UK Black Pride Launches “This is Me. This is Home” Campaign

Celebrating 15 years of UK Black Pride.

UK Black Pride Launches “This is Me. This is Home” Campaign

Celebrating 15 years of UK Black Pride.

This weekend, organization UK Black Pride launched a new campaign dubbed “This is Me. This is Home,” set out to celebrate the “pride-home” that founder Lady Phyll and the organization has created for Black and BAME LGBTQ+ people across the country.

In a time where we’ve all been in lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, the organization wanted to create an event that could bring the community together and celebrate, and feel a part of a safe space. On Sunday, the organization hosted a day of digital celebrations featuring powerful speakers and performances, all coming together to celebrate the community as well as the 15-year anniversary of UK Black Pride. “When Lady Phyll and a busload of Black lesbians traveled to Southend-on-Sea in 2005 for the first UK Black Pride, no one could have imagined just how big this safe and brave space would grow,” the website states, adding that the organization has become Europe’s largest celebration for “LGBTQ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Middle Eastern and Latin American descent.” In addition, it has also grown into a movement.

Founded by Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, the organization is continuing to grow and is continuing to provide safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community. If you missed the celebration online this weekend, you can tune into each of the speeches, conversations and performances online at ukblackpride.org.uk.

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Today has been an emotional day, with tears of joy as UK Black Pride kickstart it’s 15th year celebration. Never would have imagined that 15 years on, we will see ourselves as Black, POC LGBTQI+ people on the big screen at Piccadilly Circus occupying this space. I’m thankful to everyone who has played a part in the growth of @ukblackpride and thank you to the amazing team! #TryingNotToCry #ComeHome #ByUsAndForUs ✊🏾💜 Join us tomorrow as we celebrate 15 years ukblackpride.org.uk Sunday 16th August 12 – 6pm
A post shared by ladyphyll (@ladyphyll) on Aug 15, 2020 at 11:40am PDT

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To celebrate our 15th anniversary, we asked some of our community and volunteers to sit for their portrait and tell us what UK Black Pride means to them. • @aba_abroad: “So many of us in the LGBTQ community have to defend our existence and identity and push for visibility. UK Black Pride offers a space where I can truly be comfortable and be free from judgement.” • @ladyphyll: “Home is a feeling as much as a place. It is watching thousands of Black and brown people dance, embrace and sing. It is safety, family, love and security. It is everything we’ve worked to build at UK Black Pride.” • @lexie_lenoir: “I feel at home. I feel like my chosen family has my back. We put on an incredible event every year that also allows us to let out hair down and really connect with our community.” • @ygojikian: “Home is a place I never forget who I am or where I come from. UK Black Pride is my chosen family, people who are there for me and who lift me up and celebrate me.” • @aisha_shaibu_: “At UK Black Pride I feel truly included and not just an afterthought. It’s a space for healing and where I feel visible and liberated. I no longer have to hide who I am.” • Thank you to the team @ogilvyuk for giving so generously of your time, energy and resources ❤️✊🏾🏳️‍🌈 • #comehome #ukblackpride
A post shared by UK Black Pride (@ukblackpride) on Aug 15, 2020 at 1:16am PDT

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To celebrate our 15th anniversary, we asked some of our community and volunteers to sit for their portrait and tell us what UK Black Pride means to them. • @rikkibeadleblair: “This is a place where everyone belongs. No one is too old, or too young, or too butch, or too femme, or too anything. Everyone is welcome here. There is space for everybody. UK Black Pride is home.” • @bolly_illusion: “It is so amazing to find people and a space that just get it! The joy I feel when attending and performing at UK Black Pride is indescribable. Thank you for letting us know that we are not alone.” • @kayzarose: “After attending the first UK Black Pride 15 years ago, I’ve seen it grow into what it is now. Seeing this example changed me and I’ve never been the same since. What a history to be a part of.” • Thank you to the team @ogilvyuk for giving so generously of your time, energy and resources ❤️✊🏾🏳️‍🌈 • #comehome #ukblackpride
A post shared by UK Black Pride (@ukblackpride) on Aug 15, 2020 at 1:08am PDT

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To celebrate our 15th anniversary, we asked some of our community and volunteers to sit for their portrait and tell us what UK Black Pride means to them. • @choclez: “UK Black Pride is family. When I was a new immigrant in the country, it was where I found support, sisters, people like me, understanding and encouragement.” • @liliming: “When I was young, I saw trans women celebrating and dancing and laughing at UK Black Pride and it made me realise this is possible, it’s not a dream. It’s real.” • @justaaronporter: “At UK Black Pride, I feel seen in the right way. Not for being different or as a token, but as part of a community — a unique family that I see my image reflected in.” • Thank you to the team @ogilvyuk for giving so generously of your time, energy and resources ❤️✊🏾🏳️‍🌈 • #comehome #ukblackpride
A post shared by UK Black Pride (@ukblackpride) on Aug 15, 2020 at 1:04am PDT

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To celebrate our 15th anniversary, we asked some of our community members and volunteers to sit for their portrait and to tell us what UK Black Pride means to them. • @ladyshaka: “At UK Black Pride, I find the freedom to exist, and be celebrated, respected and loved for being different. People see me as a person rather an exotic flower.” • @brisbonkofi: “UK Black Pride welcomes me to be exactly who I am, 100% and without compromise. No need to assimilate. I feel whole at UK Black Pride.” • @simplymschloe: “UK Black Pride is one of the few places that settles my soul. It’s where I belong. It’s the place I feel seen, accepted, uplifted and loved.” • @elaineaemmott: “It’s taken me a long time to find a place where I belong. I am at home at UK Black Pride because they accept me as I am and on my own terms.” • Thank you to the team @ogilvyuk for giving so generously of your time, energy and resources ❤️🏳️‍🌈✊🏾 • #comehome #ukblackpride
A post shared by UK Black Pride (@ukblackpride) on Aug 15, 2020 at 12:52am PDT