Making LGBT+ History at Pride!

Happy LGBT+ History Month! We’re so proud of officially marching in Pride for the first time as the YMCA. We and several others from different YMCAs in England and Wales marched through London together. It was a joyful day. 

We met in Berkeley Square in Mayfair for a picnic and to ensure our group managed to navigate the crowds in good time. With the trials of closed tube stations and closed off streets overcome, we ate together and talked about the challenges and benefits of identifying as LGBTQIA+ and what allyship means and looks like.

It certainly looks like colleagues joining us for Pride, taking photos and helping to post our Pride content on social media. Much appreciation to our team. 

Joyful times followed in the park as we practiced flying our kites, attached flags to our outfits like super hero capes and played queer tunes. With rainbow face paint applied we were ready to march.  

Skip forward the finding our place in the parade and the Portaloo experience. We were placed behind a Taekwondo organisation who were showing off their techniques with some impressive play fighting and racing. Responding to this dynamic display we danced, ran, waved our flag, flew our kites and got the crowd singing our song. YMCA at Pride 2023 were fabulous!  

The most important part for many in our group was that we were proudly representing a Christian organisation. There were protesters there shouting hateful nonsense in the name of God. We waved our flag emblazoned with YMCA St Paul’s Group as we passed them. Sadly the road to Damascus moment of St Paul was not replicated in those protesters but there were many people in the crowd who cheered and recognised our spiritual message. Moments of recognition, of healing, where the rainbow flag with a Christian message meant more than those angry shouts. Inclusion takes work and open hearts. Jesus loves everyone as they are. As a charity that supports young people, vulnerable people and communities it was so wonderful to make an impact beyond our sites. 2 million people attended London Pride. It was a privilege to walk and sing the YMCA mission with them.