Truthful words, by a beautiful soul.

It is a profoundly grey day, which feels entirely inappropriate given the subject. David Hockney has died, and suddenly the world feels rather lacking in technicolour.

He was, quite simply, a giant. To glance at a Hockney is to think, oh, how lovely, a swimming pool, but to actually look, really look, is to be gently hit by the quiet, subversive brilliance of it all. He was painting queer desire, domesticity, and unapologetic pleasure back when the law of the land deemed his very existence a crime. To reframe "homosexual propaganda" into sun-drenched, glorious masterpieces is a level of chic activism some can only aspire to. There is a beautiful, poignant irony that he left us during Pride Month; a final, dramatic curtain call from a true pioneer who refused to live in the shadows.

Whenever I manage to drag myself out of a darkened cinema or emerge blinking from the Underground, it is usually works like his vibrant splashes of Yorkshire or California that pull me into a gallery. His work possessed that rare, spectacular magic: making the incredibly complex look utterly effortless. The King has led the tributes, which is a classic establishment move, but Hockney belonged to the dreamers, the outsiders, and anyone who ever looked at a splash of acrylic and felt a sudden, overwhelming rush of joy.

If you're in Portsmouth on Saturday for UK Pride, please stop by the Trans Pride Portsmouth stall.

We have a mutual aid free clothing stall. Yes FREE CLOTHES. No catch.

BBC / The Guardian

In a joint public press release, organisations Birmingham Pride, Brighton Pride, Pride in London, and Manchester Pride, said they will not “stand by as the dignity, safety, and humanity of our trans siblings are debated, delayed, or denied.”

Organisers said the decision was based largely on the political reaction to a UK Supreme Court ruling, which argued the 2010 Equality Act’s definition of women and sex refers to “biological women” and “biological sex.”

A spokesperson speaking on behalf of the organisations said that the ruling underscores an “urgent need for immediate action,” adding that they plan to “stand firmer, louder, and prouder in demanding change that protects and uplifts trans lives.”

I cannot think of an event less suited to being apolitical than pride, especially at a time when trans rights are being infringed upon.

Because the stall will be bigger than ever and they're making free pronoun pins to give out, they are fundraising to try and recoup some of the expenses.

If you would like to contribute, the link is below. But don't feel obligated.

If you live in the area and would like to donate clothing, shoes and accessories you need to contact them on their social media for your local drop off location.

If you're going to UK Pride, you can drop off items at the stall on the day. (you can even volunteer at the stall if you like.)