Pride events in smaller towns 'help beat isolation'

The chair of a Pride organisation says reaching out to LGBTQ+ people living in rural areas is key to helping prevent isolation.

Pride in Gloucestershire, which began in 2006, started connecting with smaller towns and villages in 2019, spurred on by people contacting organisers about setting up their own events.

Chair Richard Stevens said living outside of a city "you might feel like you're one of the only [LGBTQ+] people because you're scared of talking to other people in case word spreads".

Pride events now run in Cheltenham, Cirencester, Cinderford and Tewkesbury, as well as as a larger event in Gloucester in September, attracting thousands of people.

Mr Stevens said: "If you live in a big city like Manchester or London or Birmingham, or even Bristol, there are generally more groups, more spaces to go and more people to speak to.

"I grew up in a small town and... [you are] not just isolated from other people in the community, or from activities or safe spaces which are usually prominent in larger towns, but it's that whole feeling of that lack of privacy, or being scared of what people might be talking about.

"You feel like you're bottling things up, and you can't share information, and you can't be your true self."

He explained everyone was welcome to all Pride events in Gloucestershire, "as long as they're respectful of everyone around them".

"It just helps break down those those invisible barriers."

The Gloucestershire Gay & Lesbian Community (GGLC), has been running since 1974, following the Campaign for Homosexual Equality in 1969.

"It's believed to be one of the longest running [LGBTQ+] organisations in the UK, which is a huge achievement," said Mr Stevens.

"And even going back further back in history, the Gloucestershire Community Rail Partnership developed a queer history map of the county, and this can go back all the way back to the Middle Ages, back to King Edward II."

"He's buried in Gloucester Cathedral, and he was known to be bisexual," he said.

Thousands have turned out for the recent events in Cirencester and Cheltenham, which Mr Stevens described as "fantastic".

The next event in the county in on 19 July in Cinderford, where 500 people are expected to attend.

"It's really good to see people coming out and supporting - and learning as well," said Mr Stevens.

"All of our Pride events are open, they're free to attend."

Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.