#yorkpride

Yesterday, I was at the LGBT pride for the first time in my life.

It was the LGBT pride in the city of York. And you know what?

Recently, it has become customary to criticize the «non-political nature» and «commercialization» of LGBT-prides. But I do not agree with this criticism!

It was the first time in my life when I really saw the world without homophobia and transphobia. I have been suffering from homophobia and transphobia all my life and now I can see how people celebrate LGBT identity and LGBT+ diversity.

I saw ordinary citizens who greeted us from the sidewalks and from the balconies of their homes. They held rainbow flags! They were waiting for us. They were glad to celebrate our identity. Some of the parents there were with small children. Do you know that in Russia these parents would be arrested? You don’t know it, yep? So, in Russia, children have practically no opportunity to grow in LGBT-friendly society.

But here... here I saw a mom in the Pride column, a mom with small children who supports trans-rights! And who knows, maybe these children were trans* children. And it fantastic to me, because I was a trans child in a very-very transphobic family!

And I saw so many different LGBTQIA people who just can be themselves!

I saw elderly LGBT+ people and LGBT youth!

I saw LGBT people in wheelchairs and LGBT people with guide dogs.

And I saw other LGBT refugees. Beautiful, loud Black LGBT+ refugees. We walked in the same column and for the first time some of these people could safely declare their orientation and/or gender to the whole street, to the whole city!

And it is amazing. Amazing for me, amazing for them.

And I'm happy that it was “just a holiday”.

I am happy that the days when LGBT people don’t have to fight and can just be themselves really exist.

And I will be even more pleased when LGBT people will be accepted and Prides will not be necessary!

(Many photos from York Pride.

I was with LGBT+ refugees from LASS organization.