By Sue Vincent Jones.
PASSING COMMENT: Proud of Barry
So how was it for you? Did you dress up in your Rainbow finery, march boldly as a banner waver, or just pop along once to see Barry Pride bring our town’s top community on a sunshiney Saturday.
Sadly a long-standing date withe daughter in the big Smoke left me bereft of whistles, my special socks, and being part of another of our town’s top events, but I heard it was absolutely fabulous.
Massive congratulations to all those that made it possible – so quickly too. And to the locals, organisations, and businesses who came on board too.
Barry Pride is a unique chance for our community, queer and straight, to come together to educate, commemorate and celebrate. And by queer, I mean everybody in the alphabet soup of our community – LGBTIA or Q, everyone is warmly welcomed. Acceptance without exception as Stonewall so rightly say.
And that’s also why we need to educate. We must show that there are always different ways of living and loving. I strongly believe we should only ever judge people by the size of their hearts and not by their sexual orientation, gender identity – or anything else for that matter.
In the 50th Anniversary year of veteran Peter Tatchell’s campaigning, we certainly need to commemorate too. Respect to all those who fought the battle for LGBT rights against a relentless back drop of discrimination, bigotry and oppression. Also to those, myself included, who are still battling for true equality today.
We need Prides as LQBTQ people are still attacked because of their real or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity; as an opportunity to challenge homophobic and transphobic legislation; to remember Rights can never be taken for granted. And because they contribute to changing hearts and minds, empowering those who take part.
We certainly need to celebrate as well. Us LGBT lot love a party and we are proud of who and what we are – why wouldn’t we be?
I can’t think of a better way to show our community that we are queer and we are here – glitter, rainbow flags, rave whistles, and the odd bit of gold lame optional of course.
Now, if the rest of our hometown embrace that difference, show up, and stand with us as those all-important friends and allies, we will really show our beautiful Barrybados at its best.
- The views expressed by columnists of this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the views of the Glamorgan Star, its employees or its proprietors
🌟 This article first appeared in the printed edition of the Glamorgan Star on 06.10.22. Read it in print first!
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