Labour leadership hopeful Diane Abbott MP also made an appearance as she was appointed as Reading Pride's first patron.
"I am absolutely thrilled to have been offered the opportunity to become a Patron of Reading Pride. So many towns and cities across the country see local pride events as an important part of their summer calendar – and for the first time this year, my own constituency of Hackney North and Stoke Newington will host its first Pride event in its history."
"It wasn't easy being a gay rights champion in the 80's but I'm pleased to have backed the rights of LGBT people whenever and wherever I had the opportunity. I hope that the next few years brings us greater equality – gay marriage, greater protection for trans people, blood service reform and gay families being seen as as equal and important has heterosexual families. And I hope that by working with Reading Pride we can do our bit to make this a reality.
Chairwoman Lorna McArdle said: "It was absolutely brilliant.
"There definitely seemed to be more people here than last year, but it is a bit early to know exact figures, but I believe it is the biggest ever.
"Each year it grows and grows and goes from strength to strength.
"I even managed to get my picture taken with Scooch."
The family festival is aimed at celebrating diversity in the Thames Valley
They marched from the Civic Centre along Broad Street and through Forbury Gardens to the site of the seventh Reading Pride event.
19 comments:
The gay people I know are some of the funniest people I've met - all have a great sense of humour, all are very house proud and all are happy with themselves, their lives and the way they're treated.
What does 'Pride' actually set out to achieve? (A question I've asked them and most don't want to be a part of it).
I know lots of funny people, some are house proud and all seem happy with themselves, but I've no idea about their sexuality and frankly I'm not interested.
hello Haggis - I agree with you - a persons sexuality is not important to me and in an ideal world I'd rather not know - gay people do have a habit of ramming it down your throat though.
I ram my heterosexual relationship down people's throats all the time. I hold hands in public places, go out with my children and my opposite-sex spouse as a visible family unit, have photographs of our wedding in clear view in our home, mention my partner by a name which clearly indicates that they are not the same sex as me - and I do so frequently, often in front of children. I refer to our house, our bedroom, our bed, our children, and our life. Several times a day, and certainly every single time I meet someone new for more than a simple retail transaction, I mention my heterosexual relationship status.
It's pretty much central to my life - all my domestic, social and career decisions take it into account. Sexuality is like that.
Hello Ailbhe - I'm not quite sure of the point you're making.
All people are different, some go on marches, others don't. We all have the right to make our own choices, live our lives as we want, as long as others are not hurt.
Why would anyone want to tell gay people that they can't have a parade. Or indeed that they are forced to parade.
I say live and let live.
I think the point is that getting your tits out in public to breastfeed is an expression of one's sex, NOT necessarily one's sexuality.
Gideon Mack: My point is that the things I do which draw attention to my sexual orientation are perceived as perfectly normal in a heterosexual context, but not in a non-heterosexual one. Except at in a few safe spaces, such as Pride. I live in Reading all year round, but it's extremely rare to see same-sex couples engaging in ordinary public displays of affection in the way opposite-sex couples do. That's what Pride is for.
Well said Ailbhe.
For single people its slightly less clear. For most people there are no obvious signal about ones sexuality. And why not, it should only be really relevant to potential partners.
My comments were neither pro nor anti homosexual in any way. I was merely asking the question ‘what does pride set out to achieve?’
I also never said that anyone should or shouldn’t parade so less over-reacting if you don’t mind.
I don’t care whether you’re gay or straight – in fact I agree with weggis – if you’re so insecure as to want someone you don’t know to know that you’re gay or straight – that says more about you than it does about me.
I’ve never felt the urge to tell someone I’ve met for the first time “hello I’m Gideon, I slam the clam with women and don’t believe in God” – you of course are free to express your tits and gender however you please.
Gideon, saying 'gay people do have a habit of ramming it down your throat though' will be seen by most people as homophobic, even if you are not.
Please try and keep your comments polite or I will have to delete them.
Adrian
Lighten up - the term means enforcing their (gay people's) lifestyle on you - I assume you've taken it in some other context?
I do not want to put you in a difficult position and have to censor me so I'll refrain from saying anything open to misinterpretation or possibly anything at all on your blog.
You said “hello I’m Gideon, I slam the clam with women and don’t believe in God” – you of course are free to express your tits and gender however you please.'
Difficult to see how this could be considered polite.
So stop being so rude, or stop posting.
..so I'll refrain from saying anything open to misinterpretation or possibly anything at all on your blog.
That would be a shame Gideon.
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This is England, land of the stiff upper lip. We do not, generally, like ostentatious displays of identity.
It is rather difficult to assess another’s sexuality, but skin colour is obvious. Most “blacks” I know don’t wear their skin colour on their sleeve and blend in, but some do. So too do some lesbians, homosexuals and heterosexuals. As Gideon says, that’s more their problem than mine.
Even the arch queer [his word] himself has argued that it’s time for queers to blend in.
Who [of any influence], these days, gives a damn? The battle is won. Let’s move on. There are more important and pressing things to tackle.
No, no Adrian. Read that post again.
Gideon wrote that he would NOT say "Hello I'm Gideon..etc"
.. so I'll refrain from saying anything open to misinterpretation or possibly anything at all on your blog.
That would be a shame Gideon. Dialogue is an important part of understanding.
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This is England, land of the stiff upper lip. We do not, generally, like ostentatious displays of identity.
It is rather difficult to assess another’s sexuality, but skin colour is obvious. Most “blacks” I know don’t wear their skin colour on their sleeve and blend in, but some do. So too do some lesbians, homosexuals and heterosexuals. As Gideon says, that’s more their problem than mine.
Even the arch queer [his word] himself has argued that it’s time for queers to blend in.
Who [of any influence], these days, gives a damn? The battle is won. Let’s move on. There are more important and pressing things to tackle.
You don't need to explicitly mention your heterosexual proclivities because it's the dominant default. This is all very basic social privilege stuff.
Fair point weggis. I think i was quite polite about asking him not to use such terms though. And he did use the words even if in context.
Hello Adrian
Message understood sir. I have better things to do with my time than waste words on your (to be honest) very boring blog anyway.
As this is the last comment I shall waste here I'd just like to say that you represent every reason I can think of not to vote Green.
Have a nice weekend - I realise you're the sort of person who always likes to have the last word - I shall not be reading it however.
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