A landmark moment for Redbridge as the borough prepares to host its first-ever Pride celebration – a powerful step towards equality and inclusion, says 14-year-old Wanstead resident Riku Fryderyk
The Pride parade in London has for 50 years been at the forefront of Pride Month celebrations in our capital city, with this massive event being the biggest of any city in the UK. Last year, the Redbridge Rainbow Community took part in the march between Hyde Park Corner and Trafalgar Square. It’s always brilliant to see smaller communities in towns and cities celebrating their individual diverse LGBTQIA+ population and showing support for an often marginalised minority.
That’s why the very first Redbridge Pride event is such an important milestone in the progress of pushing for equality in our borough. It’s a fantastic opportunity for the community to make themselves seen and heard in Redbridge and to ensure those living within the borough feel safe to express their true selves.
Three months ago, I attended a Pride History Month event at Parliament, where Wes Streeting MP had been invited to speak to members of Redbridge Council and the Redbridge Rainbow Community, which is organising this Redbridge Pride. He said with the borough having been a difficult place in which to be an open member of the community for a long time, it was truly incredible to see how far things have progressed. But there is still much room for improvement and community safety is at the heart of this.
The seeds of the future are being sown this year on Saturday 12 July at Redbridge Town Hall, with music, food and stalls. Two highlights – among a full timetable of great fun – include a workshop by Bollyqueer – a dance class which centres on queer and trans people – and a performance by Tyra Missoux. This event is made possible with the support of the National Lottery Community Fund, along with individual donors. It looks set to be a truly fantastic day that could be followed in later years with even bigger events – this is only the beginning. With recent changes to the law through the Supreme Court ruling, we are so grateful that we have a chance to celebrate our community’s existence with such a powerful event.
The Redbridge Rainbow Community advocates for the social inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in Redbridge, working with various public services so they can fully account for the community’s needs and public authorities to reduce incidents, as well as creating a safe space for residents of the borough to share their experience and make suggestions for change. The charity has been pouring a large amount of effort into this event and they encourage both members and allies alike to come along, and in doing so, become a part of Redbridge’s rich and ever-growing history.
Redbridge Pride 2025 will take place at the Town Hall, Ilford, IG1 1DD on 12 July from 12.30pm to 6pm (free). For more information, visit wnstd.com/pride
