Y7 news Reporter Josh Lapham

“Laws don’t change society, society does. So, let us help society get there.”

 

For a lot of LGBTQIA+ individuals’ self-acceptance is a learned skill, so a positive affirmation from friends and family upon coming out and talking about their sexual orientation or gender identity can be an integral moment. Therefore, for many queer members of the community, pride month can be an extremely important experience. Especially when considering, according to Stonewall UK’s statistics, only half of LGBT people feel comfortable enough to express their true self amongst their closest peers and relatives.

 

We spoke to Matthew Kentworthy, head of Cornwall Pride during the G7 weekend to help understand why LGBTQIA+ topics need to be taken more seriously by our world leaders. When asked about what the G7 should discuss in relation to Pride, Matthew responded passionately:

 

“You are able to freely marry as a same sex couple here in the UK, but you’re not able to do that in Japan. And so, they have got to lead. And that is what we are asking the G7. They are the largest and leading economic powers in the globe. So, as the leaders help support themselves, and support other countries, in delivering human rights to be able to save people’s lives.”

 

“The other thing that we have to understand is, imagine being told that you’re not allowed to love someone, because of your religion, or the cause of the status quo around you. The mental wellbeing of that person is, is challenged and is impacted massively.”

 

“That’s happening here, let alone what is happening across the rest of the globe, human rights are less than what we have on our liberties. Pride is what we have here in the UK, and what we have in Europe. So, get on with it really is we are telling them, you’ve had years to have this conversation, or support the people, laws don’t change society, society does. So, let us help society get there.

 

But as the leaders are mainly discussing climate change and due to pride being an international festival, plastic and other non-sustainable materials are used in mass quantities. To combat this Matthew replied:

 

“We were looking at being the first ever Pride to be carbon neutral and understand our environmental impact (by 2023). So that goes down to the very simple basics of reuse, reduce, recycle. Looking at the different alternatives to plastics and biodegradable versions.” […] “We’re taking our bus across to different parts of the county, that actually that means there’s less carbon impacts by more people coming to the actual event as well.”

 

Overall I think Matthew Kentworthy and the Y7 agree that we need a green-thinking future, whether that is regarding Cornwall Pride, the G7 meetings or our day to day life we can all collaborate to make sure our planet is restored.

Josh and Enid’s Zoom interview with Matthew Kentworthy: