Afeefa Chaudhaury
I consider Pride as an ongoing battle against comparison on a daily basis. One of the most difficult and dramatic things you can do is to choose what's best for you and stop comparing yourself with others. Take pride in yourself and let no one make you feel ashamed about being who you are.
Darren Mooney
For me, Pride means celebrating my community and remembering how we got to where we are today. It's about being a visible gay man in Liverpool, about being Out and Proud and about my friends, my partner and my family.
Karen Standley
For me, Pride is always about love and empowerment. Pride in being out and being myself. Holding my partners hand on the street. Positive relationships with my friends, family and neighbours. Being visible for those who still don't feel able to come out. Everything the LGBTQ+ community has achieved together with our straight friends. Continually fighting for equality.
Cristi Garrett
Pride isn't just one month of the year, Pride is every day, to use whatever privelege and resource I have to improve the world around me for those who aren't so lucky. To stand up and speak for those who can't. To stand beside and listen to those who can. Remember Marsha P. Johnson. Remember all those who have gone before who have fought for the rights so many take for granted today.
David McNamara
Pride is both a celebration and a protest to me.It is a time and opportunity to celebrate all things LGBTQ+ from our successes and our role models to otherness and individuality. It is also a time to look towards ongoing challenges in our community and raise awareness around them and demand action to be taken to address these issues. Pride is a vital and important event to the LGBTQ+ community.
Dr Mike Homfray
Pride is still a reminder to me that even though we have made some great strides there will always be a need not to be complacent and to remember that homophobia and transphobia remains real and always needs to be challenged. On a personal level, it's perhaps not as important as in the days where I first went down to London, and that feeling of being with thousands of others just like me, but there is still a need for Pride. While homophobia and transphobia exist, so must pride.
Grace McShane
For me, Pride means showing my support as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community including my colleagues and our students here at the University of Liverpool. I want everyone to feel they can work and study in an environment where they can visibly, proudly and safely be 100% of their authentic selves.