The world’s biggest pride flag was revealed in Key West in Florida.
In 2003 Key West was the staging ground for the world’s largest Pride flag, which measured 1.25 miles. It ran the length of Duval Street – 14 blocks to be precise. Duval Street is where most of the island’s gay venues are situated.
The flag was created by the original designer Gilbert Baker who spent three months in Key West assembling the flag. It weighed a massive 3 tons and took about 17600 linear yards of fabric. It took 2000 volunteers to raise the flag in 2003.
Where is the world’s biggest Pride flag now?
The flag has, since 2003, had sections displayed at global events, including the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, and Australia’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. They have been shown internationally in Canada, Sweden, Norway, Germany, England and Australia; and domestically in cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Atlanta.
This brilliant video shows how to sign some important words for the LGBT+ community.
Deaf Direct has produced this video of signs to help everybody speak a little BSL (British Sign Language) this pride season. So if you’ve ever wanted to know how to sign lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer, now’s your chance!
William and Simon, who both ID as gay, explain in the video that here in the UK we use BSL – rather than ASL (American Sign Language).
Here they take you through the way in which you can communicate with people who know BSL.
The words they recreate are:
Lesbian
Gay
Bisexual
Transgender
Queer
Straight
Leather
Bear
Drag
Pride Day
Happy Pride Day
Fabulous
So go learn how to say Happy Pride Day you Fabulous Queers
Having just returned from New York, I can reveal the best airport to fly into from the UK.
After an eight hour flight, the last thing you want to be doing is waiting 2 hours in an arrival queue. andychoinski / Pixabay
When you fly to New York there are two main choices of airport to fly into, the famous JFK which is actually in the State of New York or Newark Liberty International Airport which is actually in New Jersey, one State over. Despite this, getting into Manhattan from both airports is easy and takes around the same amount of time. So which are you best off flying into?
My last trip to New York, I opted to fly into John F. Kennedy International Airport – having previously only flown into Newark. It was a mistake. Despite the heritage of JFK and its incredible structures, like the old TWA terminal, the arrivals queues are long – very long.
As I already had an ESTA I opted for the re-entry queue, which on the face of it looked short, but in reality, there was just ONE officer, who was stressed, to say the least, checking everybody’s passports, including US citizens, reentry ESTA visitors, Armed Forces and diplomats. Except, the last two got priority over everyone already standing in line. It took me over two hours to get through to baggage claim from the door of the aircraft.
My partner who was travelling with me, who didn’t have a previously used ESTA had to use the main line. It took him 30 minutes longer. So in total, we had to wait two and half hours in queues before we even reached the arrivals’ hall.
You can check peak times and queue wait times at the AWT website. Skitterphoto / Pixabay
Perhaps this was a off day, however speaking to a representative from the airline at baggage claim, she confided that sometimes the lines were even longer – with an extra 45 minutes wait time.
Of course, it all depends on the time of your arrival. Many of the inbound flights from the UK arrive later in the day, which could account for the backlog. According to AWT, which calculates wait times at US airports, the busiest time in terms of passengers happens around 1 PM, 7 PM and 10.00 PM.
I have flown into Newark a few times and never experience this kind of queue. So in my opinion, I’d opt for Newark in New Jersey from now on.
In Part two of Simon Sayers-Franklin’s Pride series, he explores the origins of Pride at the Stonewall riots and why we fly our Rainbow Flag!
How Did Pride Begin?
Pride originated on 28th June 1969. Back then police raids on gay bars, like the Stonewall Inn, were common. The authorities would come in, push people around, display violence, intimidate, bully and randomly arrest people. The arrests were frequently made for tiny, inconsequential things such as drag queens wearing more than one or two items of ladies clothing or being caught in compromising positions.
Often the bars, which were largely owned by the Mafia, would bribe the police to tip them off when raids were due to occur. The gay bars would often have two rooms – a bar in the front and a dance floor in the back. Dancefloor lights could be triggered from the bar to send a secret message to the people next door that a raid was about to happen. This allowed them to stop dancing or quickly find an opposite-sex partner if they wished to continue dancing.
