Scunthorpe Pride 2023
Location: Church Square Garden & Library Square
Date: Sunday 27th August (Bank Holiday)
Start Time: 12pm (2pm Main Stage)
A small team of volunteers are working hard to bring Scunthorpe the first ever pride festival. The aim is to shine a positive light on our town and our LGBTQ+ community, putting on an enjoyable and fun event. It is often misjudged as to why there is an LGBTQ pride and there are still a lot of misconceptions surround the idea of pride.
“Homophobia directly impacts the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people and that’s what we are, people. Whether it be by physical or verbal abuse in the street or online, or making some of us feel so worthless and wrong that we feel we can’t go on living, or by creating so much fear around what life will be like if we came out. Obviously this isn’t the case for everyone in the local LGBTQ+ community, some of us are lucky enough that we feel safe to be who we are and live life how we chose.
Pride is not a matter of being able to be proud for one day it’s about support, inclusion, diversity, acceptance and coming together as a community. You might not need that support but others do.
Enjoying a day together judgement free. When event announcements or rainbows are on show the underlying naivety, ignorance and issues resurface.
“I don’t care what you are but don’t force it upon me”
“Why isn’t there a straight pride?”
“I’m a toaster, let’s celebrate”.
“Isn’t pride month enough for you?”
And joke comments tagging friends suggesting they go, for banter “like if you’re not gay, then suggesting someone is, just hilarious”. One comment online event said:
“No mate, if I went someone would get hurt”.
Is that acceptable? Are you OK with that?
Let’s just stand back for a moment and look at these comments, imagine someone from the community sat at home reading these, how are you supporting them? how are you making them feel? I feel like some people forget that to get to where we are today, others had to fight for it. It’s not because we feel like we are special. Maybe just educate yourself online or attend a Sunday Social at the Black Door and chat to members of the local community and become more informed of people’s history, stories and beliefs. I think you’ll find it quite eye opening, we are all very different so don’t just generalise and assume. You are fully entitled to your opinion but the thing is, you don’t always need to share it. If you aren’t sure why there is a need for pride, instead of dishing out backhanded homophobic comments, you can always have a quick google but the need for a Scunthorpe Pride is Evident. I really hope those people that do want to show friendship and support to the community will attend the festival and have a great day!”
Pride isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, even for some members of the LGBTQ+ community it’s just not something they are interested in. But it’s there to show support to those who do need it.
The main pride event will be inclusive of everyone, no matter how they identify. With daytime focus on family friendly entertainment and activities. There will be local artists and entertainers on the main stage. The event will include arts, theatre, live music.
The event is for the wider community and beyond, welcoming all different groups, families and the general public to attend and celebrate this day of inclusion, culture, diversity and visibility. For anyone concerned about their safety at the event, please rest assured there will be a large security team and police presence.
The hopes are to include an on foot Pride parade through the centre of Scunthorpe town to include various businesses, charities, sports teams and other community groups, which will loop back up to the main stage area for the main pride event.
Scunthorpe Nights 