THEGAYUK

Category: Pride

  • When is Pride Month in the UK?

    When is Pride Month in the UK?

    Across the world, June has become known as Pride month, but is June Pride Month in the UK?

    When is Pride Month in the UK?

    Pride Month stemmed from the US, which has been adopted more widely across the world, but in reality, there are many Pride months across the globe. For instance, Sydney Mardi Gras, Australia’s biggest pride takes place in February (although they do have a Pride festival in June) and here in the UK, there isn’t such thing as one month for Pride.

    In the US most prides happen in the month of June to coincide with the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, in the UK however things are a little more spread out with more and more county, city and town prides becoming available.

    There are over 150 pride events in the UK alone and they start in Feb with the last (outside Winter Pride) in September. So Pride month in the UK is better described as Pride Half Year!

    Want to know more about prides, see our entire collection of Pride articles here. Want to shop for Pride Merchandise, visit our partner retailer, THE PRIDE SHOP.

  • Here’s why you shouldn’t buy Rainbow Flags on the street at Pride

    Here’s why you shouldn’t buy Rainbow Flags on the street at Pride

    Pride season is well underway here in the UK – and you’ll notice that street peddlers are selling rainbow merch, but before you buy anything from them, here’s why you shouldn’t

    rihaij / Pixabay

    They don’t support the local pride

    More often than not the street peddlers (not the sellers inside the pride event) don’t support the pride events at which they are selling at. None of that money they take goes back into supporting the pride or local LGBT+ charities. Not a penny. They pay an incredibly small sum of money to the government for a license which allows them to pop up all over the country. None of that money goes back into Pride.

    Pride stalls pay the prides

    Sellers and organisations who are at pride events officially pay the pride to be there. This means that their pitch fee has gone into helping maintain that pride. It’s a vital revenue raiser for pride. Let’s support the official retailers and sellers, rather than those who are just profiteering off the pride movement.

    Over priced

    Swindon and Wiltshire Pride 2015

    At one pride we heard that street peddlers were selling Rainbow pride flags for £10 to £20 (in London!)- which is a complete rip-off, especially when inside the Pride stalls area you’re likely to find rainbow flags going on sale much less than that.

    Don’t pay their over inflated prices! Better still why not go online first and get yourself a bargain! You can order all sorts of pride flags from our retail partner, THEPRIDESHOP.co.uk.

    They don’t have the range

    TuendeBede / Pixabay

    It’s all rainbow – and as pretty as that is if you don’t see your identity represented there’s the issue of erasure. Bisexuals, pansexuals, trans, asexual and non-binary people matter too. So check out inside the pride for a proper LGBT+ stall that will sell the full range of LGBT+ flags.

    Not members of the LGBT+ community

    Whilst we’re at it, wouldn’t it be great if Pride was a time to support LGBT+ and queer companies. The corporate world is on full jump on the pride bandwagon at the moment, which on one hand is a positive step, but don’t forget to support your queer business family. Those gift and merchandise sellers inside pride parks and event spaces are usually owned and operated by LGBT+ people. Show them your love this pride season.

  • This school in Cornwall is set to become the first in the UK to play host to a Pride

    This school in Cornwall is set to become the first in the UK to play host to a Pride

    In stark contrast to scenes elsewhere in the UK, one Cornwall School is set to play host to a Pride event this Friday.

     

    (C) GOOGLE MAPS

    Helston school in Cornwall will become the first school in the UK to host a pride event when the world famous Cornwall Pride tour makes a stop there on Friday morning.

     

    The Pride will be a stark contrast to scenes elsewhere in the UK, where some parents have been protesting the inclusion of LGBT+ acceptance and tolerance lessons.

    The Cornwall Pride tour will be stopping at 11 AM at Helston school and is described by Matthew Kenworthy-Gomes, the chairperson of Cornwall Pride as something “positive” in contrast to the protests and legal battles seen in Birmingham in recent months, “It really is a great positive news story” he added.

    He continued, “With the support of First Kernow (our regional bus service). We are taking two double-decker busses, packed full of amazing people representing different; charities, organizations, sponsors and partners. Each to support, represent and bring Pride to 18 towns in Cornwall over the two days! With the largest PRIDE FLAG in the UK!!”

    Where is the Cornwall Pride tour stopping off?

