Health & Wellbeing
Untold but not unimportant: the stories of closeted teens with supportive parents
When children come out as LGBTQ+ to their parents at a later age, or never, a common question parents have is ‘why didn’t they tell me?’. Another is ‘am I a failure?’ Homophobia and transphobia are still pretty common. It’s important to note that you need to, as a...
Exposing queer conversion therapies and shining a light on the multi-million-pound industry
Following the story of a mistreated conversion therapy survivor, Journalist Tia Inger exposes the psychologically damaging and physically violent nature of reparative therapies – which are still legal, and commonly misunderstood, to this day. Conversion therapy: the...
Your child has just come out as transgender. What do you do?
If you’re reading Pride & Joy, the chances are that you have already accepted your child’s identity and are looking for ways to help them, which is amazing. It can be a difficult and confusing time for them. However with your support, the process can become much...
The Education System
‘Mum, there’s nowhere for me to get changed’
Getting changed for PE should be straightforward. It should be a safe and secure area for your child to get dressed, but what about the children who don't fit into the gender binary? Tom Wells (He/Him), 20, came out as male in 2018. He says that he ‘dreaded’ physical...
‘I’m being banned from teaching gender identity, but I have a transgender child’
New draft guidance from the UK Government has told schools in England not to teach children about gender identity. Rishi Sunak said this would ensure children are not “exposed to disturbing content”. The new curriculum will avoid any ideas that gender is a...
Section 28: What is it and how did it affect the LGBTQ+ community?
Long before the days of glitz and glamour of Pride and the joyous act of holding your partners’ hand in public, the LGBTQ+ community was forced to combat Section 28. What is Section 28? Section 28 of the Local Government Act was introduced in May 1988 to...
Your Child's Identity
Jack Guinness: “I would have loved a place to honestly discover who I am”
From Dolce and Gabbana model, to award show host and author of LGBTQ+ essay collection ‘Queer Bible,’ Jack Guinness has become a big name in the queer creative space. But what took him to this place, and what advice does he have for people within it? When you hear...
Queer TikTok star Zach Willmore opens up about homophobia at university and his parents support after HIV diagnosis
Zach Willmore moved to California for university and faced adversity as a young gay man, including anti-LGBTQ+ hate, homesickness, and even an HIV diagnosis. He attributes his adjustment to all of these life changes to his parents’ undying support. Zachary Willmore...
What does it mean to be Aroace?
Some of the first films we watch growing up end with a “happily ever after”, where a princess will ride off into the sunset with her prince. From an early age it is engrained on us that in order to find happiness, you should be in a relationship. As our society is so...
Everyday Queeries
WATCH: What does LGBTQIA+ stand for?
https://youtu.be/b1NEvTEofr4 What does LGBTQIA+ stand for? Navigating different queer terms that have joined our language can seem intimidating. There is a lot of new terminology and you don’t want to mess it up. Pride & Joy have compiled a short definition for...
What was the Stonewall uprising?
The gay club Stonewall Inn was an institution in Greenwich Village, New York, which was large, cheap, allowed dancing and welcomed drag queens and homeless youths. At the time the New York State Liquor Authority prohibited venues from serving gay people under the...
Resources & Support
Dress to self-impress
Fashion has been a tool for self-impression for centuries. However, the fashion industry would not be where it is without the influence of the queer community and their contribution towards fashion often goes unnoticed. Pride & Joy speak to the people who embrace...
The importance of queer fashion
The fashion industry would not be where it is without the influence of the queer community and surrounds us constantly. From the V&A celebrating the looks of queer fashion icons such as Elton John, to the biggest celebration in fashion being dedicated to “camp”....
Acting troupe explains why you should show your 18+ queer children the Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Rocky Horror Picture Show: queer classic or controversial, outdated display of LGBTQ+ stereotypes? The film and stage show has received criticism from some members of the queer community in recent years. Pride & Joy spoke to an acting troupe who hold an...