Rainbow Map

Back in May the European arm of ILGA published their annual Rainbow Map, which ranks countries according to how safe they are for LGBTQ+ citizens in Europe. This year Spain took the top spot, which last year was held by Malta. Shockingly the UK fell to 22nd place. 

It is not good for the UK to be languishing in 22nd place, when just over 10 years ago we were number 1 on the rainbow map. As a proud member of the LGBTQ community I am very concerned about the UK’s fall in the rankings and am beginning to think that the UK, is heading in the direction of not being a safe place for the LGBTQ community. 

The key reasons I think this are:

1. Homophobia / Biphobia / Transphobia is on the rise
2. Transgender rights are slowly being erased, and Transgendered people are being told that they have to use the bathroom corresponding to the sex they were born as, rather than the one they feel comfortable in
3. Conversion therapy / practices have not been banned
4. Some local councils, particularly those run by the Reform Party are forcing the councils they control etc to stop support pride and pride marches etc. 

It’s tine that the UK started to ensure that 

1. LGBTQ+ rights are protected
2. that conversion therapy is banned
3. that transgendered people are shouted to use the bathroom of their choice, not one that they have been told they have to use.
4. Educates people that homophobia / bi phobia / transphobia is wrong. 
5. Not go back to being a country where being a member of the LGBTQ+ community means you have to hide the fact you are a part of it for fear of being attacked etc.

It concerns me that some political parties, such as Reform are telling the councils they run, not to 

1. Support local pride events and marches
2. Stop displaying pride flags
3. Promote pride month, , LGBTQ+ books etc, in libraries 

This is wrong, and local councillors, whilst entitled to their opinions should not be able to order councils to cease involvement in pride marches etc. as I am beginning to wonder, if some of the councillors making the decision have anti LGBT+ views, and therefore think that perhaps they hould not be allowed to let those views inform their role as a councillor, and if needs be abstain from any vote on the issue, as they might not vote in am impartial way. I think if libraries want to show their support for pride, it should be the libraries choice choice rather than the choice of their local councillors, and the same goes for attendance at pride marches. 

 

I think that the government needs to make it clear to all councils, that the Progress Pride flag, and any other LGBTQ flags etc. such as the transgender pride flag can be flown, and that the Reform party's policy of only allowing the Union Jack, Flag of St George and the councils flag to be flown is not acceptable, not compatible with life in modern Britain. 

So if you are able to please show your support for LGBTQ+ rights by:

1. Attending a local pride event, if you can
2. Writing to your local councillors and MP, asking them to show support for LGBTQ+ rights 
3. If you are an ally to the community, let your LGBTQ+ friends and work colleagues know you support them. 

The more support the LGBTQ+ community get, the stronger its voice will be, we want the world to know we are here and will not be marginalised or have our hard fought rights taken away from us. Pride is protest and pride marches are needed more than ever today

Rainbow Laces Campaign

 

As some of you will know, especially those who read this blog,  I wear Rainbow Laces in support of the Rainbow Laces campaign by Stonewall, to show that the LGBTQ Community can participate in sport, exercise etc.giving them the feeling like they belong, and are not an outsider. 

For a while now I have been thinking about how I can show my support at work for the campaign, when it would net be professional of me to wear rainbow coloured laces in my work shoes. Fortunately Stonewall have come up with the answer, and alongside the the rainbow coloured laces they also sell white and black laces, that come complete with a  charm, in the colours of the rainbow pride flag, and either the Stonewall icon, or Stonewall and the Stonewall icon on them. 

This is a brilliant idea and allows me to show my support for the Rainbow Laces campaign, while still wearing black laces in my work shoes,, along with a discreet Rainbow Laces charm, that does not stand out as much as multi-coloured Rainbow Laces.

I’m hoping that by wearing these laces, at work, along with a Progress Pride Flag pin badge,  I’m showing the world that

1. I’m part of the LGBTQ community
2. It’s ok to be a member of the LGBTQ community

I’m hoping that the more people that wear Rainbow Laces, especially during sport, the better, as this will show the world that you are welcome, belong here and that they support inclusion.  

Pride Month 2025 Watch Strap

Bought the new 2025 #pridemonth2025 watch band from Apple. A brilliant design that showcases the individuality of everyone in the #lgbtq community.

What I really like about the strap, is that each strap is assembled by hand from individual strips of vibrant colour, thus making each strap unique as none of the bands, have the strips of colour in exactly the same place. 

It is brilliant to see Apple support Pride Month by creating a new Apple Watch band each year, along with iPhone and iPad wallpapers, when more and more companies are stopping their support of Pride Month & the LGBTQ community thanks to Donal Trump dismantling Diversity Equity and Inclusion policies. 

What I would like to see Apple do next year for pride, is create a new sport loop band along with a Nike pride band & watch face as well, as they have not had new designs for either of these since 2022.  It is also good  to see that Apple are still selling the last versions of the pride Sport Loop  and the Braided Solo Loop bands, giving their customers chance to have a pride strap in their favourite type of watch band, as not everyone likes to wear the fluoroelastomer sport bands.

Keep up the good work Apple, and keep supporting the LGBT Community, it's appreciated!

 

Chichester Pride

On the 24th May I went to my first pride event of the year, one I had not been to before,, Chichester Pride. This is a new pride event that has been going for the last four years, and I thought as it is more local to me than Reading or Pride in Surrey, it would be a good one to participate in.