    On Friday, 21st June the tour will be stopping at

    Falmouth, Prince Charles Pier 9.50 AM

    Helston School, 11 AM

    Porthleven, The Green, 11.55 AM

    Penzance, Promenade, 12.45 PM

    St Ives Harbour Beach, 1.55 PM

    Hayle, Spar Shop, 2.55 PM

    Cambrone, Commerical Square, 3.30 PM

    Redruth, Fore Street, 4.15 PM

    Truro, Piazza, 5.05 PM

     

    On Saturday 22nd June

    Padstow Harbour, 10 AM

    Wadebridge, John Betjeman Centre, 11.05 AM

    Bodmin, Shire Hall, 11.05 AM

    Launceston, Castle, 12.55 PM

    Callington, Saltash Road Playing Field, 2.05 PM

    Saltash, Pier Old Ferry Roady, 2.50 PM

    Liskeard, Town Centre, 4 PM

    Lostwithiel, King George Field, 5.05 OM

    St Austell TBC

  • Cornwall Pride’s world famous Pride Tour is happening again this weekend

    Cornwall Pride’s world famous Pride Tour is happening again this weekend

    Cornwall Pride’s world famous Pride tour is happening again this weekend,  this is where the tour will be stopping and where you can join in with the celebrations.

    This weekend, look out for Cornwall Pride‘s tour bus as it weaves its way around the entirety of Cornwall, bringing pride to the people of Cornwall.

    The tour, which is the first of its kind anywhere in the world, is going to be bigger and larger than last year’s tour and is spread over two days.

    The tour will be taking in 18 towns across Cornwall over the two days – with plenty of time to get involved with the activities and festivities.

    There will be two mini pride events on the Friday in Truro, Cornwall and on Saturday afternoon in Saint Austell.

    Where is the Cornwall Pride tour stopping off?

    On Friday, 21st June the tour will be stopping at

    Falmouth, Prince Charles Pier 9.50 AM

    Helston School, 11 AM

    Porthleven, The Green, 11.55 AM

    Penzance, Promenade, 12.45 PM

    St Ives Harbour Beach, 1.55 PM

    Hayle, Spar Shop, 2.55 PM

    Cambrone, Commerical Square, 3.30 PM

    Redruth, Fore Street, 4.15 PM

    Truro, Piazza, 5.05 PM

    On Saturday 22nd June

    Padstow Harbour, 10 AM

    Wadebridge, John Betjeman Centre, 11.05 AM

    Bodmin, Shire Hall, 11.05 AM

    Launceston, Castle, 12.55 PM

    Callington, Saltash Road Playing Field, 2.05 PM

    Saltash, Pier Old Ferry Roady, 2.50 PM

    Liskeard, Town Centre, 4 PM

    Lostwithiel, King George Field, 5.05 OM

    St Austell TBC

  • This ferry company is flying the Rainbow flag for Pride this week

    This ferry company is flying the Rainbow flag for Pride this week

    Ferry operator, DFDS is flying the Rainbow Flag to celebrate Pride taking place in Holland this week.

    Dated: 29/07/2018
    The Pride rainbow flag being flown on board the DFDS King Seaways in North Shields, North Tyneside

    In support of Gay Pride celebrations taking place in Holland this week, award-winning ferry operator DFDS joined in with festivities by flying the rainbow flag on its sailing from Newcastle to Amsterdam, yesterday afternoon.

    Coinciding with the first weekend of Amsterdam’s Gay Pride, the flag which is measured at 5ft by 3ft was yesterday flown on the ferry operator’s King Seaways ship as it departed Newcastle for Amsterdam.

    Princess Seaways mirrored celebrations on its sailing from Amsterdam to Newcastle and both flags will remain in place throughout the week, during which Amsterdam’s Gay Pride will continue until Sunday 5 August.

    Tuen-Wim Leene, Newcastle-Amsterdam Route Director said: “Flying the rainbow flag is our way of showing support for the LGBTQ communities both in Amsterdam and of course here in the UK.

    “With the peak summer travel season kicking off this weekend, we felt this was the perfect opportunity to encourage our passengers visiting Amsterdam, to join us in wishing those celebrating, a very happy Pride!”

    DFDS operates daily sailings between Newcastle-Amsterdam from £72 per person each way for a car and two people, including an en suite cabin.

