Pride Is Joy

Introduction

This is a microfiction for the challenge below:

This is not so much a microfiction as a series of observations based on some people that I know and have known.

Pride Is Joy

I love Pride Celebrations, always full of joy and colour, and this afternoon I am attending a gig where my friend Sandy Wells Lee is going to be playing Hawaiian guitar. Sandy goes by many names, and I have included some video I took of Sandy playing as John at The Late Shows in Newcastle eight years ago.

He was a member of the band Women In Revolt, led by Sheena Revolta, who we sadly lost years back, but you can find out about them here, and also see them performing.

I remember chatting with Sandy when we were talking music, and he told me he had had a great weekend in Glasgow, "gay" dancing. One of their alter-egos is Rosie Palmer, but today it will be Sandy (I think).

Sandy and their wife Hedley are a perfect embodiment of the Joy of Pride, as well as giving us lots of wonderful pictures and music.

In Newcastle, there is an inclusive 2SLGBTQ+ community, and from them we get festivals, parades, music, fun and love.

It is fifty years since the Stonewall Riots, and this month we can join in the celebrations and joy that Pride gives us.

Pride month 2025 will be amazing, and it has already started.

This piece from three years ago contains video from the Northern Pride and Curious Festival 2022.