Posted: August 2, 2024   •   Posted in: Equality, Reflections

Reflections on Beccles Pride 2024

Creating the event

‘Quakers in Britain are an LGBTQ+ affirming faith group. We all have human gifts and friendship to offer and we believe that all can equally access the divine.‘

This year our town’s Pride event was organised by Beccles Library and Beccles Quakers. We valued this partnership and enjoyed developing ideas and putting them into practice. We look forward to further opportunities to join with other organisations.

Our particular responsibility was creating a Pride Banner before the day, arranging entertainers for the day itself,  and offering an opportunity for visitors to create origami butterflies.  We also brought homemade biscuits to share, and created a mini-exhibition ‘Inspired by Pride’. Quakers had a stall on which we had a wide range of leaflets, and an offer of rainbow face-paint! We also enjoyed conversations with visitors and other stall-holders.

Reflections

Sylv shared her experiences of the day.

‘It was a glorious day for this outdoor event in the grounds of Beccles Library. I was accompanied by my son John who is 55 years old. His carer Anna was also with us. We took folding chairs so we could eventually sit, enjoy the company and listen to the musical interludes, most of which were provided by Quakers and their family members.

Wren played the harp beautifully. This was followed by Claire and Andy who played joyously together – flute and accordion. Later Conrad in period costume recited and sang extracts from Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets, chosen carefully for a Pride event celebrating diversity. There was also a wonderful performance from a member of Proud Pages, ‘a social group for young LGBTQIA+ people’.

There were beautiful banners and information leaflets available on the various stalls, and also details of other events. We met people from Oasis, ‘a self help and support group for trans-people and their partners, family and friends’. True Colours, a ‘social group for LGBTQ+ (18+) individuals looking for community’, was also there, alongside our Quaker stall.

We enjoyed our picnic, and tea and biscuits were available in the Library. Children, their parents and others were encouraged to make origami butterflies assisted by Gina. We accepted the offer of face-paints – which certainly enhanced our beauty!

I was aware that my son John had no idea what Pride was about. He has no speech or writing ability but understood the basis of what I was explaining as we watched a slender elegant woman who could have been a model. She was in conversations with others and her voice was deep and strong. I spoke to John about the option people have about their life choices. For me the most important thing is that people are accepted and supported to be who they want to be. John agreed.

It was an interesting and enjoyable event.’

Sylv (Beccles Quaker Meeting)