Your Cart is Empty
The recent homophobic attacks in Clapham have shocked and saddened many people. These attacks are a reminder that LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance in society can be regressive, and not always progressive. In the UK, we have made great progress in recent years, but there is still a lot of work to be done.
One of the most important things we can do to keep and increase our rights is to be visible. This means being open about our sexuality and gender identity, and challenging discrimination and prejudice. It can be difficult to be visible, especially when there is a risk of violence or harassment. But it is important to remember that our visibility is a powerful force for change.
When we are visible, we send a message to the world that LGBTQ+ people are here, we are valid, and we deserve to be treated with respect. We also show young LGBTQ+ people that they are not alone, and that there is a community of people who will support them.
Another way to be visible is to wear an RCREW bracelet. RCREW’s mission is to help the LGBTQ+ community to be visible, both within and without the community. Their bracelets are a symbol of pride and solidarity, and they help to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ issues.
Being visible is not always easy, but it is important. When we are visible, we make the world a better place for LGBTQ+ people.
Be aware of your surroundings, and if you feel unsafe, trust your gut and leave the situation. You should also be prepared to report any incidents of homophobia or transphobia to the police.
We all have a role to play in ensuring that LGBTQ+ rights are protected. By being visible, speaking out, and taking action, we can make the world a more equal place for everyone.
For a few hours every summer, the guesswork stops. You can look around and simply know. This is what Pride does that nothing else does. The question worth asking is what happens when it ends.
You and your people are in the same spaces every day. The same supermarkets, the same offices, the same commutes. The problem was never finding each other. It was knowing each other. And that is a different problem entirely.
"Every gay person must come out," Harvey Milk said in 1978. He believed visibility would destroy myths and change the world.
He was right. Nearly 50 years later, coming out looks different. It's not always a speech or a grand announcement. Sometimes visibility is as quiet as wearing a bracelet.
