UK Black Pride 2024
- Written byStudent Communications
- Published date 02 August 2024
This year’s UK Black Pride is taking place at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Sunday 11 August at 12 – 8 pm.
What is UK Black Pride?
UK Black Pride dates back to 2005 and provides a space for Black LGBTQ+ people to discuss specific issues that are more unique to their lived experience and celebrate the Black LGBTQ+ community.
UK Black Pride aims to represent and celebrate Black LGBTQ+ and QTI people of colour and promotes unity and cooperation among LGBTQI+ people of diasporic communities in the UK. UK Black Pride is grassroots in its organising and focuses on issues such as racism, homophobia, and lack of proper physical and mental healthcare in Black communities. For many queer individuals from B.A.M.E backgrounds, their journey has been fraught with dual discrimination.
The celebration is now Europe’s largest celebration for African, Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American and Caribbean heritage LGBTQ+ people. UK Black Pride has become so popular that it has outgrown its regular spot at Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens and this year’s celebration takes place in the Olympic Park.
The history of UK Black Pride
In addition to celebrating contemporary achievements, UK Black Pride commemorates historical figures often overlooked in mainstream queer history. The first LGBTQ+ Pride March marked the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall riots that took place in New York City in 1969. The riots were a pivotal moment in the global civil rights movement and it is often overlooked that many victims of the Stonewall Inn police raid were Black, Asian and minority ethnic. The subsequent 6 days of protests were led predominantly by LGBTQ+ women of colour, including Stormé DeLarverie, Marsha P. Johnson, and Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, whose activism laid the groundwork for today's movements.
The first UK Black Pride took place as a small gathering in Southend-on-Sea in 2005 and was organised by Phyll Opoku-Gyimah (Lady Phyll). It has grown year on year and attracts up to 8,000 attendees annually. The day highlights the contributions of queer activists of colour who have fought for liberation and uplifts the community through education, advocacy, and the arts. According to the UK Black Pride website, it also aims to “promote and advocate for the spiritual, emotional, and intellectual health and well-being of all related communities.”
UK Black Pride and Stonewall
In February 2018, Stonewall, the UK's leading LGBTQ+ charity, announced its decision to withdraw from Pride in London due to the event's increasing corporatisation and lack of diversity. Instead, Stonewall pledged to enhance its support for UK Black Pride, appointing a full-time staff member to collaborate with the organisation and other community groups.
Since then, UK Black Pride and Stonewall have worked together on initiatives to empower Britain’s diverse B.A.M.E LGBTQ+ communities. This partnership aims to foster greater inclusivity and address the specific needs and challenges faced by these communities.
By acknowledging the past, celebrating the present, and planning for the future, UK Black Pride remains a beacon of hope and solidarity for LGBTQ+ individuals of colour.
How can I get involved?
The UAL LGBTQ+ Staff Network have organised a brunch on the day of UK Black Pride Sunday, August 11, 11 - 2pm, located on the 10th floor of the LCF building, right next door to the festivities, staff and students are welcome to come along to mingle and then head over to the UK Black Pride event. If you would like to join them, be sure to book your place to their brunch.
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