Teresa Garratty: Why I’m looking forward to Pride month!

You’ve probably noticed a lot of rainbow logos about at the moment and that’s because it’s the best month of the year, it’s Pride month!

June was chosen as pride month to commemorate the Stonewall riots of June 1969, the most important event leading to LGBT+ liberation and the fight for LGBT+ rights.

In the past I’ve not really been that outspoken about sexuality. My view was “yeah, I’m gay but I’m not going to make a big deal about it.”

Was I laid back? Was I shy? Was I ashamed? I’m not really sure but maybe because I got a little bit older, or because of all I’ve been through, I’m much more upfront about it now. Like, “tattoo a rainbow on my face” upfront.

Some people don’t like this. It makes them cringe and their eyes roll into the back of their heads.

They say things like “We know you’re gay, you don’t have to make a song and dance about it” or “I’m straight but you don’t see me putting #StraightAF everywhere”.

After taking a deep breath, counting to 10 and visualising myself drop kicking them out of the nearest window, I then proceed to explain why they are missing the point, like a Stormtrooper misses Luke Skywalker.

They simply have no idea about the things you have to experience when you live as an LGBT+ person in a heteronormative society.

They don’t have the inconvenience of needing specialised bars and venues. For example, straight cis Dave doesn’t have to venture to “The Toad in the Hole” bar on his own every weekend in the hopes of meeting like minded people or potential sexual partners.

He doesn’t need a law that protects him when holding hands with his lover in public. He doesn’t have to deal with hoards of men surrounding him and his date, demanding that they kiss so it can be filmed “for later”.

He doesn’t have to watch his immature straight cis friends kiss each other for a laugh or for someone else’s gratification. Straight cis Dave will never know the demoralising, heart wrenching betrayal of an ex lover telling you that they’ve altered their sexuality and turned to the opposite sex simply because “it’s easier”.

That is all just the tip of the very unbalanced iceberg and that is why you can take your #StraightAF, Straight Pride, Straight Flag and get to the back of the f@*king queue of actually oppressed minorities.

Until the world treats being LGBT+ as normal as the sun rising, we will always need to speak up, defend ourselves, answer back, educate and we will always need Pride.

If you’d like to be part of this positive change in society, then check out how you can support your local Pride event. There are usually BSL interpreted performances at each event and this year Bristol Pride (with the help of Lynn Stewart-Taylor) have gone the extra mile by including deaf performers! You can get all the info here: https://issuu.com/bristolpride/docs/bristol_pride_2018_festival_guide

I will say this though, please only come along if your intentions are genuine. These events are important, they’re not just a bit of fun or a nice day out. If you’re going as LGBT+ or a straight supporter please make sure you’re going for the right reasons. Don’t cheapen the hard work of everyone fighting for common human decency.

Basically, if you’re LGBT+, straight, questioning, curious etc and support the idea of promoting eqaulity for the LGBT+ community, come along. If you’re irresponsible and lack respect for the sexuality of others, as well as your own…you probably shouldn’t be there (let alone performing on stage). It is after all called “Pride” not “What a Shame”.

And wouldn’t it be great if we could carry the support and rainbow logos into July, August, September and all year round?!