A celebration of love, reflecting on 2022 Pride

The BPS's involvement in Pride was long overdue, and during a time of increased hate crimes, global persecution and troubling political decisions, the BPS's open and proud support of the LGBTQ+ community is more important than ever. The marching BPS members made the day, and represented a great cross section of students, trainees, researchers, academics, practitioners, and allies.

One marcher commented:

"It was reaffirming as a gay man and as a clinical psychologist to see such a large part of the BPS enthusiastically support our presence at Pride. It's a sign that we are part of an inclusive and forward thinking profession that can learn from its past, and lend its voice to the LGBTQ+ fight for equality and safety"

Another added: 

"It was wonderful to march with the BPS on the occasion of its first attendance of Pride.  The march was an affirmation of our place within the community - in the BPS, and the BPS within the wider society.  An important part of our attendance was communicating the BPS opposition to conversion therapy,"

For one member, marching at Pride with the BPS was a profound experience:

"Pride 2022 was a day I shall never forget. It was deeply personal. I was first here in the mid 80's many I knew back then are no longer with us, I marched in their memory as no doubt countless others did.  I marched with gratitude and respect for the surviving pioneers and trailblazers from the Gay Liberation Front who started Pride back in '72 indomitably still here leading us in jubilant defiant spirit along same route of the original march 50 years ago."

There is no better way to sum up, as we reflect on LGBT History Month, and look ahead to hopefully another Pride event this year featuring the BPS and its members, than with the words of one member who called it

"A day filled with overwhelming love!"

The BPS has applied to march at Pride 2023 and hopes to reveal news of a successful application very soon.