Whitbread Pride 2023 - Eileen
Hi, my name's Eileen.
I'm a Deputy Hotel Manager at Premier Inn Edinburgh.
Tell us what Pride means to you and why it is important?
Ever since I could remember I knew I was gay; I hid it when growing up due to the feeling of shame and being different. When I was growing up, I remember Pride being a small local event where few people would attend but move forward to 2023 and it's now bigger, louder and has more positive coverage! This shows the determination of the LGBTQ+ community and allies that we won't be silenced or left behind in modern day society.
I saw an article once which had the following meanings around the word PRIDE and it has stuck with me ever since:
P: Perseverance — progressing forward in the face of difficulty or oppressionR: Resilience — toughness, bouncing back from pain, and continuing to press onI: Inclusion — embracing the human desire to be a part of something greater than one’s selfD: Determination — continuing to fight unwaveringly for rights and dignity in the face of continual hatred, judgment, ignorance, and bigotry
E: Expression — allowing one’s self to be free to live and exist as one wants
This sums up exactly what Pide means to me and how we can adapt change within society by helping others have a better understanding of Pride and why there is still a need for these events around the world. Pride is a celebration of what has been achieved through activism, and implementing laws that protect LGBTQ+ community but Pride is also a showing of strength of solidarity to those countries that don't have the protection for the LGBTQ+ community and were proud to stand beside those fighting for equal rights.
We as a group of individuals and allies need to come together with unity against hatred and biased views, show love not hate.