    Dated: 29/07/2018
    The Pride rainbow flag being flown on board the DFDS King Seaways in North Shields, North Tyneside by Kim Justesen F&B BL (left) and Captain Flemmimg Langballe (right)

    During the crossing, passengers can enjoy new film screenings in one of the two on board cinemas, explore the extensive shopping facilities, relax in one of the four bars and enjoy live entertainment in the evenings. Children can enjoy the Kids Club and for older children there’s a games room.

    DFDS recently refreshed its dining options on the route, with two new restaurants to choose from, including the Explorer’s Kitchen for international cuisine and the North Sea Bistro for à-la-carte fine dining and sommelier-trained waiters to help pick the perfect wine to accompany any meal.

    For more information or to book a crossing visit: www.dfds.co.uk

  • 20 quotes that celebrate LGBT love

    20 quotes that celebrate LGBT love

    After all, Love Is Love right?

    (C) BIGSTOCK

    Whether you’re homo, bi, pan, trans, ace or another of our beautiful community, we all deserve love. Here are five of our absolute favourite quotes about love.

    Some of these quotes may not have been said directly about same-sex loving, but we think their message transcends gender or biological sex or sexuality.

    “Where there is love, there is life” – Mahatma Gandhi.

    “The only queer people are those who don’t love anybody.” – Rita Mae Brown

    “Why is it that, as a culture, we are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns than holding hands?” – Author Ernest J. Gaines

    “I think being gay is a blessing, and it’s something I am thankful for every single day.” – Anderson Cooper

    “Being gay is natural. Hating gay is a lifestyle choice.” – John Fugelsang

    “At some point in our lifetime, gay marriage won’t be an issue, and everyone who stood against this civil right will look as outdated as George Wallace standing on the school steps keeping James Hood from entering the University of Alabama because he was black.” – George Clooney

    “Don’t hide behind the Constitution or the Bible. If you’re against gay marriage, just be honest, put a scarlet ‘H’ on your shirt, and say, “I am a homophobe!” – Henry Rollins

    My thoughts on gay marriage are that everyone has the right to love and be loved, and that’s the position I take.” – Nick Jonas

    “We should indeed keep calm in the face of difference, and live our lives in a state of inclusion and wonder at the diversity of humanity.” – George Takei

    “The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.” – Audrey Hepburn

    “Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead.” – Oscar Wilde

    “Love is a terrible thing to hate.” – Anon

    “Love is when he gives you a piece of your soul, that you never knew was missing.” – Torquato Tasso

    “Love Is Love.” – Anon

    “The one thing more powerful than love is the insatiable, on-going and everlasting struggle to ensure its existence.” – Jake Hook

     “Love has no age, no limit; and no death.” – John Galsworthy

    “Love? More of you, less of me-” – Chris Keen

    “When you reduce the world to black and white, you never see rainbows.” – Anon

    “There’s nothing wrong with you. There’s a lot wrong with the world you live in.” – Chris Colfer

    “I’d choose hell over a homophobic heaven.” – Desmond Tutu

  • What is that Focus sign by the Thames and Tower Bridge?

    If you’ve walked past the massive FOCUS sign on the Thames and wondered what it was, we’ve got the answer.

    What is that Focus sign by the Thames and Tower Bridge?

    It’s an Artifical Intelligence, interactive art piece. The installation’s interactive letters, spelling F-O-C-U-S, use artificial intelligence to interact with visitors and passers-by to discover and highlight their interests or passions.

    Once determined, these passions are displayed across 540 LED video tiles embedded in the six meters high, 30m long structure, alongside a video edit of the experience uploaded to Facebook to share.

    It took approximately 200 hours to train the AI programme to ‘understand’ and respond to users, and it is able to converse in four languages, with London the second stop on a five-leg European City tour. Standing at six-metres high, the 20-tonne structure took over 6,000 hours to fabricate.

    “The Ford Focus has an extensive fan base, coming from nearly two million customers over 20 years,” said Andy Barratt, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director.  “Those in London over one of its busiest weekends can celebrate the arrival of the 2018 Ford Focus by sharing their passions via our giant F-O-C-U-S letters.”

    Ford will be supporting Pride Festival during the switch-on moment and throughout the weekend, displaying the Pride flag across the installation, as well as unfurling the St George’s flag on Saturday ahead of England’s quarterfinal World Cup fixture.

    Edmund Rogers from Ford’s GLOBE group, an employee resource group for sexual orientation and gender identity commented, “Ford has a strong history of supporting LGBT rights, and Pride, so we’re very proud to be flying the flag in support of Pride 2018.”

