Gok Wan reminds us ‘we’re still fighting’ for equality during Pride

Words: Brian Leonard

Gok Wan is reminding us that as much as Pride is a celebration of the LGBTQ community, it is also political and that we are still fighting for equality.

The fashionista, TV presenter, and DJ has been speaking to Attitude for My Pride, sponsored by United Airlines as part of Attitude’s Pride at Home.

Asked about his first Pride experience, Gok says he can’t remember it but chalks that up to all the Prides he’s been to molding into “one amazing event over my last 48 years of living,” and that he’s loved them all so much.

“That’s the honest truth,” he insists. “Either that or I’ve just drank way too much over my life…”

Listing all the reasons why he loves and goes to Prides Gok says: “I go to Pride because I want to be with the community that I love. I go to Pride to celebrate who I am. I go to Pride to celebrate lots of different people, people that I know, but also people that I’ve never met before.

“I go to Pride because I want my voice to be heard. I go to Pride to hear other people’s voices. I go to Pride because I want our siblings around the world who aren’t as fortunate as us to be able to have the Pride to be heard by us and to let them know that we are standing with them in some of the most horrendous circumstances.”

He says later this comes from once being a young gay man and wanting to be a part of the LGBTQ community and wanting a family.

“I guess I still hunt for those moments,” he adds. As such he tries to get as much out of every Pride he goes to, whether it’s London, Manchester, Brighton, or a smaller Pride.

In the wake of the ongoing fight to get a full and inclusive ban on ‘conversion therapy’, as well as the fight for trans rights and equality Gok is clear that: “Pride has to stand for the politics, not just the celebration.”

He continues: “as much as we go and celebrate a Pride, we’re also fighting for equality, we’re fighting for change, we’re fighting for difference.”

“We are still fighting and we’re still searching for equality and we still have to be heard. And this is our opportunity to be heard,” he rallies. 

In addition to Gok, ‘Biblical’ singer Calum Scott, Cabaret actor Fra Fee, and RuPaul’s Drag Race icons Peppermint, Trixie, and Katya will also be sharing their memories and lessons of Pride.

My Pride, sponsored by United Airlines, is part of Attitude Pride at Home, which runs from 9-19 June on attitude.co.uk, youtube.com/attitudemag, and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@attitudemag).

Attitude Pride at Home is to benefit the Attitude Magazine Foundation for LGBT causes. 

To donate £3 please text ATHOME3 to 70480 or click here.