Pride celebrations look a little (a lot) different this year but we’re trying to put a positive spin on the change and use this time at home for good. Community is at the heart of everything we do and we love how Pride brings people together whether that’s outside or inside. Although Pride as we know it is cancelled this year, connecting with your fellow LGBTQIA+ community or showing up as an ally isn’t. We caught up with friends of RI, Skirmy, Roxxxan and Kenny to find out how they’re taking the Pride changes in their stride, how they’ll be celebrating and what Pride means to them. Take a look …
Tell us who you are?
Hey guys, it's Skirmy - your sickening queer content creator based in London. Originally from Lithuania, I travelled 1,279 miles to make my dreams come true and be 100% authentic self.
Why is Pride important?
Growing up, I didn't have the privilege of being accepted for who I am but things have changed a lot in my home country over the last 10 years. All thanks to Pride and the first people who were brave enough to march for the first time!
How did you find your own Pride?
As a white cisgender male, I've experienced a drastic shift in
people's attitude towards gay men but I often feel like we've been given the biggest slice of the Pride cake in comparison to people who are often ignored. So, it’s my duty to fight for other minorities in the LGBTQI+ community, especially black trans individuals who deserve our full attention more than ever before.
How will you be celebrating & showing Pride this year?
I always try to find a way to teach myself something new and spread the knowledge to people around me. Then, I use social media to exchange that knowledge with my fellow blogger friends and followers. During pride month, I also give a portion of my monthly earnings to various LGBTQI+ charities, supporting queer minorities and those who are in vulnerable situations.
How can we all be better allies to the LGBTQIA+ community?
I’ve been approached by several straight allies who were worried that they would say the wrong thing and get a negative reaction on social media which really surprised me! We need our allies more than ever so we can reach more people. Everyone is welcome to join us on this journey as long as it comes from a sincere and kind place.
What one thing in your home screams Pride?
The one thing that resonates Pride the most is a photo album I received from my mum on my 21st birthday. You know when you look at a picture and it speaks a thousand words? Every time I look at that album I always remember my mum saying "I always knew, I will always support you and I will always be proud of you, whatever you do.” She always believed in me and that's PRIDE, man!
Your go-to Pride look is...
Honey, one word... MESH! Mesh shorts, mesh t-shirt, complimented with mesh socks going up to my knees with combat boots and a pride flag wrapped around my waist. VERY low key, you know!
Pride in three words?
Trans Lives Matter.
Tell us a secret…
... it wouldn't be a secret then.
Why is Pride important?
Pride is important because it celebrates how far we have come but also reminds everyone that there is still a long way to go. There still is an ongoing struggle for gender and sexual minorities to make society acknowledge our existence and worth.
How did you find your own Pride?
My pride was different this year with lockdown but I still managed to celebrate the community.
How will you be celebrating & showing Pride this year?
Although Pride was cancelled this year I spent it protesting for BLACK LIVES MATTER with a sign shouting BLACK TRANS LIVES MATTER! It’s more important than ever that we protect our community.
How can we all be better allies to the LGBTQIA+ community?
Honestly, by being mindful and open to learning for example take the time to use correct pronouns, learn about the different sexualities on the LGBT+ spectrum, listen, respect someone’s story and speak up against prejudice are a few ways to start.
What one thing in your home screams Pride?
My wardrobe! I love colour! From my shaved head to my socks I always match and mix colours!
You go-to Pride look is...
Inspired by the pride flag so multi coloured but with my own fashion twist showing my identity and swag.
Pride in three words?
Love, freedom and unity
Tell us a secret…
I recently got a tattoo of the girl sign on the top of my head and my mum doesn’t know! Shhhhh!
Tell us who you are?
I’m Kenny Ethan Jones and I’m a model and activist. I’m mostly known for my work in the period space advocating for gender-inclusive messaging. Outside of periods, I discuss body politics, mental health and intimacy.
Why is Pride important?
Pride is important for a bunch of reasons; the first-ever pride was a protest started by black trans women. This protest started because members of our community had had enough of police brutality and discrimination and in turn started the gay rights movement. It’s a time in which our voices and experiences are amplified and money is raised to support our causes. It’s also a great time for all of us to do some self-reflecting on how we’ve contributed to positive change and what we can do better
How did you find your own Pride?
Honestly, it came from owning my identity and everything about me. Coming out as trans at 11-years-old I was full of questions and self-doubt. I consistently allowed people opinions of me to sway how I felt about myself. But, as I got older I realised: the only opinion that mattered was my own. That change in mindset was a real gamechanger for me.
How will you be celebrating & showing Pride this year?
I’ve already celebrated! London Pride would have been on the 27th of June so I figured I’d make my own little celebration at home. It was just the 3 of us, myself, my partner and her best friend. We got dressed up in our most colourful outfits, made cocktails, played the queerest Spotify playlist we could find and partied the evening through with a few drinking games! Other than that, I’ve both worked and donated some money to my favourite charities.
How can we all be better allies to the LGBTQIA+ community?
1.Educate yourself on LGBTQ+ issues
2.Use your privilege to uplift our voices
3.Use your knowledge to educate your friends/family
4.Make environments safer for us by standing up for us
5.Support our hustles
And don’t forget, true allyship requires consistency as well as uncomfortable conversations not only with others but yourself.
What one thing in your home screams Pride?
Well... I have a pride box, kind of like a memory box but it’s filled with a lot more rainbows and glitter. It initially started as a place for me to store all of the outrageous body sized flags I own but slowly it became a collection of all my queer memories; champagne glasses, t-shirts with queer slogans and even some questionable underwear lol
Your go-to Pride look is…
A light coloured two-piece, it must be a t-shirt and short combo though! And some fresh rainbow kicks to pull the look together.
Pride in three words?
Unity, victorious and soul liberating
Tell us a secret…
My mum was the reason I went to my first pride. I put a lot of energy into living stealth (which basically means under the radar as trans) so the idea of being in an environment full of loud and proud LGBTQ+ individuals terrified me but I’m SO glad that I listened to her. Pride really showed me that I wasn’t alone, that I had a community and that I, like anyone else, should be proud of who I am.