By Joy McKay
This weekend (26th August) saw the return of the annual Southampton Pride march and festival, the 8th hosted in the city. The theme of the event this year was protest in order to remind people of the grassroots origins of Pride and that whilst rights for queer folk have improved over the decades many of us still experience many types of discrimination and disapproval including in the workplace, from families and society in general. And the situation for our trans and non-binary siblings is actively declining with a loud anti-trans rhetoric in much of the mainstream press, often echoed by our elected representatives in parliament and increasingly by sporting bodies banning trans folk from engaging in competitive play, including this month, chess.
I joined the march as part of Southampton City Rollers. As a team we always attend as inclusivity is at the heart of our sport of roller derby and showing that Trans People Belong in Sport was a message we were keen to share. Our placards generated conversation with other Pride goers who were all in support. We may have been preaching to the converted but hopefully the word will spread further.
The march started from Queen’s Park moving on to the High Street, through the centre of the city. The march itself was really well attend with hundreds of people taking part from different organisations and also groups of friends and individuals. But hundreds more lined the streets to show their support, watching the parade of people mostly turned out in their best rainbow outfits. Upon reaching the top of the city centre, the march finished at the festival hub at Guildhall Square. The sun had held out but soon after everyone arrived dark clouds started to loom and it wasn’t long before the heavens opened. The downpour was heavy and drove many people (myself included) to run for shelter.
After half an hour or so the rain subsided and I (still soggy) braved my way back to Guildhall Square. In the festival village there is always plenty to see and do, with two stages of performers, many food and drink concessions, activities for children, stalls from corporate sponsors and a variety of charities providing information and support but also some wonderful makers of arts and crafts. My favourites this year were Sophie Kathleen (www.sophie-kathleen.co.uk) a wonderful illustrator producing stickers, prints and cards with beautiful queer, feminist and generally affirming images and mottos (also adorable vulva jewellery), Show Moon Creations (www.showmooncreations.co.uk) with their cute hand painted messages on plant pots and The Gay Glass Stall (www.thegayglassstall.co.uk) creating colourful glass art ornaments, necklaces and coasters to represent all members of the queer community.
After investigating the stalls I made my way to the main stage to watch The Dolly Show (www.thedollyshow.com) a brilliantly fun and camp Dolly Parton impersonator. She was absolutely ridiculous with her accent and performance, almost more Dolly than Dolly, and the crowd adored her singling along to all the country hits. Dolly had brought the sun back out but soon after she finished her set the heavens opened again. Already cold and wet from the earlier soaking I decided to head home hoping that the weather would improve for the evening visitors who would be entertained by Liberty X and The Vivienne.
Pride is a protest and the march this year really highlighted that but over the years it has also become a celebration of diversity. It was uplifting to see so many young people wearing their flags, proud of who they and their friends are. We still have a long way to go to truly achieve equity for all LGBTQIA+ folk but I know experiencing the love and acceptance of this community will be monumentally important in them becoming confident healthy adults advocating for one another as they become parents, journalists, politicians, doctors, police, teachers, etc. themselves.
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