Rob King (he/him)

To me, Pride is about embracing diversity and inclusivity, where everyone is accepted equally as part of one huge family; a family you choose.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have always lived true to myself and my sexuality, but I know this isn’t the case for many – even some of my closest friends and family.

That’s why I take great pride in being part of such a colourful community and knowing that there are plenty of safe spaces available for those seeking support, love, and encouragement – whether it’s at work, community groups, venues, or among my rainbow friends.

Ellen Barry (she/her)

To me, Pride is all about community: different people from various walks of life coming together to support each other. Despite our differences, the common themes of love and acceptance prevail. It’s a wonderful time of year when you see so many people living their authentic selves out and about. During Pride, you feel seen and part of something bigger than yourself, which is especially meaningful when you often feel like a minority.

The other thing that comes to mind when I think of Pride is resilience. While it’s now a beautiful celebration and outpouring of love, we must remember that this wasn’t always the case. The first Pride was a protest, where people fought for our right to be seen. We are the change-makers, and it’s fantastic to see how far we’ve come. But it’s also a reminder that we still have a long way to go.

Michael Yakunin (he/him)

To me, Pride means tenacity and resilience in the face of adversity. Being in the minority pushes you to be a better version of yourself and prove those who doubt you wrong.

But Pride also means accepting and celebrating the differences that make us all unique. It’s a time to reflect on the progress we’ve made as a society in accepting and embracing diversity, while also acknowledging the work that still needs to be done to ensure true equality for all.