What does Pride mean to you?
Every June, Pride Month is celebrated around the world.
It is a time when the LGBTQ+ community and its allies come together to honour and embrace the diversity, struggles, and achievements of the queer community. The roots of Pride Month can be traced back to the Stonewall Uprising, a pivotal event that took place in June 1969 in New York City. The uprising marked a turning point in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, igniting a spirit of resistance against systemic oppression and discrimination.
As well as Pride Month, Pride Edinburgh will also take place on 24 June. It is an annual event that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community in our city. The first Pride event in Edinburgh took place in 1994 and has since grown into a prominent celebration including a vibrant parade through the city streets, live performances, entertainment, educational workshops, and community stalls.
To mark and celebrate the occasion we asked volunteers from our staff body to tell us: 'What does Pride mean to you?'
Dr Chloe Cutler-Burton
Student Experience Manager
School of GeoSciences
"To me, pride encompasses a feeling of inclusivity and equality, achieved through representation in spaces that embraces individuals for their authenticity. It involves creating an environment where everyone feels safe, respected and celebrated."
Dr Helen Corby
Methodologies Support Officer on the Scottish Longitudinal Study
School of Geosciences - Scottish Longitudinal Study
"Pride to me is being able to be honest and authentic, and love and be loved for who I am - not having to meet traditional societal expectations or shrink myself to fit in.
Pride was not always something I had or was part of, so now I'm especially happy to celebrate pride. However, pride is not yet won as it's not always safe for LGBTQ+ folk here in Scotland, and around the world. I hope one day that pride is only a celebration, not a protest. "
Joanna Clarke
Communications and Marketing Officer
Bayes Centre
"As an LGBTQ+ ally, to me pride is a powerful expression of solidarity, a reminder of the ongoing fight for acceptance, respect, and love for all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Pride means recognizing and honouring the rich history of LGBTQ+ activism and the progress that has been made whilst knowing what still needs to be done for its community. It’s a reminder of the courage and resilience displayed in the face of adversity. Urging us to continue pushing for positive change, advocating for equal rights, and challenging harmful stereotypes and prejudices. Ultimately, pride is a call to action, urging allies like myself to actively support and uplift the LGBTQ+ community not only during Pride Month but throughout the year, and all other years to come. "
Mr Jonathan MacBride
Informatics Graduate School Administrative Assistant
School of Informatics
"Pride to me means the Pride march, the Community Fair, the thousands of people, the community spirit, people happy, being themselves without holding anything back, feeling free, maybe just for one day. The march is particularly important to me at any Pride event, a feeling of solidarity, taking over city centre streets, visible, out, pride in who you are, showing pride in the best version of yourself. Pride also means being proud of who I am and what I achieve. I'm not good at stopping and appreciating the good things, allowing myself to be proud. There's always more to do. I'm proud of my husband. "
Imogen Heard
Specialist Technical Officer for Embedded Systems, IoT & Industrial Automation
School of Engineering
"Standing up for who we are against society that consistently tries to value our lives as less than others."