A Happy Pride to all those celebrating in Manchester this weekend from all of us at PopUp Painting.
Self expression is vital to creativity and vital to what we believe in. Everybody should have the right to live and love free from fear and discrimination.
Unfortunately that is not yet the case for LGBT people, be it in the UK or elsewhere around the world.
For example, a recent national survey of 108,000 LGBT peoplefound that two-thirds avoid holding hands in couple for fear of a negative reaction. Discrimination still affects LGBT people out in public, in finding somewhere to live, and even in accessing social services (see this 2017 publication from Stonewall). Meanwhile same sex relationships remain illegal in at least 72 countries around the world.
It’s important that we stand with the LGBT community not just at Pride, but all year round.
