"I wouldn't go out into York holding my partner's hand"
York Pride are calling for more inclusion during LGBT History Month.
The LGBT community in York says more inclusion and tolerance is needed.
It's LGBT History Month (throughout February), and this year's theme is Mind, Body and Spirit.
York Pride are hosting various virtual events, and their Chair Greg Stephenson says Covid has impacted what they're planning to do: "It's such a strange time for everybody, and it's as important for our own community as it is to educate the wider community about the LGBT issues, which do still exist here in 2021.
"The programme It's a Sin has raised some really striking issues. Even for myself who is meant to be clued up on these kind of things, it was shocking to see what was going on only forty years ago.
"There is a really serious tone throughout, and the HIV pandemic is easily forgotten by some".
Greg says prejudice against the LGBT community still happens in 2021: "It can be as simple as not feeling comfortable to walk down a high street here in North Yorkshire holding your partner's hand.
"I know personally that I wouldn't go out into York, Leeds, Selby or anywhere holding my partner's hand in this country"
"It can also be work-related things. There have been shifts in laws, but not always in attitudes.
"It's a personal choice (to not hold hands) for us, but I know that when you speak to other people who do they're always on the lookout for the stereotypical person who you think is going to say something.
"You don't feel 100% relaxed. You're always on edge looking around thinking 'are they going to say something? What if they do more than just say something?'
"When I was leaving school, Section 28 was in the process of disappearing. However, I can remember the stigma around things like HIV and AIDS being thrown around in the playground.
"There's things around blood donation that still aren't married up to where we're like them to be. There's been some progress there, but there are certain workplaces where you wouldn't feel comfortable being out from day one.
"It's important to remove barriers for people and let them be comfortable with themselves, rather than thinking 'am I okay to say my boyfriend's name, or do I just say my partner and leave it to interpretation?'"
York Pride lists the following aims and objectives for the LGBT community:
To promote equality and diversity for the public benefit and in particular the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity of those living in York and the surrounding areas in particular but not exclusively by:
1) raising awareness and educating the public about the issues and difficulties affecting the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people;
2) cultivating a sentiment in favour of equality and diversity in particular through celebrating the diversity of the LGBT+ community; and
3) staging an annual LGBT festival and smaller events, including regular social events for the LGBT+ community in a safe environment throughout the year.
4) providing funding and or grants and or donations to other charitable and voluntary organisations which the trustees shall from time to time determine.