It was in the early hours of the morning on June 28th 1969, that an LGBT friendly bar in New York was subject to a raid – something that was all too common in gay bars. This bar, however, was one of those owned by the Mafia and catered to transgender people, drag queens, effeminate men, sex workers and homeless people of many backgrounds. The bar in question was the Stonewall Inn.
This raid, however, was different from the beginning. Firstly, the owners were not tipped off, secondly, it happened very late; around 1:20 am. There had been rumours about a raid that night but it was dismissed as inaccurate information.
The night it all began, two undercover policemen and two undercover policewomen came in and gathered evidence while the rest of the team waited outside. When those who had gained entry called for backup the music died, the house lights came up and those who realised what was happening ran for the doors and windows in the bathrooms but were blocked in by the police.
There were reportedly over 200 people in the Stonewall Inn that night. Little did the police know, that this as not going to go the way they expected.
Usually, the police would line up the people, check ID and then the female officers would escort those wearing female clothing to the toilets, where they would be subject to physical checks and if men were found wearing female clothes they would be arrested. Not this night. This night everybody refused to produce their ID and those in women’s clothing resisted being taken to the bathrooms. This resulted in high tensions, only made worse by the police who became inappropriate while frisking some of the lesbian patrons.
The police had been sent to seize all of the alcohol, which was apparently bootlegged. While this happened, the people inside were made to wait in the line. Those who hadn’t been arrested were allowed to leave but they congregated outside. It wasn’t long for the crowd to grow – a mix of those who had been released and those who had seen the disturbance and joined out of curiosity. Those who were released exited the bar to rounds of applause and they bowed and posed and it was all very theatrical.
By the time the first police wagon arrived, the crowd had multiplied as much as ten times and as the Mafia were escorted out and put in the van people started shouting “Gay Power.” and others started singing. An officer pushed a drag queen who hit him with her purse. People threw debris at the wagon and that was when a woman, thought to be, Stormé DeLarverie, was dragged out in handcuffs. She kept escaping and fought four police officers. When she complained the handcuffs were too tight she was hit over the head with a baton and screamed: “Why don’t you guys do something?”
It was this moment that triggered the riots that would go on to last six days!
Who threw the first brick at the Stonewall Riots
The patrons of the bar had taken enough and were sick of being pushed around. It was reported that the drag queens and trans women of colour were among the first to fight back. It was Marsha P. Johnson, a black, gender non-conforming, sex worker, a founding member of Gay Liberation Front and a popular member of the New York gay and art scenes, who was apparently one of the first to kick off her heels and fight the police. It is, however, unclear what role Johnson played in the events that night. She disputed that she was the one to start the riot by claiming she arrived at 2 am when the place was already on fire – a fire she claimed was started by the police.
These riots were a major moment for LGBT people and Stonewall became an iconic image of rebellion and resistance. It stood for our strength and our refusal to back down.
It was the next year, 1970, that the first Pride march was held in New York on the anniversary of the Stonewall riots. From that moment we have continued to celebrate Pride in the month of June to honour those who kickstarted a revolution. We march to represent our strength and unity. Our community is strong together and Pride shows just that! In modern days it still has political undertones but these days in the western world particularly, our events stand for inclusivity, visibility, having fun and celebrating love and equality rather than fighting for it.
Why Do We Have a Rainbow Flag?
The flag was devised by artist Gilbert Baker after he was challenged by Harvey Milk (another hero and martyr for the LGBT community), to create a “symbol of Pride” to represent the LGBT community. It debuted at the 1978 Gay Freedom Day Parade and has been an icon of our community from that day.
The original rainbow flag as created by Gilbert Baker
There were originally eight colours in the rainbow instead of six:
Hot Pink represented sex/sexuality. It was taken out due to manufacturing issues after Baker approached a company to mass produce the flag. Apparently, the hot pink fabric was too expensive to make.
