#QueerAllYear is our commitment to visibility and pride as part of the LGBT+ community all year round. That being said, Pride Month is still absolutely something we want to celebrate and shout about!
Pride Month is celebrated in June as that was the month when the Stonewall riots took place; lead by a black transwoman, the riots were a catalyst that changed gay rights in the US and echoed around much of the world. Yeovil Does Pride, the annual Pride event for our town, takes place later in the year on the first Saturday in September.
Pride is about being proud of who you are; regardless of whether you experience love, romantic attraction or sexual attraction and if you do, regardless of whoever you have those feelings for. Pride is a celebration of people coming together in love and friendship, to show how far LGBT+ rights have come, and how in some places there’s still work to be done.
Pride Month is about acceptance, equality, celebrating the work of LGBT+ people, education in LGBT+ history and raising awareness of issues affecting the LGBT+ community. It also calls for people to remember how damaging homophobia, biphobia and transphobia can be.
So what have we got planned for Pride Month? Here’s what we’ll do, in 2023:
1st June ~ Yeovil Does Pride Poster Release
That’s right, it’s all systems go here at YDP HQ and we are busier than ever putting together our plans for this year’s Pride. Building on what we did last year, we will be having a day time and evening event. Keep an eye on our socials and our dedicated page here for updates!
6th – 17th June ~ Library Display
We’re taking over Yeovil Library! … okay, well, only the big window section at the back, but we’re doing it nonetheless! The display will consist of LGBT+ literature, different LGBT+ flags, Pride is… cards from Yeovil Does Pride last year, and a taste of things to come at Yeovil Does Pride 2023.
9th, 10th, & 11th June ~ Home Farm Festival
All weekend at this local legendary music festival in Chilthorne Domer, we will be hosting and managing the Wellness Area. A place to chill out, find information about local groups and services, as well as participate in some taster sessions for a wide variety of wellbeing related activities. We have workshops in bellydance, origami, hula hooping and more! We’ll also be sharing information about Yeovil Does Pride with those who come and ask 🙂
19th – 23rd June ~ Resources Roundup
We’ll be signposting and sharing various LGBT+ resources; from local organisations to national ones, advice for LGBT+ people and for allies, resources for young people and for our elders… For as many people as we can really! There’s a lot out there but it can be daunting if you don’t know where to look and want to avoid misinformation, so we’ll be doing our bit to share some of the good stuff right across our socials.