Nick Ede: Appreciating Pride

I didn’t officially come out until I was 23, so I was quite late, however I knew I was gay for years before that and explored the idea at around 19, although i didn’t have a relationship until I was 20 - but that was only very fleeting. Its funny because I went to university to study dramatic arts and so it was a very queer friendly environment. I had very few people I could talk to about it and there were no reflections of myself in the world around me, no open conversations, no role models I could relate to and certainly no colorful, joyful parades that I could be a part of.

It was before social media and being gay was becoming more acceptable but still held a big stigma. 

The world has changed drastically in the last 30 years and thanks to PRIDE, being gay is now something we celebrate and can feel proud about. Although the first march stems back to the early 70’s, being gay was still very much a taboo subject for many years after that. There is still a very important need for PRIDE and we have seen in the past few years that queer culture on one hand can be celebrated but on the other can be shut down and still be a crime in many countries around the world. 

I chose not to tell my family until my mother passed away, when I was 23 - I sat down with my Father and was absolutely terrified, I felt shame, I didn’t know how he would react or whether he would still love me the same, I’m so grateful to say that his reaction was more than I could have hoped for, he didn’t mind at all and actually said he knew already and was always very supportive - I was one of the lucky ones, I know many who’s families didn’t feel the same. Being Gay was a disappointment, a reason to be ostracised.

I remember my first PRIDE March. The energy was electric, the streets were filled with people, from all different walks of life - Queer people, allies, families, strangers, who all just wanted to fill the streets with love, celebrating their true selves and showing the world that we mattered!

That day I felt accepted, loved, I felt untouchable and bold, like I could achieve anything and my sexuality didn’t define who I was! i deserved to be here, I was important. Im not a particularly political person but I know that the power that PRIDE has in making change and creating conversation and allowing the minority to have a voice is extremely important. 

Pride is more than just a rainbow flag or a party, it’s taught me to be proud of who I am - to love myself. By loving myself, I can love others with abundance to. I deserve happiness and I have found happiness with my wonderful husband Drew and our beautiful fur baby Beverley.

I’m more than just a gay man, I am whole, happy and unashamed and hope I can encourage anyone who feels like they don’t have a voice, to step out of the shadows and feel the love that this world has to offer, just as you are.

Thank you PRIDE.