PRIDE, EQUALITY, AND SUPPORT

Attending Manchester Pride 2024 was a powerful reminder of how far the LGBTQ+ community has come in the fight for acceptance and equality

The LGBTQ+ community is forever evolving and changing. The freedom to express and be your authentic self is much more acceptable in society thanks to the enthusiasm, passion and drive from individuals and groups raising awareness and tackling stigma. However, homophobia sadly is still present in some areas of the world and some countries are less accepting of the LGBTQ+ community.

Manchester Pride 2024 was a fantastic experience to see how far the community has come and to see the array of love, equality, and diversity all around in one community. Thank you to the POA for providing me the opportunity to attend this amazing event. I feel so privileged that this union has supported me to be part of this occasion and encouraged me to be who I am.

I attended Manchester Pride this August with my girlfriend and friends, it was absolutely brilliant, a place where we felt so at ease and so accepted. The energy and atmosphere was something I will struggle to put into words. The buzz, energy and love that fills the streets is something that never fails to amaze me. It almost felt like Manchester had a warm hug wrapped around it, with a haze of joy and contentment which was absorbed by all. The colours, the outfits, the parade, and the flags were spectacular.

The event allowed every individual to have a safe place to be who they wanted to be without any judgement or questions asked. As a gay woman, growing up I have faced times in my life where I have been a minority, hiding away from who I truly am to appease my peers and the ‘norm’ of society. The stigma of being gay can be very negative, I have faced homophobic verbal attacks when out in the community, however, fortunately these are now far less frequent because of the ongoing fight that Pride has fought for.

Thankfully, with the support from the POA encouraging me and fellow gay employees to be who we are, I feel supported and accepted to be me and only me in and outside the workplace. We proudly wore the POA high-vis jackets and held the banner with pride among the LGBTQ+ flags within the crowds. I am blessed that this union respects me as an employee and others regardless of sexuality and is proud to support diversity and strive for equality within the workplace and the community.

I was proud to answer questions from bystanders about the POA and what the jackets meant. I explained that the POA is a great union that has their members' best interests at heart and supports me as an employee within the SPS. I added that the POA will always fight for what is right, like supporting pride events and the LGTB+ community.

I will forever be thankful to be the POA for supporting me to attend this event and the ongoing help and respect within the workplace.

ROSIE HOUSTON
POA MEMBER, DUMFRIES