London Pride 2017

So this year I took part in being part of London pride. It was an extra special parade because it was the 50th anniversary since the decriminalisation of homosexuality. I’ve been to pride events before but have never taken part in the parade. From the 5:30am wake up call to the ending up back home ready to collapse into a coma, every second was amazing.

People who have never been to a pride event have this image in their head that it just time for the LGBTQ community to get together, get drunk and have sex. And yes some that is what some people go for. But the majority of whom turned up were there to celebrate being who they want and to be free to love who they want. Being part of the parade yesterday had an overwhelming emotional impact on myself and others who were with me.

The atmosphere yesterday was incredible. The amount of support that is out there for LGBTQ community is so overwhelming. My emotions yesterday were like a roller-coaster from being excited, nervous and extremely tired. It was all worth it. The parade itself was incredible.

For the first time in a long time I actually felt like I fitted in. I saw and met so many different people, from different walks of life who each day are fighting for equality and to be accepted for who they are. The crowd were absolutely incredible. I have never seen so many people turn up for an event. So many businesses turned out to show their support and we are so fortunate to be in a country where companies celebrate equality and diversity in the work place.

Once the parade was over me and the rest of our team were ready for a nice cold drink. Once that was over we headed over to Soho and the street party there was amazing. Hundreds of people just out in the street celebrating pride. Didn’t stop us from all having a good dance in the street and yes I was guilty of slut dropping. From there headed back to the bar and the celebration continued long into the night.

20 hours on my feet, 23,000 thousand steps and a dozen slut drops later I was back home, in bed and looking like a drumstick lollipop. (Thanks to the sunburn) I was finally ready for my bed.

Waking up today and reflecting on yesterday. We are so lucky to be in a country where 50 years ago being homosexual was a crime. We as a society have evolved so much where men can marry men, women can marry women, same sex couples can adopt, a man can be a woman, and a woman can be a man. We are free to love who we want. Being part of the parade yesterday made me realise that I am not alone and no one should be. All we have to remember is that Love is Love.