June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and the vibrant LGBTQ+ community. Here at Gloucestershire Scouts, we believe in creating a warm and welcoming environment for everyone, and Pride Month is a fantastic opportunity to stand together and show our support.
This year, we’re excited to announce that we’re planning to attend Gloucestershire Pride on Saturday, 13th September! This is a wonderful chance for our members – young people, leaders, and volunteers alike – to come together, celebrate, and show that Scouting in our county is for everyone.
Pride Month is celebrated every June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City, a pivotal moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. It’s a time to reflect on the progress made, acknowledge the challenges that still exist, and celebrate the rich culture and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. While the main celebrations happen in June, the spirit of Pride and the commitment to equality are year-round values.
Inclusivity is at the heart of Scouting. Our core values of integrity, respect, care, belief, and cooperation guide us in everything we do. Our commitment to equality and diversity is clear: we welcome everyone, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. Participating in Pride events is a brilliant way to live these values and to visibly demonstrate our commitment to being a truly inclusive organisation.
Attending Pride is more than just a fun day out; it’s a statement that we stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and that we are proud to have LGBTQ+ members in our Scouting family.
Reuben, Scouts Team Member, says
“It’s important to show Scouting is open to all people, regardless of colour, religion, physical ability and gender identity.”
We would love for as many of you as possible to join the Gloucestershire Scouts team at Gloucestershire Pride. It promises to be a fantastic day of celebration, community, and fun.
“I feel a great sense of pride showing that Scouting is seen as part of the wider LGBT+ community”, says Rueben.
Here are the key details for the day:
We will be sharing more details soon about our meeting point and how we’ll be coordinating our group on the day.
For now, please save the date and start thinking about how you and your group can get involved. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to come together as a county, show our support for the LGBTQ+ community, and have a great time doing it.
We can’t wait to see you there, waving your rainbow flags and showing the world what it means to be a Scout in Gloucestershire!