It’s been 50 years since the first Pride March in the United Kingdom and the change in attitudes in our lifetime has been dramatic. The bravery of those that marched against prejudice and demanded LGBT rights needs to be recognised at this time, as much as we may wish to celebrate an era of openness not enjoyed by previous generations.
But we know that prejudice still exists, and we know that there is a particular prejudice towards members of our LGBTQ+ community that is being stoked by a vociferous minority. Jason Reid has written about it in his latest ‘Long Reid’ article for QX.
Research published today by Stonewall also gives us grounds for optimism and hope. It shows that the UK public is four times more likely to feel positively towards LGBT people than they are negatively.
According to Stonewall, “Homo/bi/transphobia is now restricted to a tiny, intolerant minority.” Furthermore, their new report “gives us a snapshot of the UK today; a country that is proud to be inclusive, whose public embrace and support their LGBTQ+ neighbours, colleagues, friends and family.”
In the face of this particularly vocal minority, Stonewall asks that we all to stand with them, now more than ever.
“Even a small minority of the public who hold strong negative views can have a significant negative impact on the safety and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people. And we are seeing erosions of our hard-won rights, which go against the will of the people. That’s why this June (and beyond), we’re calling on the silent majority to Take Pride in standing up for LGBTQ+ rights and to send a message to our leaders that the UK is a place of pride!” – Stonewall
At the end of Pride Month, Stonewall will send the list of pledge signatories to UK leaders Boris Johnson, Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford, asking them to show leadership to progress rights for LGBTQ+ people.
Happy Pride Month! from QX Magazine.
