Emeli Sande and Lorraine Kelly issued Pride messages. (PinkNews)
Heartstopper star Joe Locke, Emeli Sandé and Lorraine Kelly are among those who sent supportive messages to the LGBTQ+ community to kick off Pride Month.
To mark Pride Month, PinkNews is hosting Pride for All, an entirely online celebration that champions the LGBTQ+ community worldwide. The 2022 theme is “solidarity”.
To kick off Pride for All, some of the UK’s biggest queer activists, allies and cultural figures came together to record messages in support of the community, from Dr Ranj Singh to Blue star Duncan James.
In a powerful message, television presenter Lorraine Kelly said: “Pride for All is absolutely, of course, for everybody, and it’s a chance to show solidarity, kindness and compassion. It’s basically a celebration, and a brilliant way to send a positive message in what has been a tough time if you are LGBTQ+.”
Emeli Sandé, Joe Locke and many others issued heartfelt PinkNews Pride for All messages
Ruby Rare, an author and sex educator, said: “I hope that your month is full of love and celebration and conversations about how we can more empowered and supportive as a community.”
Emeli Sandé, the trailblazing singer-songwriter who recently came out as queer, said it feels “fantastic” to be part of the LGBTQ+ family as Pride Month gets underway.
“Thank you so much for all the love, sending it right back at you,” Sandé said.
Feel Good star Charlotte Ritchie, said: “For everyone celebrating Pride this year I hope that wherever you are, however you’re doing it, I hope it’s joyful.”
Joe Locke, who recently skyrocketed to fame with his heart-wrenching performance as Charlie Spring in Heartstopper, said: “You all deserve all the love and joy and happiness in the entire world.”
Others paid tribute to the resilience and love of the wider LGBTQ+ community in their Pride for All messages.
“For me, as a queer person, I would not know what to do without my community,” said drag artist and singer Virgin X.
“I have discovered myself through my community, I’ve been supported by my community. I don’t know what it would be like to not have the community that I’m in. So that’s what solidarity is to me, it’s about standing true with those who we share a common goal with and those we share an identity with.”
Actor and trans rights activist Jake Graf urged the LGBTQ+ community to “stand together”.
“As a proud transgender man, I ask you from the bottom of my heart, to the rest of our beautiful LGBTQIA+ community, let’s please stand together, work together, and fight together, because we are after all stronger together.”
Heartstopper icons Kizzy Edgell and Corinna Brown, and The Haunting of Bly Manor star T’Nia Miller, were also among those who shared their Pride for All messages with PinkNews.
To mark Pride for All, PinkNews will be hosting a number of events from Tuesday 7 June to Thursday 9 June.
On 7 June, Bruna Gil, global co-chair of Out@In will lead a discussion about coming out at work. That same day, Jake and Hannah Graf will come together to talk about their journey to parenthood, while Micro Rainbow will speak about the issues facing LGBTQ+ refugees.
On 8 June, PinkNews will be hosting a discussion with Peter Tatchell to mark 50 years of Pride. The discussion will focus on the ways Pride has changed and evolved in that time.
Finally, Spencer Cooper and Mufseen Miah will host a discussion about why queer joy should take centre stage more often on 9 June. That same day, Rosie Pendlebaby and Ruby Rare will lead an online life drawing class that encourages people to love and adore their own bodies.
You can see the full Pride for All line-up here.