The stories behind this year’s jubilant LGBT+ Pride celebrations

This year’s Pride Month has seen some of the largest parades in history, as the LGBT+ community commemorates 50 years since the infamous police raids on New York’s Stonewall Inn.

For the international desk, it has given us an opportunity to cover some positive news stories – a welcome break from the war and violence that often dominate global headlines – but it also shows just how much further we have to go before we reach true equality.

In New York, some 150,000 took to the streets over the weekend, transforming Manhattan into a sea of rainbow flags as the crowds celebrated some of the progress that has been made. Lady Gaga even made a surprise appearance at the Stonewall Inn, saying she “would take a bullet” for the community.

From Nepal and Canada to the Philippines and Costa Rica, it felt like the world was painted rainbow. North Macedonia held its first Pride march, in what seemed a massive step forward in the conservative country. But as journalists we have to look beyond the crowd numbers, celebrity appearances and colourful posters. We have to ask if real progress is being made to advance the rights of LGBT+ people.

Donald Trump may have tweeted that he “stands in solidarity” with the LGBT+ community, but just one week earlier his administration unveiled a number of proposals that would make it easier for medical workers to refuse to treat trans people and for homeless shelters to turn them away. His government still stands “absolutely” against an Equality Act, which protects LGBT+ people from discrimination.

While the US appears to regress, we have enjoyed covering the countries making legal strides. In a landmark ruling, the southern African nation of Botswana decriminalised homosexuality, following Angola’s move earlier this year. In Brazil, the country’s top court voted that LGBT+ discrimination was unconstitutional.

But legal advancements do not automatically mean the community will be more protected – especially when intolerance is bolstered by the divisive words of the world’s strongmen. Brazil has still seen a spike in homophobic attacks, with many blaming President Bolsonaro, who has said he would rather be dead than have a gay son.

In Turkey, where homosexuality is legal, police forcibly broke up this year’s Pride parade, throwing teargas on the crowds. “We are here this year, as we are every year,” vowed Istanbul’s marchers. We too will continue to cover LGBT+ stories as a top priority, while understanding there needs to be more action to tackle the hate and discrimination that suppresses LGBT+ people in all corners of the world.

Yours,

Gemma Fox

Deputy international editor