Anyhow, I have long said that it is wonderful to see so many people out there enjoying Pride events, regardless of their own sexuality. The number grows every year and it is fantastic to see that our equality is celebrated but I have also noticed, particularly around pride season, a swell in the number of people who would happily take it all away from us in a heartbeat. You only have to take a few minutes searching social media or the wider internet before you come across comments like this...

"Each to your own but all this 'Pride' gets on my nerves. If you're gay, fine but we don't want it forced down our throats... so to speak"

And it is to those people who make comments like this that I would like to talk to because I have some questions...

Do me a favour and turn on your TV, take your time and watch a good selection of programming and then tell me, how many LGBTQ storylines did you see? How many LGBTQ presenters were there? How many documentaries about LGBTQ people were there? How many adverts featured LGBTQ couples? How many stories about LGBTQ people were on the news that wasn't the result of another physical homophobic attack? Now ask yourself the same for heterosexual people.

And you say that it is 'Pride' being forced down your throat?

Now, turn on the radio, a music channel or even your own music library. How many LGBTQ singers and musicians do you hear? How many songs tell stories of love between two men or two women? How many singers are sharing their experiences as an LGBTQ person in this world? Now ask yourself the same for heterosexual people.

And you still say that it is 'Pride' being forced down your throat?

Pick up a newspaper or a magazine. How many LGBTQ related stories are there? How many of those stories were negative towards LGBTQ people? How many LGBTQ couples were referred to has have gotten 'married' - including the quotation marks? How many times have the media implied some form of danger as a result of LGBTQ people? Now ask yourself the same for heterosexual people.

And you still say that it is 'Pride' being forced down your throat?

Take a trip out to the cinema, one of those big multi-plex screen ones. Take a look at all the movies available for you to see. Tell me, How many of those movies feature LGBTQ performers in leading roles? How many of those movies feature out and proud LGBTQ characters? How many of those movies even have an LGBTQ character? How many of those movies have an LGBTQ storyline in them? Now ask yourself the same for heterosexual people.

And you still say that it is 'Pride' being forced down your throat?

Let's watch some football, any premiership game will do. Of all the players that you see on that field, how many of them regularly make headline news for any number of reasons? How many of those players are lauded as national heroes (or even villains) day in, day out? How many of those players are known LGBTQ people? Now ask yourself the same for heterosexual people.

And you still say that it is 'Pride' being forced down your throat?

Take a walk down your local high street. How many LGBTQ couples is it that you see kissing or showing public displays of affection? How many LGBTQ couples is it that you see even holding hands? Now ask yourself the same for heterosexual people.

And you still say that it is 'Pride' being forced down your throat?

All of the above is just a brief look at how little LGBTQ people are represented and when we are, it is done so negatively. I will get to why that is so important in just a moment but before I do, I have a few more questions...

While you are out taking that walk, answer me this. How many times have you have had abusive language hurled across the street at you because of your sexuality? Try reversing the roles. How many times has someone called you an 'f*****g breeder', a 'disgusting straight' or any other term that you can possibly think of that might be degrading, hurtful or humiliating to a straight person? 

How many times has someone accused or implied that you are a pervert or a paedophile simply because of your sexuality? All of this and so much worse has happened to me and a very terrifyingly large percentage of the LGBTQ community.

And you still say that it is 'Pride' being forced down your throat?

Here is a little fact for you. In 2005, the UK HM Treasury and the Department of Trade and Industry completed a survey to help the government analyse the financial implications of the Civil Partnerships Act (such as pensions, inheritance and tax benefits). They concluded that there were 3.6 million gay people in Britain which is around 6% of the total population or 1 in 16.66 people.

With all of that in mind, now put yourself in the place of an LGBTQ person living in this world. Think about all of those brief situations I have mentioned above. Do you feel represented? Do you feel that the world in front of your eyes resembles anything like a 1 in 16.66 representation?

You see, in terms of representation, when it is LGBTQ people on TV, in music, in newspapers and magazines, in movies, in sports or even your day to day life, it is minimal at best. Even when we are represented it is more often than not, a negative, stereotypical or derogatory portrayal. It has got better, but in no way does it truly represent the full society we live in.

And yet you still say that it is 'Pride' being forced down your throat? 

Pride Month was chosen to be in June to commemorate the Stonewall riots that occurred at the end of June in 1969. Many of the Pride events that happen around the world happen around this time for that reason and they are to commemorate those riots and what the LGBTQ people were protesting for. Today, Pride events are to continue that fight against the discrimination and violence that is all too often targeted at LGBTQ people. 

For many, it is a single day in the year where they are represented, where they are recognised and where they are accepted. It is a time to remember those before us who have fought for us to gain equality in the past and to continue that work. It has become an annual opportunity to continue striving towards a time where LGBTQ people are no longer physically attacked or discriminated against. A future where LGBTQ people are represented, recognised and accepted, not just legally, but socially, in our everyday worlds.

With people quite openly presenting attitudes like, "Each to your own but all this 'Pride' gets on my nerves. If you're gay, fine but we don't want it forced down our throats... so to speak". I think it is safe to say that the work is still very much ongoing, wouldn't you agree?

Thanks for reading x