Amnesty International, UK Black Pride, Gendered Intelligence, Stonewall and ParaPride have teamed up to bring Pride celebrations into the comfort of your living room this year with Pride Inside – a not-for-profit series of online gigs, comedy shows, panel discussions, and arts-based events from Sunday, June 28 – Friday, July 10.
With a launch party to coincide with the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots on Saturday, June 28, Pride Inside will be jam-packed with music performances, comedy gigs, workshops, readings, content and panel discussions featuring an exciting list of artists including Ana Matronic, Layton Williams, Vick Hope, Rosie Jones, Dr Ranj, Jacob V Joyce, Kemah Bob, Marika Hackman, Toya Delazy, Arlo Parks, L Devine, Aaron Carty, Joelle Taylor, Michael Cashman CBE, Niki Albon, James Mac, the Cocoa Butter Club, Busy Being Black podcast and more.
The line-up will also feature renowned speakers including Lady Phyll, as well as Human Rights defenders from Poland and Ukraine.
Events will include make-up tutorials, DJ sets, book readings, workshops on being young and trans, as well as discussions on how Covid-19 is impacting the LGBTQ+ community and activism around the world.
Michael Cashman, Stonewall co-founder, said: ‘As we celebrate Pride Inside we should remind ourselves that some people dream of having a Pride celebration in their country and dare not be themselves. Intolerance is growing – it is time to stand together.”
Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, co-founder and executive director of UK Black Pride, said: ‘We understand how vital events like UK Black Pride have become for the communities we represent, and were deeply saddened we had to postpone our annual celebration.
‘Pride Inside is a programme of digital events that will provide a space for our communities to discuss, learn and celebrate at a time that is particularly difficult for us. Now more than ever, we need spaces to call our own so we can share our experiences with each other, support each other, find our joy and do some much-needed healing work.’
Cara English, Head of Public Engagement at Gendered Intelligence, said: ‘Gendered Intelligence is thrilled to be part of this joyous and needed celebration of LGBTQ+ people.
‘Pride Inside comes at a time when trans safety and rights in the UK are under acute threat. We’re not allowing any pushback – we’re celebrating in defiance. We’re happy to share spaces and stand with our siblings in solidarity, where the pandemic has pushed us off the streets and onto our screens. We’re inside but not back in the closet – we’re going nowhere!’
Joseph Williams, Executive Director of ParaPride, said: ‘Right now, more than ever, our community needs to unite and celebrate the true beauty and power of difference. Whilst Pride festivals and marches are postponed for the foreseeable future, it is incredible to still join together with other iconic LGBTQ+ organisations for Pride Inside to show the world that Pride is a state of mind, not just a series of events.’
For more info, visit: www.prideinside.co.uk and follow @PrideInsideUK on Facebook.
For more info on ParaPride, follow @ParaPride.World on Facebook.