A welcoming place for everyone, all year round
Happy Pride Month! At Braintree Village, it’s very important to us that everyone feels safe and welcome all year round. We stand united in Pride with the LGBTQIA+ community and against discrimination. We see you. Read on to find out how we’re celebrating Pride 2024 and learn how we can all support our local LGBTQIA+ community.
Help our Tree of Pride grow
As part of this month's Pride celebrations, we'll be welcoming the return of the Tree of Pride on 22nd-23rd June.
This public art piece creates a powerful message – and you can contribute! We encourage you to drop by during the weekend of 22nd-23rd June and write a pledge to support the LGBTQIA+ community, which will then be tied to one of the tree's branches. The tree will grow with pledges as it travels up and down the UK, until it's in full bloom as a symbol of love and hope.
Make a pledge. Be the change.
Below are some ideas to help inspire you with your message of support to the LGBTQIA+ community:
-
I’m going to read up about LGBT history to expand my knowledge of the subject
-
Love is love
-
Be bold, be brave, be wonderful…be you!
-
You’re perfect just the way you are
-
I’m going to remind my LGBTQIA+ family that they’re loved
-
I’ll be at the next Essex Pride festival – see you there!
-
Let’s normalise pronouns! I’m going to add mine to my social media bio.
Support Essex Pride
This year, the fabulous Essex Pride takes place on Saturday 22nd June. Starting with a free-to-attend parade throughout the city of Chelmsford and followed by a ticketed Central Park event, this is more than just a huge party. Pride inspires everyone to embrace equality, and demonstrates that people from all walks of life can join together and celebrate diversity.
Essex Pride is a not-for-profit registered charity, run on behalf of the LGBT+ community of Essex by a volunteer board of Trustees. All proceeds from ticketing and fundraising go towards the operational and running costs of Essex Pride. Buy your ticket – or donate one - and see how else you can help by visiting the official website.
Switchboard
Switchboard is the national LGBTQIA+ helpline and a safe space for anyone to discuss sexuality, gender identity, sexual health, emotional well-being and more. You can call the Switchboard team on 0800 0119 100 or visit the website >>