Pride Month is an annual observance in June of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights and history. Pride in Sheffield is celebrated every year, where many students take part.
Megan Ainsworth is currently a student living in Sheffield. She shared her views of being a Queer woman living in Sheffield.
Megan says, “I identify as bisexual and I am currently in a relationship with a cisgender man. Therefore, a lot of people just presume I am heterosexual. So I don’t necessarily experience what other members of the queer community experience.
“It is hard to speak about the safety of Sheffield for queer people as a whole. My experience has mainly been from a university perspective, and in that sense, I feel extremely safe. I am in societies where members of the LGBTQ+ community make up the majority of the membership.”
“In a society that favours heterosexuality and cisgender people, it is important for LGBTQ+ people to have a place where they feel safe and heard. It is important we have support and advice when we need it.
“Even though society appears to be more ‘accepting’ of our community, it remains very uncomfortable at times to truly be yourself without fear of judgement and abuse. I still remember seeing the news article of two gay women being beaten up on a bus. That is terrifying.”
Melissa Milsom-James is also a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Speaks about the importance of LGBT History Month, which takes place in February.
She says, “I think it’s important because it allows the LGBTQ+ community to come together and celebrate being themselves while acknowledging past and current struggles people in the community experience.
On Pride in Sheffield, she say, “It’s more than a month with a label on it. It allows people to feel appreciated and accepted whether in social situations, at home or even amongst friends.”
Events for Pride in Sheffield will be honouring queer history and the importance of art this June.
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