Why does Gay pride matter you may ask? The importance of LGBTQI Pride in the UK and beyond extends further than a gay parade and party.

In the UK LGBTQI people can get married, adopt and pretty much have equal rights to heterosexual couples. In such a society, it’s very easy to forget that it is still illegal to be gay in 72 countries worldwide with state sanctioned atrocities constantly being made against people purely based on their sexuality. We care about pride because it gives people an opportunity to celebrate who they are and celebrate we should!

One symbol that you will see at Pride events all over the world is the rainbow flag. It is a very special symbol for the gay community because it has become the easily-recognised colours of pride. The flag is often used to mark gay friendly (and in some places, gay safe) establishments.

The six colours are designed to symbolise:

Red = life
Orange = healing
Yellow = sunlight
Green = nature
Blue = harmony
Purple/violet =spirit
So this Gay Pride season get out there, wave the flag in unison and remember those around the world that are not so lucky to live in such a tolerant society.

Pride events around the UK in 2017:

Pride in London | 8 July 2017
Stonewall London Youth Pride | 8 July 2017
UK Black Pride | 9 July 2017
Isle of Wight Pride | 15 July 2017
Newcastle Pride | 17 July 2017
Trans Pride Brighton | 22 July 2017
Pride in Hull (UK Pride 2017) | 22 July 2017
West Lothian Pride | 29 July 2017
Liverpool Pride | 29 July 2017
Norwich Pride | 29 July 2017
Weston Super Mare Pride | 29 July 2017
Brighton Pride | 5 August 2017
Leeds Pride | 5 August 2017
Glasgow Pride | 19 August 2017
Warwickshire Pride | 19 August 2017
Doncaster Pride | 19 August 2017
Pride Cymru | 25 - 27 August 2017
Southampton Pride | 26 August 2017
Manchester Pride | 26 - 27 August 2017
Stonewall Manchester Youth Pride | 26 August 2017
Leicester Pride | 2 September 2017
Trans Pride South West (Bristol) | 23 September 2017
Lincoln Pride | 24 September 2017
Bolton Pride | 30 September 2017

The pride celebrations continue at our next gay and lesbian speed dating events. The perfect way to potentially meet that special someone:

Lesbian Speed Dating (ages 24-40) – Tuesday 11th July 2017 – Bar Soho

Gay speed dating (ages 25-45) – Tuesday 1st August – Village, Soho