Author, João Santos is a 1st year Communication and Media student at the University of Liverpool. Views are his own.
Pride month is upon us and just like the past 50 years, the month of June hosts celebrations and events for the LGBTQ+ community all around the world. However, with the current pandemic and social distancing measures, the traditional gatherings, concerts and the iconic parades can no longer take place. We shouldn’t let that dampen the spirit of pride.
Here are some events that you can tune in, celebrate and engage from the safety of your own home:
Global Pride
With a 24-hour live stream, Global Pride will not only provide musical and artistic performances from pop stars and drag queens but also the presence of public figures and world leaders. Different pride organisations from all around the world will help assemble this content in order to celebrate the diversity of LGBTQ+ people everywhere.
When: Saturday, 27 June, 10.30am
Find out more: https://www.globalpride2020.org
Digital Dublin Pride Festival
The event will include a fully interactive virtual Pride parade in the morning and a Pride concert later on the day. The parade will mix pre-recorded and live elements while building across the city will still light up, and Pride flags will be hung up high.
When: Sunday, 28 June, 9am and 2 pm
Find out more: https://dublinpride.ie
Pride Inside, From Amnesty International UK
This online festivity is a collaboration among Amnesty International, UK Black Pride, Stonewall and ParaPride. This consist of an online series of gigs, comedy shows, panel discussions, and arts-based events.
When: Sunday, 28 June – Sunday, 5 July
Find out more: https://prideinside.uk
In addition to these events, you could also take this time to learn more about the history of Pride and the entire gay rights movement. Pride started as a riot, this is especially relevant this year in light of George Floyd’s murder and the subsequent protest this spurred across the globe.
Following are two personal suggestions of documentaries that explore how Pride came around and why is it still necessary to this date:
The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (2017)
This documentary re-examines the death of the black transgender activist Marsha P. Johnson. She was one of the leading figures on the Stonewall uprising in 1969, and an icon for the entire gay rights movement.
Available on Netflix.
State of Pride (2019)
50 years after the original Stonewall uprising, this documentary explores the reality of Pride celebrations across big cities and small towns across the United States. It relates to personal stories and testimonies to portray different experiences in and out of the LGBTQ+ community.
Available on YouTube.
No matter what source of activism you chose or the events you attend, the most important thing to do is to remind ourselves that, we should never stop fighting for equality for every type of minority. We should all stand together in the pursuit of a more accepting and progressive world.