‘It felt like home’: LGBT+ people share stories of their first Pride
‘My first Pride after I transitioned socially was London Trans Pride, in July 2021. I finally felt at home.’ When I was 16, I got the train to Exeter with one of my friends, to go to the local Pride in the town hall.
I wasn’t out at that point, not even to myself. I felt terrified, as this was my first time being around openly queer people.The event was tiny – there were a few stands, a charity, some performers and some face painting, and I got a Pride flag painted on my face.I grew up in South Devon, which is very middle class, straight and white.
It wasn’t homophobic, but there was no represenation and a lot of negativity surrounding being queer. This Pride was the first time I saw it as something that could be celebrated and not hidden.The experience was amazing.
It was incredibly powerful and was the start of me accepting my identity. But I remember wiping my Pride flag off my face on the way home, so my parents wouldn’t see it.
