We asked readers to tell us the reasons they are attending Pride events – and, amid claims of over commercialisation, how the movement is changing

Tens of thousands will head to central London on Saturday to celebrate Pride. This year’s event is one its organisers hope will be both a celebration of diversity and a public expression of solidarity with the LGBT community.



Ahead of the event Peter Tatchell sparked debate about Pride’s ethos after arguing in the Guardian that it has become too commercialised and bureaucratic, and was in danger of losing its radical and political edge.



One reader responded by highlighting positive changes, recounting how his friend was arrested at a Pride march 20 years ago for wearing his army pin, having been kicked out of the forces; now, “the army, navy and RAF are permitted and encouraged to march: led, too, by the Queen’s musical band of soldiers.”

But others agreed Pride was at a crossroads. “Its sense of purpose, at least for London, is no longer quite as clear as it was,” argued one. “Is it merely a party? Is there a need for a political angle? Can it feasibly incorporate both aspects to everyone’s satisfaction?”

We asked readers who attend Pride events to think about these issues and to tell us why the movement remains important to them, and also how things are changing. Here are some of their stories and views.

‘It is no longer a spontaneous collection of individuals’ – Christopher, 59, London



I have attended every Gay Pride since 1982 and I wouldn’t miss it for the world. The event shows London that we are here, we are queer, we’re proud, and we’re not going away.



Facebook Twitter Pinterest Christopher’s partner and friends at Pride London 1991.

But it is no longer a spontaneous collection of individuals who want to march through the streets showing the world that they are not ashamed of being gay, and stating it in public. The original idea of the march in 1972 was to fight oppression: now we are oppressively controlled and can no longer take part in what was a march but is now a “parade” without the spontaneous freedom of earlier years. I see this as a regression.



At my first Gay Pride in 1982, the party after the march fit into a single large room at the University of London Union building. Over the following years we began to fill parks rather than rooms, and by the 1990s the event had become huge. In recent years I have been really angry that to attend you have to register as part of an approved group – it is no longer possible to take part in the parade as an individual.

I hope in future there will be an organised movement to reverse this by ignoring the current restrictions, which I see as discrimination fuelled by unambiguous homophobia. We have come full circle: it’s time to take to the streets again in our tens of thousands.

‘I still remember how scary it was but how happy it made me’ – Alex, 18, Gloucestershire



I first attended Pride when I was 14. It was the first time I had held hands with a same sex partner in public and I still remember how scary it was but how happy it made me.



Pride is a time where I can hold my boyfriend’s hand in public without fear. It seems simple but it’s so rare – both of us have been heckled and abused in the street, and he has been physically assaulted for wearing rainbow clothes during pride month. So it’s a space for us to just exist.



There is definitely an increasing commercial presence, with some companies hijacking our movement to develop their psuedo-progressive brand identity and advertise themselves. It’s heartless, saddening, and enraging.

I agree with Tatchell. Pride is not supposed to be a party for straight people to wear glitter and get drunk. Vulnerable LGBT people are being made homeless, being harassed and discriminated against, being attacked and murdered. We need to fight for those most at risk in our community, such a transgender women of colour, and not give in to corporate white washing of our most basic values and goals.

‘I remember how amazing it felt to be out and proud in such frightening times’ – Anon, 55, Brighton



Pride events such as the one I go to in Brighton have changed hugely since I first started attending in the late 1980s. They used to have a much bigger political and campaigning quality to them – but I still attend because I think it is important to me to feel the strength in numbers of solidarity and diversity of the LGBT community.

I remember the emotions stirred protesting against Section 28 and how amazing it felt to be out and proud in the face of such frightening times. We have different fears now, but it seems there has been far less passion for protest. An indifference has swept over. I hope this is about to change. I don’t like how Pride has become so commercial and primitive in its emphasis of club music, drinking and drugs.

‘In spite of massive progress there is still a long way to go in terms of improving LGBT lives’ – David Amini, 37, Manchester

I first attended Manchester Pride in 1997 or 1998 as a fresh-faced and naïve teenager. These days it’s a major social event for me, a glorious long weekend each summer with my partner and some good friends who come up to visit. It is a fun and celebratory atmosphere in which LGBT people come together to express themselves openly and freely without the fear of negative looks or remarks – allowing you to be proud of who you are as an LGBT person and of the friendship circle and relationships you hold most dear

Without a doubt it is a lot better organised now than it was in its 90s heyday, but this has come at the cost of becoming more overtly commercial and expensive to attend. The cost of a wristband to access has increased steadily over the years, as have the prices of drinks. During the parade, which is open to all, many of the floats are sponsored by businesses promoting their employee LGBT networks, but clearly also benefiting from the associated PR and marketing.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Celebrating Pride in Brighton in 2016 Photograph: Tristan Fewings/Getty Images

The main successes of the Pride movement have been increasing the visibility and prominence of LGBT people in society; of making the gay scene a place of cultural interest and a talking point for all. Importantly also, Pride shows those just coming out of the closet that there is a whole world out there and reminds them that they are not alone, as well as showcasing the spectrum of the gay scene.

The candlelit vigil for the victims of HIV and Aids is one of the most poignant and emotional events I ever attend and I always try and go each year. It gives the Pride event a sense of purpose and reminds us all that in spite of massive progress there is still a long way to go in terms of improving LGBT+ lives.



‘This year’s Pride feels very different’ – Gem, 34, Hull



Hull is City of Culture and with 2017 being 50 years since homosexuality was legalised Pride feels very different this year. Local LGBT venues say they have been pushed out and haven’t been allowed to be involved in the organisation; they have also lost the right to operate the bars at the event – something they’ve done previous years. They feel strongly about this and have taken to social media to let the community know.



Brands co-opting the rainbow make me queasy – but they can bring LGBT lives into the mainstream | Rebecca Nicholson Read more

That said, City of Culture partner companies have been proudly displaying the rainbow flag at their sites and petrol stations, which I think is great. To me this is getting the message out and making it more mainstream, perhaps even creating talking points and opportunities to challenge people who still ask why we need Pride. I have heard other LGBT people say that they feel that they are misappropriating the flag and that “these organisations have never bothered before” – they feel like they’re being “used” and think it’ll be the first and last time these companies will have involvement.



Pride events are a chance to show solidarity and probably the only time I do something within the LGBT community – I’ll have fun, see old friends and hopefully continue to strive for equality and acceptance. I think Pride movements still have a big role to play around the world and I hope they continue to make a difference.

‘It’s important to remember Pride events benefit the whole of society’ – Catherine, 29, London



I go to Pride events partly because I’m bisexual, but also because I strongly believe that they are a key part in society’s acceptance and normalisation of LGBT+ experiences and lives. I enjoy being able to celebrate the incredible achievements of activists and others who fought hard to enable us to have the freedom to parade through the streets – and not to be imprisoned for our sexuality. I had very few safe spaces to be part of the community when I was growing up, but things have definitely changed for the better over the years.



Tatchell may complain about the commercialisation or crowd control aspects of the London Pride march, but that barely came across to me last year while I stood with friends in a fun and happy event attended by so many thousands of others. To me, while many profit from these large parades, I think overall the important thing is to remember who also benefits. That is a much, much wider group of people, and arguably includes the whole of our society.