    The installation is open to the public until 8th July, supported by a range of new Focus vehicles, allowing people to explore the technology on offer in the new Ford Focus.

  • This is how you can make your very own PRIDE smoothie

    Having trouble getting enough fibre in your diet, here’s a super colourful way to do it

    We love a smoothie – and not just a Steve with the dreamy eyes and pecs you can nestle in. We love the type you can drink too. Now you can rainbow that smoothie up with this exclusive recipe, brought to you by the World Avocado Organization (WAO).

    Here’s what you’ll need

    Ingredients:

    • 2 tbsp acai powder
    • 1 litre almond milk
    • 1 pear
    • 150g spinach
    • ½ avocado
    • ½ mango
    • 75g strawberries
    • 75g raspberries
    • 4 bananas
    • 150g blueberries

    Method:

    Create each layer and store separately in the freezer for 5 minutes allowing them to settle:

    Purple: Place half a banana into the blender, add two tablespoons of acai powder, cover with almond milk and blend
    Blue: Blend together the blueberries and pear
    Green: Blend the spinach and avocado with almond milk
    Yellow: Break up two bananas into the blender, cover with almond milk and blend
    Orange: Peel and cut up an orange with half a mango, add one banana and blend with almond milk
    Pink: Add strawberries and raspberries with half a banana, cover with almond milk and blend

    Pour an equal amount of each smoothie carefully on top of one another into a highball glass – your smoothie is complete!

     

  • Stop everything M&S has a RAINBOW sandwich and its donating £10,000 to Prides

    We want, we want.

    Highstreet giant, Marks and Spencer are donating £10,000 to a number of local pride events across the UK – and have launched this delish looking rainbow sandwich.

    Giving directly to local prides, Marks and Spencer is launching their special Rainbow sandwich, which is vegan-friendly. The Roasted Rainbow Veg Sandwich is packed full of avocado and chilli squash on red pepper bread. Nom nom nom.

    And it counts as one of your five a day and only 311 calories. Win win.

    Priced at £2.50 and in stores now.

  • The cast of Aladdin in London just released this heartwarming pride message

    “Validation, freedom and love”


    The cast of Aladdin at the Prince Edward Theatre in the heart of London’s gay scene has released a beautiful video about what Pride means to them.

    Aladdin will be performing at the opening of Pride, ahead of this Disney have created a video featuring the West End cast of Aladdin talking about what Pride means to them.

     

  • The UK’s (possibly the world’s) first touring pride is happening in Cornwall

    The UK’s (possibly the world’s) first touring pride is happening in Cornwall

    If you can’t get to pride – Pride will come to you.

    Organisers of have created an ingenious way of ensuring anybody and everybody who wants to get involved with a pride in their county, but can’t make to one central location, can now do so, because this pride is going on tour (and there’ll be drag queens – squeal!) It’s been called a pop-up pride and a flash pride.

    The tour bus will be stopping off in 11 different locations on one day, the 23rd June. The stop offs include: Wadebridge 10:05 AM, Launceston 11.15 AM, Bodmin 12:35 PM, St Austell 13:55 PM, Truro 15:15 PM, Falmouth 16:30 PM, Heartlands 17:55 PM, Hayle 18:55 PM, Marazion 19:40 PM, Penzance 20:15 PM,  Newquay 21:55 PM.

    10.05 Wadebridge – Camel Trail nr. Lidl
    11.15 Launceston – Launceston Castle
    12.35 Bodmin – Town Council Court
    13.55 St Austell – White River Place nr. the Cinema
    15.15 Truro – Outside Hall for Cornwall
    16.30 Falmouth – Prince of Wales Pier
    17.55 Pool – Heartlands, outside the engine house nr. Red River Cafe
    18.55 Hayle – Penpol Creak. Park outside Spar
    19.40 Marazion – The Station House
    20.15 Penzance – Harbour
    21.55 Newquay – Killacourt

    The event is being called, Come Out For Cornwall and will take place on Saturday 23rd June 2018 and will be a celebration of being proud to be you as we travel throughout Cornwall in our ‘Pride Bus for the day’, visiting most of the major towns to spread the word about Pride and what it means as well as enforcing the message that Cornwall is an inclusive and accepting place to live work and visit, no matter who you are. To find out more click here.