Pride Month 2023

Proud and inspired! For Pride Month 2023, we asked our community who they were inspired by. Today: Meg-John Barker, an English writer and scholar.

Our member Jester introduces them, saying: “Meg-John Barker is a writer that writes books that help people navigate societies expectations about topics like sexuality, gender and relationships with a queer perspective. They really inspire me because their books don’t tell the reader what to do, but encourage critical thinking, and are made accessible by adding many pictures for people that prefer that”.

Proud and inspired! For Pride Month 2023, we asked our community who they were inspired by. Today: Swati Bidhan Baruah, Assam’s first —and India’s third— transgender Lok Adalat judge.

Our member Udipta mentioned her as a source of inspiration for two main reasons, saying: “First, it takes a tremendous amount of courage to go against strong societal norms. She overcame social pressures, went against her family’s wishes and showed us that it is only you who should and can decide who you want to be. And second, by becoming Assam’s first transgender Judge, she also proved that LGBTQI+ people are not confined only within their queer identities; they are so much more than that.”

Proud and inspired! For Pride Month 2023, we asked our community who they were inspired by. Today: Asumpta Nakabugo, a former LGBTQ+ refugee, single mother of 5, and church leader.

A dear friend of our member Aleid, she says: “I want to shed the light on LGBT+ refugees, specifically, Asumpta Nakabugo. A phoenix risen from the ashes, helping other phoenixes do the same through the love-centred, no-judgement, LGBT+ embracing church “The Kingdom Prayer Palace”, which she built from the asylum center. The church was launched last year during Amsterdam pride walk, where they will be present again this year, in their fight for social justice, anti-discrimination and international solidarity, but most of all: LOVE.”

Proud and inspired! For Pride Month 2023, we asked our community who they were inspired by. Today: Symmy Larrat, the first National Secretary for the Promotion of Defence of LGBTQ+ people, in Brazil.

Our member Justine shares why Sammy is an inspiration: “Symmy Larrat is such an inspiration for all queer people in the world: this incredible transgender woman, an ex-prostitute and drag queen, always fought for queer people’s rights. She managed to navigate the far-right governed and extremely conservative society of Brazil, to ultimately be appointed by current president Lula as the very first National Secretary for the Promotion and Defence of LGBTQIA+ People (!) last December. To reach such a high political position, given her life and never to give up is a beacon of hope for everyone in Brazil as well as all queer people of the world. Activism and representation matter. Let’s follow her example and keep supporting each other, with kindness, courage and acceptance: I am different, but I want to understand and will protect you.”

Proud and inspired! For Pride Month 2023, we asked our community who they were inspired by. Today: Dove Cameron, singer and actress.

Our member Anastasija shares why Dove inspires her: “Dove Cameron is a popular American singer who came out as a queer a few years ago. She strives to represent her sexual identity in her music, for example, in her single “Boyfriend” and creates a safe space in her Instagram for her fans. She is very loving, caring, and accepting human being. I appreciate her for speaking up against anti-LGBTQAI+ campaigns and showing explicit support for queer people.”

Proud and inspired! For Pride Month 2023, we asked our community who they were inspired by. Today: Tom Daley, Olympic diving champion and professional knitter

Our member Tom sees his namesake as a source of inspiration, saying “Going beyond sharing a name, I am inspired by how Tom Daley is an out and proud gay married man in a professional sports setting. He uses his fame in activism and sending positivity into the world. Oftentimes, lgbtq+ stories focus on the negative, the sorrow, the hurt, which unfortunately is very present in our world. In contrast I am just so glad to see a gay men living his best life and being himself, including recently pivoting to professional knitting.”