Caroline Barry has the lowdown on this year's pride...
I love that time before Pride kicks off. Where you gleefully declare you won’t be buying anymore rainbow tat (you will) nor will you get blinded drunk this year (you totally will) and you certainly won’t be attending all the events (good luck)
There is such a sense of hopefulness in the air. Where we believe all is right with our new rainbow filled world as companies scramble to put themselves in front of the march, slap a rainbow on their logos and the police get ready to join the parade.
Pride began as a protest. I’m not going to tell you that you need to throw away the rainbow covered I-won’t-mention-names branded item out with the bath water but take a good look at what you are endorsing. Where you spend your money, means you support their politics. Question, where are their pink pounds going? Have I seen them hire and support LGBT+ staff? Do I think I could be out and happy while working there? If the answer is no and I don’t know to any of these questions then possibly rethink the support.
One protest I feel I want to make this year will be my sign. I plan on carrying a sign to draw attention to the one part of the UK where gay marriage is not legal, Northern Ireland. I felt a bit uncomfortable recently attending an event in the National Justice Museum as we celebrated how far we as a community have come while part of the UK are still behind us. Justice isn’t justice without total equality.
The arguments about Pride are intense this year. It’s very hard to know where to start. I believe in visibility above all else. It’s a scary time to be visible in the wake of attacks on buses and a recent report from the police stating an 81% increase in anti-transgender violence. I’m not saying stay in and be frightened but rather, come out and be vigilant.
That said, Pride is also still a party and one I will for sure be in attendance at. I am looking forward to the many events, the many (many) pints and letting my freak flag fly.
So, of all the many events, where do you go?
Kicking off my Pride this year is the screening of the wonderful Rafiki from Reel Equality. Rafiki is a great Kenyan LGBT+ film that tells the story of forbidden love. I found it a refreshing take on LGBT life and love in a country that doesn’t accept homosexuality. A Pride must view.
Obviously the parade, stalls and day events around town are the best day time options on the actual day of Pride, Saturday 27 July. I’m looking forward to popping into the Arboretum for the big queer picnic (I do love a picnic basket…..full of gin) and also to Broadway for a spot of casual day pints. I’m also looking forward to some quality drag and performance from the crew at DirtyFilthySexy who are running alternative pre and post pride events (check the listings for details) at Nottingham Contemporary.
Nottingham Contemporary are screening the lesbian classic, ‘But, I’m a cheerleader’ as part of their teen screen season. While I love this film, I am also making plans to see Pretty in Pink and Stand by Me which are also on later in July. I can’t wait!
JULY
Writing Proud Creative Workshops
Waterstones
Wednesday 10 July
Drag Bingo
Rough Trade
Thursday 18 July
Reel Equality: Rafiki Screening
Rough Trade
Friday 19 July
Prose Pride Masterclass
Waterstones
Monday 22 July
Film Pride Masterclass
Nottingham Writers Studio
Tuesday 23 July
But I’m a Cheerleader
Nottingham Contemporary
Wednesday 24 July
Lyric Pride Masterclass
Rough Trade
Wednesday 24 July
Write Pride: Poetry Masterclass
Non Such Studios
Thursday 25 July
Nottingham Queer Pride
Various venues
Friday 26 – Sunday 28 July
Happy Birthday Maesha! Film and Panel
Nottingham Contemporary
Friday 26 July
Alternative Pre-Party
Rough Trade
Friday 26 July
Are You Proud? Documentary Screening
Broadway Cinema
Friday 26 - Wednesday 31 July
Knife and Heart
Broadway Cinema
Friday 26 - Wednesday 31 July
Nottingham Queerfest
Sneinton Market
Saturday 27 July
Nottingham Big Queer Picnic
The Arboretum
Saturday 27 July
The Underground: DirtyFilthySexy Alternative Afterparty
Nottingham Contemporary
Saturday 27 July
AUGUST
X-Cept Launch and Exhibition
Surface Gallery
Friday 9 August
Drag Bingo
Rough Trade
Thursday 22 August
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