Turquoise, representing magic and art, was lost when the Pride Parade Committee wanted to fly the flag in two halves along both sides of the street for the 1979 Gay Freedom Day parade. Turquoise was dropped to leave six stripes, therefore, leaving an equal number to split.
Red is life.
Orange is healing.
Yellow is sunlight.
Green is nature.
Indigo is serenity
Violet is spirit.
A modern variation, created in 2017, added black and brown stripes to highlight the People of Colour within the LGBT community. There were a mixed reaction and a lot of controversies because of how the flag never represented “race” and was always meant to represent aspects of life that apply to everybody, regardless of ethnicity. It also caused upset by changing the artist’s original vision.
There’s a growing section of the LGBT+ community that is calling themselves Queer, but don’t assume that all people in the community want to be called that word.
THEGAYUK.com has polled readers numerous time on whether the term queer is an acceptable term to describe themselves and each time the majority has rejected the term.
In July 2017 we asked over 200 people whether they thought queer as an umbrella term for the LGBT+ community was acceptable and sixty percent did not. Some commented that the word was “triggering” and “deeply offensive”, particularly to men who identified as gay.
The word queer is still used as a slur against many people in the community, particularly gay and bisexual men, and although some may refer to themselves in this way, it’s probably best not to use language that causes offence to others.
Every year, Gran Canaria plays host to one of the biggest LGBT+ pride events in Europe.
adamkontor / Pixabay When is Gran Canaria Pride 2018?
In fact, it’s so proud there are two, Summer and Winter.
The summer pride on the incredibly gay-friendly Gran Canaria takes place in from the 3rd to the 13th May. Nearly 100,000 people turn up to celebrate gay pride on the tiny island of Gran Canaria. Gran Canaria is a four and a half hour’s flight from the UK and remains one of the most popular getaways for the British LGBT+ community.
Next year’s pride will take place from the 2nd to the 12th of May 2019.
Winter pride takes place on the 5th till the 11th November 2019. This winter pride will be the fifth annual event and is one of the largest winter prides in Europe.
Want to book a hotel at the gay exclusive location, check out our listings here.
If you’re planning to go to Durham pride here’s everything you need to know before the 2018 event.
This year’s Durham Pride takes place on the on Sunday 27th May 2018 to celebrate the diversity of the LGBT+ community of Durham and surrounding areas. This year’s event will be the fifth in Durham.
What time does Durham Pride begin?
The Durham Pride parade officially begins at 1 PM until 6 PM.
Is there a parade?
Yes, the parade leaves from Palace Green from 1.15 PM. People taking part in the parade are asked to make sure they’re at the green from 12:30 PM.
Where is Durham Pride?
Durham Pride takes place at the Sands Durham, the official postcode for the venue is: DH1 1LH, with an official after party held at KLUTE Durham.
What does Durham Pride cost?
Durham Pride is free for everyone to take part in however you can purchase VIP tickets for the main stage tent. VIP tickets cost £10 and include, Access to VIP Bar/toilets and best stage views, Fast track entry to Afterparty at Klute Durham (before 8pm),
VIP tickets 18+ only for Afterparty. All proceeds go to Durham Pride and charity.
What entertainment will there be at Durham Pride?
This year the organisers have invited “Black Heart” hitmakers, Stooshe. Along with X Factor heartthrob Lloyd Daniels. There’s also the Northern Proud Voices choir, Mickey Modelle, Smashby, Tess Tickle and the Dragettes and Love Inc, featuring Simone Denny. The cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert will also be singing hits from the show.
If you’re planning to go to Lancaster pride here’s everything you need to know before the 2018 event.
The amazing promo poster created especially for Lancaster Pride, by Henry Hate.
This year’s Lancaster Pride takes place on the on Saturday 19th May 2018 to celebrate the diversity of the LGBT+ community of Lancaster and surrounding areas.
Lancaster Pride is an LGBT festival organised by Out in the Bay, a local charity providing support to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people in the Lancaster area, as well as raising awareness for LGBT issues and campaigns.
