Liverpool Pride 2018

What a day!

We had blue skies and glorious sun, rain showers, blustery winds and, for one memorable spell, heavy hail!

But nothing dampened the spirits of the thousands of LGBTQIA+ folks and, importantly, our allies and supporters, who gathered in the city centre today under the banner ‘All Together Now’.

This year marks a decade since the homophobic murder of local teenager Michael Causer and Liverpool is determined to remember him and to guard against such a horrific thing ever happening again.

Public attitudes have come a long way since 2008 but homophobia and transphobia still exist, not just in the parts of the world where LGBTQIA+ people are criminalised and can still be put to death by their governments, but here in this country too.

Just last week I was standing at a bus stop with 3 trans people, following the latest session of the ‘TranScripts’ creative writing course which we’re currently running at work. A car full of men drove past shouting horrible transphobic abuse at our group, then stopped at a red light and continued to hurl abuse and mocking laughter until the lights changed. This was everyday, and relatively mild, stuff for my companions, and indicative of how much fear and misunderstanding still exists.

But the ‘All Together Now’ theme didn’t just extend to celebrating the bonds between the LGBTQIA+ community and our ‘straight’ friends, family members, neighbours, colleagues and peers. It also reflected the importance of unity within the diverse elements of our community itself. Following the transphobic actions of some lesbian women at London Pride (#notinmyname) there was a palpable feeling in town today that trans people were welcomed, included, supported and loved.

It was hard to pick a favourite photograph from today but here’s one that I particularly like. Do have a look at the Extras too! And there are a few more at https://flickr.com/photos/129535142@N04/sets/72157693768524190

We had our own ‘Headspace Hangar’ tent in the Community Area off Tithebarn Street and, not only did we host a showcase for some of the ‘TranScripts’ writers to perform their work, but we also hosted a Pride Book Club and had a really good discussion about Susan Calman’s book ‘Cheer Up Love’ - which led to a broader discussion about mental health. There was also a steady stream of people coming along for a bit of peace and quiet, a free massage or reiki session or to design their own Pride tote bag!

All in all, a very successful day. Thanks very much indeed to everyone involved in organising, volunteering, performing and participating!

In honour of today’s Pride theme AND the ever-changing weather, here’s Liverpool band The Farm with ‘All Together Now’ https://youtube.com/watch?v=gEUv-rR-TD8 and New Zealanders, Crowded House with ‘Four Seasons in One Day’ https://youtube.com/watch?v=OeYEyCDRHmE