To celebrate Pride month, Linders asked some LGBT+ people about what Pride means to them.

To writer Peter Dunne, Pride is about much more than just one day of the year.

“When Pride finishes there’s so much from that day that you can take with you, and that you should take with you.”

“It doesn’t matter who’s sitting in bed beside you, it’s what’s in here and it’s what you’re taking through your daily life and it’s what you’re giving back to the world and your community.”

“On the day you really want to be visible and feel included and I think when the festival is over you have to continue that. You have to just not hide who you are, and I hate the word ‘normalising’ but that’s what we’re doing – we’re showing people ‘we’re just that same as you, we’re the exact same people’.

“It doesn’t matter who’s sitting in bed beside you, it’s what’s in here and it’s what you’re taking through your daily life and it’s what you’re giving back to the world and your community.”

“That’s the most important thing, and that’s what I think we should continue over from Pride – that it has to be a Pride that’s year-round not just one day. And Pride in yourself.”

To get to know what Pride means to Peter a bit better, we asked him a few questions.

1) Tell us about the first time you were at Pride.

My first time at Pride was as a spectator looking on rather than taking part. I was 16, unsure of myself unsure of how people would react if they knew I was gay. I remember seeing this parade full of colour and laughter making its way down O’Connell Street and wishing I was brave enough to take part. But even though I was too scared to take part then, watching that parade made me determined to one day take part.

  2) What is your favourite Pride memory?

  3) Why do you think Pride is important?

For visibility, to show we are not ashamed of who we are and to show those outside the community that we are the same as them, we are all connected. For support, to let our community know we are there for each other and you need never feel desperate or alone. To recognise our achievements, to commemorate our struggle and, obviously, to celebrate!

  4) What are you the most proud of as an LGBT+ person?

  5) Do you have any favourite Pride outfits?

A Pride outift should never be worn twice so I don’t have an old reliable! But I’m all about the accessories. I like to be laden down with as much tacky jewellery as possible!

What does Pride mean to you? Let us know in the comments below.