It was really fantastic to be able to take part in the pride parade, as it marched through the city from Priory Park to Chichester College,  via North Street, The Market Cross and West Street, and brilliant to see members of the public show their support for the LGBTQ+ community while we were marching. Upon arrival at Chichester College, it was great to listen to speeches celebrating the community, in particular the trans community, which is under threat from the recent supreme court ruling.

Once the parade had finished it was time to enter the pride festival in the college grounds, and I have to say it was well worth the £12 admission fee. The entertainment was brilliant, including local drag queen acts, including Cherry Liquor, star of RuPaul's Drag Rae UK, Kitty Scott-Claus,  tribute acts including Lady Gaga & George Michael, plus local performers including Brighton Gay Men's Chorus.

I had such a good time, yesterday, that I am planning to go again in 2026. If you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, I would recommend that  you go along to your local pride parade, and show the world that you are a part of the LGBTQ+ community, or if your are an ally, especially with the ruling from the supreme court affecting the trans community, show the world that you support the LGBTQ+ community. 

We Are Stonewall

Recently I added another new pin badge to my man bag, to show my support for the LGBTQ rights charity Stonewall, and that the Transgender community is as much a a part of the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Queer community etc.
 

Joe Mcelderry - L.O.V.E

  

I've been listening to this great new uplifting track from Joe McElderry called L.O.V.E. and the message of the video, "be who you wanna be" really speaks to me as a member of the LGBTQ+ community because it reminds me that I can be who I want to be, and that there is nothing wrong with being a gay male. What I also like is that the video and song can be enjoyed by everyone, not just members of the LGBTQ+ community

I really hope that this track gets plenty of airtime, and becomes an anthem for the LGBTQ+ community, as I think it is a great track that deserves to become one of the classic gay anthems.

Homophobia

Recently my boyfriend and I where traveling on a train, and when we got on the train we were subject to some unacceptable verbal homophobic abuse from some younger people already sitting on the train.

In this day and age I believe that homophobia, along with bi-phobia and transphobia is completely unacceptable in this country and I think the time has come that the government needs to take a stand and make it clear that this is unacceptable behaviour. In my opinion it is time that:

1. Every pupil in secondary school is taught about the LGBTQ+ community, and that homo / bi / transphobia is not acceptable in modern society, thus paving the way for them to understand some people are different, and there is nothing wrong with that.
   
2. Every person living in the UK understands that there are members of the LGBTQ+ community living all over the country and that, regardless of what they think of gay people etc. they should show tolerance, as members of the LGBTQ+ community show tolerance to those that hate them etc.
3. Homo / bi / transphobia needs to be eradicated, and if a homo / bi / transphobia crime has been committed, a proper punishment needs to be dealt out by the relevant authorities, rather than it being brushed under the carpet as an unimportant crime.
   

In modern society I believe that we ALL need to get along with each other and show tolerance towards everyone, regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation etc. Everyone living in the UK should have the right to live in the way they want to, as long as it's not breaking any laws etc.

It is time that the government:

1. Enacted a law banning LGBTQ+ conversion practices etc. This needs to be done without delay and include all parts of the LGBTQ+ community, including transgendered people.
   
2. Ensured all publicly funded secondary schools are teaching about LGBTQ+ rights etc as requited by the national curriculum. No publicly funded school should refuse to teach LGBTQ+ rights just because it's against their religion, or parents don't want it taught etc.
   
3. Made sure that LGBTQ+ hate crimes were properly investigated and if the person committing the crime gets punished, is given a punishment that reflects the seriousness of the crime and makes it clear that LGBTQ+ hate crime is unaccepatble
   

I long for the day when members of the LGBTQ+ community can go about their daily business without living in fear of being attacked, hold hands with their loved one in public and live in a world where they are accepted for who they are etc.

Hand in Hand

Had a fantastic day in Brighton on Sunday with my boyfriend. It was great being able to walk around the city holding hands together without anyone batting an eyelid, It's great that the city of Brighton is so welcoming to members of the LGBTQ+ community.

I long for the day when no matter where we are in the UK me & my boyfriend can walk around holding hands together, without fear of homophobia! The time has come for this country to accept that some people in this country are part of the LGBTQ+ community, & to treat them just a they would like to be treated themselves.

You Are Safe With Me

 

Yesterday I purchased a new pin badge for my ManBag, from the Pride Hub run by Pride in Surrey I bought this because I felt that, with the rise in Transphobia, Bi-Phobia & Homophobia, I needed to show other members of the LGBTQ Community that I am a member of the community, who accepts all members, and no matter whether you are Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender or Queer you are safe around me, and that I'm not intent on causing you harm.

It is a shame that there are some groups out there that claim to be a part of the LGBTQ community yet, are intent on erasing the T (Transgender) & other parts of the LGBTQ community as they feel there is no such thing as a transgendered person, or someone who was born male or female and who does not identify as such. As far as I am concerned there is no LGB without the T, and other parts of the community such as Intersex, Non Binary and Asexual etc. I think it's important the world knows this. 

My hope for the future is that no matter what part of the LGBTQ+ Community you are from, you will be able to feel safe, respected and a part of modern society, regardless of what others think of you. I also hope that members of the community who feel that other parts of the community, should be erased, begin to realise that they they are making a mistake, and start to accept everyone in the community.