2020’s Pride celebrations look very different this year. For the last 50 years, during a normal June and the summer months that follow, LBGTQ+ communities worldwide get together with marches, parties and public events that not only celebrate this diverse community, but challenge ideas of discrimination and prejudice, and promote tolerance and acceptance. 

This year, however, COVID-19 has dashed any hopes of real life gatherings in any sense that resembles normality, and instead events will be taking place online. But with trans rights being rolled back at an alarming rate and the Black Lives Matter movement highlighting the urgent need for intersectionality, we need Pride now more than ever - even if that’s not in a physical sense. Here are 5 reasons why.

Then there is gender inequality. Economically, women are still at a disadvantage, earning 77 cents for every dollar that men receive. They spend, on average, twice as much time on unpaid housework as men, and they have less access to financial services and land ownership. 

In 18 countries, husbands can still legally prevent their wives from working. Empowering women has been shown again and again to drive economic growth. 

Discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation also has an economic impact. Although Britain is one of a handful of countries where LGBTQ+ people actually have equal constitutional rights, they are 14 times more likely to be homeless than straight people, according to the Albert Kennedy Trust, and a 2019 study by UCLA found that 30% of bisexual women and transgender people in the US live in poverty.

A 2018 report from the Human Rights Campaign found that transgender women of colour make up four out of every five anti-trans homicides in the US. At the time of writing this, in 2020 at least 14 transgender and non-conforming people have been violently killed. The Human Rights Campaign commented that “it is clear that fatal violence disproportionately affects transgender women of color – particularly Black transgender women – and that the intersections of racism, sexism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and unchecked access to guns conspire to deprive them of employment, housing, healthcare and other necessities”.

And it isn’t getting any easier for the youngest generation. Research by the lesbian, gay, bi and trans-equality charity Stonewall has found that almost one in five LGBTQ+ young people looking for work have faced discrimination, just because of who they are. Many feel excluded from work or higher education because of a lack of visible role models, while a lack of support from home and bullying confound the issue.

According to a recent survey by the EU Fundamental Rights Agency which involved 1,400 participants from 30 countries, discrimination, prejudice and intollerance towards LGBTQ+ people can fall when the community is more visible in everyday life and when equality is more publicly discussed. Pride celebrations and events are usually an ideal way of doing this; this year, instead you can help by using social media platforms to talk about Pride and celebrate members of the LGBTQ+ community that inspire you.

Global Pride

This worldwide event will see 24 hours of streamed performances, speeches and content to mark the anniversary of the Stonewall riots on June 27th. Big names on the bill include Courtney Act, Deborah Cox and Olivia Newton-John. Head to YouTube or globalpride2020.org to get in on the action from the safety of your own home.

Pride Inside

Running from June 28th to July 5th, this huge series of events has been created by Amnesty International, UK Black Pride, Stonewall and ParaPride, and will involve artists, musicians, comedians, DJs and activists. Find the full programme of events at prideinside.uk, where you can also add your own events.

Pride in London

Fancy a girl band pub quiz with RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Cheryl Hole? Then look no further than Pride in London, which is also hosting everything from Dame Judi Dench in conversation to virtual speed dating. It’s happening all summer at prideinlondon.org