Notts Pride 2024

Hi,

I am slightly tearful but with happy tears. I could say ‘totes emoshe’, yet I’m struggling to spell it and it’s not a phrase I use, even ironically. 🙂

Focus, Lynn…

The Preamble Gibberish

With each summer, the local Pride events come and go. I love to hear about the experience of others…. and I had carefully pushed the ‘what if I…?’ to the quiet part of my mind.

If you’re curious what else is in that gentle space of low noise, subdued environ, and untrodden floors; it’s where the important things like MOTs, deadlines, do-not-forgets, and what-to-get-at-the-shops rest gently and ignored, bless them. A warm, restful place, occasionally visited by the imaginary ADHD whirlwind, that looks (currently) like Taz from Taz Mania… only with more chaos 🙂

Again… focus.

So, yeah, I had pretty much thought that attending such things would be a long way off, perhaps even, if ever; and I was okay with that.

This year, Notts Pride popped up in family conversation for some reason – I think education related & progress flag crossings 🏳️‍🌈 – and again, the idea of going just didn’t go into my head. It wasn’t until one teatime when we asked C2 and we got the Olympic gold level Teenage Shrug of Noncommittal …

( My son, please; never lose that gesture; it is weapons grade ‘meh’ and I love you for it. I look forward to you rebuffing a ‘I demand to see the manager!’ person with that 😁. Hint: the customer is always right – when they are civil and kind 😉)

… and I batted it back to the quiet space again. Although, there was a wee twinkling of sunlight on that dusty shelf now.

On our weekend doggo walk, the Ever Lovely Mrs J asked if I was interested in going and I said, possibly. I said that I was concerned about her need for an afternoon rest, and if she was looking after the hounds, there’s a risk sleep might not be forthcoming. So, we chatted about the options and agreed we’d work something out.

So, how did it go?

Well, with the kind loan of the magical ally t-shirt from Mrs J – shout-out to The Spark Company and their awesome inclusive feminist attire – I felt my confidence levels suitably topped up. I’d charged the Electro Dad Mobile earlier, so it was time to face the traffic. Cue theme from The Omen 🙂

I know. Tut tut. A man in a woman’s t-shirt? In a built up area? With *my* reputation? 🙂 Call the cops! 😉 Mind you, you know my love of posh paws, so I did do my nails for the event as well 🏳️‍⚧️ Clearly I’ll be first against the wall come the glorious Ultra Nasty Party revolution 😜

I headed for Hockley – Nottingham’s Theatre District – knowing that the march had started while we were out walking. Me? Late to an event? I couldn’t possibly comment 😉

I caught up with the procession outside the Lord Roberts pub and waited to see if I spotted anyone from Chams. Amazing to see so many LGBTQ+ folk there, families, supportive organisations, and lots of trans & gender nonconforming people 🏳️‍⚧️ Banners from the Fire Service, Police, NHS LGBTQ+ Network, The Health Shop, and so many more.

I don’t know what the etiquette is having never been before. Do you wait to join the end? Is it like a period drama, where one must wait to be invited to the dance? 🙂

F*** indecision. I saw a chap with a rainbow logo ‘Proud Dad’ t-shirt, massive flag, and rainbow top hat. Well, it’s now or never, Lynn… Fortune favours the brave. Go go Gadget, Big Girl Pants! 😁

“Hi, sorry to bother. May I join you as one proud dad to another?”

Of course, being a lovely soul, the gentlemen said yes, and thus, I had sneaked (snuck?) my way in. I managed to get a snap of said chap later on. I should have asked his name. Sorry, Awesome Ally! Thank you for your support 🩷

As we wandered along with the crowd waving, volunteers boogying to the music, we talked a little. Said chap was a granddad and he was here to show support for his adult son who is gay, and for his grandson who is trans (In thinking trans masc as he said “they’re now my grandson”).

He asked why I was here (kindly) and I said it was for our son, who is a young trans man. I said that I was also in disguise, as I’m genderfluid. He replied with a good natured laugh: “So it’s all your fault then!” which made me chuckle.

I guess it is! 😁 But as I lean towards the femme, my trans powers are of less use! 🙂

The Main Event

After working our way along the route, we reached Sneinton Square (Notts language: Snen tun as in rhymes with ‘when ton’🙂), where I’d met an old workmate a few month back…

…. only this time, the place was absolutely banging. Music, people, stalls – a lot going on. I thanked my rescuer and had a wander around. The stage had just started to play a dance version of some pop punk and the audience were loving it.

I caught sight of Nottingham Frontrunners who’d been kind enough to get in touch with Chams, about their inclusive running group. Mark, one of their organisers said he’d be at Pride, so after their big photo with the awesome banner “run transphobia out…”, I popped over to say hello and to thank him for the kind offer.

Further into the market stalls, I spotted two folk from Notts Trans Hub. It was very busy and a bit loud, so we didn’t get to talk for very long. I wanted to thank them for getting in touch with Chams, and to say it’s great to have a variety of choice of trans supportive groups in Nottingham. I’ve yet to manage to find the time to attend any of their events, but maybe one day.

I didn’t get to talk to anyone at the Outburst stall as it was absolutely rammed with people. I’m guessing that’s a very good thing! I only know of Outburst as they run a safe space for LGBTQ+ teens in Nottingham. I guess I’ll need to drop them an email. Mainly to get some advice on what they do, as I often recommend them to parents of trans kids.

I’d not heard of Trans Pastel mainly because A) I don’t get out much, B) I’m off social media, and C) I’m an Old 😉 Having a quick chat – and this is my summary, so apologies for any errors! – they are working towards making Nottingham a sanctuary city for trans and gender nonconforming people. Well, music to my ears! We’ve swapped details, so that’s a group to get in touch with later on. Oh, and here’s an interview with them from Left Lion. BTW, Nottingham has two stone lions by the Council House in the main square. It’s a popular refrain in Notts to say ‘meet you by the lion’.

I tooka few more loops around the event, just in case any of the Chams Massive where ‘in da house’, but my middle age dad vision did not spot anyone.

Given the time and not wanting to deprive the Ever Lovely Mrs J of her much needed rest, I headed back, enjoying the music and the feeling of community. What an amazing experience!

L x