THIS is real courage - that shouldn't be required

It was Pride weekend here, and as I enjoyed celebrating the community, I reflected: I’ve never required bravery to hold the hand of the one I love.

• I’ve never had to google how safe a country is to visit because of who I love.

• I’ve never wondered if those that are supposed to love me the most - my friends and family - will actually still love me when I tell them who I love.

• I’ve never had to wonder if I should hide who I love in order to get a job.

• I’ve never feared being physically attacked because of who I love.

• I’ve never had to listen to people making jokes about who I am and silently wonder if I should say anything or, yet again, let it slide for the sake of peace and sometimes, my own safety.

• I can marry whoever I choose and I’ve never had to jump through hoops to ‘prove’ that I should be able to make a commitment to my love in the same way as other humans.

• I’ve never had to listen to an entire country debate the right for me to marry whom I choose under the awful and prejudiced ‘justification’ of it being a moral issue

• I’ve never had to listen to people talk nonsense about the ‘fitness to be a parent’ based on who I love.

This list could go on and on, sadly.

All of this that I have never experienced is the epitome of privilege, and I am so aware of it.

I’ll keep attempting to be an ally, and I’m sure I’ll keep making mistakes as I try to keep learning.

Thank you to the community for the grace that you show those of us who don’t suffer the same things...and for letting us join your (awesome!) parties, with the best music.

As a guest, I had a truly wonderful time - thank you for reminding me what safety and inclusion and acceptance looks like. Oh, and what joy and freedom looks like at the fullest.

Last week, I wrote about courage and some of my own experiences of it - and yet this ⬆️ is what I consider to be real courage - and it’s just heartbreaking that it’s still necessary for some people to require it to live and love in this world.

(Thanks to Brighton and Hove Pride for hosting such a wonderful weekend).