Reflecting on Pride 2022

Pride is vibrant, exciting and celebratory but sometimes it’s easy to get lost in the flamboyance and sparkle and forget about the individuals that make up these amazing events. Pride means something different to all of us and affects us all in different ways.

Ahead of Pride month 2023, our LGBTQ+ Employee Network Group, Spectrum, reflect on their time at Brighton Pride in 2022. Stonewater proudly took part in the parade to show our support for the community and our commitment to being an inclusive employer.

Watch our video from the day and read our colleagues' stories below.

 

Matt's story

Being at Brighton Pride 2022 made me proud to be a friend.

At the event, I saw examples of where attitudes still need to change, but that’s okay because that is what the day is for - educating as well as celebrating the differences between each and every one of us.

The day was amazing, full of people just having a lovely time. The atmosphere was electric but friendly. I had a wonderful time repping Stonewater as an inclusive and great place to work with some wonderful colleagues, who are now friends!

Rasila's story

I had an incredible experience at Pride.

It was my first time attending in the UK and it was an explosion of joyful emotions. I felt a huge sense of freedom to be who you are and to represent the organisation.

It was also an opportunity to meet colleagues in person, who I would usually only see over Teams meetings or as a name in an email.

​​​​​​​There were many special moments from the day, but the highlight for me was when my 8-year-old daughter came up to me after the parade and said how proud she was of her mummy for taking part.

It was so heart-warming to be able to share this experience with her.

 

 

 

Bhupinder's story

I decided to go to Brighton Pride 2022 as I wanted to learn more about LGBTQ+ community, especially as I had a very sheltered upbringing and sexuality is not openly discussed in my culture.

I thoroughly enjoyed the day and learnt a lot from my colleagues along the way. It was so good to see people being themselves and bringing their whole selves to the event.

We took the Stonewater brand past thousands of people to show we are an inclusive employer, and we were met with so much love.

 

Amanda's story

I went to Brighton Pride 2022 with my work hat on, as wheel steward, ensuring we paraded safely. What I didn’t anticipate was the profound personal impact the day would have on me. 

The colour and happy faces hit me first - there was glitter everywhere! As we set off it was lovely to see all the families lining the seafront, shouting and cheering for Stonewater. Then we went through the town centre, the atmosphere was so powerful.

I have never seen so many people in one place in my life! I was completely overwhelmed with emotions and burst into happy tears. I was so happy to see people having a good time, being colleagues who are also friends, and letting go of negative emotions. I cannot thank Stonewater and Spectrum enough for helping me be me.