegal – as if ones’ sexuality or gender identity is a poisonous lifestyle choice.
In many countries being openly LGBTQ+ is extremely challenging due to entrenched societal beliefs, often couched in the guise of religious conviction. In my view, this makes any opportunity to shine that rainbow torch around the world, as we do in Pride Month, an opportunity to be treasured and magnified. The message of acceptance and love is one that should be a mantra for mankind. Not only for the LGBTQ+ rights but for overcoming all prejudice and bigotry of all kinds.
My social enterprise Charitable Travel “goes #rainbow” in June every year, which happily is not uncommon in the UK. We see civil society, private enterprise, and government mark Pride Month with outwards signs of commemoration for thirty days – the marketers and website folks go crazy for the rainbow.
I advocate and feel that championing the cause throughout June not only celebrates the progress made in this country, but stands in protest of unacceptable attitudes adopted in destinations across the globe. I wouldn’t advocate brands being rainbow every day of the year, but like many memorial days and festivals, we need to ensure we are considering the meaning and purpose of why we do what we do in Pride Month.
For Christians, many might say the true meaning behind Lent, Easter or All Hallows Eve has been forgotten. For Pride Month, I would also ask - have we forgotten the protest whilst we party? Have we forgotten the purpose in the parade? Have we lost the opportunity for the power of Pride to change, to influence, to grow acceptance beyond our borders?
The importance of the protest, the cause and the Pride Movement to marginalised people around the world isn’t something just for June. It is a critical need that the LGBTQ+ community and our allies must champion year round.
Let us wave the rainbow flag in words, actions and deeds year-round, protecting the spirit of the Stonewall riots to overcome intolerance, injustice and a lack of freedom to be one’s authentic self, wherever it is found.
Melissa Tilling is chief executive and and founder of Charitable Travel
