Fighting for the rights of the Cumbrian LGBTQ+ community

Pride parades first began in the early 1970s, in response to the now infamous Stonewall riots in New York after a police raid in 1969.

Intertwined with the late 20th century gay rights movements, Pride parades are seen today as both a celebration of society’s acceptance and a reminder that there is still progress to be made.

Cumbrian LGBTQ+ champions flew out to the Big Apple for the biggest pride event of 2019.

Pam Eland, project manager for LGBTQ+ and former chairperson of Cumbria Pride, headed up the delegation of Cumbrians heading to the World Pride event in New York City.

That year marked a milestone for the global LGBTQ+ community, and World Pride 2019 reflected that.

The Stonewall riots of 1969 were a series of violent confrontations between police and members of the gay community, which served as a catalyst for the gay rights' movement.

Last year, the group of Cumbrians who travelled Stateside represented the county with a Pride banner and Cumbrian flags.

Pam expected 250,000 people to take part in the parade, and more than three million people were expected to take part in the overall World Pride event

The international movement designed to promote greater visibility and acceptance of the full range of sexual and gender identities first came to Cumbria in 2009.

As much as Pam know,s there is still a lot of work to be done in the county she is spearheading various campaigns and projects to give people a safe space learn, develop themselves and find acceptance in what can sometimes be an unforgiving world.

Since stepping down as the chair for Cumbria Pride she has dedicated more time to fighting the stigmas surrounding the LBGTQ+ community and is working hard with schools and to help educate people about what is needed to create a fair environment.

A helping hand, a drink and an ear to listen are all part of her charm, which go alongside her ferocious determination to fight the good fight.