Why censor Pride when it could be a teaching moment?
BY VEE WILSON, IMAGE BY @ALIAKSANDRBARYSENKA
June is here, and across the country, many of us will be looking forward to the eruption of colour, music, and joy that comes to our streets every year during Pride. For some, it’s a party. For others, it’s a protest. With confetti in the air, rainbow flags waving high, and glitter catching sunlight like tiny sparks of joy, one thing we can all agree on is that Pride is always a vibrant celebration of identity, resilience, and love in all forms.
Yet, the inclusion of children at Pride events remains controversial. Some parents might be hesitant, unsure whether Pride is the “right” place for children, but it’s exactly where they should be – learning in real time that there’s no one single way to be a person or a family.
Children don’t live in a vacuum; whether they identify as LGBTQIA+ themselves or are part of an LGBTQIA+ family, they feel the sting of stigma. According to Just Like Us, 42% of lesbian and gay parents report that their children have faced negative comments. Similarly, Stonewall reports that nearly half of LGBTQIA+ school pupils are bullied, twice the rate of their non-LGBTQIA+ peers. And peer cruelty isn’t the only issue: schools still fail to provide enough positive messaging about being LGBTQIA+. It’s easy to assume that home is a refuge, but even there, reality is bleak, as only half of LGBTQIA+ people feel that they can be fully open with their families. In a world where hate takes root early, supporting children isn’t optional – it’s vital.
Bringing children to Pride is an essential part of educating them about the importance of embracing difference and living authentically. I was around fourteen when my parents first allowed me to go to Doncaster Pride with my friends, and it’s an experience that I’ll never forget. I was the first person in my family to come out as queer, and though my parents didn’t entirely understand, they responded with trust by giving me space to explore my own identity – something I’m eternally grateful for.
I remember the smell of hotdogs wafting by, music blasting from fairground rides, and the sweaty excitement – partly because of the heat but mostly because the girl that I had a huge crush on at the time had come along. Standing among the crowd as drag queens and tribute acts performed, with rainbow leis around our necks and glitter on our faces, I felt a sense of belonging come over me for the first time. A sense that I wasn’t alone in who I was or who I loved. Looking back, I wish my parents had joined me. Not just to see me grow, but to witness the joy, connection, and openness that Pride fosters. I understand now that discomfort or fear might have held them back, but that only reinforces why visibility and education matter, for both adults and children.
Pride is a place for authentic expression, and that isn’t always guaranteed to be “appropriate” but there’s nothing shameful about queer joy, sexual identity, or sex. Nor is Pride an inherently sexual event. While some events might highlight freedom of sexual expression, it’s important to understand that for a community once criminalised for expressing desire, celebrating sexuality is part of their healing. This does not mean that Pride is not a safe place for your children; often, Pride events have strict guidelines and some even offer child-friendly family areas.
Yes, Pride is bold. It’s unapologetic in its expression of love, sexuality, and identity, which might prompt questions. But this is not something to shield children from; it’s something to engage with. Although topics like sexuality might be difficult to discuss with your children, it’s important to set a precedent of openness so that your child feels supported, heard, and can talk to you about anything. Children are naturally curious, and they’ll look for answers whether you provide them or not. The most powerful thing you can do is be the safe place they find them.
Whether your child is LGBTQIA+ or not, don’t guard them from experiences that will help them grow through learning about themselves and the world around them. Honest conversations about sexuality and identity with your children start here, so why censor Pride when it could be a teaching moment?
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