Six years ago, the Bucks Free Press ran a front page covering the inquest of 15-year-old Leo Etherington, a transgender teen who took his life after having struggled with gender identity issues since the age of eight.
Above the photo, was a banner showcasing the first ever Wycombe Pride event, writes organiser Pride Toni Brodelle.
Leo’s story - and the stories of so many others - are a huge part of the reason Wycombe Pride exists and the reason the Wycombe Pride committee are committed to making it bigger, better and more inclusive every year.
People sometimes ask why Pride is still needed, particularly in diverse communities like Wycombe, and to people outside of the LGBTQIA+ community, that seems a fair question. On the surface, it could appear that Pride is no longer needed, but I’d like to share with you some of the reasons why it is not only necessary, but in some ways, more vital than ever.
Pride grew from the Stonewall Riots, which erupted in response to police attempting to raid the Stonewall Inn in New York. Demonisation and stripping of rights were a part of daily life for gay people, and random unfounded arrests on the grounds of sexuality were common.
Part of the reason we hold Wycombe Pride is to honour and remember those who took part in some of the most important gay rights protests in history and to work hard to ensure they are never again necessary.
Wycombe Pride is not just about gay people. It’s a celebration of everyone within the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as allies, and an opportunity for people who may feel isolated or marginalised to come together and feel seen, heard and supported. Here in Wycombe, we’re lucky to be part of a vibrant community which largely celebrates diversity, as opposed to seeing it as something to be afraid of.
Wycombe Pride receives support from across the community - from businesses fundraising, sponsoring and raising awareness of our events, to charities bringing teams to champion our cause, volunteers giving up their time to organise or facilitate Wycombe Pride and the people who come along to take part. It’s very much a community-wide effort and we are immensely proud of that.
Wycombe Pride also exists to champion the rights of LGBTQIA+ people. For some people within the community, rights have improved, with the removal of Section 28 and the ability for same-sex couples to marry. For others, rights are still being stripped. At the time of writing, the government is considering banning schools from allowing young trans people to discuss their feelings and concerns at school without parents first being informed.
If we don’t allow young people safe and neutral spaces to talk through something as fundamental as their identity, we risk pushing them towards a mental health crisis. Wycombe Pride exists in part to raise awareness of these issues.
Above all, Wycombe Pride is about togetherness and community. It’s a time for people to come together to share and learn, to celebrate the things which make us similar and those which make us unique. Embracing diversity as strength makes our communities stronger, healthier and happier places for us all to live. That’s the core message of Wycombe Pride.
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