'Hateful comments show why Pride is needed in Basingstoke'

However, after reading so many negative and hateful comments on the Gazette's Facebook page in response to the event, nearly all from people who didn't go, I felt compelled to respond.

The comments, unfortunately, are the usual misguided, outdated remarks that come with any event organised by those fighting for equality. They included 'When will there be an event for straight people?' or 'Why do people have to shout about their sexuality?' In one eye-rolling inducing post someone declared 'I don't announce to everyone I'm straight'.

READ MORE: Basingstoke Pride 2024 deemed success by town's leaders 

Emily Roberts at Basingstoke Pride (Image: Sarah Gaunt) The ignorance and intolerance towards inclusivity and equality from these individuals shows exactly why we need Pride in Basingstoke. Equality is a basic, fundamental human right.

Basingstoke’s first Pride event was a great way to drown out those outdated voices and to stand together united in our support for the LGBTQ community.

The event said it was family-friendly, so I took my son and his cousins along and was pleased to see other families with children. The parade started in Cross Street where a colourful crowd gathered. It was great to see so many people in attendance and the vibe was fun and uplifting. A couple of friendly police officers gave out whistles which my son and his cousins enthusiastically blew as we made our way through the town waving our rainbow flags, watched by supportive crowds who had gathered along the streets.

A person in front of us, who was also with a group of children, offered to create rainbows on our cheeks. We gratefully accepted; the kids were thrilled to have their faces painted. Behind us was a group of elderly people in wheelchairs delightedly waving Pride balloons and holding a sign stating ‘love is love’.

The only disappointment was the apparent lack of support from many town centre businesses. It would have been great to see all the restaurants and other shops on the parade's route put up rainbow flags, and it felt like a missed opportunity. The event brought additional footfall to the town centre and many people would no doubt have spent money in shops and restaurants before and afterward, something that surely must be welcomed by local businesses who could have embraced this opportunity while at the same time showing support for Pride.

Flying Tiger Copenhagen was one of those that did, putting out all its rainbow stock at the front of the shop for passing customers to make last-minute purchases for the parade. I also saw a group of staff from Nando's taking part in the parade, while the Gabardine Bar at the Top of Town had installed an impressive rainbow balloon arch outside. Hopefully next year others will follow suit and decorate the entire town centre for the occasion.

When we arrived at the amphitheatre the entertainment was fun, family-friendly, uplifting and joyous. My niece headed straight to the front to join in with the dancing. It was great to spot so many people we knew. RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Crystal was a highlight for many, giving a fun performance that also delivered an important and thought-provoking message about equality, without being too heavy.

Afterward, I was grateful for the opportunity the event gave me to have an age-appropriate conversation with my son about LGBTQ and to talk to him about diversity, empathy, respect and equality. As a parent, I’m aware of the crucial role I play in educating him about acceptance and equality and how damaging discrimination and homophobia are.

As he grows up, he will almost certainly hear harmful language or behaviour from others. Only by understanding the importance of words and actions and by talking about history and current affairs can I encourage him to keep his mind open and to challenge or stand up to this.

Pride is all about being proud of who you are no matter who you love – a message I want my son to hear loud and clear.

While, for the most part, he just enjoyed Basingstoke Pride as a fun day out, hopefully, he will have at some level absorbed some of the deeper meaning behind the event and the importance of equality for everyone. I want him to grow up to be unlike those people who leave nasty comments on social media and to instead celebrate people’s differences. I also want him to know that I will always support him to be himself.

If we want to stamp out discrimination and homophobia, we have to start with our children. Thank you to the organisers of Basingstoke Pride for putting on such a fabulous event for the whole community to enjoy, myself included.