Normally at this time of year people across the country would be taking to the streets to celebrate PRIDE month and the LGBT community. While the coronavirus may have stopped people gathering it is important that we all still mark this event.
The first PRIDE was in response to the Stonewall Riots, in Greenwich Village, in New York, in the summer of 1969. Over the years it has succeeded in changing legislation to improve the rights of the LGBT community. Today PRIDE tends to be recognised as a celebration of the LGBT community but it is also an important time to reflect on how we can tackle discrimination in our own community. We should all try to stand up for the equality and respect of every individual so that everyone is treated fairly and with respect, regardless of our gender or sexual orientation.
At MES we are working towards our LGBT Youth Scotland Gold Charter. At the beginning of the session we set up G.L.I.D.E. Through this new society we hope to make our school community more open-minded and inclusive. Our biggest aim is that nobody feels uncomfortable coming to school, nobody is singled out and everybody’s needs are met. We hope that having a strong network will help to achieve this.
If you would like to join G.L.I.D.E next term, to help us to champion the rights of the LGBT community and grow our network of support, email me at: camorrison@esms.org.uk
