Looking back at the WI’s virtual celebrations for Pride Month 2020

Every year WIs around the UK take part in Pride marches and events to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride. In 2020, the NFWI had hoped that the WI’s involvement in Pride would have been bigger than ever before. Unfortunately, soon after the pandemic began, it was clear that Pride marches and events would be postponed in 2020, with large gatherings being a risk to public health. However, we were not deterred and decided to take our Pride celebrations for 2020 online. Here is a snapshot of how the WI virtually celebrated Pride Month this year…

Social Lites WI

Globally, Pride Month is celebrated in June every year to celebrate LGBTQ+ people, and raise awareness of the inequalities and persecution they still face today in many parts of the world. Pride started as a commemoration of the Stonewall Riots, a series of violent clashes between the police and the LGBTQ+ community in New York, as a reaction to systematic police oppression and raids on LGBTQ+ bars and clubs.

For the first time, the WI’s logo was changed for Pride Month to incorporate the rainbow LGBTQ+ Pride flag. This logo was displayed across our social media channels, as a celebration of the month and to show support to all our LGBTQ members. WIs were encouraged to also change their Facebook and Twitter profile photos to this logo, of which many did.

We used our social media channels and website to share Pride content throughout June. This included an inspiring LGBTQ people blog, which celebrated the work of many influential public figures who have been a voice for change on LGBTQ+ issues, all nominated by NFWI staff. You can read the blog here.

Lee Green WI, based in South London, hosted a special Pride meeting in June. They invited actor Rich Watkins to perform songs from his one-man show about a gay fairytale prince via Zoom. This was followed by an LGBTQ+ activism quiz which was a fascinating look back at many important milestones in Pride’s history.
The NFWI has also developed an online Pride quiz, where you can test your knowledge around LGBTQ+ history. Take the quiz by clicking here.

Social Lites WI

We also created social media content to celebrate our transgender members. For some time now, the NFWI has had a policy which welcomes trans women to join the WI and to participate in any WI activities in the same way as any other woman. During Pride Month and beyond, it is important that we are vocal around our inclusion of transgender women, as the WI is a place where all women can celebrate who they are, surrounded by other supportive women.

NFWI staff and trustees rounded up Pride Month with a virtual Pride party. Research and Campaigns Officer Fiona hosted a brilliant LGBTQ+ Pride quiz which included a history, culture, figures and music round.

We hope that when 2021 comes around, normalcy will have returned and we can take to the streets and come together to celebrate the diversity and inclusivity of Pride!