Speaking about what Pride mean, Robert Mee, the CEO of Lancaster Pride said, “Pride is about everyone coming together to support each other to stand side by side to challenge hate and intolerance and to be able to build a better future of equality for all of us.”
What time does Lancaster Pride begin?
The Lancaster Pride parade officially begins at 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM.
Is there a parade?
Lancaster has a parade at this year’s event, and it will be the second in the pride’s history, with the parade taking place from Dalton Square.
The set-off place for the parade is Dalton Square and will turn right on George Street and continue along Spring Garden Street. The procession will then turn right onto the A6 and proceed northwards in the right-hand lane.
The parade will then turn right into Church Street and once located inside the pedestrianised area will temporarily halt to allow the participants a breather and to allow the procession to reform.
The procession will turn right onto Gt John St and proceed up the left-hand lane. The procession will then turn left to finish in Dalton Sq.
Speaking at the parade will be Clive Grunshaw, the police and crime commissioner, Erica Lewis a Cat Smith representative, Kara from the multi-faith Church and Doctor Sweeney.
Where is Lancaster Pride?
Most of the day’s events will take place in front of Lancaster’s Town Hall. The postcode is: LA4 4AU.
What does Lancaster Pride cost?
Lancaster Pride is free for everyone to take part in.
What entertainment will there be at Lancaster Pride?
Performing at Lancaster Pride is the singer Whigfield, who you will remember had the massive, number 1 hit, “Saturday Night”. Also appearing is a slew of talent who will be appearing on stage from 11 AM until 6:30 PM in front of Lancaster’s Town Hall.
Exeter will become an explosion of colour and celebration this weekend for the city’s 10th annual pride.
Everything You Need To Know About Exeter Pride 2018
Exeter’s pride is celebrating its 10th year in 2018 and here’s everything you need to know about the pride event which will take place on the 12th May 2018.
The Pride’s chair, Adam Rank said,”There will be a real celebration feel this year, being our 10th anniversary, it is the perfect time to consider how far we have come since Exeter Pride began.
“We work closely with a range of partners to stage the event, including Exeter City Council, Devon County Council, the University of Exeter, Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, and local businesses.
“It would not be possible without generous donations or sponsorship from local and national businesses, organisations and individuals and the fundraising efforts and assistance of many volunteers. We are currently welcoming approaches from those who would like to get involved as volunteers, have a stall or be a partner or sponsor. In addition, we are running our usual wristband scheme which offers year-long discounts at restaurants/shops etc, which makes them very desirable.”
This year the pride is Celebration.
Photo Credit – Paul Szabo
What time does Exeter Pride begin?
Exeter Pride officially opens with a parade from the St Sidwell Centre which will move down Exeter High Street to Northernhay Gardens. The highlight will be a 50-metre rainbow flag carried by volunteers from Exeter Pride. The time is yet to be announced.
Is there a parade?
This year’s parade will involve thousands of people including: roller skaters, Street Heat samba band, a fire engine, an ambulance, Morris dancers, police officers, representatives from community groups and organisations, and volunteers carrying an incredible 50-metre rainbow flag.
Where is Exeter Pride?
Exeter Pride takes place in Northernhay Gardens, but there is also a parade to watch. It will run from the St Sidwell Centre which will move down Exeter High Street to Northernhay Gardens.
What does Exeter Pride cost?
Exeter Pride is a FREE event for all of the community to enjoy, however, you can buy a wristband (£10) which helps support the pride – and you can get discounts at a variety of business across the city until 2019.
What entertainment will there be at Exeter Pride?
There is plenty to do at Exeter Pride in 2018. The organisers have created an event with the local community at heart. There will be a showcase stage, where local and emerging artists will perform from 2:30 PM to 9:00PM – and in the Festival zone there are performers such as X Factor’s Freddy Parker and Lauren Harries.
If music isn’t your thing there are drumming workshops, a talk zone and a film festival. To find out more about what’s happening on the day visit the Exeter Pride website.
