Paramedics get engaged at New York City Pride.
Pride month is officially over. Let that sink in for a second. Yes, some of the greatest parades in the world took place already, but the LGBTI proud attitude is as thriving as it can be.
While a few Prides are yet to come – London, Bristol, Manchester… not to mention those in the southern hemisphere – this is the time to brush up on June’s highlights.
Trudy Bermudez proposed to his girlfriend Tayreen Bonilla at this year’s NYC Pride parade.
NYC Pride had many epic moments. Goddess Kylie performing in that rainbow gown? Amazing. And yet this is probably the sweetest.
EMT Trudy Bermudez got down on one knee in front of Paramedic Tayreen Bonilla while working at the parade. Of course, Bonilla said ‘yes’.
Don’t be a killjoy. Getting to say ‘yes’ in the hustle and bustle of NYC Pride parade might not sound like the most private romantic scenario ever, but it’s sure one to remember.
Furthermore, no matter your stance on tying the knot, legalizing same-sex marriage is still one of the main equality indicators. Unfortunately, it’s still a distant dream for many same-sex couples in several countries. So, if we can celebrate a lesbian couple walking down the aisle, let’s do it!
Come Out For Cornwall Pride took the Pride flag to St. Michael’s Mount. | Photo: The Gay UK magazine
2. The dreamy Cornwall Pride Tour
The southwesternmost county of England hosted the first Pride tour in the world on 23 June and the locations were incredible. The UK’s longest rainbow flag was unfurled on the beach across 11 different cities.
Cornwall Pride committee aimed to bring the Pride spirit to that part of the local LGBTI community who won’t have the chance to attend Pride parade in Newquay later this summer. The tour was a success and the pictures were just as breathtaking as you can imagine.
Rainbow Pride at the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. | Photo: Supplied
3. Kenya had the world’s first refugee camp pride
Pride might not always be inclusive and affordable for LGBTI homeless people and refugees. These communities might experience isolation and exclusion from mainstream celebrations, but Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya took action.
One of the world’s biggest camp in the world, Kakuma hosted a Pride attended by 200 LGBTI refugees. The event was a success, despite two refugees were attacked.
Workers at the US’ McMurdo Station in Antarctica hold up the rainbow Pride flag. | Photo: NewNowNext
4. The rainbow flag flew high in Antarctica
Ten people working at the United States’ McMurdo Station about 850 miles (1368kms) from the South Pole decided it was high time the rainbow flag flew high there too.
We wouldn’t expect anything less from the world’s first LGBTI-friendly continent, as organization Planting Peace dubbed it in 2016.
This year, the scientists at McMurdo took a picture with the flag and shared it on social media to let the world know Antarctica celebrates Pride month, too
Okay, this might be a stretch as it actually happened in May. But it was only because the continent is shrouded in darkness for 24 hours a day in June, so that is close enough.
eSwatini’s first Pride parade.
5. Some cities celebrated Pride month for the first time
In 2019 we will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, the rebellious event that sparked Pride marches in New York and other locations in the US. While Pride is an established celebration in many cities today, others have just joined the club.
No, Provincetown, we’re not talking about you. Sure, the popular LGBTI hub in Massachusetts might have held its first Pride parade this June, but it has always celebrated the community with its annual Bear Fest.
Apart from western countries, this Pride season saw Fiji holding a historic march, the first of its kind in the Pacific. Similarly, eSwatini (former Swaziland) hosted its first Pride and it was a tremendous success. It’s even more impressive considering the country still has laws criminalizing being gay.
