Celebrating Pride in Britain

June 29, 2022

Celebrating Pride in Britain

June may officially be Pride month, timed to coincide with the anniversary of the Stonewall riots, seen as the foundation of the Gay Liberation movement, which happened on June 28th 1969 in New York City. But you’ll find a wealth of Pride events taking place all over the world at different times. July plays host to Madrid and Berlin Pride, two of the biggest parades in Europe, and August is when two of the best in Britain kick take place, namely Brighton and Manchester Pride. Asia’s largest Pride event, in Taiwan, doesn’t fly its flag until the last Saturday in October. The Pride London parade takes place on Saturday 2nd July 2022. This year is a significant year for the Pride movement and the LGBT+ community, as it commemorates 50 Years since the first Pride took place in the United Kingdom. It also comes after a 2 year hiatus due to the pandemic, so things should be turned up a notch for sure.

This year Pride London commemorates the past 50 years and its evolution as a movement; acknowledging those torch bearers who have come before, and celebrating their achievements. As we celebrate and look forward to the next 50 years, we must recognise the challenges still faced, both nationally and globally. Be part of the event and enjoy the party: prideinlondon.org/

Visible history at Queer Britain

The understanding that the community’s history is part of the British nation’s story is the ethos at Queer Britain, the first national LGBTQIA+ museum in the UK, opened its doors in May this year. A landmark institution in ensuring that historically marginalised queer stories are not lost, Queer Britain also hopes to be essential for anyone seeking to understand our national identity. “It is an essential place for all regardless of sexuality or gender identity, to find out about the culture they have been born into, have chosen or seek to understand. We’re helping complete the Nation’s family tree.” Located in hip Granary Square, King’s Cross, Queer Britain is a must for all visitors to London. Don’t miss the array of great bars, shops and eateries there too, it’s a hot spot. Discover more: queerbritain.org.uk

Coast Is Queer

There’s no denying that the literary success of Douglas Stuart’s Young Mungo and Hanya Yanagihara’s To Paradise is an illustration of the appetite for queer stories by the reading public at large. Coast Is Queer is an excellently named LGBTQIA+ specific literary festival on the English south coast this coming October. The festival gives a platform to smaller names, newcomers and diverse perspectives, and runs from 6-9th October in Brighton. For more see: coastisqueer.com.

Building community by the seaside

Clubs and bars, an integral part of LGBTQIA+ culture, are in danger of disappearing. In London alone, nearly 60 per cent of these spaces closed down in the last decade, because of – among other things – gentrification. A walk through central London will convince you if this in no time. So, it is a cause for celebration when a new LGBTQIA+ space throws its hat in the ring. Fast becoming London’s new Hoxton, only with a beach, Margate is the setting for Camp. An event space, bar and karaoke booth, Camp wants to build and share community in this classic seaside town. With jaegerbombs under the mirrorball, it’s also a good time. Margate Pride takes place on Saturday 13th August 2022 with a huge LGBTQIA+ arts festival, Pride rally, events and big party on the Oval Bandstand. Now open: campmargate.com.

We recommend a stay at Euston Square Hotel for London Pride and beyond. Within a ten minute walk of Queer Britain and King’s Cross, it’s also a cinch for getting to Margate, or heading south to Brighton. Learn more about Euston Square Hotel here.