If you’re planning to go to York pride here’s everything you need to know before the 2018 event.
Everything You Need To Know About York Pride 2018
This year’s York Pride takes place on the on Saturday 9th June and to celebrate the diversity of the LGBT+ community the theme for 2018 is Flag it Up.
Speaking about the theme, Greg Stephenson York Pride’s chair said, “We decided on Flag it Up as our theme as it addresses several areas that are important to York Pride. It can mean showing support for the LGBT+ community by visually demonstrating your solidarity. Businesses, charities, and other organisations across the city fly the Pride flag every year, and we wanted to thank people for doing so as well as give the opportunity for those who haven’t so far to get involved. It also allows us to encourage people to challenge inappropriate behaviour. The last year has seen more and more cases of LGBT-phobia being revealed through the media and the increase in public discourse on the subject, and our theme enables us to support people in showing solidarity by ‘flagging up’ any discrimination they witness. We work closely with the public services in York and we wanted to make sure that people are aware that there are various forms of support that they can access should they need it.”
What time does York Pride begin?
The York Pride parade officially begins at 11:30 AM, after the parade, the pride continues at the Knavesmire and will continue into the evening with live entertainment.
Is there a parade?
York has a parade every year, and is free for the public to participate in.
It starts at York Minster/Duncombe Place (YO1 7HH) and makes its way through the city centre and ends at the Knavesmire (YO24 1EN) where the main event takes place.
It is recommended that public participants in the Parade begin gathering from 10:45-11:00, with the Parade set the depart at approximately 11:30am.
Where is York Pride?
It starts at York Minster/Duncombe Place (YO1 7HH) and makes its way through the city centre and ends at the Knavesmire (YO24 1EN) where the main event takes place.
What does York Pride cost?
York Pride is free for everyone to take part in.
What entertainment will there be at York Pride?
Yes, the full programme will be announced shortly. However, the pride does sell wristbands which you can buy on their website.
Exeter’s 10th annual pride takes place in May but what do we know about one of the busiest pride events in southern England.
Everything You Need To Know About Exeter Pride 2018
Exeter’s pride is celebrating its 10th year in 2018 and here’s everything you need to know about the pride event which will take place on the 12th May 2018.
The Pride’s chair, Adam Rank said,”There will be a real celebration feel this year, being our 10th anniversary, it is the perfect time to consider how far we have come since Exeter Pride began.
“We work closely with a range of partners to stage the event, including Exeter City Council, Devon County Council, the University of Exeter, Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, and local businesses.
“It would not be possible without generous donations or sponsorship from local and national businesses, organisations and individuals and the fundraising efforts and assistance of many volunteers. We are currently welcoming approaches from those who would like to get involved as volunteers, have a stall or be a partner or sponsor. In addition, we are running our usual wristband scheme which offers year-long discounts at restaurants/shops etc, which makes them very desirable.”
This year the pride is Celebration.
What time does Exeter Pride begin?
Exeter Pride officially opens with a parade from the St Sidwell Centre which will move down Exeter High Street to Northernhay Gardens. The highlight will be a 50-metre rainbow flag carried by volunteers from Exeter Pride. The time is yet to be announced.
Is there a parade?
This year’s parade will involve thousands of people including: roller skaters, Street Heat samba band, a fire engine, an ambulance, Morris dancers, police officers, representatives from community groups and organisations, and volunteers carrying an incredible 50-metre rainbow flag.
Where is Exeter Pride?
Exeter Pride takes place in Northernhay Gardens, but there is also a parade to watch. It will run from the St Sidwell Centre which will move down Exeter High Street to Northernhay Gardens.
What does Exeter Pride cost?
Exeter Pride is a FREE event for all of the community to enjoy, however, you can buy a wristband (£10) which helps support the pride – and you can get discounts at a variety of business across the city until 2019.
What entertainment will there be at Exeter Pride?
Yes, the full programme will be announced at the end of April.
