"AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 GAYS!": Why we felt the need to bury Pride... #RIPPRIDE #QUEERFIGHTBACK

I really can't remember the last time I had attended a Gay Pride 'parade' in London. Partly because I have been living overseas, but also because I have increasingly felt that it isn't for me. Which is odd when you think about it, as an out gay man, I am pretty much their core demographic - or am I?

Speaking to other Londoners, from all shades of the political spectrum, it's clear that many other people have been feeling the same way too.

Of course, you are never going to please everyone at an international 'event' like this. I completely understand that, but you only have to glimpse at the main sponsors to see how far the whole thing has distanced itself from any authentic, grassroots inclusion. Maybe we should be happy that such luminaries of social advocacy as 'Baker and McKenzie' have decided it's now okay to gatecrash a big gay party and pink-wash their brand, I don't know. I found myself asking the following question:

Does anyone really need to march through central London in order to promote Barclays Bank?

The lovely Dee invited me to join her friends at a funeral for Pride in honour of its former glory. It is a reaction to the death of our march at the hands of corporate sponsors. Donna Riddington and Mare Tralla have been actively involved with many grassroots and international art projects. They introduced me to Dan Glass and friends who are proactive in activism, and then we had a cup of tea.

Dee from Head out of Space

They helped me remember that all we really need to revive our pride is a group of good people, a strong message, a kitchen table full of food, some gaffer tape, and another really strong cup of tea.

Over the course of a week, we dedicated our valuable free time to the concept of making grassroots issues visible at, what is now, an international, corporate marketing event. We wanted to make our message look DIY, something that anyone could achieve with a really low budget. After all, who can afford to live in London and waste valuable money on the democratic process these days? It had to have an authentic homemade feel, something that could inspire anyone. It's not about hiring beautiful boys to wear g-strings and hand out rainbow Burger King hats - it's about everyone just getting out there.

The lovely Dan Glass has a knack of talking to the media, and so he has spent a huge amount of his time giving interviews to the press in order to vocalise what many of us think about this issue.

Dan Glass with Owen Jones.

Donna Riddington and Mare Tralla

Hywel

On the morning of June 27th 2015, we gathered to mourn the passing of Pride.

And following minimal confrontations with the stewards at the event, we led the corporate parade through central London with a free, DIY protest that had important, clear, grassroots, political messages...