Championing the rights of the LGBTQ+ community

We reflect on the day and hear from some of those who took part in the parade – which attracted more than 32,000 participants – about what it meant to them and why the show of solidarity is so significant.

As the world continues to strive for inclusivity and acceptance, organisations taking part in events like Pride, the annual parade to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, play a crucial role in helping to promote diversity, foster positive community relations and further build equality for all.

BPS member Carole Carter, who attended with the society, said:

"By marching, we are showing people that we will not tolerate the pathologisation of LGBTQIA+ identities. This message of solidarity has been wholly embraced by the public along the route of the march both years we have taken part in the parade.

"It is something my teenage self desperately needed but didn't even get from the mental health teams I had contact with."

The decision to participate in Pride in London reflects the BPS's commitment to cultivating an inclusive and supportive culture. Members, staff and allies, including senior managers, trustees and the BPS President-Elect for 2023-24, all stood shoulder to shoulder in celebrating diversity, inclusion and difference.

This outward display of support regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity was a deeply personal and affirming experience for some.

BPS member Rebecca Morgan said:

"I've never been prouder to be LGBT than I have when marching with the BPS at Pride. The crowd really supported our message to ban trans conversion therapy and it was wonderful to be cheered for the work we do. Having had harmful experiences of therapy myself, I know how important it is to provide marginalised people with the support they need.

"Perhaps the best moment was being approached by a woman in her 70s from a country where she said most institutions are not supportive of LGBTQ+ people. She took a photo of me in my BPS shirt to show her friends what change could look like."

Rob Agnew, a member of the BPS Psychology of Sexualities Section who co-organised our attendance at the parade, spoke about the importance of having a voice outside of the workplace.

 "The current public narrative on LGBTQ+ communities is dominated by loud non-expert voices, and these people are finding their way into the writing of government legislation that affects us," he said.

"We need psychologists to feel supported to leave the clinic and the lab, and be seen to be doing the things we are trained to do that positively impact society and policy.

"Our attendance at Pride in London is a perfect example of how psychologists can work constructively towards a better world, sharing an evidence-based, political message, delivered directly to the public."

Adam Jowett, chair of the Sexualities Section and of the BPS's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Board, reiterated that marching in the parade was a great opportunity for the society to show its support for the LGBTQ+ community and its commitment to diversity and inclusion.

"I felt a real sense of solidarity and pride whilst marching alongside other BPS members and staff," he said.

Pauline Grant, who marched with BPS last year as an ally and returned this year, said there were some notable highlights.

"These include that, alongside the small group with bible quotes about being 'unseemly', there were other church groups promising to be welcoming.

"Being straight positioned me as part of an invisible minority, an experience worth having from time to time" she added.

Brit Clayton, BPS EquaIity, Diversity and Inclusion lead (Member networks), believed the day was empowering as well as being hugely enjoyable.

"Everyone in the BPS delegation got into the spirit of the event, wearing BPS T-shirts, carrying flags and banners, and some having their faces painted. It was a wonderful day and a positive experience."

She encouraged others who have not attended Pride before to consider joining the delegation in 2024 saying:

"It's a fun day out with a clear purpose: the opportunity to advocate for the rights of people to be able to live their lives free of fear, discrimination and persecution."