Ari Bendersky (I have no idea if that's a real name) has written a piece for The Advocate asking whether we still need Gay Pride. Bendersky concludes that we ought to be conscious of our Pride the other 364 days of the year, and extend those values we seem to embrace during Pride, applying them to our daily lived experience.
The story is of course prompted by the arrival of Pride 'season'. That annual series of Pride events up and down the UK and across the globe. Some events have already taken place - notably Birmingham Pride last weekend. Sunderland and Northern Pride's will take place later in the year along with the large London, Brighton and Manchester events. These vary from vast commercial undertakings with international music acts to a small gathering with a couple of burger vans and a few singers who might be found stocking the shelves of the local Lidl by day. Yet, all are - I would suggest - important. Bendersky's point is a valid one but the process of knowing that there are these gatherings of people who identify in the same way is vital for any minority. It fosters a sense of shared identity, shared lived experience and shared hope for the future.
So yes, Bendersky is right about the idealism of extending Pride values to other days of the year, but don't underestimate the value of a damned good party.
Read the full article here.
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