This year Pride felt more powerful and fulfilling than it has for a many years, I usually take on the more alternative queer antidotes these days, avoiding the official events. However this year I got involved with Pride in London itself and various associated events and it’s been awesome.
It started with Mzz Kimberley inviting me to a Pride in London round table with key influencers, participants and content providers co-facilitated by Rebecca Paisis and Lisa Power, to discuss its offering, specifically for the trans community and how to make it more inclusive and inviting following years of discontent due to some horrific interventions and incidents in the past.
This year Mzz Kimberley curated the first ever trans-led stage, situated in Soho Square, which is where the queerer folk tend to gather historically. She worked tirelessly to create a safe and inspiring space and it was an absolute treat to be there.
I arrived with the early birds capturing the beginnings of what I imagine is set to become an integral element to Pride in London and it was wonderful to be amongst club, cabaret, scene and community legends along with young queers having some of their first Pride outings finding their way to Soho Square.
Bar Wotever kicked things off with a fast paced, vibrant display of queer talent.
Besides documenting makings of queer history on the big day I was honoured to be involved in an important campaign, ‘Never March Alone’ with Pride in London, Getty Images and TMW agency, celebrating trans allyship.
Sending a hopeful message and a call to action to stand by our trans community this Pride and always, the campaign attempted to shift the negative narratives in the media and show our pals for the joyful beautiful community they are along with their many allies who love them dearly.
The best days are when I get to meet interesting people, chat and make pictures with them and then seeing our images on these huge screens around London during Pride weekend was indeed a proud moment!
The following Saturday I attended Trans+ Pride along with 35,000+ others making it the biggest in its 5 year history and a really powerful statement about the vital need to stand with these communities now more than ever! For me it was really important to be there as a friend and an ally with the current political climate and to capture the day authentically for today, tomorrow and the future.
The signs which are being archived by The Museum of Transology are a fantastic document of the transphobic narratives in the media which incites so much fear and hatred - there was a wonderful mix of humour and rage along with the tragic realities for people living through the effects of this.
Along with the politics of the day and the power of coming together it was a beautiful and joyous celebration of trans, non-binary and gender-diverse folks, it was like a gigantic family party and I loved seeing so many pals in Hyde Park after the march where the speeches were held.
I also found myself on the other side of the documenting for a moment when I bumped into Travis Alabanza and was asked to speak about why I find it so important to document queer people - here’s the podcast which is a gorgeous capture of bits from the day: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/homo-sapiens/id1257514825?i=1000620975688