Scarborough Pride took place this year on Saturday 21st September. The parade begun in the town centre and hundreds of people all marched together, with smiles, down the town centre all the way to the sea front along to Scarborough Spa. It was a foggy dull day, but the spectacular array of colours on display from people on the parade and all the bunting and flags definitely brightened up the town.
The day at the Spa was great, it was full of positivity and uplifting events. Lots of families attended, and lots of people young and old. There were many things to do, including 2 stages with entertainment full of live music and dancers. There were many stalls and lots of activities which educated people of all ages across the community about inclusion. Then the headline act later was Tia Kofi, a previous Ru Pauls Drag Race winner.
This was Scarborough’s 2nd Pride Event, and it was positive that so many people and local businesses attended to support the day. Pride events are very important to use as a positive platform to highlight the importance of equality, inclusion and diversity and also gives many people a sense of belonging. It is an opportunity to celebrate diversity within the LGBTQ+ community, including a range of sexual orientations, gender identities and cultural backgrounds. It is crucial we all support these events no matter what sexuality or gender we are. Laws have only recently changed in parts of the UK and Ireland to acknowledge that same sex relationships are just as valued as heterosexual relationships. Imagine the impact on people’s mental health previously, when they are told they are wrong for who they are attracted to or love or the way they identify. That is why days like these are fantastic because ‘Love is Love’, and everyone should be able to celebrate and be proud of who they are!
NYY have LGBTQ+ Champions across the county and offer LGBTQ+ youth clubs in Richmondshire and Ripon for young people aged 11-19. For more information, please contact Panda Gledhill on [email protected]