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With LGBT+ communities more isolated and divided than ever under lockdown, Pride in London – the UK’s largest Pride event – is launching a brand new digital community hub to galvanise people into making much-needed ‘Acts of Allyship’ for those in other LGBT+ groups.

The campaign, part of Pride in London’s 2020 theme You!Me!Us!We!, will provide resources on how to be a better ally, as well as enabling people to directly make a tangible difference to marginalised groups – for example, by supporting queer artists and performers by attending a virtual event or show; by sending a letter to their MP regarding the Gender Recognition Act or Conversion Therapy; or through a donation to Pride in London’s new Unity Fund for grassroots groups. More resources for communities will be added to the hub throughout the month.

Through the new digital hub and wider campaign, the organisation is hoping to spark communities into making 30,000 Acts of Allyship – one for each person that would have marched at Pride in London’s parade at the end of June.

The latest figures show almost a third of LGBT+ people (32 per cent) have experienced some form of discrimination from others in their local LGBT+ community. In comparison, three in five black LGBT+ people (61 per cent) have experienced discrimination from other queer people because of their ethnicity*.

More than one in four bi women (27 per cent) and almost one in five bi men (18 per cent) have experienced discrimination from others in their local LGBT+ community, alongside more than a third of trans people (36 per cent)*.  Nearly four in five women-loving-women (79 per cent) have experienced misogyny from other queer people**.

Alongside the digital resources, Pride in London is also encouraging allyship through the launch of its annual campaign film, which this year focuses on LGBT+ communities in lockdown and how they are supporting one another. While the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has prevented this year’s parade from going ahead, the film highlights the importance of continuing the spirit of protest and activism in order to raise up every LGBT+ community and ensure those of all identities are coming together in unity.

Tom Stevens, Director of Marketing for Pride in London, said: “Our aim for Pride in London has always been to create a space where all LGBT+ communities can feel visible, supported and celebrated, however with Pride parades postponed across the country and around the world it’s essential that we are proactive in being better allies to one another. 

“Our theme for this year – #YouMeUsWe – calls on each of us to reach out, understand and support one another, no matter our identities. As LGBT+ people, especially those from marginalised communities, continue to come under attack from many sides, this allyship is as important now as it has ever been.

“Through our new digital community hub and wider campaign, we call on every LGBT+ person to make an Act of Allyship this month so we can come out of these uncertain times more empowered than ever before.”

To visit Pride in London’s new digital community hub and make an Act of Allyship, visit: prideinlondon.org/you-me-us-we

For more information on Pride in London’s new Unity Fund for grassroots LGBT+ organisations, visit: prideinlondon.org/unity-fund

* Source: Stonewall: LGBT in Britain – Homes and Communities

** Source: The Invisible Women report, published April 2019, which surveyed 500 women via the HER app

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