June every year is 'Pride' month. Its used to know our history, raise awareness, stop stigma and discrimination. But most of all its a celebration!
Part of LGBT history is the Stonewall Riots that happened in Greenwich Village in the United States of America on June 28th, 1969. This was in response to police raids. It is widely believed that this started the gay liberation movement.
This gentleman above is Harvey Milk. In 1977 he became the first ever openly gay elected official in the history of California, USA. I have read a lot about this man and he was for ever for standing up for the rights of gay people. He was an official of the supervisory board of San Francisco. He served for only 11 months when he was shot by a previous political competitor. They made a film about him called 'Milk', which starred Sean Penn. I haven't seen it but its on my list to do.
On the 7th July this year its the 'Pride March' which starts off in Trafalgar Square and ends up in Hyde Park. I've never been but its a goal of mine. Large crowds really affect me, due to my autism but I'm working on it. Above is the rainbow flag, the official flag of the LGBT community. In the USA large companies like McDonalds, Burger King and Starbucks are using the rainbow flag on their merchandise during Pride month. Would happen 10 years ago? Times are changing.
There has sadly always been infighting between the different groups within the LGBT community. It started off in the 1970's between the gay men and lesbian women. Now there are so many different groups that need to be heard, like pansexuals, asexuals and the list goes on. But what I think has never been recognised in the LGBT community is people with learning disabilities and/or autism who are gay. We face double discrimination and are a small percentage of the general population, let alone the population of people who are LGBT. People with learning disabilities and/or autism are disabled and often find it difficult to be accepted by the general population but throw in 'being gay' to the mix and it becomes even harder.
With the Adult Learning Disability Service of Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust they have just started a group for staff and people like me. Its early days of the group but I am really looking to joining the group and having my voice heard!
Richard
Self Advocate
Really interesting points Richard - maybe it's worth getting in touch with the organisers of Pride, see if they can put something in place to make it easier for people with issues around large crowds?
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