What Pride Month means to you - with Jacob Watson

What does pride month mean to you? 

To me, pride month signifies a global reminder of the historical journey of acceptance that LGBTQ+ people have undertaken. PRIDE is an alliance to show that people should not feel ashamed or judged for who they are or who they love.

Although it is referred to as ‘PRIDE month’, people should always be proud to be themselves. Just as women shouldn’t be remembered for only one month in a year, and historical black figures shouldn’t be restricted to a 30-day remembrance period, LGBTQ+ people shouldn’t be confined to being proud for just the month of June. 

Why do you think it’s important that it’s celebrated? 

A common phrase I hear from people, usually trying to invalidate the purpose of PRIDE, is

‘why do we still need PRIDE when gay people are accepted now?’

Superficially, this statement seems positive, as it acknowledges the need to accept LGBTQ+ people; however, it is a reductive statement that holds a lack of awareness around LGBTQ+ rights across the world. Celebrating PRIDE worldwide acts as a beacon of hope for those in places that persecute and prohibit the right to be who you are. Moreover, some countries still abhorrently have punishments of life imprisonment or the death sentence. 

Whilst it is important to celebrate pride month, it is also important to celebrate it in an appropriate way. Companies can imbue their logos with rainbow colours as a sign of solidarity, which is great, but merely editing a graphic doesn’t embody the holistic meaning of PRIDE. The true meaning surpasses rainbows and glitter (which we all love), and instead comprises true inclusion and acceptance of marginalised groups. Companies can action this by acknowledging the diversity of their employees, contributing to LGBTQ+ charities, disseminating LGBTQ+ newsletters/information, etc.  

How do you think we can tackle stigmas and homophobia? 

Stigma exists in all realms of life; a non-extensive list includes gender, sexuality, race, religion and even health. I believe stigma, especially homophobia and transphobia, emanates from ignorance, and ignorance stems from fear of the unknown. The only real way combat to this is through education.

I think educating both children and adults about how diverse the real world is and the different types of relationships and families that exist will reduce the ignorance and in turn, the fear.  The education and understanding doesn’t stop with LGBTQ+ groups; complete acceptance involves accepting people from all marginalised groups. The latest PRIDE flag (2018) incorporates brown and black stripes to demonstrate that people of all races/ethnicities are included in PRIDE. Additionally, the trans colours are embodied in the flag to encompass a group of people who are often overlooked in LGBTQ+ representation, but are undoubtedly supported by their LGBTQ+ community. Continuous amends to symbols, like the flag, show that everybody is acknowledged and accepted in the LGBTQ+ family and should be PROUD.