It is absolutely brilliant to be here today, for Portsmouth Pride!
The biggest and loudest Pride this city has ever seen!
It’s days like today that make me so proud to be from Portsmouth – a city where it doesn’t matter what you look like, who you love, or where you’re from.
We will accept you and we will support you.
Pride is a time when we all can celebrate our diversity, when we all can honour those who courageously fought to end oppression, and support all of us here who still, heroically fight against the ongoing discrimination and bigotry that, still, sadly, exists in our society especially, against transgender people.
Pride is also, of course, about being proud of who we are. About being visible and being strong. And about celebrating who we are – without any shame.
Today is a celebration but we shouldn’t forget that sadly the past still lingers in some parts of our country – and far too many LGBTQ+ people are still unable to feel pride in themselves.
Too many still live with confusion, denial and sometimes fear from violence and abuse.
And as we know, mental health problems are more common among people who are LGBT.
That’s why I am calling on government to guarantee mental health treatment within a month for all who need it, by recruiting thousands of new mental health staff.
If you agree, please visit my stall here today, show your support, and sign my pledge.
It is so great to see so many Pride flags flying proudly across Portsmouth today.
Those flags are a victory over those who spread fear and intolerance.
They are a powerful symbol, of Portsmouth’s open arms to all – no matter who you are, or who you love.
And they are a reminder, that Pride was born out of protest –
And so we should use today as an opportunity not just to celebrate, but as an opportunity to improve the lives of LGBT people – not just here in sunny Southsea – but across Britain and around the world.
So today, let’s have fun and let’s celebrate.
And most importantly, let’s be proud.
Thank you to everyone who made today possible.
Thank you all for being here, and for being you.
Happy Portsmouth Pride!
