The LGBT community has long been marginalised, forced out of their communities and towns into shame or silence, so it’s only natural that they’ve formed some real tight knit communities. From Brighton to Hebden Bridge, queer folk in Britain have cultivated spaces for themselves where they can live freely and safely.
When you think of such places in the UK, places like London’s Soho or Manchester’s famous Gay Village (which is getting a pretty nice upgrade soon) probably spring to mind. None of these obvious places, however, are currently bidding to host EuroPride 2027.
The county of Gloucestershire, home to Gloucester, Cheltenham and lots of pretty fields, isn’t typically what you think of when you think of the UK’s LGBT havens, but it hopes to change this with its bid to host Europe’s celebration of all things queer.
EuroPride was first held in London in 1992, and it has since gone from strength to strength. In 2019 over 500,000 people took to the streets of Vienna, and this year the week-long celebration will be hitting of Thessaloniki in Greece, which finally made same-sex marriage legal earlier this year.
So, why Gloucestershire? According to Richard Stevens, the chairperson of Pride in the county: ‘With Gloucestershire’s reputation for hosting world-class events, coupled with our reputation for being inclusive and community-focused, across a whole region, we feel we’ll be able to deliver a EuroPride with impact that empowers the LGBTI+ community not just in the UK but across the whole of Europe.’
The last EuroPride to be held in Britain was in London in 2012. Stevens voiced concern for rising extremist politics across the country, saying that ‘the UK, once known for its strong LGBTI+ credentials has seen a continuous decline in not only its international standing but also community confidence’.
The bids for 2027 have been submitted, and the winner will be revealed this November. Other cities who have thrown their hats in the ring include Turin, Vilnius in Lithuania, and Torremolinos.
Maybe Gloucester will become the new Brighton; a place where West Country gays, lesbians, and trans folk can all come together in perfect harmony, surrounded by cider and gorgeous Cotswolds scenery. Good luck, Gloucestershire.
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