This is why Saturday’s Wokingham Pride matters

ON Saturday we will be celebrating Wokingham LGBT+ Pride. Having grown up in Wokingham and now living here with my wife as an out lesbian couple, I cannot express what this means to me.

To see us recognised, accepted and celebrated in this way after so many years of being marginalised is a great leap forward for our society as a whole.

We no longer have to hide elements of our lives from our friends, families, neighbours and colleagues to be accepted.

We are going through some difficult times at the moment and cannot hold the Pride event that we would want for Wokingham.

It is also particularly sad that all of the victims of the Forbury Gardens attack in our neighbouring town of Reading, were active members of the LGBT+ community. However, it does illustrate the fact that we are teachers, scientists, healthcare workers etc who are part of our community and contribute to every corner of our society.

Please come help us celebrate Wokingham LGBT+ Pride, put out your rainbow flags and post your support on Social Media – it is for everyone who wants to see all of us as an inclusive, accepting and diverse community – even if we are not quite there yet.

Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, Councillor for the Emmbrook Ward of Wokingham Borough Council